Bronx Car Accident Lawyer
One Accident Changes Everything. You Deserve Real Help. At Frekhtman & Associates, every client receives proper attention. We treat your injury as if it happened to one of our own.
Car accidents in the Bronx cause devastating injuries that change lives in seconds. When a collision occurs on the Cross Bronx Expressway, Bruckner Boulevard, or the Grand Concourse, insurance companies start building their case against you immediately. You need attorneys who know how to stop them.
Frekhtman & Associates, founded by Bronx Supreme trial attorney Arkady Frekhtman, has spent 25+ years holding negligent drivers and insurance companies accountable. We have recovered $900M+ for injured clients, including a $69.25 million motor vehicle verdict. When adjusters try to minimize your claim, we fight back with evidence, experience, and a proven track record.
- $900M+ recovered for injured clients
- $69.25M largest single recovery in a motor vehicle case
- 25+ years trying cases on the Bronx Supreme calendar
- AVVO 9.9 Rating, National Top 100 Trial Lawyers, AIPIA Ten Best Attorneys
- No fee unless we win
Call our Bronx office at 718-733-9300 24/7 to find out if you have a case.
Why Hire a Bronx Car Accident Lawyer?
- We Know New York’s No-Fault Laws: The serious injury threshold under § 5102(d) is where most cases die. We have settled cases like Burgos v. Budget for $500,000 in Bronx Supreme Court and a $100,000 car accident case where the client had only three months of treatment and bulging cervical discs. Insurers routinely move to dismiss those cases for failing the threshold. We win them.
- We Investigate Properly: Bronx car accidents demand fast, aggressive evidence preservation. On every case we deploy accident reconstruction experts, pull surveillance footage before it is overwritten, subpoena cell phone records to prove distraction, secure event data recorder downloads, and retain biomechanical and medical experts.
- We Go to Trial: Founder Arkady Frekhtman has tried and resolved motor vehicle cases on the Bronx Supreme calendar, including the $2.4 million tractor-trailer settlement in Bronx County and the $500,000 Burgos v. Budget car accident settlement. Senior trial attorney Richard Mogg has tried and settled cases on the Bronx Supreme Court trial calendar, including a pedestrian knockdown case settled at $500,000 weeks before the final trial date.
- We Know the Bronx: Our Bronx office at 20 E 205th Street is steps from Bronx County Supreme Court at 851 Grand Concourse. We try cases in front of Bronx judges and Bronx juries.
Exposed Adjuster Lies. Recovered 7x The Initial Offer.
We turned down their lowball offer, and they refused to go higher for over three years. At trial, we exposed the insurance adjuster’s lies under oath. They were forced to pay $4.17 million with interest. That is more than seven times their final pre-suit offer.
Proven Results in Bronx Car Accident Cases:
- $2.4 million settlement for a tractor-trailer accident in Bronx County Supreme Court
- $1.2 million settlement for a client rear-ended by a box truck
- $1 million settlement for a brain bleed injury from a car accident
See our full verdicts and settlements or learn more about our firm.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is unique, and the value of any claim depends on its specific facts.
How Much Is Your Bronx Car Accident Case Worth?
Insurance companies offer quick, lowball settlements hoping you sign away your rights before you know the true cost of your injuries. We calculate the full lifetime value of your claim and fight to recover every dollar.
- Economic Damages: All medical costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and property damage.
- Non-Economic Damages: Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement. New York does not cap these damages.
- Punitive Damages: When drivers act with reckless disregard, like drunk driving, texting, or fleeing the scene, we pursue damages designed to punish them.
To recover non-economic damages in New York, your injuries must meet the serious injury threshold under Insurance Law § 5102(d). This includes fractures, permanent limitation of use, significant disfigurement, or injuries preventing normal activities for 90 of the first 180 days.
