- January 31, 2024
- Tucker Law
- Vehicle Accidents
If you believe popular media, Manhattan is one of the most dangerous cities in the world for drivers, with hundreds or even thousands of accidents every day. While there are a lot of accidents in Manhattan, it isn’t quite as bad out there as depicted in film and television. Like most cities, high congestion and limited space for driving lead to a fair number of accidents. And, unsurprisingly, some stretches of road are quite a bit more dangerous than others. If you regularly drive around the city, the following are streets that you should avoid when possible.
Broadway
Easily the most dangerous road in Manhattan is Broadway. The reason for this is directly connected to what Broadway is famous for: plays and musicals. Because the theater district is so popular, it gets significantly more foot traffic than other areas of the city. And all that foot traffic, unfortunately, results in a high number of pedestrian accidents annually. There is little you can do to avoid this pedestrian traffic during popular show times other than slow down to a crawl. The best way to avoid accidents is to avoid driving on Broadway in the evening hours and on weekends. But beware — some shows have daily matinees, so even driving on Broadway in the middle of a weekday can be risky.
Henry Hudson Parkway
For similar reasons, car accidents are also a serious problem on Henry Hudson Parkway. This scenic part of New York attracts millions of people every year. Drivers will often take the Parkway to enjoy the scenery, and, unfortunately, this distraction means they may not be driving as carefully as they should. Furthermore, the Parkway is surrounded by Jersey walls, leaving little room to maneuver to avoid a crash. That is a surefire recipe for traffic accidents. If you want to enjoy the scenery of this park, the safest way to do so is to park nearby and walk through the park rather than drive on Henry Hudson Parkway. And if you want to travel uptown or downtown, it is safer to take Harlem River Drive.
Amsterdam Avenue
Astute readers will notice that all three of the most dangerous roads in Manhattan are the main roads that people use for north-south travel in the city. That is awkward if you want to travel uptown or downtown. It is particularly frustrating north of Upper Manhattan, where there are almost no options other than these three streets unless you cross into the Bronx.
While Amsterdam Avenue is the safest of the three, it still is often filled with traffic. It also has only one lane in each direction and lots of residential traffic. If you can take alternate forms of transportation (like the subway), you probably should. Otherwise, drive very carefully and watch out for other vehicles suddenly braking.
Intersections
According to the traffic data provided by the NYPD, certain intersections are also extremely dangerous. The worst spots in the city are:
- 2nd Ave. and E. 125th St.
- 9th Ave. and W. 207th St.
- 3rd Ave. and E. 42nd St.
The main similarity between these three locations is that they are all near a major artery that enters Manhattan. This means that these intersections experience very heavy traffic and lots of vehicles jockeying to get into a specific lane. Most of the accidents at these intersections involve two vehicles rather than pedestrians or bike riders.
Avoiding Accidents in Manhattan
If you drive a car, there is only so much you can do to avoid these roads or intersections. The three most dangerous roads, for example, are almost impossible to avoid if you are heading to Upper Manhattan or Inglewood. And you are all but required to go through these dangerous intersections if you use the University Heights Bridge, Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, or the Lincoln Tunnel. And while they aren’t among the most dangerous intersections in the city, the closest intersections to most of the other bridges and tunnels are relatively dangerous as well.
Since you can’t easily avoid these locations while driving, you should consider alternate transportation whenever possible when you’re in the city. The subway system in Manhattan is one of the best in the world and features one of the highest on-time rates of any train system. It can also take you almost anywhere in the city. The bus system is a little less consistent but goes to even more places than the subway system. And keep in mind that buses rarely get into accidents in Manhattan.
What to Do After a Manhattan Car Accident
Even if you manage to avoid the most dangerous roads, there is always a chance you will get into a car accident. If that happens, don’t panic. Stop your car, trade information with the other driver, and call a Manhattan car accident lawyer as soon as possible. In the best-case scenario, that call will end up being completely unnecessary. If you were badly injured or your insurance company tries to deny your claim, you will be happy to have an experienced car accident attorney on your side, and you will likely get more compensation from your insurance company if you are represented by a lawyer than you would get if you weren’t.
Knowing Which Manhattan Roads Are Most Dangerous Will Keep You Safer
As a rule of thumb, the most dangerous roads in Manhattan are the main arteries that run north and south. The most dangerous intersections in Manhattan are those that feed into bridges and tunnels. If you can avoid those roads and intersections, especially during rush hour and other busy times, you are less likely to get into an accident within the city.
Contact a Manhattan Car Accident Lawyer Today
Despite your best efforts, if you drive around Manhattan regularly, it’s probable that you will eventually be involved in a car accident. When that happens, contact Tucker Lawyers at (516) 399-2364 right away to speak to an experienced car accident attorney who will help you determine your legal options and get you the most compensation possible.
Managing Attorney John. J. Tucker, Esq.
John has personally handled thousands of clients who were victims of another’s negligence and fights relentlessly for their rights. John enjoys bringing closure to a client’s matter so that the injured party can move forward with their life. His background enables him to evaluate complex liability related claims and bring resolution to claims in a record time frame. [ Attorney Bio ]