New York City drivers must constantly be on the lookout for bad drivers. Defensive drivers must always be on the lookout for distracted driving, driving while under the influence, and driving while drowsy. Additionally, New York City drivers have to worry about hazardous roadway conditions. Potholes, narrow roads, and dangerously designed highways can all cause serious motor vehicle accidents. Below are five of the most hazardous roadway conditions in New York City.
Potholes in New York City
New York City recently paid $138 million in damages in order to settle 4,000 lawsuits involving potholes. New York City has paid out the damages over a period of six years. The lawsuits involved personal injury claims and property damage caused by the many potholes on New York City roads. New York City spends between $10 to 20 million every year on filling potholes. Nonetheless, potholes continue to cause property damage and personal injuries to New York City drivers.
Icy Roadways and Sidewalks in New York City
Most years, New York City receives its fair share of ice and snow. Keeping public sidewalks clear of ice and snow is a public service that the City owes to New York City residents. Property owners also have a legal duty to keep their public walkways clear of snow and ice. In most cases, property owners and managers must remove dangerous snow and ice from public sidewalks connected to their properties within four hours after the snow stops following.
Property owners also have a duty to remove the snow in a safe way so they do not create a more dangerous condition. New York City law requires that property owners, tenants, occupants, lessees to remove snow in a timely fashion. For example, property owners cannot remove snow in a way that ends up blocking a crosswalk. When ice is frozen hard on a sidewalk and the owner cannot remove it immediately, the owner has a legal duty to spread sawdust, sand, or other material in order to clear the ice from the sidewalk.
Dangerously Designed Roadways in New York
Many of the roadways in New York City are older and are not entirely safe. Taconic State Parkway is one of the most dangerous parkways in New York. It is a crowded road that weaves and becomes a narrow two-lane highway. During winter weather conditions like rain and snow, car accidents become even more likely. From 2012 to 2014, 2,080 motor vehicle accidents took place on the Taconic State Parkway. In the last seven years, law enforcement officers have issued 54,000 tickets to people traveling along the parkway. The Taconic State Parkways is just one of many hazardous roadways in New York that contribute to serious motor vehicle accidents.
Our Attorneys can Help
If you have suffered an injury in an accident caused by hazardous roadways in New York City, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the skilled New York City motor vehicle accident attorneys at Pulvers Thomspon to schedule your free initial consultation today.
