Protect Yourself This New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is one of the most dangerous holidays on the roads of New York. It is important to be aware of the dangers and what you need to do if you are in a car accident on New Year’s Eve.
Ajlouny Injury Law is dedicated to educating the public on the dangers of driving in New York, and we are here to help if you are in an accident on any day of the year. Contact us today for more information, or keep reading to learn more about New Year’s Eve traffic accidents in New York City.
How Many Traffic Accidents Happen on New Year’s Eve?
December in general is a dangerous month for NYC drivers. According to New York Police Crash Data, there were 3,148 accidents in the month of December 2022. Hundreds of these accidents happened on New Year’s Eve.
The National Safety Council estimates that as many as 408 people may lose their lives in New Year’s Eve car accidents nationwide. Considering only a small percentage of accidents lead to fatalities, it is easy to see that New Year’s Eve is a prime time for car accidents of any kind.
What Is the Main Cause of New Year’s Eve Car Accidents?
The main cause of New Year’s Eve car accidents is drunk driving. According to a report by Channel 12, as many as 36% of New Year’s Eve car accidents involve a drunk driver.
Other top causes of car accidents in December 2022 included:
- Distracted drivers
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Following too closely
- Improper lane usage
- Unsafe speeds
While everyone wants to enjoy the holiday, and parties are common, it is important to stay safe this season. If you are planning on going out and about on New Year’s Eve, don’t drink and drive, obey all traffic laws, and be aware of other drivers.
Who Is Liable In a New York Car Accident?
New York is a pure comparative negligence state, which means that each driver is liable for their role in the accident. However, generally speaking, the person who violates the law is found to be at fault for the accident.
There can be many elements to a car accident, some of which you may not be aware of at the time of the wreck. It is important to have an experienced car accident attorney who can reconstruct the accident and determine if a drunk driver was involved.
What to Do If You’re In a New Year’s Eve Car Accident
If you are in a New Year’s Eve car accident, you must stop and call the police if there has been an injury or there is more than $1,000 of property damage. This is required by law, even if it means you’ll miss out on your plans.
Follow these steps if you are in an accident on New Year’s Eve:
- Call police
- Gather information for the other drivers and witnesses
- Seek medical attention
- Report to the DMV within 10 days
- Contact an attorney
You need to contact an attorney when you have a car accident in NYC, even if you believe that you are not at fault. There are many elements to a car accident case, and insurance companies may try to place some of the blame on you so that they can decrease the amount they pay out on a claim.
Contact Ajlouny Injury Law If You Are In a Car Accident This New Year’s Eve
If you are following all of the laws and driving sober, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries and property damage in a car accident on New Year’s Eve. It is important to have an experienced attorney on your side during the preliminary insurance inquiries and to file a personal injury claim if needed.
Ajlouny Injury Law has many years of experience handling car accident cases, including cases in which a drunk driver was involved. Contact us at (718) 233-3913 as soon as possible if you have a car accident this New Year’s Eve so that we can guide you through the process.
