Driving in Long Island can be a bit of a challenge, what with all the crowded roads and often-ignorant drivers. But even if you’re the most cautious driver on the road, you might still find yourself in a car accident in Long Island from time to time. Whether your wreck is caused by an impatient driver, slippery conditions, or something else entirely, you’ll need to know how to respond when it happens.
1. No place is more prone to car accidents
Drivers may think that if they live in a major metropolitan area, their chances of getting in a wreck are higher because the traffic is worse. Instead, our nation’s suburbs may actually hold the dubious honor of being the most dangerous areas to drive.
2. You can be fined for having an accident
Drivers who are involved in an accident resulting in property damage will be required to pay for the damages. This is true even if you were not the one responsible for the accident. This is part of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (NTCSA), also known as the Vehicle Code.
3. It’s best to be the one at fault
If you’re involved in a car accident, you may take full responsibility for your actions, assuming that the other driver was at fault. However, you should consider this: It is much easier to prove that another person was at fault for an accident than it is for you. That’s why it’s best to look through the other driver’s car and know what damage they were responsible for before your insurance company settles on a final settlement offer.
4. Some car accident long island injuries are never reported
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that as many as 10 million people are injured in car accidents each year, but that only about half of those injuries are ever reported to police. In fact, as many as 25% of those who don’t report these injuries say they did so because they felt ashamed for not being able to keep their vehicles under control.
5. The Long Island Expressway is among the most dangerous roads in the country
The Long Island Expressway, the largest and busiest highway on Long Island, has been ranked as one of the most dangerous roads in the country. The NHTSA gave this road a “Highway Safety Score” of 14 out of 100.
6. It’s a good idea to remove your license plates
Because license plates are a great identifying tool for police, it’s a good idea to remove them from your vehicle when you’re not using it. Some states, such as New York, will fine you if your plates are visible but obscured by snow or sand.
7. Most car accidents happen on Sunday mornings
There are several reasons for this, including the fact that there is more traffic on Sundays than during other times of the week. Also, many people travel more leisurely on Sundays since they tend to have more time available. This means that the chances of a car accident long island are higher, even if you drive at the same speed as you do during other times of the week.
8. You can be fined for not wearing your seat belt
When you’re riding in a motor vehicle, you should always be wearing your seat belt. If you’re not, you will receive three points against your driving record. This is true even if someone else was responsible for the accident, as there’s no way to prove that an unbuckled driver caused an accident.