Bronx Car Accident Statistics
Located on the mainland, the Bronx is one of the five boroughs at the northernmost with an approximate area of about 57.4 square miles; there is a vast extension where probably at this very moment you are reading this content, a Bronx car accident is taking place.
The New York City Police Department provides a monthly report on traffic accidents through its website. Based on the latest information, in June 2023, there were 1988 Bronx car accidents ranging from minimum damage to fatalities.
One thousand sixty-nine people were injured due to these accidents, and two fatalities were found. To know those are numbers for a single month is alarming. People must understand the risks of driving a car and always respect traffic laws to avoid unfortunate situations.
However, Bronx car accidents are still increasing each month and each year. As the population continues growing, so will car accidents; it's represented in the statistics, and there is something that even though we as citizens can strive to avoid, it is almost impossible to eradicate since there are always neglecting people that will endanger others.
The best you can do besides respecting traffic laws and driving defensively is to have a backup in case of an accident occurs to you or any family member. A good insurance policy would be a good step, but the most important is to count on a car accident attorney to assist you in any case of a Bronx car accident.
The Ward Law Group P.L. has a group of excellent legal professionals with high ethical values and experience dealing with traffic accident cases. We have helped many people throughout the past decade to recover damages caused by a neglecting party.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in the Bronx
The Ward Law Group has been dedicated to serving the community for years, particularly in handling traffic accident cases. Our extensive experience has gathered valuable insights into the reasons behind car accidents.
The causes of these accidents vary, ranging from the negligence of individual drivers to situations where no driver can be held at fault, often involving multiple parties. Understanding these leading causes can be vital in avoiding such unfortunate incidents.
Reckless Driving:
One of the most prevalent causes of car accidents in the Bronx is reckless driving. Reckless behavior on the road, such as speeding, abrupt lane changes, tailgating, and performing stunts on public highways, has been responsible for many collisions.
These dangerous actions put the driver at risk and endanger the lives of other road users. We can significantly reduce such accidents by fostering a culture of responsible and considerate driving.
Distracted Driving:
Distracted driving has become a significant concern in today's fast-paced, technology-driven world. The use of mobile phones while driving, whether for texting or talking, has contributed to a substantial rise in accidents.
Failing to keep our full attention on the road can have devastating consequences. Distractions can cause drivers to collide with other vehicles, overlook potential obstacles ahead, or miss crucial exits, resulting in sudden swerves that may lead to further accidents.
Driving Under The Influence (DUI):
It only takes 0.08 percent of alcohol in blood to violate traffic laws in New York. Driving under the influence is a high risk and represents many car accidents. It is known that alcohol impairs drivers by reducing their reaction time, they usually go at high speed, and their impaired senses make them crash into other drivers, hit walls, or fall from cliffs.
Another way of impairment is using some prescriptive drugs that cause people to be tired. It is essential to be aware of the type of medicine you are using, and if it does get you tired, you should have a designated driver with you to take responsibility.
Adverse Weather Conditions:
Heavy rain or cold, snowy weather can provoke accidents on highways and roads. It reduces drivers' visibility and lowers the friction between the vehicle tire and the asphalt, leading the vehicle to slip and making the driver lose control of it.
It is recommended that drivers reduce by at least 20% of the speed limit where there are adverse weather conditions to have more control over their vehicles and avoid car accidents.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
In the very moment of a car accident, you may be confused, and the adrenaline in your body may not let you think accurately; it can happen, and it is ok. The first recommendation is to keep calm, take a deep breath and relax for a minute.
Call An Ambulance:
Then you would want to ensure you don't have any injury requiring emergency assistance, such as a laceration, a broken bone, or extreme pain in your back or neck.
If that's the case, have someone who cannot call 911 to ask for emergency medical assistance. Your well-being is always first, and you should receive medical help immediately.
Call The Police:
If you find yourself without any injury requiring immediate attention, you should call the police to report the accident. You have two options: you can do this yourself or contact your Bronx car accident lawyer to assist you.
Your legal assistant will be in person with you at the crash scene to do the rest of the steps for you with high expertise and diligence.
Gather Evidence:
The crash scene is a vast area of evidence you must gather for the investigation and build a solid case to prove others' negligence. Taking pictures of the vehicles involved, the wounds you sustained, and the street where you were hit is a huge advantage.
Other pieces of evidence are to have a backup of the police report, medical information, prescriptions, bills, etc. Anything related to the Bronx car accident will be used as case evidence.
Witnesses Information:
An essential part of the investigation is to have the testimony of the people that witnessed your accident. Try to get the contact information of witnesses willing to help you. Your lawyer will then call them to execute a testimony of what they saw; that investigation should be done just a few days after to avoid losing crucial information.
