Pandemic Has Caused an Increase in Motor Vehicle Accidents
The pandemic has been an ongoing issue that has changed daily life for people in New York City and throughout the United States. Stay at home orders, remote school and work, and financial struggles have led to an increase in aggression that is increasingly evident in several aspects of life. One of the most disturbing displays of this aggression is in the drastic increase of injury-causing and fatal motor vehicle accidents that have occurred since the pandemic began.
Many of these accidents leave victims with lingering and debilitating issues that threaten their quality of life. We will examine the factors involved in these motor vehicle accidents, including the role of COVID-19. We will also reveal what you should do if you or someone you love is injured in an automobile accident in NYC.
Effects of COVID-19 On Society
Coronavirus 2019 caused the majority of the nation to mandate stay at home orders, requiring families to stay indoors, work remotely, and attend school via digital means. These significant disruptions to daily life, including increased isolation, loneliness, and other personal issues have taken a devastating toll on society as we once knew it.
These unplanned and continuously evolving circumstances have resulted in a society of individuals who are fueled by an increase in aggressive behaviors.
Since the pandemic began, there has been a rise in violent crime, including theft, assault, burglary, and more. There has also been a significant increase in road rage and other traffic violations, including speeding, reckless driving, ignoring traffic signals, etc.
Aggression On Roadways
Angry, careless, and/or reckless driving has been a major cause of the increased number of automobile accidents, resulting in severe injuries and wrongful deaths. These devastating accidents have affected drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists and their families throughout NYC.
The increase in injury causing motor vehicle accidents is also a result in the rise of pre-pandemic issues. Dangerous driving decisions, including distracted driving and driving under the influence, have increased significantly in recent years.
The New York Times reports that there has been a 17.5% increase in fatal motor vehicle accidents since the pandemic began. This disturbing statistic is the largest increase in automobile deaths that the nation has experienced since shortly after World War II.
Collision Injuries
New York City residents have been especially affected by the significant increase in road aggression, distracted driving, and other reckless behaviors. Drivers, passengers, bicyclists, and pedestrians are all at a high-risk of accidents and injury resulting from dangerous roadways.
Common Collision Accidents Include:
- Broken Bones
- Lacerations
- Burns
- Back Injury
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Head Trauma
- Brain Damage
- Whiplash
- Death
Minority groups have suffered the highest number of serious motor vehicle accidents caused by this increase in aggressive driving. Many low-income neighborhoods lack sidewalks and crosswalks that are necessary to protect residents from reckless drivers.
There have also been more individuals that are part of minority groups affected because many are essential workers. These workers could not perform their jobs remotely and did not get to stay home during the pandemic.
Goidel and Siegal
Contact Goidel and Siegel today if you have been injured as a result of an angry or careless driver. You deserve to be compensated for your injuries and may be due reimbursement for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. There may be several parties responsible for your injuries. The only way to determine liability is to speak with a legal professional about the unique circumstances of your case.
The team of personal injury lawyers at Goidel and Siegel are experienced and specialize in recovering compensation for victims of motor vehicle accidents. Goidel and Siegel have been serving clients throughout New York City for over 30 years, fighting the insurance company, and even going to trial if necessary.
Let Goidel and Siegel fight for you while you rest and recover.
Don’t Cut Corners! Left-Hand Turns Are Dangerous
A study by the NYC DOT found left-hand turns can be significantly more dangerous than right-hand turns. This puts runners, bikers, and walking pedestrians at a higher risk of being hit when drivers cut corners. The DOT report finds that pedestrians and bikers are killed or severely injured by left- turning vehicles at three times the rate of those hit by right turning vehicles. Studies show most of these left-hand turn accidents occur at intersections with crossing signals or with turns from way streets because of blocked visibility and a wider turning radius.
A Change:
In 2014, 4,884 pedestrians and 726 bicyclists were killed in motor vehicle crashes across the country. In addition, 36 percent of fatal accidents involving a motorcycle involve a left-hand turn in front of a motorcycle. Since the start of 2016, fatality and injury rates are improving because intersections have added mechanisms. Left-hand turns are risky because the driver is attempting to drive across oncoming traffic. Poor judgement or a compromising visibility, makes a left-hand turn that isn’t controlled by a traffic arrow dangerous.
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, the personal injury lawyers at Goidel & Siegel, LLP, may be able to help and obtain financial compensation for you.
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2016/08/04/study-finds-left-hand-turns-are-more-dangerous-than-we-think/
Tour Bus Crashes on the Upper East Side
At about 1:15pm Thursday afternoon at 5th Avenue and East 63rd Street, a tour bus slammed into a tree. The double-decker bus was heading south on 5th Avenue when it swerved into a tree to avoid colliding a taxi. Many were injured on the top deck of the bus, including a pair of tourists in their 70s who were seriously injured. The injured passengers were immediately taken to a nearby hospital. The bus company has experienced 18 violations, one because a driver did not have a commercial license.
Public transportation is essential for tens of millions of people throughout the 5 boroughs of New York City. Although it is an important means of transportation, serious accidents are fairly common. If you have been injured in a public transportation accident, the personal injury lawyers at Goidel & Siegel, LLP, will stand up for you against the MTA and other public entities.
