Recent car accident statistics in New York, New York reveal a complex urban traffic safety landscape that significantly impacts personal injury claims throughout the five boroughs. The city's dense population, heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic, and diverse roadway conditions contribute to thousands of collisions annually, ranging from minor fender-benders to catastrophic multi-vehicle crashes. Key statistics encompass various accident types including rear-end collisions, intersection crashes, pedestrian knockdowns, bicycle accidents, and incidents involving commercial vehicles and rideshare services. Understanding these patterns is crucial for injury victims, as the circumstances of each accident—whether involving distracted driving, speeding, failure to yield, driving under the influence, or road defects—directly affect liability determinations and potential compensation. The data collected by the New York Police Department and the Department of Transportation provides essential context for personal injury claims, helping establish fault, demonstrate the severity of injuries typical to specific accident types, and support arguments for appropriate damages including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term disability accommodations.

Recent Crash Data

According to NYPD data, New York City recorded 19,116 motor vehicle collisions in the first three months of 2025, representing a year-over-year decline from 21,989 crashes during the same period in 2024. During this quarter, 41 traffic-related fatalities were reported across the five boroughs, down significantly from 64 deaths in early 2024—the lowest first-quarter total since the city began tracking Vision Zero data. Through the first five months of 2025, more than 31,000 collisions occurred citywide—an 11% decrease from the same period in 2024—with approximately 13,000 involving injuries and 70 involving fatalities. Preliminary data for 2024 showed approximately 98,000 motor vehicle crashes citywide with roughly 250 lives lost, though pedestrian fatalities surged 18% that year. Brooklyn continues to report the highest collision rate among the five boroughs with 6,241 crashes in the first quarter of 2025, while Staten Island recorded the fewest at 1,136. The most common crash contributing factors in early 2025 included driver inattention or distraction (5,322 crashes), failure to yield right-of-way (1,387 incidents), and following too closely (1,319 crashes). Despite overall improvements in traffic safety, these statistics underscore the ongoing risks faced by motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists navigating New York City's congested streets.

Legal Rights and Considerations

New York operates under a "no-fault" insurance system, meaning injury victims must first seek compensation through their own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage regardless of who caused the accident. However, victims who suffer "serious injuries" as defined by New York Insurance Law § 5102(d)—including significant disfigurement, bone fractures, permanent limitation of body function, or significant limitation of body system or function—may step outside the no-fault system to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule, allowing injury victims to recover damages even if partially at fault, though compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally three years from the accident date under CPLR § 214. Compensable damages may include past and future medical expenses, lost earnings and earning capacity, property damage, and pain and suffering. Insurance considerations include New York's minimum liability coverage requirements of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury. 

Related Resources

Local Courts:

• New York Supreme Court (Civil Term) - Handles personal injury cases in all five boroughs
• Civil Court of the City of New York - Hears cases with damages up to $25,000
• Manhattan: 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007
• Brooklyn: 141 Livingston Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
• Queens: 25-10 Court Square, Long Island City, NY 11101
• Bronx: 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451
• Staten Island: 927 Castleton Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10310

Support Services:

• New York State Department of Motor Vehicles - Accident reporting and driving records
• NYC Department of Transportation - Traffic safety information and Vision Zero initiative resources
• Safe Streets NYC - Pedestrian and cyclist safety advocacy
• New York Crime Victims Board - Assistance for victims of vehicle crimes

Traffic Laws and Regulations:

• New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/VAT
• NYC Department of Transportation Traffic Rules: https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/trafrule.shtml
• New York State Department of Motor Vehicles: https://dmv.ny.gov
• NYC Vision Zero Data: https://www.nyc.gov/content/visionzero/pages/