During the COVID-19 stay-home orders that began in March and extended nearly into the summer, New York City and the larger metro area experienced a significant decrease in traffic. Fewer commuters were going to work because they were working from home or furloughed. Yet according to a recent article in Mass Transit Magazine, traffic is returning to the New York and New Jersey area as offices reopen and employees come back in person. Indeed, more cars are back on the road, meaning that there is an increased risk of a car accident.
Traffic is Coming Back to New York
Traffic declined significantly in April in the New York City area, leading to some of the emptiest roads New Yorkers had seen in decades. Of course, those emptied streets brought incidents of extreme speeding, which can itself pose significant injury risks. Now, as more offices are reopening and non-essential workers are returning to their desks, automobile commuters are seeing an increase in traffic around the city. Although “traffic is still lower than pre-pandemic levels,” according to the article, “more people are driving” again. Indeed, traffic levels in Manhattan are “building,” according to the article, and there are more people traveling “during the peak of the afternoon rush.” Anecdotally, more drivers have reported “bumper-to-bumper traffic for blocks.”
When there are more cars on the road, the chances of a car crash increases. In addition, research suggests that the extreme driving that led to shocking speeding tickets during the height of the pandemic in New York City has not ceased entirely. Accordingly, more drivers are behind the wheel again while other drivers continue to behave recklessly. Since April, vehicle miles traveled have increased in New York City by more than 150%, and by more than 130% in commuter regions between New York and New Jersey.
How to Seek Compensation After a New York Car Crash
Whether you commute to work in New York by car or you were recently involved in a collision, it is critical to understand your options for seeking financial compensation for your injuries. Since New York is a no-fault state, anyone who has suffered more minor injuries in a traffic collision must seek compensation through a first-party claim and personal injury protection (PIP) coverage.
However, if you sustained a serious injury as it is defined by New York law, you could be eligible to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. You should have an experienced car accident attorney evaluate your case to determine whether you are eligible to file a lawsuit.
Contact a New York Car Accident Lawyer for Assistance
If you were injured in a motor vehicle collision in New York, it is important to speak with a New York car accident attorney about your case. If an auto insurance claim will not provide you with the compensation you deserve, you may be eligible to file a car accident lawsuit against the driver who caused the crash. Contact Leitner Varughese Warywoda PLLC to learn more about how we can assist you with your case.
