Weather related accidents are something to be concerned about, and statistics back up this fact.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, weather related crashes are accidents that take place in harmful weather conditions (rain, sleet, snow, fog, severe crosswinds or blowing sand/snow/debris) or on slick pavement due to rain, snow, slush or ice.

What are the statistics? On the average 5,748,000 vehicle accidents occur every year in the U.S. and 22 percent of them (approximately 1,259,000) are weather related crashes. In addition, close to 6,000 people are killed and more than 445,000 people suffer injuries annually due to adverse weather.

How Do Adverse Weather Accidents Break Down?

Here are the percentages of accidents occurring:

• On wet pavement— 73%
• During rainfall — 46%
• During snow/sleet — 17%
• During fog — 3%

(Based on 10-year averages from 2005 through 2015)

However, these are national averages, and keep in mind the fact that some states do not get snowfall to any great degree, which may be the reason that snow/sleet have a lower accident percentage.

The Year 2018 Began with Cold Harsh Winter Weather in New York City Areas

A heavy snowstorm in early January dumped up to 13 inches of snow and resulted in more than 2,000 air flight cancellations. Winds in Queens reached close to 50 miles per hour, and snow fell at the rate of two inches an hour in Manhattan.

The New York governor declared a state of emergency for all of Long Island, New York City and Westchester County.

Unfortunately, quite a few Suffolk County residents ignored the weather conditions along with the warning to prevent accidents and injuries. A number of drivers got into accidents and became stranded as the snow kept falling.

NYC mass transit subways continued to operate but weather conditions resulted in track switch, signal and train car malfunctions.

Have Your Suffered Injury or Lost a Loved One in a Winter Accident?

If you have suffered injury or lost a loved one in a deadly crash, consult with an experienced accident attorney to find out about your legal rights. In many cases accident victims or families are able to recover compensation for medical and other accident related damages.

Sackstein Sackstein & Lee, LLP focuses its practice primarily on personal injury cases.