New York Car Accidents Statistics

fatal car accident

Accidents are a common occurrence in New York. Unfortunately, a significant number of these crashes are serious events. Many Empire State car crash victims sustain severe injuries and may require emergency room visits, extended hospital stays, or even life-long treatment for accident-related chronic conditions. The New York State Department of Health even cited motor vehicle traffic crashes as the leading cause of injury-related fatality among New Yorkers during a recent year.

Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney, has been devoted to representing injured accident victims throughout the Binghamton area and across New York for nearly 40 years. He understands how devastating even seemingly minor accidents can be for individuals and families. He works tirelessly to ensure his clients have the help and compassion they need to recover fair compensation and move on with their lives.

Here is a compilation of the most recent facts and figures available for motor vehicle accidents that occurred throughout the state of New York, as well as right here in Broome County. Many of these statistics are alarming. However, we hope this information will help Binghamton citizens remain vigilant and safe on local roads. Read on or contact Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney, to learn more about your legal rights following a car accident.

NY Car Accident Statistics

According to data released by the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for the most recent year for which statistics are available:

New York drivers were involved in a total of 447,021 motor vehicle accidents.
881 New Yorkers were killed in those accidents
121,068 New Yorkers were injured, representing more than 27 percent of people involved in New York crashes
15,451 of the accidents involved pedestrians, resulting in the injury of 14,981 people and the death of 283 individuals
6,145 of the accidents were motor vehicle-bicycle collisions, resulting in 5,846 personal injuries and 49 fatalities
4,855 New York motorcycle crashes occurred during the year, 3,608 of which resulted in injuries and 132 of which were fatal
Male vehicle occupants accounted for 59.1 percent of crash-related injuries and 76.94 percent of fatalities
New Yorkers aged 21 to 29 were most likely to be injured or killed in motor vehicle accidents
Fridays were the most dangerous days on New York roads, with 72,433 crashes occurring throughout the state on this day of the week
Although more crashes and more injuries resulted from Friday accidents in New York, Saturdays were the deadliest, with 163 New Yorkers killed in fatal accidents on this day of the week
December was the most dangerous month in New York, with 9.7 percent of all crashes occurring that month
July had the highest proportion of fatal crashes, with 11.35 percent of New York accident fatalities occurring that month
Nearly 30 percent of all New York state crashes were single-vehicle crashes, 1.5 percent of which were fatal
The vast majority (78 percent) of those New York accidents were the result of some type of human error, with driver distraction or inattention as the leading reported contributing factor
Most New York motor vehicle occupants (85.9 percent) who were involved in crashes were reportedly using safety restraints at the time of impact
Motor vehicle occupants were more than 26 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries in New York crashes if they were not using safety restraints
8,905 alcohol-involved accidents were reported to New York police, of which 97 fatalities and more than 3,400 injuries were involved
Although less than one half of one percent (0.24 percent) of New York’s police-reported crashes were drug-related for the year, these crashes still resulted in 16 deaths and 510 injuries
35,852 of New York police-reported crashes involved speeding

Broome County Car Crash Statistics

The New York DMV also publishes annual car crash statistics on a county-by-county basis. For the most recent year for which data is available, Broome County statistics reveal the following:

5,401 motor vehicle crashes occurred during the year
There were 901 county-wide injury crashes and 8 fatal accidents
One pedestrian was killed, and 70 more were injured in 72 pedestrian-motor vehicle crashes in Broome County
One bicyclist was killed, and 33 more were injured in 36 bicycle-motor vehicle accidents in the county
One motorcyclist was killed, and 38 more were injured in 49 motorcycle-motor vehicle collisions
There were 1,523 individuals involved in fatal or injury-causing accidents out of the 134,005 licensed drivers in Broome County
Male drivers in Broome County were about 10 percent less likely (49.37 percent) to be injured in vehicle accidents than the statewide average (59.1 percent)
As in the rest of New York, Broome County drivers between the ages of 21 and 29 were involved in a significantly higher percentage of crashes (20.36 percent) than drivers of any other age group
30 percent of drivers killed in car accidents in Broome County were between the ages of 21 and 29
41 percent of drivers injured in car accidents in Broome County were between the ages of 21 and 29
As in the rest of New York state, Fridays were the most dangerous days on county roads, with 907 crashes occurring on Fridays in Broome County
November and December were the most dangerous months for Broome County drivers, with 10 percent or more of county-wide crashes occurring in each of the final two months of the year
The majority of vehicle crashes in Broome County reportedly involved human-related contributing factor, with more than 1,100 accidents involving driver inattention or distraction

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Binghamton, NY

Although a car accident causing injury or death can occur at any time and for any reason, there are some causes of these crashes that are more common than others. These include:

Distracted driving: It is illegal in Binghamton and all of New York State to hold a phone or other handheld device while driving. Unfortunately, that doesn’t stop many people from doing it. However, texting and other uses of a handheld device are not the only forms of distracted driving. Grooming, eating, and even changing radio stations are all also considered types of this dangerous driving behavior.
Speeding: When a motorist drives at excessive speeds, they put the safety of everyone around them at risk. Speeding slows a person’s reaction time and doesn’t provide them with the distance or time needed to come to a full stop. This doesn’t only cause accidents, it also increases the severity of injuries resulting from those accidents.
Driving while intoxicated: Even with so much light being shed on the dangers of driving while intoxicated, people continue to get behind the wheel while they are drunk or impaired. Sometimes a person is more intoxicated than they think they are, or they simply have a wanton disregard for the safety of others. Whatever the reason, drunk or impaired driving is still a major problem on Binghamton’s roads.
Drowsy driving: People do not realize how dangerous it is to drive while you are tired. The effects of fatigue on the human body are very similar to the effects of alcohol. Excessive tiredness slows a person’s reaction time and makes it more difficult for them to concentrate on the road in front of them. It can also cause a person to fall asleep behind the wheel, which will likely result in a catastrophic accident.
Aggressive driving: This is extremely dangerous driving behavior, and one many Binghamton’s drivers engage in. When a person tailgates, changes lanes often and at great speeds, doesn’t use their signals, or cuts in front of other drivers, they are driving aggressively. Unfortunately, these are just a few examples of this type of driving behavior. Aggressive driving can easily injure or kill someone on the roads.
Poor road conditions: New York sees some severe weather, and the roads quickly become covered in ice and snow in the winter months. Drivers need to understand that they are still responsible for car accidents that occur due to these conditions. However, when a road has been poorly maintained or is improperly designed, these mistakes can also cause accidents.

When a car accident occurs due to one of these common causes, it shows a driver was negligent. When that is the case, accident victims can file a claim against the at-fault driver when the injuries are severe, or the crash resulted in death.

How Our Binghamton Car Accident Attorney Can Help You

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a crash, it is important to understand that you might be entitled to compensation for the injuries. Dealing with the at-fault driver and even your own insurance company can prove difficult, however.

Scott C. Gottlieb is a respected Binghamton car accident attorney who has earned a reputation for standing up for the rights of crash victims. He has dedicated his career to helping accident victims secure the fair settlements to which they are entitled, and he will fight to hold negligent drivers and insurance companies accountable for paying the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.