Blog

Cycling and walking have become two very popular ways for people to get around New York City. Each of these helps a person get in their daily exercise, while also lowering pollution levels in the city and helping the environment. Just as New York City has some of the heaviest motor vehicle traffic on the road, the same is also true for cyclists and pedestrians.

While municipal governments have installed many bike lanes, sidewalks, and walking trails over the years, individuals on bike and on foot still face many dangers when they head out. People are even more at risk when they have to interact with streets that are congested with motor vehicles. If you are a cyclist or pedestrian in the city, it is imperative that you know where the trouble spots are in the city, and who to call for help if you are hurt.

How Does Congested Traffic Lead to Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents?

There is a reason New York is sometimes called “the city that never sleeps.” The city is busy and bustling at all hours of the day and night. Only three other cities in the country are considered to have worse traffic congestion than New York. Those are Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Boston.

New York motorists spend an average of 133 hours stuck in city traffic every year. It is easy to see how people would want to avoid sitting in traffic amid this congestion and so, many choose to bike or walk to get to where they are going. Those that choose to continue to use motor vehicles are much more likely to lose their patience, particularly when they are at busy intersections. Incidents of texting and driving are starting to increase because drivers often look at their phone while they are stuck in traffic. As drivers continue to become more frustrated while behind the wheel, they may engage in other dangerous behaviors, which may include:

• Speeding to try and beat a red light
• Turning at a dangerously fast speed in intersections
• Speeding to make up for the time they spend in gridlocked traffic
• Tailgating, or following too closely
• Becoming irritated by pedestrians and cyclists who are lawfully using the road, such as a crosswalk

Other common causes of accidents between motor vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists include improper road conditions, poor weather conditions, and impaired driving. While motorists may not have full control over all of these issues, they are still expected to know how to drive in a safe manner so everyone is kept safe. For example, a motorist who is not comfortable driving in icy conditions should stay home or find another mode of transportation instead of taking their chances by heading out in a snowstorm.

Dangerous Intersections for Cyclists and Pedestrians

Most pedestrians and cyclists remain in bike lanes or protected sidewalks, but there are times when they have to interact with motor vehicles. One of these areas is at intersections and even though bikers and walkers will remain at the shoulder of the road or in a crosswalk, they still face significant dangers in intersections. Every borough in New York City has its own dangerous intersections, and it is crucial that everyone knows what those are.

Queens:

• 168th Street and 89th Avenue
• Willoughby Avenue and Woodward Avenue
• 111th Street and 39th Avenue
• 99th Street and 37th Avenue
• 101st Street and 37th Avenue

Manhattan (Lower East Side)

• Rivington Street and Clinton Street
• Rivington Street and Ludlow Street

Bronx

• Hull Avenue and East Mosholu Parkway North
• Inwood Avenue and Goble Place
• Valentine Avenue and East 196th
• Creston Avenue and Field Place
• College Avenue and East 168th

Brooklyn

• Wyckoff Street and Smith Street
• Willoughby Street and Lawrence Street
• Kingston Avenue and Sterling Place
• South Fifth and Hooper Street
• Havemeyer Street and the South Third
• Keep Street and the South Fourth
• Rugby Road and Newkirk Avenue
• Argyle Road and Newkirk Avenue

These intersections, like so many others throughout New York City, are very busy places. It is no wonder that so many accidents occur in these places between vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Dangerous Streets in New York City

Although many crashes between pedestrians and cyclists occur at intersections, they also happen on various roads. Design flaws, heavy vehicular movement, and even the location of a road can result in a greater risk of a crash occurring. Again, each borough has its own roads that are considered more dangerous than others.

Queens

• Woodhaven Boulevard
• Union Turnpike
• Queens Boulevard
• Jamaica Avenue

Manhattan

• Upper Broadway
• Henry Hudson Parkway
• Amsterdam Avenue

Long Island

• Sunrise Highway
• Nassau Jericho Turnpike
• Middle Country Road
• Merrick Road
• Hempstead Turnpike

Bronx

• Broadway
• Grand Concourse

Brooklyn

• Kings Highway
• Neptune Avenue
• Atlantic Avenue
• Brighton Beach

Who is Liable for Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents?

When an accident occurs between a motorist and someone on foot or on bike, it is usually the driver that is at fault. While a cyclist or pedestrian may contribute to the accident, it is still usually the motorist that holds the highest percentage of blame. However, there are times when accidents occur between pedestrians and cyclists that do not involve a motorist and in these cases, determining liability is more difficult.

Although most cyclists remain within the designated bike lanes in the city, these too, become congested. A cyclist may move away from these lanes and into the street or onto a sidewalk that is less crowded, potentially causing an accident.

Additionally, pedestrians are also not always vigilant. They may not follow proper traffic rules, or they may walk while distracted, running into another pedestrian and causing serious injuries. It is not always easy to determine which party is liable for an accident, so it is important to speak to a New York City personal injury lawyer.

Call Our Personal Injury Lawyer in New York City for Sound Legal Advice

Pedestrians and cyclists are likely to sustain the worst injuries after a crash, and they can usually claim financial compensation to help offset the costly burden they impose. At Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C., our New York City personal injury lawyer will review your case, determine who was at fault, and hold them accountable for paying the full damages you deserve. Call us today at 1-877-ASK4SAM or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.