Approximately 5.8 percent of all motor vehicle accidents occur in Staten Island. While many accidents involve multiple cars, many accidents involve bicyclists on the roads of New York. This year, six bike riders have been killed during morning rush hour in Brooklyn.
Out of all the different types of vehicles on the roadways, bicycles are probably the most vulnerable mode of transportation when involved in a New York accident. Approximately 77.5 percent of accidents involving a bike resulted in an injury, and scooter and motorcycles are not far behind. According to statistics, most bike collisions in New York occur in Brooklyn. On average, out of every 100 collisions in the city, 1.9 cyclists are injured. The highest number of accidents involving cyclists occurred during the evening rush hour, around 6 p.m. The safest time to bike is in the early morning.
So what causes these tragedies? Distracted driving has proven to be a leading cause of motor vehicle collisions. Nearly 20,000 accidents, or 26 percent of the total, were caused by distracted drivers. As part of the Vision Zero plan, Mayor Bill de Blasio reduced the speed limit from 30-miles-per-hour to 25-miles-per-hour for a number of major roadways in the city. Some accidents are caused by the cyclists themselves, such as when they fail to stop at red lights.
Many bicyclists and motorists are injured and killed in car accidents every year. With the Mayor of New York making a concerted effort to reduce these accidents, the city hopes that the number of accidents will reduce significantly in the near future. The Vision Zero proposal aims to have zero traffic deaths in New York City by 2024. Even if that goal is not met, any progress at all will be welcomed by New York residents.
Those involved in an accident should understand how he or she could move forward following the incident. If an injured party believes that another party is at fault, the victim may want to consider his or her options regarding a civil action. A personal injury claim could help the injured party move forward, helping them to address the financial burdens arising from the incident.
Source: New York Business Journal, “Six cyclists dead in NYC: where are the most dangerous spots for bikes?” Teresa Novellino, July 14, 2015
