When an auto accident occurs in the state of New York and causes injury or damage, the accident is reported to law enforcement and/or to the state DMV. Each year, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (NYSDMV) compiles all of the accident and crash data from the preceding year and publishes reports on the crashes that occurred.
These accident statistics provide important information about the dangers within the state. Individuals can use this data to understand what driving behaviors create the greatest risks, and law enforcement and lawmakers can use the stats to make decisions on changes to the law, enforcement efforts and public education programs to encourage safe driving. 
The statistics on accidents are not released until the reports are submitted and the data compiled. This process has now been completed and the motor vehicle crash information for 2011 is now available. Our Queens injury lawyers urge drivers to take a look at these statistics and to learn about some of the top accident causes in New York in the past year.
The New York State Motor Vehicle Crash Statistics for 2011
The motor vehicle crash statistics from NYSDMV are available on the Department’s website. The statistics are organized into different reports including an overview of all crashes, as well as information about crashes in school vehicles and details on crashes involving bikes, pedestrians and large trucks. NYSDMV also separated out statistics on accidents caused by some of the most dangerous driving behaviors, including speeding and drunk driving.
The statistics contain information on all crashes that caused injury as well as on property damage accidents. However, the data includes information on property-damage wrecks only if more than $1,000 of damage was done to the property of a single person.
What the Data Shows
A great deal of information can be garnered by looking at the new NYSDMV 2011 crash statistics. From the general report alone, you can learn that:
- 1,077 fatal crashes occurred in 2011 in New York. The total number of people who died in these crashes was 1,153.
- In total, 307,550 crashes occurred in the state in 2011 including property damage crashes, fatal crashes and injury crashes.
- Most of the crashes occurred as a result of something that one or more drivers, pedestrian, bike riders or motorcycle riders did. In fact, 198,818 of the 307,550 crashes that occurred were attributed to some human error or human factor.
- Vehicle defects or problems with the cars played a role in 10,748 of the crashes in New York in 2011.
Unfortunately, the fact that human factors were so often the cause of accidents indicates that many of the crashes could have been prevented if drivers had been more careful. Some of the top human factors that caused accidents included:
- Driver distraction, which was a factor in 49,917 accidents.
- A failure to yield the right of way, which was a factor in 39,417 crashes.
- Tailgating or following too closely, which was a factor in 42,700 crashes.
- Unsafe lane changes, which were a factor in 27,547 accidents.
Failure to yield, tailgating, unsafe lane changes and speeding are all classic forms of aggressive and dangerous driving and, as these statistics show, these behaviors have very serious consequences. The new 2011 crash data, therefore, underscores the importance of driving safely and refraining from behaviors that put you and other drivers at risk.
The Law Offices of Nicholas Rose, PLLC offers free consultations to accident victims. Call 1-877-313-7673 to speak with someone about your case and to discuss your rights today!
Additional Resources:
NYC Pedestrian Safety: There’s an App for That, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, December 1, 2012
NYC Traffic Accidents in Focus as Holidays Approach, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, November 19, 2012
