Suffolk County Accident Statistics

164 Traffic Deaths in Suffolk County (2022) NYS Comptroller Report
#1 Deadliest County in New York State (2022) ITSMR
40% Increase in LI Traffic Deaths Since 2019 NY DMV, 2025
1.5M Suffolk County Population US Census, 2024

Personal Injury Lawyers Serving Suffolk County

Suffolk County is the deadliest county for traffic crashes in New York State. In 2022, 164 people died on Suffolk County roads, more than any other county in the state. The numbers have been consistently alarming: 113 people died in traffic crashes in 2020, and the trend has not reversed. Police Commissioner Stewart Cameron noted that fatal accidents increasingly involve pedestrians and bicyclists.

The reasons are geographic. Suffolk County covers 912 square miles of eastern Long Island, with long stretches of high-speed highway connecting suburban and rural communities. Route 25 (Jericho Turnpike) recorded 62 deaths from 2016 to 2020, including 18 pedestrians. Route 27 (Sunrise Highway) recorded 61 deaths in the same period, including 22 pedestrians. Suffolk County also leads the state in fatal crashes involving DWI, distracted driving, and speeding. In 2023 alone, 124 people were killed in alcohol- or drug-involved crashes on Long Island.

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

Suffolk County's Most Dangerous Intersections

NYSDOT and ITSMR crash data identifies the intersections with the highest concentration of serious and fatal crashes in Suffolk County.

Intersection Area Crash Details
Jericho Turnpike & Route 110 Huntington Station Fatal pedestrian and cyclist crashes; history of DWI collisions at this crossroads
Deer Park Ave & Jericho Tpke Deer Park Hundreds of incidents annually; red-light cameras installed due to persistent violations
Nicolls Rd (CR 97) & Route 347 Stony Brook Left-turn and speeding crashes near university; $1.2M safety improvement project initiated
Veterans Memorial Hwy & Old Nichols Rd Islandia/Hauppauge Poor visibility, high-speed traffic; multiple pedestrian fatalities documented
Sunrise Hwy & Montauk Hwy split Bay Shore/Babylon Sunrise Highway averages 31 pedestrian/cyclist crashes per year in Suffolk County

Sources: ITSMR Traffic Safety Statistical Repository; NYSDOT Crash Data, 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 in Suffolk County

The Long Island Expressway (I-495) is the deadliest highway in Suffolk County. It recorded 22 fatal crashes in Suffolk County in a single year and carries over 200,000 vehicles daily along its 71-mile span from Queens to Riverhead. Congestion, speed differentials, and commercial truck traffic create constant danger. Wrong-way crashes on the LIE have caused multiple fatalities.

Route 110 runs north-south through the heart of Suffolk County, from Amityville to Huntington. The corridor through Huntington Station is one of the most dangerous stretches on Long Island, with over 200 accidents per year at the Jericho Turnpike intersection alone. Heavy commercial truck traffic from industrial areas compounds the risk.

Montauk Highway (Route 27A) has become a persistent source of pedestrian fatalities across Suffolk County. A 69-year-old pedestrian was killed on Montauk Highway in Copiague in 2025, a 77-year-old was killed crossing the road in Lindenhurst, and a woman was struck and killed in Hampton Bays. The Suffolk County District Attorney called these incidents "an all-too-common occurrence."

Common Suffolk County Accidents We Handle

Car Accidents

High-speed crashes on the LIE, Sunrise Highway, and Route 110 across Suffolk County. Highway speed 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 Suffolk County puts workers at risk. New housing developments, commercial projects, and infrastructure work create fall hazards, struck-by incidents, and equipment failures. 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 in Suffolk County. Distribution centers and industrial corridors in Melville, Hauppauge, and Ronkonkoma generate heavy truck traffic.

Slip and Falls

Shopping centers, restaurants, and commercial properties across Suffolk County create premises liability claims. Smith Haven Mall, Tanger Outlets, and strip-mall corridors produce frequent slip and fall cases.

Medical Malpractice

Suffolk County hospitals including Stony Brook University Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, and Southside Hospital handle millions of patients. Surgical errors, misdiagnoses, and medication mistakes happen at facilities across the county.

Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian deaths on Montauk Highway and Sunrise Highway continue to rise. Suffolk County's suburban roads often lack sidewalks, crosswalks, and adequate lighting, making pedestrians especially vulnerable.

Workplace Injuries

Industrial parks in Hauppauge, distribution warehouses in Melville, and agricultural operations on the East End produce workplace injury claims. Third-party claims can recover more than workers' compensation alone.

Suffolk County Supreme Court

Personal injury cases in Suffolk County are filed in Suffolk County Supreme Court at 400 Carleton Avenue, Central Islip, NY 11722. The court handles all civil cases seeking damages over $25,000. Smaller claims may go to Suffolk County District Court at 400 Carleton Avenue in the same complex.

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

Communities We Serve in Suffolk County

We represent injured residents throughout Suffolk County. Huntington, Commack, and Dix Hills see heavy traffic on Route 110 and Jericho Turnpike. Central Islip, Brentwood, and Bay Shore deal with LIE and Sunrise Highway crash risks. Smithtown and Hauppauge face Northern State Parkway and industrial corridor dangers.

Babylon, Lindenhurst, and West Islip experience heavy commuter traffic and Montauk Highway hazards. Patchogue, Medford, and Shirley see Route 112 and Sunrise Highway accidents. Riverhead, Southampton, and the East End face Route 27 and Montauk Highway dangers during tourist season. Northport, Port Jefferson, and Stony Brook deal with Route 25A and 347 corridor risks.

Key Deadlines for Suffolk County 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 Suffolk County, the Town of Brookhaven, the Town of Islip, or other townships and villages, 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.

Suffolk County 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

NYS Comptroller DiNapoli, T. (2024). Moving in the Wrong Direction: Traffic Fatalities Are Growing in New York State.

https://www.osc.ny.gov/press/releases/2024/06/dinapoli-motor-vehicle-fatalities-rise-sharply-ny

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

Suffolk County DA. (2025). Pedestrian fatality indictments on Montauk Highway.

https://www.suffolkcountyda.org/

NY DMV Governor's Traffic Safety Committee. (2025). Safety Effort to Curb Dangerous Driving on Long Island.

https://dmv.ny.gov/news/governors-traffic-safety-committee-and-partners-announce-safety-effort-to-curb-dangerous

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

https://www.itsmr.org/traffic-safety-statistical-repository/

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you handle personal injury cases in Suffolk County?

Yes. AEE Law is a New York trial firm that serves Suffolk County clients in 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.

How dangerous are Suffolk County roads?

Suffolk County recorded 164 traffic deaths in 2022, making it the deadliest county in New York State that year. The Long Island Expressway recorded 22 fatal crashes in Suffolk County alone. Higher speeds on rural and semi-rural highways produce more severe injuries than typical urban crashes.

What are the most dangerous roads in Suffolk County?

The Long Island Expressway (I-495) leads in fatal crashes across Suffolk County. Route 110 through Huntington Station is one of the busiest and most dangerous corridors. Sunrise Highway and Montauk Highway see frequent pedestrian fatalities. Jericho Turnpike carries heavy commercial traffic through multiple communities.

Which courthouse handles my Suffolk County injury case?

Personal injury cases in Suffolk County are filed in Suffolk County Supreme Court at 400 Carleton Avenue in Central Islip, NY 11722. Smaller claims under $25,000 may go to Suffolk County District Court. The county where your accident occurred determines the venue.

What is the average settlement for a Suffolk County 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. Suffolk County highway crashes often produce more severe injuries due to higher speeds.

How long do I have to file an injury claim in Suffolk County?

You have 3 years for most personal injury lawsuits. Claims against government entities like Suffolk County, the Town of Brookhaven, or the Town of Islip 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.

What types of accidents are most common in Suffolk County?

High-speed LIE crashes cause the most severe injuries. Route 110 intersection collisions in Huntington Station are frequent. Pedestrian crashes on Montauk Highway and Sunrise Highway continue to increase. DUI-related crashes account for a significant portion of fatal accidents. Construction and workplace injuries are also common.

How much does a Suffolk County 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.