Why Do Car Accidents Happen In Queens?
An unfortunate reality is that you can get into a car accident even when you’re obeying the rules of the road and driving both cautiously and defensively. Such in part explains why over 30,000 accidents occurred in Queens in 2020. While Queens is no longer the borough where most accidents occur—that’s Brooklyn—it used to be in 2018 and 2019. We provide most affordable car accident lawyer Flushing services!
So why do car accidents happen so often in Queens? Several answers to this question are put forth below, as well as answers to other frequently asked questions car accident victims have.
Call 1-800-HURT-511 to speak with an expert car accident lawyer in Flushing. If our lawyers deem you have a case, they’ll begin assisting you immediately to ensure you have the best possible chance of receiving fair compensation for the accident-related injuries you sustained.
Which Spots in Queens Are Dangerous for Drivers?
While most roadways and intersections in Queens are safe, there are some infamous spots you should be aware of before you drive through the borough. When driving through these spots, it’s best to exercise extreme caution behind the wheel, as this way you have the best chance of avoiding an accident. The two roadways discussed below are infamous to drivers and pedestrians alike:
Queens Boulevard, AKA The Boulevard of Death
The infamy of Queens Boulevard is known on a national level. And to locals, it’s known as the Boulevard of Death. From 1990 to 2017, at least 186 accident-related fatalities occurred on Queens Boulevard, and recently it was dubbed the most dangerous roadway in the state of New York. So what makes Queens Boulevard so dangerous?
First, it’s huge. Most of the road is 12 lanes, and at one spot there are 16 lanes. Furthermore, there’s a lot of commercial activity around the boulevard, which means pedestrian traffic can sometimes be just as heavy as vehicular traffic. Also, several spots along the road are poorly lit, so many pedestrians have a difficult time judging oncoming drivers’ speed and distance at these spots. Also, the streets are incredibly wide, which means pedestrians often don’t have adequate time to cross before lights change and vehicles start advancing.
Jamaica Avenue Between 85th and 98th Streets
Jamaica Avenue is another infamous roadway, dubbed one of the most dangerous streets in the nation for pedestrians in 2021. The past decade saw over a hundred car accidents occur on this roadway, and six people have been killed between 85th and 98th streets over the past 16 years.
Why Do Car Accidents Occur?
Car accidents happen in Queens for a variety of reasons. Of course, there are location-specific factors that lead to car accidents, such as Queens Boulevard’s construction, but accidents can be caused by a variety of other factors as well. Some of the factors that commonly cause car accidents are listed below:
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Reckless driving
- Speeding
- Bad weather conditions
- Poor road conditions
- Distracted driving
- Failure to obey traffic signs
- Failure to obey rules of the road
- Driving at night
- Tailgating
- Improper turning
Do You Sue the Driver Who Hit You Following a Car Accident?
No, and this is because New York is a no-fault state. In a no-fault state, parties to a car accident file claims with their respective car insurance providers, and the insurance providers determine where fault lies in a case. For example, it may be determined that you bear 20% of responsibility for an accident while the person who hit you bears 80%, and in this instance you’d both be compensated accordingly, i.e. you would be awarded four times the damages the person who hit you was awarded.
While the no-fault rule is standard in New York, there are instances when injuries sustained during a car accident allow an injured party to sue the other party directly.
How Fast Does a Car Accident Claim Need to Be Filed?
Generally speaking, you have three years to file a car accident claim in New York, and the clock starts ticking the moment the accident occurs. However, there are instances when you need to file sooner, such as when you get into a car accident with a government vehicle. In this case, you’d need to file a claim within 30 days against the appropriate government entity.
In the instance of a driver being killed in a car accident, a wrongful death suit is what would be brought. The statute of limitations for these cases is two years; that is, a deceased accident victim’s family members or beneficiaries have two years after the death to file a suit.
How Do I Pay Associated Medical Bills Following a Car Accident?
When you’re injured in a car accident, you’ll need medical attention, and this won’t be free. That is, you’ll need to pay for treatments, tests, prescriptions, and physical therapy up front. As a New Yorker, your health insurance plan should cover a portion of the total cost. If you can’t pay medical bills up front, you can sign an agreement with the hospital that’s treating you, wherein you agree to pay your bills once a settlement has been reached. A lot of car accident victims pursue this latter course to ensure they’re not drained financially immediately after an accident.
How Large (Generally) Are Car Accident Awards?
The size of your car accident award is chiefly based on the extent of the injuries you sustained during a car accident. An award will also take into account injuries that occurred after the accident, such as PTSD. Generally, car insurance providers in New York will pay their basic no-fault policyholders up to $50,000 in damages.
How Long Does It Take To Settle a Car Accident Claim?
Your car accident claim may take months or even years to settle. Car accident claims that gets settled out of court go a lot quicker than claims that go to trial, in large part because the formalities of a trial elongate the process considerably. Understanding that the claim process could take longer than a year is something you must be cognizant of before you file a car accident claim.
Do You Have to Pay a Car Accident Lawyer up Front?
In New York, car accident lawyers work off contingency, which means you won’t have to pay your lawyer unless they win your case. It’s standard practice for a lawyer to take 1/3 of the award as their fee, but there are laws, regulations, and ethical codes that dictate how much car accident lawyers can claim.
Is Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer Worth Sharing Your Award?
It’s common for car accident victims to hire a car accident lawyer in the wake of an accident, as car accident lawyers faq provide a range of useful services. A car accident lawyer will negotiate with your insurance provider for you, and they’ll also conduct the evidence-gathering process diligently so you can focus on recovery. They’ll also make sure you’re demanding a fair amount in damages, and should your case go to trial, they’ll be able to defend your interests in the courtroom and persuade a judge and jury to rule in your favor.
Need help with filing a car accident claim? Get in touch with us. We’d love to hear from you. Helping car accident victims is what our car accident lawyers in Flushing do best!
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