The Potential for Injury on the West Side Highway

The West Side Highway is widely viewed as a busy stretch of New York City roadway filled with plenty of connections to the Battery Tunnel, Hudson River crossings, and the Lincoln and Holland tunnels. As such the West Side Highway creates danger for pedestrians and cyclists, since in order to cross it to get to the numerous parks, the waterfront, pedestrian walkway, Chelsea Piers, and bike path (the Hudson River Park Bikeway), one has to cross the West Side Highway itself. This in turn increases the chance of being hit by a vehicle, as the time to cross this wide highway is limited and drivers are constantly looking to speed up and “catch a light” to beat the traffic on the West Side Highway.

In 2018, there were approximately 713 crashes on the West Side Highway in which “16 cyclists, 26 pedestrians, 92 motorists were seriously injured, and one motorist killed.” This is roughly two crashes per day in just THREE miles of roadway. When you or your loved are injured in an accident, the Law Office of Irene H. Gabo, P.C., is here to help maximize not only the recovery but optimize the time it takes to handle to case from start to finish.

What Happens in a Hit-and-Run on a West Side Highway?

Many of these accidents are known as “hit-and-runs.” A hit-and-run is an accident which occurs when an individual driving a car, a motorcycle, a bus or a bicycle causes or contributes to an accident and then leaves the scene without identifying themself to avoid any sort of penalties or repercussions. This is illegal as it is neglecting the formal process that is followed after a hit and run accident. The parties involved in an accident on the West Side Highway must exchange personal information such as phone numbers, insurance information, and plate numbers.

Thus, whenever there is an accident, staying on the scene is a requirement. A driver who leaves the scene can be subject to serious repercussions if and when he/she is located. Because injuries in hit-and-run accidents on the West Side Highway can be quite severe, the police often rely on witnesses and security footage to try and find drivers.

What Should You Do If You Are Injured in a Hit-and-Run on the West Side Highway?

A hit-and-run accident can be troublesome and confusing. You might not have been able to identify the car or the person driving it, and you might have significant injuries to attend to. Therefore, some things you should remember to do are:

• Remain Where You Are: Do NOT follow the fleeing driver.
• Call the Police to Report the Accident: Describe your injuries and the vehicle that hit you in as much detail as possible. The incident must be reported to the Police within 24 hours
• Seek Medical Attention
• Get as much information about the driver, car, and accident as possible: Write down everything you can remember: the color of the car, the model, license plate numbers, location, etc.
• Find Witnesses: If there were witnesses to the accident, ask them to write down what they saw, and supply any additional information.
• Take Photographs: If you’re able to, take photographs of the damage to your vehicle, and the scene of the collision.
• Try to find the Video Camera from a nearby store or building which may have captured the incident

Get Help From a Personal Injury Attorney specializing in West Side Highway accidents

No one should ever have to deal with the aftermath of a hit-and-run accident alone. With the help of attorney Irene H. Gabo, Esq., at the Law Office of Irene H. Gabo, P.C., you can have peace of mind that our office will do everything in our power to hold the hit-and-run driver from the West Side Highway collision fully responsible for the harm they’ve caused you. For more information concerning hit and run accidents, or to speak to an attorney that will help you on your road to recovery please call (800) 560-0214 for a free consultation.