Bronx crashes have their own patterns: the Grand Concourse's multi-lane crossings, the Cross Bronx and its trucks, Fordham Road's buses and retail traffic. One pattern matters more than most people realize: buses, trucks, and city vehicles are often involved.
That one detail can cut your deadline from years to weeks. Here is what every Bronx crash victim should know, in plain English.
The Bronx deadline trap: 90 days
Most people have heard they have years to sue after a crash. In New York that's generally true for most injury lawsuits: 3 years. But if a city vehicle or bus was involved, or you were hurt on city property, a Notice of Claim is generally due within 90 days. Miss it and the claim can be in real trouble before it starts.
On streets full of city buses and city fleets, that 90-day clock comes up in the Bronx again and again. If your crash involved anything with a government plate, treat it as urgent. Your deadline may be different. That is exactly why you should get advice now, not later.
No-fault: your first 30 days
New York is a no-fault state. Your own insurance generally pays your basic medical bills and part of your lost pay, no matter who caused the crash, generally up to $50,000 in basic coverage. To get it, you generally must file a no-fault application within 30 days of the crash. If you were a pedestrian or a passenger, the driver's insurer may be the right place to file. Here's the 30-day rule, explained.
Your next move, step by step
1. Get medical care and keep going
See a doctor now, even if you feel okay, and keep every appointment. Documented treatment from day one is what makes your claim solid.
2. Save everything
Photos, driver information, witness names, the police report number, every letter an insurer sends. The full checklist is in our after-a-crash guide.
3. Report the crash and watch the clocks
Tell your own insurer right away and get the no-fault application moving. If a bus or city vehicle was involved, flag the 90-day Notice of Claim immediately.
4. Get advice before you accept anything
The first offer is almost never the real number. Learn what builds a case's value, then talk to someone on your side before you sign.
What a free review does for a Bronx case
You call. A real person answers, day or night. We go through what happened, flag every clock that may apply to your crash, including the 90-day one, and give you a plain-English range of what your case may be worth. If you want a lawyer, we connect you with an independent New York car accident attorney. They charge no fee unless they win for you. You pay us nothing, ever.
Questions Bronx crash victims ask us
What if a city bus or city vehicle hit me in the Bronx?
A Notice of Claim is generally due within 90 days, far sooner than most people expect. Don't wait. Your deadline may be different. That is exactly why you should get advice now, not later.
What does no-fault pay for after a Bronx crash?
Generally your crash-related medical bills, a portion of lost earnings, and some other reasonable costs, up to $50,000 in basic coverage, no matter who caused the crash. The application is generally due within 30 days.
Does it matter that my crash happened in the Bronx?
The law is mostly the same across New York, but where a lawsuit gets filed can shape how it plays out, and no one can promise how any court or jury will treat a case. The independent attorneys we connect you with practice in New York courts. We pay attention to where you crashed from the very first call.
Crashed in the Bronx? Get your free case review or call (347) 526-1246. A real person answers, 24/7.
