Syracuse, the heart of Central New York, is known for its rich history, diverse culture, and spirited community. However, like any lively metropolis, Syracuse is no stranger to car accidents.

As personal injury attorneys serving clients across New York State, the team at William Mattar Law Offices has extensive experience representing individuals who have suffered injuries in motor vehicle crashes throughout the Syracuse area. 

Accidents can happen anywhere. High-risk areas span various neighborhoods and roadway types, each presenting unique challenges and hazards to motorists, passengers, and pedestrians. Understanding where crashes are more likely to happen can help residents and visitors navigate the city more safely and avoid potential collisions.

From the congested streets of downtown to the retail-heavy thoroughfares in the suburbs, here are some common hot spots in Syracuse where many motor vehicle accidents happen.

Syracuse Car Accident Hot Spots

While a crash can happen anywhere at any time, certain locations and roadways in Syracuse may see more accidents, including:

Downtown Syracuse 

With dense traffic, numerous intersections, and heavy pedestrian activity, downtown Syracuse sees a high concentration of car accidents, especially during rush hours.

Downtown streets which routinely see traffic congestion include:

• Erie Boulevard: This central east-west corridor is lined with shops, businesses, and parking lots, resulting in frequent traffic slowdowns and accidents caused by drivers making turns or pulling out into traffic. Pedestrians crossing the multi-lane boulevard also increase the risk.
• Salina Street: Running north-south through the heart of downtown, Salina Street has several complex intersections, including the cross streets of Washington, Fayette, and Jefferson. Aggressive driving and failure to yield the right of way at these junctions can cause collisions. 
• Adams Street: Providing access to multiple hospitals, doctor’s offices, and Syracuse University buildings, Adams Street traffic includes hurried drivers, pedestrians, buses, and emergency vehicles – a recipe for collisions, especially near the crowded intersection with Almond Street and University Avenue.

The combination of congestion, confusing road layouts, one-way streets, and inattentive or impatient drivers make downtown Syracuse a perennial hotspot for vehicle crashes and injuries to motorists and pedestrians alike. Obeying traffic signals, driving defensively, and staying alert are essential when navigating the area.

University Area

Home to Syracuse University and SUNY ESF campuses, the University Hill neighborhood also contains Upstate Medical University, Crouse Hospital, and the VA Medical Center. University Hill roads are extremely busy with tens of thousands of students plus faculty, staff, and hospital employees in a compact area, which poses heightened accident risks.

Major spots that could see a potential collision include:

• E Genesee Street and Irving Avenue near the SU Schine Student Center, where vehicles compete with constant foot traffic from students crossing between campus buildings. Speeding is always a potentially contributing factor.
• Euclid Avenue is a densely populated student housing district with high vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Limited visibility from parked cars and distracted driving frequently result in cars striking pedestrians or sideswiping each other.

With inexperienced student drivers, out-of-town motorists unfamiliar with confusing streets, and the sheer volume of cars and pedestrians around the University area, attentive, cautious driving is a must. Drives should slow down, obey posted signs and signals, and always yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.

Commercial Districts

Several of Syracuse’s retail and commercial areas also see higher-than-average rates of car accidents, particularly near busy shopping centers, malls, and box stores.

The following zones may require extra caution:

• Destiny USA area: Syracuse’s largest mall complex generates major traffic on surrounding streets, including Solar Street, Hiawatha Boulevard, and Park Street. Accidents canoccur as drivers turn, slow, or stop abruptly, and distracted motorists fail to react in time. The on/off ramps for I-81 also can create tricky merges.
• Erie Boulevard East: This commercial drag in DeWitt is lined with strip malls, big box retailers, car dealers, and restaurants. With heavy traffic entering and exiting parking lots and making left turns across travel lanes, rear-end and angle crashes are possible, especially near Bridge Street.
• Route 11/Brewerton Road in Cicero: Another busy retail corridor north of Syracuse, this stretch is notorious for accidents near the Route 31 intersection and shopping plaza driveways. Speeding and aggressive driving are frequent factors.

To minimize risks when driving in busy commercial zones, reduce your speed, avoid distractions, drivers should follow the rules of the road, e.g., use turn signals before turning into plaza entrances or changing lanes. Drivers should watch for pedestrians in parking lots and prepare to stop suddenly if a car ahead slows unexpectedly.

Rural Roads

While many Syracuse accidents happen on urban streets, crashes on outlying rural roads can be especially severe due to higher travel speeds.

Onondaga County rural roadways with a potential for frequent serious accidents include:

• Route 20 in Skaneateles and Marcellus 
• Route 173 in Manlius and Chittenango
• Route 174 in Marcellus
• Route 80 in Fabius and Lafayette
• Route 91 in Pompey

Risk factors on these two-lane rural highways can include excessive speed, limited visibility on hills and curves, wildlife crossings, and lack of median barriers separating opposing traffic flows. Head-on collisions and run-off-road crashes are always possible.

Expressways

Syracuse’s network of high-speed expressways – I-81, I-481, I-690, and the New York State Thruway (I-90)—carry tens of thousands of vehicles daily. While these divided highways are statistically safer than other roadways, the speeds involved mean that accidents are often catastrophic, potentially affecting dozens of cars at a time. .

Some of the more dangerous expressway spots have short on/off ramps, left exits, and sudden lane reductions that require rapid weaving and lane changes.

Notable crash-possible locations include:

• I-690 at Teall Ave and Beech St: Short merges and traffic backups can cause rear-end collisions
• I-81 at Route 481 interchange (the Tri-level): Lane shifts and speeding can lead to rollovers and impacts with barriers
• Thruway Exit 39 at I-690: Traffic entering and exiting between the two expressways can result in sideswipes and rear-enders, especially during peak times

On Syracuse interstates, drivers are required by law to obey posted speed limits, avoid aggressively changing lanes, and keep a safe following distance based upon the road and weather conditions.  

Drivers are required to reduce speed in work zones and move over for stopped emergency vehicles. Wearing seat belts is critical for mitigating injuries when high-speed crashes occur.

Who Pays for Car Accident Injuries in New York?

New York’s no-fault insurance system governs who pays for medical expenses and lost wages after a car accident in the state. Under this system, the applicable no-fault insurance company covers certain medical expenses and lost wages for all involved motorists, regardless of who was at fault for the accident.

This coverage is called Personal Injury Protection (PIP). 

Here’s a breakdown of how no-fault insurance works in New York:

• Personal Injury Protection (PIP): All New York drivers must carry a minimum of $50,000 in PIP coverage. If you’re injured in a car accident, you’ll file a claim with the no-fault insurance company to recover benefits for medical bills, lost income, and other out-of-pocket expenses related to your injuries.
• Serious Injury Threshold: Generally speaking, to step outside the no-fault system and successfully pursue a liability claim or lawsuit against the at-fault driver, your injuries must meet the state’s serious injury threshold. An experienced attorney can help explain these statutory definitions and what proof is necessary to establish a “serious injury.” 
• Liability Claims: If your injuries meet the serious injury threshold, you can file a liability claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. This allows you to seek compensation for non-economic damages like pain and suffering, which are not covered under PIP.
• Lawsuits: In some cases, filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver may be necessary to recover full compensation for your pain and suffering and other damages not covered by no-fault insurance. 

Should I Contact a Lawyer if I Suffered Injuries in a Syracuse Car Accident?

Navigating New York’s no-fault insurance system and pursuing compensation for serious injuries can sometimes be complex and overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to recover from a traumatic accident. That’s why contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer should be a top priority.

Here’s why seeking legal representation is so important:

• Protecting your rights: Insurance companies often try to settle claims quickly and for as little money as possible. A skilled car accident attorney will advocate for your best interests and ensure you don’t settle for less than you deserve.
• Navigating complex laws: New York’s no-fault insurance system and other state-specific laws can be confusing and challenging to navigate without knowledge of these laws. A car accident lawyer will explain your rights and legal options after a Syracuse crash .
• Investigating your case: To build a strong claim, an attorney can thoroughly investigate the accident, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and consult with experts to prove liability and damages.
• Assessing damages: A seasoned lawyer can accurately calculate the full extent of your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any long-term costs related to your injuries.
• Negotiating with insurers: An attorney can handle all communication and negotiation with the insurance companies involved, working to secure a fair settlement that covers all your damages.
• Preparing for trial: If a reasonable settlement cannot be reached, a lawyer can  take your case to court and fight for your rights before a judge and jury.

At William Mattar Law Offices, our car accident attorneys have helped countless injury victims get the compensation they need to recover after a Syracuse car accident and move forward with their lives. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront costs, and we only get paid if we win your case.

Don’t wait to get the legal help you need and deserve. After a Syracuse car crash, contact William Mattar Law Offices today to schedule your free consultation with one of our dedicated personal injury lawyers.

Contact a Lawyer from William Mattar Law Offices Today after a Syracuse Car Accident 

Regardless of the location, most Syracuse car accidents have one common denominator: human error. Distracted driving, intoxicated driving, speeding, tailgating, running red lights, refusing to yield, and other reckless behaviors cause crashes that change lives in seconds. 

While knowing the high-risk areas can help you stay more vigilant, driving responsibly and obeying traffic laws at all times is the best way to keep yourself and others safe on Syracuse streets and highways.

If you are injured in a car accident that was someone else’s fault, the dedicated legal team at William Mattar Law Offices is here to help. Our experienced car accident lawyers will thoroughly investigate your case and fight to get you the compensation you need and deserve after a Syracuse car accident.

Contact us today at (315) 444-4444 or through our online form for a free, no-obligation consultation.