Most Dangerous Intersections in New York City
Most Dangerous Intersections in New York City
New York City is built on motion. People walk to work, cyclists commute through traffic, drivers navigate tight streets, and millions of split-second decisions happen at crowded intersections. That energy can turn dangerous in an instant. When a driver rushes a turn, ignores a signal, or is not paying attention, pedestrians in the crosswalk and cyclists in the bike lane can suffer devastating injuries.
At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, our New York City personal injury lawyers represent crash victims across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island after serious intersection accidents. Whether your collision happened at a known hotspot or a neighborhood corner, you deserve answers, support, and a plan.
Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) for a free consultation. Please feel free to contact us via our online form as well. The call is free. The consultation is free. You do not pay us unless we are successful.
Why NYC Intersections Are So Dangerous
Intersections are among the most common locations for serious crashes because they combine turning vehicles, changing signals, and pedestrians and bicyclists crossing. In New York City, the risk is higher due to:
- Heavy traffic congestion and limited room for error
- Pedestrians and cyclists sharing space with cars, trucks, buses, taxis, and rideshare vehicles
- Distracted driving, including phones and GPS
- Aggressive driving and rushed turns, especially left turns
- Limited visibility from parked vehicles, buildings, construction zones, and lighting conditions
- Sudden merges near bridges, tunnels, and expressways
- Short crossing times at wide intersections
Even careful pedestrians and drivers can be hurt when someone else fails to yield or violates traffic laws.
If you were injured in a New York City intersection crash, call Greenstein & Pittari, LLP today for a free consultation.
The Most Dangerous Intersections in New York City
Crash data and traffic reports consistently identify certain intersections as higher-risk locations for vehicle collisions and pedestrian or bicycle injuries.
High-collision intersections in NYC
- Flatbush Avenue and Tillary Street (Brooklyn)
- 2nd Avenue and East 59th Street (Manhattan)
- 42nd Street and 8th Avenue (Manhattan)
- Pennsylvania Avenue and Atlantic Avenue (Brooklyn)
- Pennsylvania Avenue and Linden Avenue (Brooklyn)
- Bowery and Kenmare Street (Manhattan)
- East 57th Street and 3rd Avenue (Manhattan)
- West 42nd Street and 9th Avenue (Manhattan)
- West 34th Street and 7th Avenue (Manhattan)
- West 40th Street and 11th Avenue (Manhattan)
Brooklyn hotspot: Flatbush Avenue and Tillary Street
This intersection is repeatedly identified as one of the most dangerous in New York City because traffic converges from central bridges and expressways. Merging, turning, and sudden conflict points increase the risk for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Pedestrian and cyclist injury hotspots by borough
Manhattan
- Ludlow Street and Rivington Street
- Clinton Street and Rivington Street
Brooklyn
- South Third Street and Havemeyer Street
- South Fourth Street and Keap Street
- Sterling Place and Kingston Avenue
- Lawrence Street and Willoughby Street
- Newkirk Avenue and Argyle Road
- Newkirk Avenue and Rugby Road
- Hooper Street and South Fifth Street
- Smith Street and Wyckoff Street
The Bronx
- East 168th Street and College Avenue
- Field Place and Creston Avenue
- Goble Place and Inwood Avenue
- East 196th Street and Valentine Avenue
Queens
- 37th Avenue and 101st Street
- 89th Avenue and 168th Street
- 37th Avenue and 99th Street
- 39th Avenue and 111th Street
Road design risk example in Manhattan
Some intersections are dangerous due to road design, not just driver behavior. Park Avenue and East 33rd Street are cited as examples of how visibility issues and vehicle movement patterns near a tunnel approach can increase the risk to pedestrians and cyclists.
Dangerous NYC Roads and Corridors Beyond Intersections
Some New York City corridors are hazardous even before you reach a specific intersection due to traffic volume, speed, and frequent crossings.
Manhattan roads often cited as higher risk include:
- Broadway
- Henry Hudson Parkway
- Amsterdam Avenue
Additional NYC roads and corridors often associated with serious crashes include:
- Queens Boulevard
- Atlantic Avenue
- Grand Concourse
- Canal Street
- Jamaica Avenue
- Kings Highway
- Hylan Boulevard
If you were injured on any of these roads, the legal issues are similar. Fault, insurance coverage, and evidence decide the outcome.
Common Causes of Intersection Accidents in New York City
Intersection crashes are rarely unavoidable. They usually involve negligence, including:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding and aggressive driving
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Unsafe left turns and illegal U-turns
- Red-light and stop-sign violations
- Driving while impaired
- Poor signal timing, confusing traffic control, or inadequate pedestrian infrastructure
- Congestion near bridges and tunnels that leads to sudden lane changes
Greenstein & Pittari, LLP investigates the whole picture, including driver conduct, roadway conditions, and available video evidence.
Injuries in NYC Intersection Accidents
Intersection crashes often cause severe injuries, especially for pedestrians and cyclists. Common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Neck and back injuries, including spinal trauma
- Broken bones and fractures
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Severe soft-tissue injuries
- Burns, amputations, and permanent disability
- Fatal injuries
Please get medical care as soon as possible. Prompt treatment protects your health and supports accurate documentation of your injuries.
What to Do After a New York City Intersection Crash
Taking the proper steps can protect both your health and your claim:
- Get medical care right away.
- Call 911 and request a police report.
