Human Error, Vehicle Malfunction, Environment All Play Role in New York Car Accidents
Over 300,000 car accidents occur in New York each year, according to the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. Over half of these accidents, luckily, don’t result in injuries or deaths. Those accidents that do cause injury or death, however, can result from a wide range of causes, which can be broken down into three categories: human error, vehicle malfunction, and environment.
Accidents caused by human error include distracted driving accidents, speeding-related accidents, drunk driving crashes, and other situations in which the driver’s accidental or deliberate behavior results in a crash. Some drivers cause accidents via negligence, while others cause accidents through events beyond their control, like a sudden medical emergency.
Vehicle-malfunction accidents in New York include situations in which a defective or broken vehicle part or system leads to an accident. Failing brakes are the most common cause of these types of accidents, followed by a tire failure such as a sudden flat. A vehicle malfunction may be simply due to wear and tear, or it may be caused by a defective part or a bungled repair.
Finally, environmental causes also result in crashes. Animals that leap into the road, snow and ice, and dangerous roadway conditions all cause accidents that can be categorized as “environmental.” Like other accidents, negligence may or may not play a role in an environment-related accident.
Any car accident can have one or more causes, many of which may stem from the negligent actions of another person or company. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, figuring out what happened may seem overwhelming, especially as you try to recover from your injuries. At Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro & Halperin, our skilled New York car accident attorneys can unravel the details and hold any negligent parties accountable, so that you can focus on getting well. For a free case evaluation, call us today at (212) 222-4336.
Many accidents occur due to driver distraction or a simple mix-up as to which pedal is which. Researchers say one reason young and elderly drivers are especially at risk for these types of accidents is because young and old brains lack executive functions needed to drive safely. The increase in women drivers may simply be because women outlive men, making them more common in elderly populations.
The study compared insurance claims filed after accidents in both hybrid vehicles from 2003 to 2010 and similar conventional models from 2002 to 2010. By comparing similar accidents and the insurance claims filed after them, researchers concluded that hybrid vehicles are more likely to protect occupants in an accident than conventional vehicles are, reducing their risks of serious injury.
Give your vehicle a safety once-over. Have your vehicle tuned up, including fixing any needed alignment, tire rotation, or new tires. A car that's in top shape will respond best in a sudden emergency.





