Published: · 4 min read
If you were injured in a car crash on a Bronx highway, this updated 2025 guide walks you through everything you need to know — from how fault is determined on roads like the Bruckner, Cross Bronx, I-95, or Major Deegan, to how to document injuries and protect your rights. Whether you were a driver, passenger, or pedestrian, this guide is for you.
Professional Explanation:
Crashes on highways like the Cross Bronx Expressway, Major Deegan, Bruckner, Bronx River Parkway, and I-95 involve more than just speed — they involve:
-Complex liability (multiple vehicles, trucks, poor road design)
-Confusion over who investigates (NYPD, MTA Police, State Police?)
-Delays in emergency response and access to treatment
Highway crashes often lead to delayed documentation, blurry fault claims, and missing video — which insurance companies use against injured people. This guide explains what to do if you were hurt on or near a Bronx highway — and how to protect your case from the start.
Real Bronx Example:
A delivery driver merging onto the Bruckner Expressway got sideswiped by a speeding van. The van fled. He didn’t go to the ER. Weeks later, his back gave out. The insurance company said he waited too long. This guide would’ve shown him what to do right away.
Professional Explanation:
This isn’t just for drivers. It’s for anyone hurt in or near a Bronx highway, including:
-Drivers rear-ended or sideswiped
-Pedestrians hit in service roads or exit ramps
-People injured by commercial trucks or delivery vans
-Rideshare passengers in highway crashes
-Cyclists or scooter riders struck near entrances, exits, or bridges
If your injury happened near a highway, on an entrance ramp, or while pulled over, you need to handle it differently than a local street crash.
Real Bronx Example:
A woman walking near the Deegan’s 138th Street exit was hit by a distracted driver turning off the ramp. She wasn’t “on the highway” — but her case involved DOT rules, exit visibility issues, and a split-second merge decision. That makes it a highway case.
✅ A. Multi-Car, Multi-Lane, Multi-Agency = More Blame to Shift
Professional Explanation:
Highway crashes almost always involve multiple parties and more moving parts than a street collision. That gives insurance companies room to say:
"Someone else was more at fault"
"It was unavoidable due to road conditions"
"No police report or conflicting versions = no case"
Highways fall under multiple jurisdictions:
Some are NYPD (city)
Some are under State Police
Others are managed by MTA or Port Authority
The result: delays in reports, confusion over fault, and missing bodycam or dashcam footage.
Real Bronx Example:
A car spun out on a wet curve on the Cross Bronx near Rosedale Ave. The NYPD responded — but it was technically a State route. The officers didn’t complete a full report, and dashcam footage was never requested. The injured woman had no backup when the other driver denied fault.
✅ B. Trucking Companies Get Involved — Fast
Professional Explanation:
If a commercial vehicle or delivery truck is involved, the insurance process becomes even more adversarial. These companies:
Hire investigators within 24 hours
Often remove or move their vehicles quickly
May try to limit or deny access to maintenance logs or driver records
Know how to minimize payout using federal vs state rules
They have lawyers. Immediately. If you don’t act just as fast, they control the narrative.
Real Bronx Example:
A man hit by a box truck on the Deegan near Yankee Stadium had injuries to his neck and shoulder. The trucking company denied their driver was ever there. Luckily, his dashcam caught the plate — but only because he saved the footage that night. Without it, there’d be no case.
✅ C. Road Conditions, Signage, and Design Come Into Play
Professional Explanation:
Insurance companies sometimes argue that an accident was caused by road design flaws, unclear signs, or poor maintenance — especially on Bronx highways, where potholes and unclear merges are common.
In these cases, fault gets shifted to:
The City of New York
The State of New York
Department of Transportation (DOT)
Or even construction contractors
But suing the city or state requires special rules and tight deadlines, like a Notice of Claim within 90 days. If that’s missed, your rights may be gone — even if the case is valid.