What to Do After a Car Accident in the Bronx
Your first hours after a crash determine the strength of your claim. Insurance companies start building their defense immediately. We step in to stop them. If you are reading this from the scene or the hospital, take these steps now:
See exactly what to do after a car accident in New York to protect your case.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. All investigation costs, expert fees, and litigation expenses are advanced by our firm.
If we do not win, you owe us nothing. Learn more about how much a personal injury lawyer costs.
How Insurance Companies Reduce Your Settlement
Insurance adjusters are trained to protect their company’s profits, not to help you. Their goal is to close your claim for the lowest amount possible. We know their playbook and how to beat it.
- Recorded Statements: They use your own words to minimize your injuries. Never give a recorded statement without us present.
- Blaming the Victim: They use comparative negligence to argue you were partially at fault. Under NY CPLR § 1411, you can still recover even if partially responsible. But every percentage they assign reduces your payout.
- Delaying and Stalling: They drag out the process, hoping financial pressure forces you to settle. We force their hand.
- Challenging Serious Injury: They aggressively dispute whether your injuries meet the § 5102(d) threshold to avoid paying non-economic damages.
We handle all communication, so you cannot be manipulated. See exactly how to spot insurance company tactics after a car accident.
Who Is Responsible for Your Car Accident?
Identifying all liable parties maximizes your recovery. In Bronx car accidents, multiple parties may share fault:
The Other Driver
Speeding, running red lights, distracted driving, drunk driving, and failure to yield all establish liability.
Vehicle Owners
Under NY V&T Law § 388, owners are vicariously liable for accidents caused by anyone driving with their permission.
Employers
Companies face liability when employees cause accidents within the scope of employment. See our page on Bronx truck accidents.
Government Entities
Dangerous road conditions create liability, but you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days under General Municipal Law § 50-e.
Manufacturers
Defective brakes, tires, or airbags can shift liability to manufacturers.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Car Accident?
To recover compensation, you must prove the other driver was negligent. New York law requires four elements:
- Duty: The other driver owed you a duty of care. All drivers must operate their vehicles safely and follow traffic laws.
- Breach: The driver violated that duty. Running a red light, texting, speeding, or drunk driving all constitute breaches.
- Causation: The breach directly caused your accident and injuries. We establish this link through evidence.
- Damages: You suffered actual harm including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
We gather the evidence to prove each element: police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, cell phone records, vehicle black box data, and expert testimony. Insurance companies challenge one or more elements in every case. We anticipate their arguments and build evidence to defeat them.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in the Bronx?
New York law imposes strict deadlines. Miss them, and you lose your right to compensation permanently.
- No-Fault Benefits: 30 days from the accident to file your application under 11 NYCRR § 65-1.1.
- Personal Injury Lawsuit: 3 years from the accident under NY CPLR § 214(5).
- Wrongful Death: 2 years from the date of death under NY EPTL § 5-4.1. Learn about New York wrongful death claims.
- Government Claims: 90 days to file a Notice of Claim, then 1 year and 90 days to sue.
- DMV Reporting: 10 days for accidents involving injury or $1,000+ damage under V&T Law § 605.
Evidence disappears fast. Surveillance footage gets overwritten. Witnesses become harder to locate. We move immediately. Learn more about the statute of limitations for car accidents in NY.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Understanding what causes crashes helps establish liability. We see these causes repeatedly:
Distracted Driving
Texting, phone calls, and GPS navigation divert attention. Cell phone records prove distraction.
Speeding
The Grand Concourse, Jerome Avenue, and Bronx highways see drivers routinely exceeding limits. Event data recorders capture speed at impact.
Drunk and Drugged Driving
Impaired drivers cause some of the most devastating crashes. Learn what to do if you were hit by a drunk driver who fled.
Running Red Lights
Intersections like Bruckner Boulevard and St. Ann’s Avenue see frequent violations.
Failure to Yield
Left-turn accidents and crosswalk violations cause serious injuries. The Bronx has high rates of pedestrian accidents.
