Many people fear driving over bridges, and for good reason. The chances of an auto accident occurring are ten times higher than those on regular roadways. The limited space afforded to drivers on bridges reduces their ability to maneuver their vehicles in response to aggressive drivers, reckless drivers, road hazards, and crashes. It’s essential to be aware of the potential dangers before you drive over a bridge to mitigate the risk of a collision. When you suffer injuries in a bridge accident due to another party or entity’s negligence, you can seek compensation for the damages you have endured through a personal injury claim. Please continue reading to learn the dangers of driving over bridges in NY, and contact a trusted Bronx Auto Accident Lawyer who can effectively represent your rights and interests.
What Types of Accidents Occur on Bridges in NY?
Bridge barriers were designed to protect vehicles from accidentally driving off the sides of a bridge and into any water or underpass. Drivers who operate their cars in the lanes nearest to the side of the bridge who are distracted may strike the side barriers. When the vehicle hits the barrier, it can cause an extreme side-door impact, which can result in catastrophic injuries to vehicle occupants, especially those closest to the barrier. Side bridge impact collisions can also cause passengers to be pinned between the barrier and other cars.
Moreover, on regular roads, if one car swerves into another lane, there are often ways to avoid colliding with the swerving vehicle, such as switching lanes, stopping, or using the shoulder of the road since they are wide open. However, when a driver swerves into another lane on a bridge, it’s usually difficult for the diver in other lanes to maneuver their vehicle out of the way. As such, the confined space on a bridge can result in chain reaction collisions. A chain reaction collision occurs when more than two cars hit each other in a chain of rear-end accidents. Chain reaction collisions, similar to any other collision on a bridge, are hazardous because there is a risk that the accident could cause your car to be forced over the edge. If a vehicle is forced overboard, your car could plummet into the water, crash into an underpass, or fall into a ditch.
While bridges play an integral role in New York’s infrastructure, connecting communities, reducing long commutes, and transporting goods in and out of the city, they pose a danger to motorists. If you or someone you love has been injured in a bridge accident due to someone else’s negligence, please don’t hesitate to contact a dedicated lawyer from James Newman, P.C., who can help you navigate your legal options and fight for the justice you deserve.