- Take photos or video of the vehicles, signals, lane markings, crosswalks, and visible injuries.
- Get witness contact information.
- Note nearby businesses or cameras that may have video.
- Avoid giving detailed statements to insurance adjusters before speaking with a lawyer.
Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) for a free consultation. Early legal help can preserve evidence before it disappears.
Detailed Legal Explanation for NYC Intersection Accident Claims
New York no-fault insurance and serious injury claims
New York is a no-fault state. In many crashes, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) pays certain benefits first, regardless of fault. PIP can cover medical expenses and a portion of lost wages, subject to policy rules and deadlines.
If you meet New York’s serious injury threshold, you may be able to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver for additional compensation, including pain and suffering. Severe injuries may include fractures, significant disfigurement, permanent limitations, and injuries that prevent normal activities for at least 90 days out of the first 180 days after the crash, among other categories.
Who can be held liable?
Liability may involve more than one party, including:
- The at-fault driver
- Employers of commercial drivers
- Companies that own or operate vehicles on NYC streets
- Government entities responsible for road design, signals, signage, or maintenance
Commercial and government vehicle accidents
Crashes involving delivery trucks, buses, rideshare vehicles, taxis, or government vehicles may require additional insurance policies and legal defenses. These cases require thorough investigation and early evidence preservation.
Claims against the City of New York and strict deadlines
If roadway defects, signal malfunctions, or dangerous intersection design contributed to the crash, a government entity may be involved. These claims often have strict notice rules and shorter deadlines. No-fault benefits can also have very short filing deadlines. Waiting can permanently harm your case.
Evidence that often decides intersection crash cases
Intersection fault is often disputed. Strong cases rely on:
- Police reports and witness statements
- Traffic signal timing and traffic control records
- Photos of the intersection and vehicles
- Surveillance video and traffic camera footage
- Vehicle damage patterns and event data when available
- Proof of injuries and medical treatment
- Insurance coverage identification and timely notice
Traffic and surveillance footage can be overwritten quickly, sometimes within 30 days. Preserving it early is critical.
How Greenstein & Pittari, LLP Helps NYC Accident Victims
You should not have to fight insurance companies while you are trying to heal. Greenstein & Pittari, LLP can help by:
- Investigating the crash and roadway conditions
- Identifying all liable parties and all available insurance coverage
- Preserving traffic camera and surveillance video
- Handling communications with insurance companies
- Documenting medical and financial damages
- Negotiating for full and fair compensation
- Filing a lawsuit when necessary
Free consultation available. Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) now. You can also reach us through our online form.
FAQ: Most Dangerous Intersections in New York City
What is the most dangerous intersection in New York City?
Many analyses cite Flatbush Avenue and Tillary Street in Brooklyn as one of the most dangerous intersections in NYC, due to heavy bridge and expressway traffic converging onto city streets.
Are neighborhood intersections hazardous?
Yes. More minor intersections can be dangerous due to limited visibility, fewer traffic controls, double parking, and unpredictable driver behavior.
Why are left turns so dangerous in New York City?
Left turns require crossing lanes and often involve obstructed visibility. They are a common cause of collisions involving pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles.
Who is at fault in an intersection accident?
Fault depends on the right-of-way rules, signal phases, driver speed, turning behavior, lane position, and whether anyone violated traffic laws.
Can pedestrians or cyclists be partially at fault?
Sometimes, yes. However, drivers still have a legal duty to exercise reasonable care and watch for pedestrians in crosswalks and bicyclists in bike lanes.
What if I were hit by a delivery truck, bus, or rideshare vehicle?
These cases may involve multiple liable parties, higher insurance coverage, and more complex investigations. Getting legal help early can make a significant difference.
Can I sue the City of New York for a dangerous intersection?
Possibly. Claims involving government entities can require strict notice and shorter deadlines. These cases often depend on proof of defective design, maintenance failures, or signal problems.
What evidence should I take care of after a crash?
Photos and video of the scene, the signals, crosswalks, vehicle positions, injuries, and witness contact information. Also, note nearby cameras that may have recorded the crash.
Should I talk to the insurance company after the crash?
You can report the crash, but avoid detailed statements about fault or injuries before speaking with a lawyer. Insurers often use early statements to reduce claims.
How long do I have to file an intersection accident claim in New York?
Deadlines vary depending on the parties involved. Claims involving government entities can have much shorter notice requirements. No-fault benefits can also affect short deadlines. Speak with a lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights.
How much does it cost to hire Greenstein & Pittari, LLP?
The consultation is free. You do not pay us unless we are successful. That is our fee guarantee.
Why Choose Greenstein & Pittari?
- Local Harlem office for convenience and trust
- No fee unless we win your case. Our Fee Guarantee
- Bilingual services available
- Hundreds of positive client reviews and testimonials
- We handle the insurance companies so you can focus on healing
- Top-rated, award-winning lawyers, including recognition from Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers
Don’t Be a Victim Twice
Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462)
At Greenstein & Pittari, we specialize exclusively in personal injury law with a proven track record of results, responsiveness, and relentless advocacy. We offer free consultations, work on a contingency basis, and fight for clients every day across New York.
If you are a victim of an accident involving an uninsured or underinsured car, call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) to schedule a confidential consultation.
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You can call us today at 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward the compensation and justice you deserve. The call is free. The consultation is free. You do not pay us unless we are successful.