Following Too Closely
Stop-and-go traffic on the Cross Bronx Expressway creates frequent rear-end collisions.
Types of Car Accidents We Handle
Different accident types require different investigation approaches. We handle every type of motor vehicle collision:
- Rear-End Collisions: The most common type. Frequently causing whiplash, herniated discs, and soft tissue injuries, insurers try to minimize.
- T-Bone Collisions: Side-impact crashes at intersections cause serious injuries because doors offer less protection.
- Head-On Collisions: Often involve drunk driving or distraction. Frequently result in catastrophic injury or death.
- Hit-and-Run Accidents: We work to identify the driver and pursue compensation through uninsured motorist coverage. See can you sue after a hit-and-run.
- Multi-Vehicle Pileups: Complex liability requiring identification of all responsible parties and their coverage.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Accidents: We help you access all available coverage when the at-fault driver lacks adequate insurance.
Work-Related Car Accidents
If you were injured in a car accident while working, whether driving for your job, making deliveries, or traveling between work sites, you may have multiple claims:
- Workers’ Compensation: Covers medical bills and partial lost wages regardless of fault. You can file a workers’ compensation claim through your employer’s insurance.
- Third-Party Lawsuit: If another driver caused the accident, you can sue them for full damages, including pain and suffering, on top of workers’ comp benefits.
- Employer Liability: In some cases, your employer may share liability if they pressured you to violate safety rules or failed to maintain company vehicles.
Delivery drivers, delivery truck operators, and employees running work errands all have unique claim options. We identify every available source of compensation.
Common Car Accident Injuries
The severity of your injuries directly impacts your claim value. We handle all injury types:
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Concussions to severe TBI causing permanent cognitive impairment. We have secured $1 million settlements for brain bleed injuries. See our TBI verdicts and settlements analysis.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, paralysis. These rank among the highest-value cases. Learn about Bronx spinal cord injury cases.
Broken Bones
Complex fractures requiring surgical repair with plates, screws, and rods.
Knee Injuries
Torn ligaments and meniscus tears require surgery. See arthroscopic knee surgery settlements.
Internal Injuries
Ruptured organs and internal bleeding may not produce immediate symptoms. Same-day medical evaluation is critical.
Car Accidents in Bronx County
The Bronx consistently ranks as the most dangerous borough for serious crash injuries. Local knowledge matters when building your case.
- Bronx Crash Statistics: 10,028 crashes in 2024, with 4,416 injuries and 54 fatalities according to NYC Open Data Motor Vehicle Collisions. The borough’s serious injury rate runs 20% above the citywide average per Transportation Alternatives analysis.
- Cross Bronx Expressway: One of the most dangerous highways in the U.S. Handles 146,700 cars and 18,000 trucks daily according to NY State DOT traffic data. Short merge ramps and constant gridlock create dangerous conditions.
- High-Risk Roads: Bruckner Expressway (333 crashes in 2023), Jerome Avenue (249 crashes, 3 fatal), White Plains Road, Bronx River Parkway per NYPD collision data.
Most Dangerous Intersections in the Bronx per Transportation Alternatives:
- Bruckner Blvd & St. Ann’s Avenue: The most dangerous intersection in the Bronx. Since 2022, 8 people killed or seriously injured in 5 crashes.
- Bruckner Blvd & Hunts Point Avenue: Second-highest for serious pedestrian injuries in the borough.
- Jerome Avenue & Clifford Place: 4 crashes, 5 injuries, 2 deaths. No traffic controls at the intersection.
- Bronx River Parkway & East 177th Street: Known hotspot near the offramp. 13 crashes and 21 injuries recorded in a single year.
- Cross Bronx Expressway & Jerome Avenue: High speeds and merging traffic create frequent collisions.
Bronx Trauma Centers: Lincoln Medical Center (Level I), Jacobi Medical Center (Level I Adult, Level II Pediatric with the Bronx’s only burn unit), Montefiore Moses Campus.
