Motor Vehicle Collisions are the Leading Cause of Injury-Related Deaths
Auto collisions are the leading cause of injury-related deaths in New York. From 2014 to 2021, an average of 1,098 people were killed and 12,093 hospitalized each year. Motor vehicle crashes are also responsible for over 135,000 emergency room visits annually.
Read on to find out who’s most likely to be involved in an accident, and what you can do to hold negligent parties responsible.
Who’s at the greatest risk?
Men are most likely to be hospitalized after a vehicle collision, followed by people ages 20-24 and seniors 65 and older. Meanwhile, women are more likely to visit the emergency room after an accident. They’re followed by New Yorkers ages 20-24 and 15-19.
Motorcyclists are also at higher risk, especially male drivers ages 20-44. Because motorcycles lack the same protection as an enclosed vehicle, accidents are more likely to result in serious injury or death.
However, there’s good news: fatalities, hospitalizations and emergency room visits are declining overall.
What to do after an accident
First, call local law enforcement to report the accident. Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine. Some injuries take hours or days to fully manifest.
If your injuries permit, take photos of the accident scene, damage to the vehicles and any visible injuries. If any eyewitnesses saw the collision, record their contact information.
When your medical condition is stable, call Jakubowski, Robertson, Maffei, Goldsmith & Tartaglia, LLP for a consultation. If the other drivers were negligent or reckless, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, lost wages and more. An experienced personal injury attorney can review your case, explain your legal options and the likelihood of succeeding. If you lost a loved one in the accident, we can also help you file a wrongful death claim.
The trusted personal injury attorneys at Jakubowski, Robertson, Maffei, Goldsmith & Tartaglia, LLP are on your side. Call today to get started.