Our Belt Parkway Car Accident Lawyers Handle Claims in Brooklyn
Car accidents occur in Brooklyn daily. Our area is all too familiar with headlines like “Four People In Three Car Overturn Crash on Belt Parkway in Brooklyn”, “One Dead and Two Injured in BQE Car Crash,” or “Man Critical After Being Struck in Bay Ridge.”
If you get injured in a car accident, the Belt Parkway car accident lawyers at Law Office of Irene H. Gabo, PC, can help you pursue damages against the person responsible.
Many motor vehicle accidents are the result of negligence. We have experience handling car accident claims in Brooklyn, especially those that occur on the Belt Parkway. We can ensure you collect the damages you deserve and that are allowed by law.
How Often Do Brooklyn Car Accidents Occur?
According to a New York City Police Department (NYPD) report, in January 2021 alone, there were nearly 7500 traffic collisions in New York City. These accidents resulted in more than 3,000 injuries to drivers, passengers, bicycle riders, and pedestrians. These accidents also resulted in 13 fatalities.
In January 2021, there were 2415 motor vehicle crashes in Brooklyn alone, the most out of the five boroughs.
The result of these accidents?
More than 1000 injuries and four fatalities.
How Many Accidents Occur on The Belt Parkway?
The NYPD report indicates that in January 2021, there were approximately 100 car accidents on the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn. Part of the Belt Parkway also runs through Queens. On the Queens section of the Belt Parkway during that same time, there were 62 accidents.
Remember, these numbers come at a time when fewer people might be out and about due to the pandemic. The numbers could be higher under “normal” circumstances.
Why Are There So Many Accidents on The Belt Parkway?
We have all driven on the Belt Parkway. What are some of its characteristics? For one thing, the road is long and carries a very high volume of traffic.
The “Belt” is 36 miles long, including what is now known as the Cross-Island Parkway. The New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) reports that it carries approximately 140,000 vehicles per day along the “Shore Parkway” section through Brooklyn. The “Southern Parkway” near Kennedy Airport carries about 150,000 vehicles per day. The Belt in southeast Queens, known as the “Laurelton Parkway,” carries approximately 135,000 vehicles per day.
The Belt Parkway also:
- Has very narrow lanes
- Is curvy and wind-y in many spots
- Has frequent and short entrance and exit ramps
- Is often loaded with cars and heavy traffic
- Has frequent potholes and cracks in the pavement
- Is a narrow road
Like the Southern State Parkway, the road is considered by many to be “a nightmare” for some of these reasons. When you combine the design and conditions of the road itself, with the high volume of vehicles, it is not surprising that there are so many injuries and accidents on the Belt Parkway.
What Are Some Ways Accidents Occur on the Belt Parkway?
The road itself makes driving on it tricky in various circumstances. Accidents are bound to happen. When they happen because of negligence, you might be able to hold someone legally responsible.
Heavy traffic can frustrate and anger drivers causing them to drive recklessly or aggressively, causing accidents.
It is also easy to get distracted driving in traffic, which is one reason for many accidents on the Belt. We often hear of rear-end collisions caused by drivers looking at their phones or otherwise distracted when they drive into the car in front of them.
When there is no heavy traffic on the Belt, it is tempting to speed. The maximum speed limit on the Belt Parkway is lower than many others because of its dangerous curves, limited sight distances, and short exits and entrances.
Speeding is a significant factor in many accidents on the Belt, especially by people trying to get to Kennedy Airport to catch flights.
The narrow lanes can make any of the above situations particularly dangerous. There is little “wiggle room” on the Belt Parkway. It is common to have accidents involving sideswipes as drivers often veer out of their lanes or fail to check blind spots, hitting other vehicles.
It is not uncommon to see motorcycles trying to ride in between the car lanes when there is a backup which is not only illegal but puts the rider and car drivers in grave danger.
There might be negligent behavior by the drivers in any of the situations above. Sometimes, an employer of a negligent driver or a negligent car manufacturer can also be liable for causing accidents and injuries on the Belt.
What Are Some Physical Injuries You Might Have Because of a Car Accident on the Belt Parkway?
Like so many car accidents, those that occur on the Belt parkway result in various injuries. Some are minor and require little medical attention.
Others can be fatal. Car accident injuries often include:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Back injury
- Neck injuries
- Lacerations
- Internal bleeding
- Facial disfigurement
- Burns
- Death
- Amputation
If you or someone you love had an accident on the Belt Parkway and sustained any of these injuries, you might be facing a long recovery. You might need surgeries, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and more. You will make a complete recovery with some luck, but it could take months or even years to fully heal from the physical injuries.
Injuries From Car Accidents On The Belt Are Not Just Physical
Sometimes, the financial injuries caused by a car accident can be worse than the physical ones. It is not unusual for the victim of a car accident on the Belt Parkway to miss work for some time to deal with the aftermath. Doctor’s visits, hospital stays, and other necessary appointments can take you away from your job, which means you might lose income. At the same time, your medical costs are piling up, as are your household bills. If you are the breadwinner in your family, you might be experiencing some serious financial strain and feeling like there is no end in sight.
Injuries from car accidents often include emotional trauma, depression, and anxiety which can all be exacerbated by financial stress. It is not easy to bounce back after you experience a serious car accident on the Belt Parkway.
How Can Our Belt Parkway Car Accident Lawyers Help?
Our car accident lawyers at the Law Firm of Irene H. Gabo helps victims of car accidents pursue compensation claims. Whether it is negotiating with insurance companies, working out a fair settlement, or taking your case through litigation, our lawyers work diligently to ensure our clients receive what they deserve.
This is no time for you to be doing paperwork, investigating your accident, or feeling pressured by insurance companies to settle your claim quickly and quietly. While you concentrate on your health, our lawyers can do the heavy lifting on your behalf. We can determine who is responsible for causing your accident and injuries and begin building a case that can ensure you receive an amount of compensation that adequately reflects your injuries and losses.
Contact Our Lawyers Today to Protect Your Legal Rights
Time may be of the essence in any car accident case. Whether you were injured on the Belt Parkway, the Verranzano Bridge, injured in Coney Island or elsewhere in Brooklyn, we can help.
But remember, there is a statute of limitation that limits the time you have to file your claim.
Call the Law Office of Irene H. Gabo, PC, today and let our Brooklyn car accident attorneys find out if you are entitled to file a claim for damages after your Belt Parkway car accident. You can schedule a free case evaluation by calling our personal injury lawyers at 800-560-0214 today.
We represent clients who get injured on the Belt Parkway and other roads in Brooklyn. Call 800-560-0214 to find out how we can help you collect compensation for your injuries.