The expertise of your lawyer in this step is significant because the information gathered by the witnesses should be only to pick firsthand observations of what happened. This way, we avoid having information based on speculations of what other drivers, witnesses, or passengers might have said or thought.
Understanding New York Car Accident Laws
Provide an overview of relevant car accident laws in New York, such as no-fault insurance rules and statute of limitations.
New York is a No-Fault state, which means that car accident victims should always receive compensation from their personal injury protection policy that every driver must have.
However, this policy is always limited in what it covers and how much it does cover. When serious injuries are involved, most of the time, this personal injury protection gets short and cannot pay for all the expenses.
Therefore, the victim could also present a claim with the other's driver's insurance to get compensation for their bodily injury protection policy.
To have a car accident lawyer in the Bronx is extremely important because, as insurance companies deal with many claims, they have become experts in blaming the injured party for being the one at fault and denying coverage.
If they don't do that, they may low ball you with an unfair settlement that victims usually accept due to their lack of knowledge about what they deserve and not having a Bronx car accident lawyer beside them.
Statute Of Limitation
The New York law states a time limit when a victim can present a claim about a car accident, three years from the day of the incident. If you fail to deliver the claim promptly, you may lose your right to receive compensation for all the damages and expenses you incurred.
A Bronx car accident attorney will help you to print all the claims with a solid argument and all the pieces needed to win a fair settlement for you and your family.
, This statute has some exemptions, sometimes less than three years, depending on the involved parties. It is crucial to seek legal assistance to avoid losing your opportunity to receive compensation.
Types of Compensation in Car Accident Claims
When you've been involved in a car accident in the Bronx, you are prone to sustain serious injuries depending on the severity of the wreck. It is not funfair if you have been respecting traffic laws and being a good citizen, then have to pay for everything in an accident you did not cause.
Here you have some of the damages the insurance or a lawsuit can compensate for you if the settlement they want to give you is not enough or unfair.
Medical Expenses:
One of the primary types of compensation is reimbursement for medical expenses resulting from the car accident. This includes hospital bills, doctor's visits, medication, rehabilitation costs, and necessary medical treatments.
Ensuring that you receive proper compensation for medical expenses is essential to not burden you with unexpected financial strain during your recovery process.
Lost Wages:
Car accidents can lead to injuries that may require time off work for recovery. In such cases, victims may be entitled to compensation for lost wages. This compensation aims to cover the income you would have earned had the accident not occurred. Demonstrating the extent of your lost wages and the impact on your financial stability is critical to secure fair compensation.
Pain and Suffering:
Beyond tangible expenses, car accident victims may also be eligible for compensation for the pain and suffering they experienced due to the accident. This type of compensation seeks to address the physical and emotional distress caused by the incident, aiming to provide a sense of justice for the victim's pain and anguish.
However, this damage can only be available if serious injuries are involved and would be requested in a lawsuit. Most of the insurance policies will not pay for this type of damage.
Property Damage:
In car accidents, property damage is a common consequence. This compensation covers repairing or replacing your damaged vehicle and any personal belongings affected by the accident. Promptly documenting the extent of the property damage and its associated expenses can help ensure you receive appropriate compensation.
Comparative Negligence in New York
As a leading Bronx car accident lawyer, we understand the importance of New York's comparative negligence laws in determining the outcome of car accident cases. Comparative negligence is a legal concept used to allocate fault and responsibility between parties involved in an accident.
Under New York's comparative negligence rule, the immunization a victim is entitled to receive is reduced if they are found partially at fault for the accident.
The NeThearative negligence rule in New York was a "pure comparative fault" system. This means that even if you are partly responsible for the accident, you can still pursue compensation for your damages.
However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found 20% at fault for the accident and your total damages are $10,000, you would be eligible to recover $8,000 ($10,000 - 20% = $8,000).
Navigating comparative negligence claims can be complex, as insurance companies may shift more blame onto the victim to minimize their liability. Our experienced car accident lawyers deeply understand New York's comparative negligence laws and can effectively advocate for your rights.
We will gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build a solid case to ensure your contribution to the accident is accurately assessed, resulting in fair compensation.
Contact a Bronx Car Accident Attorney
If you've been involved in a car accident in the Bronx, don't wait to seek legal assistance. At The Ward Law Group, PL, our experienced Bronx car accident lawyers have over a decade of expertise in handling car accident cases and have secured million-dollar settlements for our clients.
We understand our community's diverse needs, so we proudly offer support to the Spanish-speaking population. If you're unsure about your rights and the compensation you deserve, don't hesitate to reach out for a free consultation.
Contact us at 855-DOLOR-55 or use our convenient online website chat feature to discuss your case with a dedicated car accident attorney in the Bronx. Let us fight for your rights and guide you toward the justice and compensation you deserve after a car accident.