Car accidents can happen anywhere in New York City, but certain areas are definitely more dangerous than others. If you are an NYC driver or pedestrian, stay aware and safe by taking account of these borough-specific tips and know where common car and pedestrian traffic incidents take place.

In 2024 Brooklyn accounted for about 30% of the collisions that occurred in NYC. Here is what you need to know if Brooklyn is a part of your daily commute.

Flatbush Avenue & Atlantic Avenue:
This is an intersection near the Barclay Center, and common accidents are T-bone collisions and pedestrian injuries.

Linden Boulevard & Pennsylvania Avenue:
This East New York crossing can confuse drivers. The streets are broad, and there are multiple signals that require driver’s attention. Many drivers speed and make frequent lane changes, causing fender benders and high-speed crashes.

Ocean Parkway & Kings Highway:
At this intersection, a major parkway leads into a busy commercial corridor. The traffic volume is high, and there are limited visibility issues which makes it prone to sideswipes and rear-end accidents.

New Yorkers know that the layout of roads in Brooklyn can change from block to block. You can go from a wide avenue with three lanes to a narrow, single lane one-way street with cars parked on both sides. Be prepared for this type of road layout and make driving in Brooklyn less stressful. 

A smart way to approach driving in Brooklyn is to drive defensively, stay alert, and anticipate unexpected moves by other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Here are a few defensive tips:
– Keep a safe following distance—even in stop-and-go traffic
– Checking mirrors constantly for bikes, scooters, pedestrians, and aggressive drivers
– Slow down when approaching intersections or pedestrian-heavy areas
– Avoid distractions like phones or GPS rerouting
– Be patient and give the right-of-way, even when others do not

Car accidents in Manhattan are common because its density creates congested intersections and impatient, aggressive driving. Here is an overview of what you can expect.

Canal Street & Bowery:
This Lower Manhattan crossroad is chaotic with fast-moving traffic merging from multiple directions. It is a common location for car accidents. This intersection is also close to the Manhattan Bridge, so lane merges, sudden stops, and bumper-to-bumper traffic increase the risk of collisions.

125th Street & Lexington Avenue:
This location is in East Harlem, and you have to watch out for multiple bus lines, pedestrian crossings, and many delivery vehicles.

14th Street & 1st Avenue:
This East Village intersection has heavy pedestrian traffic, bike lanes, and cars trying to turn across lanes.

Manhattan is known for its tight street grid, one-way avenues, and limited space. Even minor accidents can quickly lead to something bigger because of the volume of traffic and limited space. When parking in Manhattan, watch out for double parking, aggressive parallel parking, and drivers backing up in traffic from parking garage exits and street parking spots.

Queens saw a reduction of traffic collisions for 2024. To help keep this positive progress, it’s important to have some local knowledge.

Queens Boulevard (once known as “The Boulevard of Death”) intersects dangerously with Roosevelt Avenue and Union Turnpike. This is a high-risk corridor that causes many crashes and pedestrian fatalities.

Many areas in Queens have wide roads and a mix of driver experience levels. This increases the chances of mistakes. In 2024, Queens still accounted for approximately 28% of all NYC car accidents, second only to Brooklyn.

The Bronx covers the smallest land area of the five boroughs, but it is one of the most heavily travelled boroughs in NYC. When driving in the Bronx, things to consider are the complex mix of local traffic and the high number of commercial vehicles and pedestrians.

Fordham Road & Grand Concourse:
This is a busy corridor with multiple bus lines, delivery vehicles, impatient drivers, and constant foot traffic. Fordham University and shopping centers are nearby and add to the congestion. 

Bruckner Boulevard intersections:
This intersection is a hotspot for multi-vehicle accidents because it is frequently used by local and interstate drivers.

The densely packed neighborhoods in the Bronx mean more vehicles in smaller areas and more frequent stop-and-go movement. Add to that the construction zones and limited alternate routes, and you have the makings of rear-end collisions, sideswipes, and even hit-and-runs.

The high number of pedestrians is due to the many schools, transportation hubs, bodegas, housing, and medical centers in the Bronx. Drivers need to be alert not only for other vehicles but also for people suddenly crossing the street or walking between parked cars.

Staten Island is very car-dependent and has limited public transportation, so this borough requires a unique awareness for drivers. It definitely has less traffic compared to Manhattan or Brooklyn, but it still sees a significant number of car accidents each year.

Richmond Avenue & Victory Boulevard:
This busy intersection is near the Staten Island Mall and sees high volumes of traffic from commuters, shoppers, and school buses. Stay alert since rear-end collisions and dangerous left turns are common.

Hylan Boulevard & New Dorp Lane:
This is one of Staten Island’s busiest commercial corridors, and you can see fast-moving traffic with unpredictable pedestrian crossings. Tight lanes and constant turning movements make it a hotspot for car accidents.

Locals rely heavily on their cars for transport, which means there are more cars per household that drive to work, school, or run errands.

This car-centric setup leads to:
– Higher odds of multi-vehicle accidents during school pick-up or drop-off
– More distracted driving incidents due to longer commutes
– Higher risk of parking lot fender benders, especially near shopping centers

Commuter frustration is also a real issue here. With limited bridges and a notorious ferry schedule, traffic often bottlenecks during morning and evening rush hours—especially on major roads like the Staten Island Expressway and Hylan Boulevard.

The worst times to be driving are weekday mornings between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m and evenings between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. These are peak accident times. Weekends, especially late Saturday nights into early Sunday mornings, also see a spike in DUI-related crashes.

With over two decades of experience and dozens of five-star reviews, The Irwin Law Firm, PLLC is trusted for car accident cases in New York. We are proud to be a law firm that New Yorkers can trust.

We understand how stressful it is after a crash. From insurance claims to court filings, our team can help you every step of the way. Whether you’re in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Bronx, or Staten Island, we know the local traffic and the law. We also know how to handle your case and make it a stress-free experience for you and your family. 

If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident in the City, call us NOW at (631) 948-0753. An attorney is available 24/7 to answer your call and help you when you need it most.