Real Bronx Example:
A woman hit merging from Sheridan Expressway to the Bruckner suffered wrist fractures. Her lawyer noticed the merge sign was blocked by tree branches. They filed a Notice of Claim. It turned out multiple complaints had been made — and DOT had failed to act. That helped her win a six-figure settlement.
✅ A. Get to Safety — Then Start Documenting
Professional Explanation:
On a highway, your life is still in danger after the impact. If your car is operable, move it to the shoulder or nearest exit. If not, stay inside with your seatbelt until help arrives — unless there’s smoke, fire, or you’re at risk of secondary impact.
Once safe, begin documenting:
Take photos of all vehicles, damage, license plates
Get wide shots showing lane position, signs, road conditions
Record video if possible — including traffic flow and hazards
Ask for names and badge numbers of officers (especially if unsure if it’s NYPD or State Police)
This info may disappear within hours on Bronx highways.
Real Bronx Example:
After a sideswipe near the Bronx River Parkway exit, a man moved his car to the sidewalk near Bronx Zoo. The other driver claimed it was “just a tap” and left. Because the man filmed his car damage with the zoo sign and exit ramp in frame, the location and fault were documented — and the video became evidence.
✅ B. Don’t Assume the Police Will Get It Right
Professional Explanation:
Officers responding to a major Bronx highway crash often deal with:
Dangerous traffic
Injured people
Conflicting stories
Confusion over jurisdiction (city vs state vs MTA)
As a result:
The report may be rushed, vague, or even incorrect
Dashcam or bodycam footage might not be requested or saved
Witnesses might leave without giving statements
If you’re well enough:
Take a photo of the police car (shows which agency responded)
Politely ask if dashcam footage is being saved
If they hand you a "report number" — save it immediately
Real Bronx Example:
A woman rear-ended near the Bruckner Interchange gave a full statement, but the police only wrote “vehicle 1 struck vehicle 2.” No names. No narrative. Because she had video and photos from the scene, her attorney submitted those instead — and was able to build a strong case despite the poor report.
✅ C. Don’t Wait to Get Medical Care — Even If You "Feel Okay"
Professional Explanation:
High-speed crashes often involve whiplash, spinal trauma, or soft tissue injuries that don’t fully show up until hours or days later. But if you wait too long:
Insurance will claim the injury came from “something else”
Your pain will be dismissed as unrelated
You risk permanent damage by trying to "tough it out"
Even if you're not taken to the ER, go to urgent care, CityMD, or your doctor the same day or next day. The paper trail starts there.
Real Bronx Example:
A man in a rollover crash on the Major Deegan had no visible injuries and declined the ambulance. He went to work the next day. Three days later, his shoulder locked up. He went to urgent care, but the gap made his claim weaker. The defense argued he got hurt moving furniture — not in the crash.
✅ A. Use the Damage Pattern as a Map of the Crash
Professional Explanation:
Even without video, a good attorney can reconstruct the crash using:
Photos of the vehicle damage
The location of impact (rear, passenger side, front corner)
Traffic layout and lane merges
Known behavior patterns (e.g., rear-enders in stop-and-go traffic)
If your car is hit in the rear or side — and you have consistent photos, witness statements, or GPS timestamps — that alone can establish liability.
Real Bronx Example:
A driver entering the Cross Bronx at Bronx River Ave was sideswiped by a truck merging into the same lane. No video. But her door had a clean lateral dent pattern consistent with a vehicle drifting into her. Her GPS showed her speed and direction — and a diagram from the crash report helped seal the case.
✅ B. Use Google Maps + Street View to Recreate the Scene
Professional Explanation:
Photos taken at the time of the crash can later be matched with Google Street View or satellite maps to:
Show exact road layout, signage, and merge zones
Match up impact points to known traffic patterns
Challenge the insurance company’s version of events
This also helps show that the driver who hit you should have seen the signs or merge warnings — or that the roadway gave you no way to avoid the crash.