Bronx Courthouse: Car accident lawsuits are filed in Bronx County Supreme Court at 851 Grand Concourse or tried at 265 East 161st Street. Our attorneys know Bronx judges and juries.
See our analysis of Bronx car accidents leading to spinal injuries.
Bronx Car Accident FAQ
How much does it cost to hire a Bronx car accident lawyer?
Nothing. We advance all costs and you pay nothing unless we recover money for you. Our fee comes out of the settlement, not your pocket. Learn more about personal injury lawyer costs.
What is the statute of limitations for a car accident lawsuit in New York?
Three years from the accident under CPLR § 214(5), but the real deadline is 30 days to file your no-fault application. Miss that and you lose PIP benefits. Wrongful death claims have two years; government claims require a 90-day Notice of Claim. See statute of limitations for car accidents in NY.
Can I recover compensation if I was partially at fault?
Yes. New York uses pure comparative negligence under CPLR § 1411. Even at 90% fault, you recover 10% of damages. We have won cases where the client was initially blamed. The police report is not the final word. See how comparative negligence works.
What if the other driver was not cited by police?
Citations do not determine civil liability. We have won cases where our client got the ticket. We build independent proof through accident reconstruction, cell phone records, and surveillance footage.
How does New York's no-fault insurance work?
Your own insurer pays up to $50,000 for medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault. To sue for pain and suffering, your injury must meet the serious injury threshold under § 5102(d). Most carriers fight this. We document injuries from day one to close that gap. Learn how no-fault insurance works in NY.
What is the serious injury threshold?
You must prove one of these under Insurance Law § 5102(d): fracture, permanent limitation of use, significant limitation of a body function, significant disfigurement, or a medically determined injury preventing substantially all daily activities for 90 of the first 180 days. This is the barrier insurance companies use to deny claims.
How long will my case take?
Straightforward soft tissue cases can settle in 6 to 12 months. Serious injury cases with surgery or permanent damage take 18 months to 3 years. We do not settle until you reach maximum medical improvement. Rushing leaves money on the table. See how long to settle a personal injury case in the Bronx.
What if the at-fault driver has no insurance?
You file against your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. New York requires a minimum of $25,000 UM. If you carry higher limits, you can recover more. We also search for additional liable parties with insurance.
Should I accept the insurance company's first offer?
No, and here is why: first offers are calculated to close your file cheap before you know the full extent of your injuries. We have seen initial offers of $15,000 turn into settlements over $500,000 once we got involved. Do not sign anything.
Do I have to go to court?
Over 90% of our cases settle before trial. But we prepare every case as if it is going to a jury. That preparation is what drives fair settlements. If the offer is not right, we try the case. Learn about court versus settlement.
Speak With a Bronx Car Accident Lawyer Today
Every day after an accident matters. Insurance companies are already building their case against you. Evidence is disappearing. The 30-day no-fault deadline waits for no one.
Frekhtman & Associates responds immediately. We stop insurance games, preserve critical evidence, and fight for your full recovery. You pay nothing unless we win.
Call 866 ATTY LAW. Get a trial lawyer on your side.
718-733-9300 Bronx office | 866-288-9529 24/7 | Start your free consultation
Our Bronx office at 20 E 205th Street represents car accident victims throughout the borough, including Fordham, Pelham Parkway, Mott Haven, Hunts Point, Morrisania, Highbridge, University Heights, Kingsbridge, Riverdale, Throgs Neck, Parkchester, Co-op City, and Wakefield. We also serve clients throughout New York City.
Meet our full legal team and read what our clients say about working with Frekhtman & Associates.
Hablamos español. Russian-speaking attorneys on staff.
Contact For A Free Case Review
While it’s possible to handle a personal injury case on your own, having an experienced attorney by your side significantly increases the likelihood of a favorable outcome. According to studies, victims represented by a personal injury lawyer receive higher settlement amounts compared to those who handle their cases independently. For a free case evaluation: