New York State recorded 681 traffic fatalities between January and October 2025, representing an 11 percent decline from 766 deaths during the same period in 2024. Despite this recent improvement, 2022 remains the deadliest year in a decade, with 1,175 fatalities, a 25.8 percent increase from 2019. Road accidents continue to pose a serious threat, with certain highways and streets consistently ranking among the most dangerous in the nation.
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The Most Dangerous Roads in New York
Taconic State Parkway
The Taconic State Parkway ranks as the seventh deadliest road in America and the most dangerous in New York State, recording more than 2,000 crashes between 2011 and 2014, an average of 667 collisions annually. The 104-mile parkway, which runs from just north of New York City to Chatham, features narrow lanes, sharp curves, blind spots, and steep hills that challenge even experienced drivers.
Approximately 20,000 vehicles travel the road daily, and its design, dating to the 1930s, has not fully adapted to modern traffic volumes. On August 29, 2025, a 29-year-old motorcyclist from the Bronx died near Exit 5 in Mount Pleasant after losing control on a curve and striking a guardrail.
Interstate 87 (New York State Thruway)
Interstate 87 extends 333 miles from the Bronx to the Canadian border and recorded an average of 19 fatalities per year between 2008 and 2017, according to data compiled by CBS News from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Thruway saw 11 fatal collisions in 2022 alone, driven by speeding, heavy truck traffic, and hazardous merging zones, particularly in Westchester, Rockland, and Albany counties.
Interstate 95
Interstate 95's 23.44-mile New York section runs almost entirely through New York City, from the George Washington Bridge to the Connecticut Turnpike, making it one of the interstate's primary accident hotspots. Nationwide, I-95 records 284 fatalities per year on average, the highest of any U.S. highway.
In 2019, Go Safe Labs identified three of the top ten most dangerous driving locations in the United States on New York's I-95, all concentrated near bridge crossings in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx: the Washington Heights end of the Alexander Hamilton Bridge (208 crashes), the Bronx end of the Alexander Hamilton Bridge (142 crashes), and the I-95 crossing at Riverside Drive approaching the George Washington Bridge (132 crashes).
Long Island Expressway (Interstate 495)
The Long Island Expressway stretches 71 miles through Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk counties and has gained a notorious reputation for congestion-related crashes and high-speed collisions. Between 2007 and 2016, the LIE recorded more than 600 accidents, with 265 resulting in fatal injuries.
The most dangerous sections during that period included the LIE at Route 25 (30 accidents, 15 fatalities), the LIE at Maurice Avenue (30 accidents, 15 fatalities), and the LIE at 69th Street (30 accidents, 10 fatalities). In 2020, Suffolk County alone recorded 113 traffic deaths and 32,154 motor vehicle crashes, more than any other county in New York State.
Interstate 81
Interstate 81's 184-mile New York section runs through Syracuse, where it intersects with I-90. In June 2021, the Congress for New Urbanism named I-81 in Syracuse one of the 15 worst urban highways in America, citing infrastructure problems and high crash rates in the corridor.
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (Interstate 278)
The Brooklyn-Queens Expressway is an 11-mile stretch of I-278 built in the 1940s to handle vehicles weighing up to 72,000 pounds, yet the current legal truck weight limit is 80,000 pounds. The aging highway suffers from narrow lanes, tight curves, crumbling infrastructure, and frequent construction zones that contribute to thousands of accidents annually. Brooklyn alone records between 30,000 and 40,000 motor vehicle collisions each year, with more than 50 resulting in fatalities.
Recent studies show approximately 10 percent of trucks on the BQE exceed legal weight limits, some by more than 115,000 pounds, exacerbating pavement damage and crash risks.
Route 17 / Southern Tier Expressway
New York State Route 17 is a 397-mile highway extending through the Southern Tier and downstate regions. Historically, the route's tight turns and steep inclines led to numerous fatal crashes, including two milk tanker truck accidents in the mid-1950s that paralyzed towns like Middletown during peak travel times.
Streets to Avoid in New York City
New York City's most dangerous streets combine high pedestrian volumes, complex intersections, aging infrastructure, and aggressive driving behaviors that create elevated crash risks across all five boroughs. In the first half of 2025, traffic deaths reached a historic low of 87 fatalities, down 32 percent from 128 in the same period of 2024, marking the safest start to a year since record-keeping began in 1910.
Queens Boulevard
Queens Boulevard, commonly known as the "Boulevard of Death," recorded 20 total fatalities and 12 pedestrian deaths between 2009 and 2013 across its seven-mile length. The roadway features up to 12 lanes in some sections, and the worst single intersection, Queens Boulevard and 69th Street in Woodside, saw seven collisions in 2014 alone. Vision Zero street redesigns implemented in recent years have reduced crashes, including protected bike lanes, narrowed lanes, and improved pedestrian crossing times.
Grand Concourse (Bronx)
The 5.2-mile Grand Concourse in the Bronx is a Vision Zero Priority Corridor characterized by long crosswalks, incomplete pedestrian networks, wide lanes that encourage speeding, and irregular bus movements. The Bronx pedestrian fatality rate exceeds the citywide average, with seniors representing 36 percent of pedestrian deaths and young adults 18 percent.
Brooklyn Danger Zones
Tillary Street and Flatbush Avenue, often cited as the most hazardous intersection in New York City, records approximately 180 crashes annually due to its proximity to the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. Atlantic Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue experiences around 130 crashes yearly, making it one of Brooklyn's most accident-prone areas.
Manhattan High-Crash Corridors
Second Avenue and East 59th Street sees an estimated 150 crashes annually, driven by heavy traffic and complex road layouts. The intersection of 42nd Street and 8th Avenue in Midtown records about 140 crashes yearly due to high pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Upper Broadway, particularly near 96th Street and approaching the George Washington Bridge in Washington Heights, caused over 70 accidents in April 2023 alone.
Why These Roads Are Risky
New York's most dangerous roads share common risk factors rooted in traffic density, environmental conditions, outdated design, and deferred maintenance, conditions that compound human error and increase crash severity.
Traffic Volume and Congestion
New York City ranks first in the United States for traffic congestion, with residents losing an average of 102 hours per year stuck in traffic. High-volume corridors like the Long Island Expressway and Brooklyn-Queens Expressway experience frequent stop-and-go patterns that increase rear-end collision risks, particularly for large trucks that require greater stopping distances than passenger cars. Heavy congestion during rush hours on roads such as I-87, I-95, and Queens Boulevard forces drivers into lane changes, sudden stops, and risky merging maneuvers.
Winter Weather and Visibility Hazards
Buffalo and Rochester face ice, snow, and freeze-thaw cycles throughout the winter months, creating slick sidewalks, parking lots, and roadways. Lake-effect snow reduces visibility and creates black ice on bridges and shaded intersections, particularly on routes like West Ridge Road (Route 104) in Greece and Irondequoit. During the January 2026 winter storm, state and county officials urged residents to stay off roads due to dangerous icing conditions and near-blizzard whiteout conditions with wind gusts up to 35 mph.
Design Flaws and Aging Infrastructure
The Taconic State Parkway's 1930s design features narrow lanes and sharp curves that leave little margin for error at modern traffic volumes. The Brooklyn-Queens Expressway was built in the 1940s with a design load capacity of 72,000 pounds, 8,000 pounds below today's legal truck weight limit, and suffers from inadequate shoulders and limited emergency lanes. Poor lighting, blind spots near billboards and large retail signs, and inadequate sightlines at complex intersections contribute to reaction-time failures.
Poor Maintenance and Roadway Conditions
Potholes, cracks, uneven surfaces, and crumbling asphalt impair vehicle control and force sudden lane changes or emergency stops. Missing guardrails, inadequate lane markings, obstructed street signs, and improper drainage systems create hazards, especially during adverse weather. Construction zones on aging highways like the BQE feature narrow lanes, unclear markings, and abrupt shifts that challenge even experienced truck operators navigating tight spaces with heavy loads.
4 Signs of a Negligent Driver
No one can predict what other drivers will do and how they may cause a severe crash. What you can do is recognize some of the most common signs of negligence on the road.
Swerving
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claimed 3,308 lives in 2022 alone. These cases are likely due to drivers texting, eating, or engaging in other non-driving activities.
Speeding
Recent data shows that speeding was a contributing factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities, resulting in 12,151 deaths (NHTSA). Typically, accidents occur when a driver's delayed reaction time increases the likelihood of losing control of the vehicle, amplifying the severity of crashes. Observing posted speed limits and adjusting speed based on road conditions is crucial for safe driving.
Sudden Braking
Sudden braking can increase the risk of rear-end collisions because drivers following behind may not have sufficient time to react and come to a safe stop. Several reasons why a driver may engage in sudden braking include tailgating, panic stops, and poor visibility.
To avoid sudden braking, it is safest to stay 3-4 seconds behind the car in front of you. To do this, select a fixed object on the side of the road. Note the moment the car in front of you passed it, then count the seconds until you do.
Driving Without Headlights at Night
This is a sign of negligence and is illegal in all states. The highest number of fatal and nonfatal car crashes occur between 4:00 p.m. and 7:59 p.m. Drivers who forget to turn on their headlights or have malfunctioning lights pose a significant risk to themselves and others.
If another driver's carelessness results in your injuries, you may be able to file a personal injury claim. Contact the Porter Law Group's expert personal injury lawyers to help you fight for the money you are entitled to by gathering evidence, assembling a solid case, and negotiating with insurance providers.
What to Do After a Crash on a High-Risk Road
Documenting evidence immediately after a collision on one of New York's dangerous roads is essential to protect your legal rights and strengthen any insurance claim or personal injury case.
- Move to safety and call 911. Stop your vehicle, turn on hazard lights, check for injuries, and move to a safe area away from traffic if possible. New York law requires you to report accidents involving injuries, deaths, or property damage exceeding $1,000, so calling 911 ensures proper police documentation and brings emergency responders to secure the scene.
- Photograph and record video of the scene. Capture all vehicle damage from multiple angles, road conditions, traffic signals, skid marks, debris, and any contributing factors such as poor lighting or weather conditions. Document visible injuries, cuts, bruises, swelling, with your smartphone before receiving first aid or medical treatment.
- Get witness names and contact information. Collect names, phone numbers, and brief statements from bystanders or other drivers who saw the collision or the dangerous condition beforehand. Witnesses provide unbiased accounts that help prove fault and counter insurer defenses.
- Exchange information but avoid discussing fault. Obtain the other driver's name, address, phone number, driver's license number, license plate number, insurance company name, and policy number. Do not admit fault, apologize, or speculate about the cause of the crash, as these statements can be used against you later.
- Obtain police report details. Record the names and badge numbers of responding officers, the precinct number, and the time they arrived at the scene so you can later request a copy of the official police report. The report serves as vital proof of accident details for insurance claims and legal proceedings.
- Seek prompt medical evaluation. Visit an emergency room, urgent care facility, or your primary care physician as soon as possible, even if symptoms seem minor, to create contemporaneous medical records linking your injuries to the crash. Keep all medical bills, treatment records, and doctor's notes, and document pain or symptoms in a daily journal to track your recovery.
- File the required MV-104 report. Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 605, every driver involved in a crash that causes injury, death, or more than $1,000 in property damage must file a Report of Motor Vehicle Accident (Form MV-104) with the Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days, regardless of fault. Failure to file can result in driver's license suspension, misdemeanor charges, fines, and potential jail time.
- Notify your insurance company. Report the accident to your insurer within 24 hours if possible, and no later than 30 days to qualify for New York's no-fault benefits, including medical coverage and lost-wage reimbursement. For crashes involving uninsured or underinsured drivers, you must notify your insurer within 90 days to receive uninsured motorist coverage.
- Avoid giving recorded statements to opposing insurers. Do not provide recorded statements, sign releases, or discuss the details of the crash with the other driver's insurance company before consulting with an attorney, as adjusters often use these statements to support comparative negligence defenses that reduce or deny your recovery.
- Contact a personal injury attorney. Early legal representation helps preserve critical evidence, protects your rights during insurance negotiations, and ensures you meet all filing deadlines, including New York's three-year statute of limitations for most personal injury cases.
New York's no-fault insurance system, and the special requirements for suing government entities (in case of municipal road accidents) add more layers of complexity to all car accident claims. Navigating the process of recovering compensation is a complex process. But you don't have to do it alone, reach out to the experienced car accident attorneys at the Porter Law Group today and learn about your legal options and the best course of action following a serious car accident. View the results we've achieved for previous clients to learn more about how we can help with your case.
Common Injuries Caused by Driver's Negligence
Negligent driving can lead to a wide range of injuries, including severe and life-altering. Here are the most common injuries caused by negligent drivers in New York:
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Fractures and broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Burns and disfigurement
- Emotional trauma
According to the New York State Department of Health, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of deaths (1,098), hospitalizations (12,093), and emergency department visits (136,913). Cases that result in an emergency visit are often the most critical and have a probability of causing a patient's death.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to a negligent driver in New York, seek help from an experienced personal injury attorney to pursue the compensation you deserve.
Road Accident Compensation in New York
Compensation can be recovered through two main avenues: no-fault insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits.
No-Fault Insurance Claims
Under this system, your car insurance company will cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and certain other damages up to your policy limit, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. This is known as Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, and it consists of the following:
- 80% of lost earnings, up to $2,000/month for three years, subject to offsets for New York disability, Worker's Compensation, and Social Security disability.
- Up to $25/day for one year to cover expenses like household help and medical transportation.
- $2,000 death benefit in addition to the $50,000 basic No-Fault limit.
However, a person may be ineligible for No-Fault benefits if they were:
- Driving while intoxicated or impaired by drugs (except for emergency health services)
- Intentionally causing their injuries
- Riding an ATV or motorcycle
- Committing a felony
- In a known stolen vehicle
- The owner of an uninsured vehicle
Personal Injury Lawsuits
If your injuries meet the serious injury threshold, you may be able to step outside the no-fault system and bring a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
In New York, you can pursue a lawsuit if your injuries result in any of the following:
- Significant disfigurement
- Bone fracture
- Permanent limitation of use of a body organ or member
- Substantial disability for 90 days or more
- Death
Once the appropriate claim has been identified for the victim, it is crucial to build a strong case to succeed in a personal injury lawsuit.
The Porter Law Group has decades of collective experience handling all kinds of personal injury cases, especially ones involving vehicular accidents in the State of New York. Our lawyers have recovered millions of dollars for vehicular accident victims, and we stand ready to help you and your family get the answers and financial compensation you merit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most dangerous road in NY?
The Taconic State Parkway is the most dangerous road in New York State and ranks as the seventh deadliest road in America, recording an average of 667 crashes annually between 2011 and 2014. The 104-mile parkway features narrow lanes, sharp curves, blind spots, and a 1930s design that has not adapted to modern traffic volumes of approximately 20,000 vehicles per day.
What streets to avoid in NYC?
Avoid Queens Boulevard (known as the "Boulevard of Death"), which recorded 20 total fatalities between 2009 and 2013 and features up to 12 lanes in some sections. Other high-risk streets include Tillary Street and Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn (approximately 180 crashes annually), the Grand Concourse in the Bronx (a Vision Zero Priority Corridor with wide lanes and long crosswalks), and Upper Broadway in Manhattan near 96th Street, which saw over 70 accidents in April 2023 alone.
Looking to File a Personal Injury Claim After a Devastating Road Accident?
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Speak to a Personal Injury Attorney in New York Today
Dealing with insurance claims, severe injuries, or negotiations in New York's legal process can be challenging, especially when you're already coping with the aftermath of an accident.
At the Porter Law Group, our experienced personal injury lawyers understand the complexities of these cases. We will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your accident, gather evidence to build a strong case, and tenaciously advocate for your rights.
Our goal is to help you recover the full compensation you need and deserve for your injuries and losses.
Get in touch with us at 833-PORTER9 or email us at info@porterlawteam.com to schedule your free case evaluation today. Let us put our knowledge, skills, and resources to work for you and fight for the compensation you need to move forward after a devastating accident.
