According to an article recently published by the New York Times titled “The Exceptionally American Problem of Rising Roadway Deaths,” America simply lags behind other comparatively developed countries when it comes to providing safety measures for pedestrians, motorists, and cyclists. As other nations have gone to great lengths to protect the most vulnerable individuals on the road, America has not.
In fact, cyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists experience more yearly road fatalities each year currently than they did in the last decade. This is a harrowing statistic, and it signals the need for immediate and significant change.
This sentiment is also echoed in our previous blog regarding traffic fatalities being up significantly in New York City over the first nine months of this year.
To further illustrate our country’s issue with traffic fatalities, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, one statistic, in particular, was very telling: despite there being far fewer cars traversing the roads, the number of auto accident fatalities increased here in the United States. Unfortunately, both our motorists and our governmental policies do not do enough to keep our citizens safe.
There are various actions we can take to increase the safety of our roads, and things that many other developed nations have already done, including narrowing roads shared with cyclists to encourage slower driving, providing commercial trucks with underride guards so people don’t get accidentally pulled underneath them, and more.
Though the bipartisan infrastructure bill passed last year is set to address some of these concerns, such as by providing money for pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, we are wary that this will truly solve the problem in its entirety; still, it is a start.
If you or a loved one has been harmed as a result of someone else’s negligence, either as a pedestrian, biker, or otherwise, the Law Office of Richard M. Kenny is here to help. Our legal team truly cares about your right to a swift recovery, and we will do everything in our power to get you the outcome you deserve.
CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED NEW YORK CITY FIRM
Our entire legal team is dedicated to providing the advice you need and the personalized attention you deserve. If you have been injured due to another party’s negligence, call 212-421-0300 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation with a New York City personal injury lawyer. You may be entitled to financial compensation, which can help you on your road to recovery.