Real Bronx Example:
A woman rear-ended near the Deegan exit at Fordham Rd used Google Street View to prove that there were clear lane split signs the other driver should have obeyed. Combined with damage photos, it proved the other driver veered out of lane.
✅ C. When Police Make Mistakes — You Can Still Win
Professional Explanation:
Police reports often:
Get directions, license plates, or damage zones wrong
Skip the diagram entirely
Leave off critical witness info
Simply state: “no injuries reported” (even if you were just in shock)
That doesn’t end your case. But you need:
Medical records showing you did report pain
Clear evidence like photos, maps, and receipts
Witness statements or affidavits, if available
An accident reconstruction if liability is in dispute
Real Bronx Example:
A man struck on the Sheridan Expressway ramp was listed as “not injured” because he declined the ambulance. But he took a video at the scene saying, “My back is starting to hurt — I’ll go later.” His attorney had it time-stamped. The video and follow-up treatment helped overcome the weak police report.
✅ A. Trucks Have Black Boxes — But You Must Act Fast
Professional Explanation:
Most commercial trucks (box trucks, 18-wheelers, delivery vehicles) are equipped with Electronic Control Modules (ECMs) or “black boxes” that log:
Speed
Braking patterns
Gear shifts
Steering input
Hours driven
Sudden stops or swerves
But this data can be erased or overwritten quickly — sometimes in days — unless your lawyer sends a preservation letter immediately. Without it, the truck company can legally wipe the data clean.
Real Bronx Example:
A man was rear-ended by a box truck on the Cross Bronx near Webster Ave. The company denied speeding. His lawyer requested black box data within 48 hours — and it showed the truck was doing 62 mph in a 35 mph zone. That helped settle for 5x the initial offer.
✅ B. Driver Logs, Fatigue, and Illegal Hours Matter
Professional Explanation:
Trucking companies are governed by FMCSA rules, including:
Driving time limits
Required rest breaks
Vehicle inspection logs
Drug/alcohol testing
Background checks on drivers
Many companies cut corners — pushing drivers to skip breaks or hide overtime. If a fatigued driver caused the crash, you may be able to prove negligence beyond just the accident itself.
Real Bronx Example:
A woman sideswiped by a semi on the Major Deegan near 161st Street later found out the driver had been on the road 14 hours straight. Her lawyer subpoenaed the logbooks. The company had altered them. That turned a simple crash into a federal violation case — and resulted in a high settlement.
✅ C. Truck Insurance Companies Treat Bronx Claims Differently
Professional Explanation:
Commercial insurers are aggressive. They will:
Try to blame the “city driving conditions”
Claim you cut off the truck
Send you lowball offers before you know your injuries
Deny the truck was involved if there's no video or police report
They know that in the Bronx, many accident victims don’t immediately get legal help. That’s how they win.
Real Bronx Example:
A delivery van hit a man merging from the Bruckner Expressway near Zerega Ave. There was no plate photo. The company denied being there. But a witness took a photo of the company logo. That image — combined with nearby traffic cam footage — tied the truck to the scene. That forced them to settle.
✅ A. You’re Not Alone — But You Must Act Now
Professional Explanation:
Many highway accident victims don’t go straight to the ER. They may:
Feel “okay” at the scene due to adrenaline
Worry about ambulance or hospital bills
Want to get home or to work
Be confused about where to go in the Bronx
That’s understandable — but insurance companies use any delay to claim:
The injury didn’t happen in the crash
It was “minor” or “pre-existing”
You got hurt later (e.g., lifting something, playing sports)
You can still file a strong claim, but you must:
Get medical care now — urgent care, orthopedist, or primary doctor
Make sure they document that your symptoms started after the crash
Write down a clear timeline to help your attorney explain the delay
Real Bronx Example:
A man hit on the Sheridan Expressway didn’t feel serious pain until four days later. He went to CityMD in Soundview, then got an MRI. The insurance company tried to deny it — but because his doctor noted the crash as the cause, and the timeline matched, the claim moved forward.
