Staten Island Car Accident Statistics: What You Need to Know

If you’ve been injured in a car accident on Staten Island, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, New York State averages about 15,435 hospitalizations each year due to auto accidents on our roads; we also have an annual average of 1,464 deaths, according to the New York State Department of Health.

The yearly average for emergency room visits related to car accidents is staggering: more than 146,000 people need treatment for unintentional motor vehicle traffic-related injuries between January and December of each year.

So what does this mean to you?

It means that you need to be increasingly careful every time you get behind the wheel. It’s not you that you have to worry about; it’s other drivers.

Road Rage and Car Accidents on Staten Island

An angry driver is a dangerous driver, and if you’re confronted by one, steer clear. While it might go against the grain for you to back off, it’s important that you know a simple confrontation could cost you your life.

Nobody is immune from an enraged driver, either. A cab driver slammed into pedestrians and police cars during a fit of rage in midtown during early January; a former police officer lost his life after honking his horn at an unstable driver last year.

Distracted Driving on Staten Island

Distracted driving causes more accidents now than it ever has. How many times have you glanced around to see a careless man texting, an oblivious teen chatting away, or a mom paying more attention to the kids in the backseat than to the road?

If you’re near a distracted driver, back off. It’s tempting to let them know you’ve noticed them ignoring traffic patterns and swerving, but your best bet is to get as far away as possible.

Unavoidable Accidents

Some accidents are just that: accidents. However, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t someone at fault. In many cases, a little digging and research turns up facts that you may have initially ignored, such as damaged equipment, hidden hazards and other issues that can cause dangerous crashes.

After Any Type of Accident…

If you’re hurt during any motor vehicle accident in New York, the first thing you need to do is seek medical care. If possible, get the other driver’s name and number; if not, get the names and numbers of witnesses. From there, it’s probably in your best interests to contact a personal injury lawyer right away.