Car Accident Statistics

New York Car Accident Statistics

New York car accident statistics show that crashes remain one of the leading causes of serious injury and death across the state. Attorney Brett J. Nomberg, of the Law Office of Brett J. Nomberg, PLLC, located at 600 Third Avenue, New York, NY, represents crash victims throughout all five boroughs and the surrounding counties. He uses current NYC crash data and New York collision hotspot evidence to build strong personal injury cases. Whether your crash happened on the Belt Parkway, the Grand Concourse, or the Long Island Expressway, Brett fights to recover maximum compensation for you.

In 2024, New York City recorded just over 91,000 motor vehicle collisions, with more than 40,000 involving injuries and 250 involving traffic fatalities. Brooklyn led all boroughs with 22,781 crashes, 9,990 injuries, and 53 deaths. Queens followed with 17,808 collisions and 30 fatalities. Manhattan recorded 11,902 crashes and 28 deaths. These numbers come directly from NYPD crash data and the City of New York’s open data portal. Across all of New York State, fatal crash statistics showed 766 deaths in the first ten months of 2024 — the highest rate in years before a decline was recorded in 2025.

New York uses a no-fault insurance system under Insurance Law §5103, covering up to $50,000 in basic economic loss regardless of fault. To file a personal injury lawsuit, your injuries must meet the serious injury threshold under Insurance Law §5102(d) — including fractures, permanent loss, significant disfigurement, or a 90/180-day disability. If a government vehicle or poorly maintained public road contributed to your crash, you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days under General Municipal Law §50-e. The standard statute of limitations for private claims is three years under CPLR §214. Missing these deadlines ends your right to recover.

Why New York Crash Cases Are Different

New York’s dense urban environment, aging infrastructure, and heavy commercial traffic create crash conditions unlike almost anywhere else in the country. New York City traffic accident cases often involve multiple liable parties — a distracted driver, a municipality that failed to fix a dangerous signal, or a commercial carrier with inadequate training policies. New York personal injury law allows victims to pursue all responsible parties under comparative negligence rules set by CPLR §1411.

Cases involving city-owned buses, NYCDOT-maintained roads, or public parking facilities require a Notice of Claim filed within 90 days. Cases on state highways may involve the New York State Department of Transportation. Car accident claims in New York also frequently involve uninsured or underinsured motorists, requiring pursuit of your own UM/UIM policy. Brett Nomberg understands every layer of this process and handles it all for his clients directly.

Common Types of New York Car Accident Cases

Car crashes in New York involve many different fact patterns. The type of crash often determines which evidence matters most, which parties may share liability, and how damages are calculated.

New York’s Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections

Certain roads and intersections in New York State generate a disproportionate share of serious crashes year after year. Transportation Alternatives identified 116 intersections in New York City alone where five or more people were killed or seriously injured between January 2022 and late 2025. Bronx crash victims and those injured in other boroughs benefit when their attorney knows which corridors carry the heaviest risk and how to use that history as evidence of a foreseeable hazard.

The 90-Day Deadline for Government-Related Crashes

If your crash involved a city bus, a state-owned vehicle, or a road defect on a publicly maintained street, strict government claim deadlines apply. Under General Municipal Law §50-e, you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident. Missing this deadline almost always bars your claim permanently. The following entities trigger this requirement:

1. New York City (NYPD vehicles, NYCDOT road defects, city-owned property)
2. Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA buses, subway-related crashes)
3. New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA bus fleet)
4. New York State Department of Transportation (state highway defects)
5. Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (bridges, tunnels, airports)
6. New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA — crashes on housing authority property)
7. Any municipality, county, or public school district operating vehicles

Brett Nomberg files Notices of Claim on time and preserves every deadline for his clients. Do not wait to call — the 90 days begins on the date of the crash, not the date you hire an attorney.

Common Injuries in New York Car Crashes

The force of a vehicle collision — even at moderate speeds — can cause devastating injuries. Many do not appear immediately, which is why medical evaluation right after a crash is so important. Traumatic brain injuries are among the most serious crash outcomes, often caused by the head striking the steering wheel, window, or headrest. Spinal cord injuries can result in permanent paralysis and lifelong care costs that must be fully accounted for in your claim.

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) — concussion, hemorrhage, cognitive impairment
• Spinal cord damage — herniated discs, partial or full paralysis
• Fractures — arms, legs, ribs, pelvis, facial bones
• Soft tissue injuries — whiplash, torn ligaments, muscle tears
• Internal organ damage — internal bleeding, ruptured spleen or liver
• Burn injuries — from fuel ignition or airbag deployment
• Psychological injuries — PTSD, anxiety, depression following trauma
• Wrongful death — when a crash claims a family member’s life

What to Do After a Car Accident in New York

The steps you take immediately after a crash can protect your health, preserve evidence, and strengthen your legal claim. Many victims unknowingly make statements or delay treatment that insurers later use to reduce or deny compensation.

1. Call 911. Report the crash and request medical help, even if you feel okay. A police report creates an official record of the accident.
2. Seek medical care immediately. Some injuries like TBI and internal bleeding are not obvious. Document all symptoms and get evaluated the same day.
3. Document the scene. Photograph the vehicles, road conditions, traffic signals, skid marks, and any visible injuries before vehicles are moved.
4. Exchange information. Collect the other driver’s name, license, insurance, and plate number. Get contact information from all witnesses.
5. Do not admit fault. Do not apologize or make statements about what happened. Anything you say can be used against you by the insurer.
6. Contact Brett Nomberg before speaking with any insurance company. Insurers record and use your statements. An attorney protects your rights from the first call.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Brett J. Nomberg

Brett J. Nomberg has practiced personal injury law in New York for more than 30 years. He personally manages every case at his firm — clients always speak directly with Brett, never just a paralegal or case manager. He is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays, because accidents do not follow a schedule. His record includes verdicts and settlements of $4.5 million for a brain injury, $3.9 million in a case where evidence was concealed, $3.65 million for a construction accident, and $3.2 million for a Queens construction worker. You can learn more at his attorney profile page. Brett handles car accident, pedestrian accident, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury cases on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless he wins.

30 Years of Beating NY’s Largest Defense Firms

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Brett Nomberg personally handles every single case from trial through appeals. Speak directly to your lawyer—even on weekends. No attorney fee unless we win.

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(212) 808-8092

Serving NYC, Long Island, Westchester, and All of New York State. Available 24/7.

Injured in a New York Car Crash? Call Brett Nomberg Today.

New York roads are among the most dangerous in the country. If you or a family member was hurt in a New York car accident, you need an attorney who knows the data, knows the courts, and fights hard. Visit brettnomberglaw.com, call (212) 808-8092 anytime — 24/7 — or reach us through our online contact page. There is no fee unless we win your case.

Helpful Links:

• Common Causes of Car Accidents in New York →
• Rear-End Collision Lawyer New York →
• What to Do After a Car Accident →