10 Most Common Causes Of Car Accidents In NYC

As of July 2024, New York City roads have experienced had 7,371 motor vehicle collisions, according to NYC’s Motor Vehicle Collision Report. 

Approximately 4,000 drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians suffered injuries in these auto accidents.

More than half of these car accidents occurred in two of New York City’s most populated boroughs, Brooklyn and Queens. 384 traffic collisions occurred in July 2024, alone.

Distracted driving is the primary causal factor in traffic accidents. Most car accidents were at least partially caused by distracted drivers not paying attention to the road.

Drivers are commonly distracted when operating cell phones, eating while driving, and sightseeing. When drivers are distracted, they fail to acknowledge bicyclists, traffic congestions, or other road obstacles.

More than 500 traffic accidents in July in NYC were caused during July due to tailgating. This occurs when one driver follows another driver too closely.

When a vehicle stops short, the tailing driver has too little time to avoid a car accident. 

When cars are in motion, drivers should leave enough space between themselves and the vehicles in front of them.

The National Safety Council recommends a three-second rule meaning that drivers should leave  a minimum of three-seconds of following distance.

New York’s right-of-way laws help to foster orderly traffic. New York drivers are expected to be knowledgeable and to observe the city’s right-of-way laws. Collisions are triggered when drivers don’t know which driver has the right-of-way or when they ignore the rules.

Motorists must change lanes after signaling and when properly observing traffic in the adjoining lane and making a reasonably prudent decision to merge into that lane.

Weaving in out of marked lanes or straddling two lanes creates a dangerous situation that can lead to sideswipe accidents.  

Drivers may improperly change lanes when driving distracted or they intentionally change lanes out of frustration and aggravation.

5. Speeding

Driving too fast frequently leads to car crashes since speeding reduces a driver’s reaction time. Drivers who are going too fast for the road conditions may not have enough time to brake or avoid a crash. Moreover, the damages from a car crash can increase the faster the vehicles involved in the crash  are traveling.

6. Passing Too Closely

When passing another driver, motorcyclist or bicyclist, drivers should exercise due caution. A prudent driver should provide other users of the road sufficient space so that the other motorist or bicyclist do not need to slow down. If the passing driver fails to provide this space, their vehicle may cause an accident.

7. Disobeying Traffic Control Devices

Drivers disobeying a NYC traffic lights or sign caused 249 collisions in July 2024. There is an expectation among NYC motorist that users of the road will obey these traffic signals. When other users of the road disobey traffic control signs and signals, traffic accidents result which can lead to serious injuries or loss of life.  

Car accidents do not always occur while vehicles are traveling forward. Often, drivers who are not paying attention while reversing collide with another vehicle or pedestrian. Typically, these collisions are minor because most drivers do not reverse quickly. However, oftentimes such accidents may lead to significant property damage and serious injuries.

Inexperienced drivers lack the skill and knowledge necessary to respond appropriately to events on the road. In July 2024, 198 crashes in New York City were attributed to driver inexperience.

Roughly 180 car accidents in New York City in July 2024 were contributed by drivers making improper turns. Improper turns are often caused by drivers  while failing to observe a traffic device. An improper turn can lead to a T-bone (side-impact) collision.