New York City Carriage Horse Accidents

Central Park is home to New York City’s famous carriage horses. Carriage horses have been walking the streets of Manhattan since 1858. Traveling in one of the carriages drawn by these majestic animals is not only fun but, it is deemed a safe mode of transportation by the carriage horse drivers of the City. However, horses are still animals with inbred behaviors that can lead to serious injuries to carriage riders and pedestrians.

In February 2018, one of the Central Park carriage horses was spooked by a pedestrian opening an umbrella on a rainy day. The horse took off without its driver, though passengers were still inside the carriage. The horse ran across Sixth Avenue while the occupants inside the carriage jumped out before the horse crashed into two parked cars. The passengers were taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries. The horse was uninjured.

Meanwhile, there has been a push to ban carriage horses from the City. NYCLASS, an advocacy group for the prohibition of carriage horses from city streets, describes that it is unfair for the horses to be working the way they do and until they reach an old age. The organization also notes that they believe it is unjust that the horses are confined to small stalls when not working. However, the carriage drivers have refuted these claims, stating that the horses are rotated and when they are not scheduled for work, that they are turned out in a pasture.

New Yorkers seem to be divided on the subject. Some believe that it is great for the economy and that it contributes to the livelihood of the carriage drivers. Others, however, believe that carriage driving is a traumatic experience for the horses and that they shouldn’t have to endure the city streets as they do.

The Central Park Carriage Horses are a staple to New York City and have been around for many generations. Though accidents are infrequent, they still may occur. If you or a loved one were injured due to a carriage horse accident or the negligence of another, it is important to contact an experienced New York personal injury attorney. Goldberg Sager & Associates is experienced in dealing with all aspects of personal injury cases and is dedicated to helping clients achieve the best possible outcome for their case. Contact the personal injury attorneys at Goldberg Sager & Associates at (347) 497-3245 for a free phone consultation.