Latest Traffic Fatality Figures

Latest NHTSA Traffic Fatality Figures

The Manhattan personal injury attorney sees the decline in highway deaths as a positive development, but reminds motorists that there is still work to be done to keep New York’s roads safe.

New York, N.Y. – Newly released figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveal that U.S. car accident fatalities fell last year to the lowest level since recordkeeping began in 1949, an accomplishment that New York City car accident lawyer David Resnick today said was an historic milestone and a challenge to do even better.

“The latest NTHSA report is good news for everyone who travels America’s highways,” said Resnick, founder of David Resnick & Associates, P.C., a personal injury law firm that serves Manhattan and all of New York City. “Overall, the news is also positive for residents and visitors who travel by motor vehicle in New York.”

According to the latest NHTSA report, highway deaths throughout the nation fell to 32,367 for 2011, marking a 1.9 percent decrease from the previous year and bringing the number of fatalities on America’s highways to the lowest point since NHTSA began keeping track of traffic deaths over 60 years ago. Figures for New York State show a 2.7 percent decrease in fatalities for 2011.

“The decrease in fatalities in New York car accidents is certainly something to celebrate. However, until we reach the point where there is no preventable loss of life on New York’s roads, we must all continue to do our part to make the roads safer for everyone,” Resnick said.

Figures compiled by the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) indicate that there were 32 fewer deaths in New York car accident in 2011 than there were in 2010. Despite the decrease, there were still 1,169 people killed in New York traffic accidents during 2011 — a death toll that is still far too high, according to Resnick.

“While some of the figures released by the NHTSA are encouraging, there are areas that remain of concern,” Resnick said. “The number of speed-related fatalities in New York, for example, actually rose from 2010 to 2011,” he said. FARS data show that there were 338 speeding-related fatalities in New York during 2011, up from 335 in 2010.

According to the NHTSA, speed is a contributing factor in a third of all deaths on the nation’s highways each year. New York appears to be no exception to the national trend with just under 29 percent of all fatalities blamed on speed-related factors, according to figures released by FARS.

Resnick called on New York’s drivers to redouble their efforts to make the state’s roads safer.

“Speeding, reckless driving, drunk driving and distracted driving continue to be leading factors in car crashes. We must continue efforts to educate the public about the dangers related to these dangerous behaviors,” Resnick urged.

“When a victim is injured or a loved one is lost in a New York City car accident, victims should turn to the civil justice system in order to hold the careless driver responsible,” Resnick said. “A negligent driver should be held accountable for the physical and emotional injuries that his or her carelessness caused.”

Resnick encouraged victims of car accidents to seek legal advice from an experienced New York City personal injury attorney like the ones at David Resnick & Associates, P.C.

About David Resnick & Associates, P.C.

David Resnick & Associates, P.C., provides professional and compassionate legal assistance to victims of injury and negligence. Founded in 1998, the firm is experienced at handling many types of injury and negligence cases in New York City, including motor vehicle accidents, hit-and-run accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian injuries, trips and falls, construction accidents, premises liability and other kinds of personal injury and wrongful death claims. David Resnick & Associates, P.C., serves clients in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, the Bronx and all of New York City. The firm’s office is located 450 7th Avenue, Suite 409, New York, NY 10123. Mr. Resnick can be reached at 212-279-2000 or our online contact form.