Glossary: Highway

Highway: 

According to the New York Vehicle and Traffic Law, the term “highway” refers to the “[t]he entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.”  

That is a fairly broad definition of the term “highway,” which would seemingly encompass other roadways beyond the “controlled-access highway” many often associate with the term. A controlled-access highway means:  

“Every highway, street, or roadway in respect to which owners or occupants of abutting lands and other persons have no legal right of access to or from the same except at such points only and in such manner as may be determined by the public authority having jurisdiction over such highway, street, or roadway.” 

This is the traditional “highway” that many people associate with the term, replete with on and off ramps, and strictly regulated means of ingress and egress.   

But what about a “public highway,” which means “Any highway, road, street, avenue, alley, public place, public driveway or any other public place.”   

Common highway accidents can include, but are not limited to:   

• rear-end accidents;  
• sideswipe accidents;  
• head-on accidents; 
• rollover accidents; and 
• multiple-vehicle or “pileup” collisions.   

Were You Injured in a Highway Accident on New York Roads?  

If you were seriously injured in a New York State highway accident, please do not hesitate to contact William Mattar, P.C. today. Our experienced car accident attorneys can review your unique case and help determine your options for maximum compensation.  Contact us online or by calling (844) 444-4444 today.