Long Island Accident Statistics

245 Traffic Deaths (Nassau + Suffolk, 2022) ITSMR / News 12 Long Island
40% Increase in Traffic Deaths Since 2019 NYS DMV
20% Of All NY State Traffic Fatalities NYS DMV
2.9M+ Nassau + Suffolk Population US Census, 2024

Personal Injury Lawyers Serving Long Island

Long Island is one of the most dangerous driving regions in New York State. In 2022, Nassau and Suffolk counties recorded 245 traffic deaths, the highest level seen in decades. The numbers have not improved. Traffic fatalities on Long Island surged 40% since 2019, and the region now accounts for one in five of all traffic deaths statewide.

The reasons are structural. Long Island's parkways were built in the 1920s for smaller, slower vehicles. Today they carry high-speed traffic on narrow lanes with no shoulders. The Long Island Expressway moves over 200,000 vehicles daily. Suburban arterials like Hempstead Turnpike and Sunrise Highway mix through-traffic with strip-mall access points, creating constant conflict.

AEE Law is a New York trial firm with 35 years of courtroom experience. We serve Long Island clients in Nassau County Supreme Court and Suffolk County Supreme Court. Our track record of preparing every case for trial forces insurance companies to offer fair settlements. When they do not, we go to court.

Long Island's Most Dangerous Intersections

NYSDOT and ITSMR crash data identifies the intersections with the highest concentration of serious and fatal crashes on Long Island.

Intersection County Crash Details
Jericho Turnpike & Route 110 Suffolk 200+ accidents annually; heavy commercial traffic in Huntington Station
Hempstead Turnpike & Wantagh Ave Nassau High-volume arterial crossing with frequent pedestrian crashes
Sunrise Highway & Wellwood Ave Suffolk Strip-mall access conflicts; frequent rear-end and turning collisions
Jackson St & N. Franklin St (Hempstead) Nassau Consistently ranks among the island's most dangerous for severity
Route 110 & LIE Service Road Suffolk Merge conflicts between expressway traffic and commercial corridor

Sources: ITSMR Traffic Safety Statistical Repository; Greater Long Island, 2024

If you were injured at one of these locations, the documented dangerous conditions may support your case. Our attorneys know how to use crash data to build stronger claims for maximum compensation.

High-Risk Roads on Long Island

The Long Island Expressway (I-495) is the deadliest highway on the island. It recorded 22 fatal crashes in Suffolk County alone and carries over 200,000 vehicles daily along its 71-mile span from Queens to Riverhead. Congestion, speed differentials, and truck traffic create constant danger.

The Southern State Parkway was designed in the 1920s. Narrow lanes, no shoulders, and tight curves make it one of the most dangerous roads on Long Island. The Northern State Parkway has low overpasses and sharp merges that cause frequent rear-end and sideswipe collisions.

The Meadowbrook State Parkway recorded 1,597 crashes in 2022 and 2023, averaging 2.2 crashes per day along its 12.5-mile stretch from Jones Beach to Carle Place. Hempstead Turnpike and Sunrise Highway are the most dangerous east-west arterials, with pedestrian crashes concentrated at commercial intersections.

Common Long Island Accidents We Handle

Car Accidents

High-speed crashes on the LIE, parkways, and arterial roads. Long Island highway crashes produce more severe injuries than typical urban collisions. Settlements range from $5,000 to over $1 million depending on severity.

Construction Accidents

Residential and commercial construction across Nassau and Suffolk counties puts workers at risk. Falls, struck-by incidents, and equipment failures happen regularly. New York's Scaffold Law provides strict liability protection.

Truck Accidents

Commercial trucks on the LIE, Route 110, and Sunrise Highway create serious crash risk. The mix of highway-speed trucks and local traffic at interchange points is especially dangerous.

Slip and Falls

Commercial properties, shopping centers, and residential complexes across Long Island create premises liability claims. Icy parking lots, defective walkways, and poorly maintained stores are common causes.

Medical Malpractice

Long Island hospitals and medical facilities handle millions of patients. Surgical errors, misdiagnoses, and medication mistakes can change lives. Our attorneys hold negligent providers accountable.

Workplace Injuries

Industrial areas, warehouses, and retail operations across Nassau and Suffolk counties produce workplace injury claims. Third-party claims can recover more than workers' compensation alone.

Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian injuries and deaths on Long Island increased 10% from 2022 to 2024, with 58 pedestrians killed in 2024. Commercial corridors and suburban roads without adequate sidewalks are the most dangerous.

Motorcycle Accidents

Nassau and Suffolk motorcyclists face high-speed parkway crashes and sight-line hazards at commercial intersections. Helmet, training, and no-fault PIP rules all affect the recovery.

Bicycle Accidents

Cyclists struck on Hempstead Turnpike, Sunrise Highway, and Nassau shore roads face catastrophic injury risk. No-fault PIP from the striking driver's policy plus third-party pain and suffering claims.

Wrongful Death

Two-year SOL under EPTL 5-4.1. Pecuniary loss, pre-death pain and suffering, and (if passed) Grieving Families Act damages for surviving family on Long Island highway, workplace, and medical cases.