✅ B. The “72-Hour Rule” Is Real — Here’s What to Know
Professional Explanation:
While there’s no actual law saying you must get care within 72 hours, the “72-hour rule” is a real insurance industry practice. They often:
Use it as a cutoff for assuming causation
Flag any delay longer than 3 days
Use the phrase “gap in treatment” to weaken your case
What helps you beat that?
A reason for the delay (e.g., childcare, couldn’t get off work, symptoms got worse)
Consistent medical records tying the pain to the accident
A good attorney who can explain why the delay doesn’t mean the injury isn’t real
Real Bronx Example:
A teacher rear-ended on the Cross Bronx near the Bronx River Parkway waited five days before going to BronxDocs because her neck stiffened over the weekend. The insurer denied it — until her doctor wrote a note explaining delayed onset and linked it directly to the crash. The case settled.
❓ "Who actually responds when there’s a crash on the Cross Bronx or Deegan?"
Professional Answer:
It depends. In the Bronx, highways fall under different jurisdictions:
NYPD Highway Patrol covers most of the city-maintained highways
New York State Police may respond to I-95 or parts of the Thruway
MTA Police might show up if it involves a bridge or tunnel
EMS or FDNY may arrive first if injuries are reported
Always try to take a picture of the police vehicle or ask the officer’s name and agency — because getting a copy of the crash report depends on knowing who wrote it.
Real Bronx Example:
A man hit near the Major Deegan at 149th St had no idea which agency responded. His lawyer had to chase down three different departments. But a photo he took of the officer’s shoulder patch proved it was NYPD Highway — and unlocked the full report.
❓ "Is there any video of my crash?"
Professional Answer:
There might be — but you have to act fast. Video sources include:
Traffic cameras on ramps or exits (operated by DOT or NYPD)
MTA bridge/tunnel surveillance
Storefront or parking lot cameras near ramps
Bus cameras (MTA buses often have front/side footage)
Dashcams from your own or other vehicles
Most agencies delete footage within 7–30 days unless formally requested. Your lawyer must send letters or subpoenas fast.
Real Bronx Example:
A woman struck merging onto the Bruckner Expressway from White Plains Rd thought there was no video. But an MTA bus happened to be behind her. Her attorney subpoenaed the MTA and recovered footage showing the other driver veering across two lanes.
❓ "The truck that hit me left the scene — what can I do?"
Professional Answer:
If the truck didn’t stop and you didn’t get a plate, you can still:
File a hit-and-run claim with your own insurance (under SUM or UM coverage)
Use video, witness photos, or damage pattern to try and ID the vehicle
Check traffic cams or red light cameras for matching timestamps
Search for company logos or markings caught in dashcam or witness photos
The sooner you notify your insurer and start investigating, the better.
Real Bronx Example:
A food delivery driver was hit by a box truck near the Sheridan ramp. The truck kept going. But a passerby filmed part of the crash and caught the truck’s company logo and number. The lawyer tracked the company and made them pay.
❓ "I live in New Jersey — but the crash happened in the Bronx. Can I still sue?"
Professional Answer:
Yes — if the crash occurred in NYC, the case is handled under New York law, even if you live out of state. That means:
NY's No-Fault insurance rules apply
Medical care can be in NJ, but the claim process follows NY timelines
Your lawsuit, if any, will be filed in Bronx Supreme Court
Real Bronx Example:
A Connecticut driver commuting into the Bronx was hit on the I-95 split near Pelham Parkway. Her treatment was in Stamford, but her case was handled by a Bronx attorney who secured No-Fault benefits and later filed a Bronx lawsuit.
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Law Firm of Matthew Marchese, 2403 East Tremont Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice in any particular case. The information does not create an attorney-client relationship. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
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© 2025 Matthew Marchese P.C. All Rights Reserved
Law Firm of Matthew Marchese, 2403 East Tremont Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice in any particular case. The information does not create an attorney-client relationship. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