Nassau County and Suffolk County Courts

Personal injury cases on Long Island are split between two court systems based on where your accident occurred. Nassau County Supreme Court sits at 100 Supreme Court Drive in Mineola, NY. Suffolk County Supreme Court is located at 400 Carleton Avenue in Central Islip, NY. Smaller claims may go to the respective District Courts.

Our attorneys have experience in both Nassau and Suffolk County courts. We understand the filing requirements, the judges who handle personal injury cases, and the defense attorneys who represent insurance companies in each jurisdiction. This local knowledge directly impacts your case outcome.

Nassau County Communities We Serve

We represent injured residents throughout Nassau County. Garden City, Mineola, and Hempstead see heavy traffic on Hempstead Turnpike and surrounding roads. Great Neck and Manhasset face Northern Boulevard and Northern State Parkway crash risks.

Rockville Centre, Freeport, and Valley Stream deal with busy commercial corridors and Southern State Parkway access points. East Meadow, Levittown, and Bellmore see intersection crashes on Hempstead Turnpike and Sunrise Highway. Massapequa and Wantagh face Parkway-related accidents.

Suffolk County Communities We Serve

We handle cases throughout Suffolk County. Huntington and Commack see heavy traffic on Route 110 and Jericho Turnpike. Central Islip, Smithtown, and Babylon deal with LIE and Sunrise Highway crash risks.

Northport and Port Jefferson face Northern State Parkway and Route 25A dangers. Brentwood and Bay Shore experience high-volume arterial crashes. Patchogue, Riverhead, and the East End deal with Route 27 and Sunrise Highway hazards.

Key Deadlines for Long Island Injury Claims

You have 30 days to file your no-fault insurance claim after a car accident. This deadline is strict and missing it can cost you benefits. Claims against government entities, including Nassau County, Suffolk County, towns, villages, or the Long Island Rail Road, require a Notice of Claim within 90 days.

The general statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is 3 years from the date of the accident. Wrongful death claims must be filed within 2 years. Do not wait to contact an attorney.

Long Island Accident Data and Analysis

Our team analyzes crash data across the New York metro area to identify dangerous patterns and strengthen our clients' cases. Read our data-driven research:

References

News 12 Long Island. (2023). State report: Long Island leads state in number of traffic deaths.

https://longisland.news12.com/state-report-long-island-leads-state-in-number-of-traffic-deaths

New York State DMV. (2024). New York State sees sharp drop in fatal crashes.

https://dmv.ny.gov/news/new-york-state-sees-sharp-drop-in-fatal-crashes

Greater Long Island. (2024). This might be the most dangerous north-south highway on Long Island.

https://greaterlongisland.com/this-might-be-the-most-dangerous-north-south-highway-on-long-island/

ITSMR. (2024). Traffic Safety Statistical Repository, Nassau and Suffolk County tables.

https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/operating/osss/highway/crash-analysis-toolbox

Frequently Asked Questions

How dangerous are Long Island roads?

Long Island accounts for 20% of all traffic fatalities in New York State. In 2022, Nassau and Suffolk counties recorded 245 traffic deaths combined, the highest level in decades. Traffic deaths on Long Island have increased 40% since 2019. Higher highway speeds on the LIE, Southern State, and Northern State parkways produce more severe injuries than crashes on lower-speed roads.

Do you handle Long Island personal injury cases?

Yes. AEE Law is a New York trial firm that serves Long Island clients in both Nassau County Supreme Court in Mineola and Suffolk County Supreme Court in Central Islip. Our 35 years of trial experience in New York courts gives your case the credibility that forces insurance companies to offer fair settlements.

What are the most dangerous roads on Long Island?

The Long Island Expressway (I-495) leads in fatal crashes across Suffolk County. The Southern State Parkway is dangerous because of narrow lanes, no shoulders, and 1920s-era curves. Hempstead Turnpike and Sunrise Highway see frequent intersection crashes. The Meadowbrook State Parkway averaged 2.2 crashes per day in 2022-2023.

What is the average settlement for a Long Island car accident?

Settlements depend on injury severity. Soft tissue injuries typically resolve between $5,000 and $75,000. Fractures and herniated discs range from $75,000 to $200,000. Severe injuries like traumatic brain injury or spinal cord damage can exceed $1 million. Long Island highway speed crashes often produce more severe injuries with higher case values.

Which courthouse handles my Long Island injury case?

Nassau County cases go to Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive in Mineola. Suffolk County cases go to Suffolk County Supreme Court at 400 Carleton Avenue in Central Islip. The county where your accident occurred determines the venue. Claims under $25,000 may go to District Court.

How long do I have to file an injury claim on Long Island?

You have 3 years for most personal injury lawsuits. Claims against government entities like Nassau County, Suffolk County, or the Town of Hempstead require a Notice of Claim within 90 days. No-fault insurance claims must be filed within 30 days of the accident. These deadlines are strict and missing them can cost you your case.

What types of accidents are most common on Long Island?

High-speed expressway crashes on the LIE and parkways cause the most severe injuries. Intersection collisions on Hempstead Turnpike, Sunrise Highway, and Route 110 are frequent. Construction zone accidents, pedestrian crashes, and drunk driving incidents round out the most common case types.

How much does a Long Island personal injury lawyer cost?

We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we win your case. No upfront costs, no hourly fees. Our fee comes from a percentage of your settlement or verdict. If we don't recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing.