Queens Boulevard has long been one of the most dangerous roads in New York. Add the stop-and-go pileups on the LIE and the airport traffic on the Van Wyck, and Queens sees some of the busiest crash corridors in the state.
If you just crashed on one of them, you're probably sore, worried about work, and getting calls you don't know how to answer. Here is what to do, which deadlines are already running, and who to call. Asking us any of it is free.
What to do first after a Queens crash
Get medical care, even if you feel okay
Adrenaline hides pain. Neck, back, and head injuries often show up days after a crash. See a doctor the same day if you can. It protects your health, and it creates the medical record that ties your injuries to the crash.
Save your proof before it disappears
Photograph the cars, the street, the signs, and your injuries. Get every driver's name, license, plate, and insurance card. Get witness names and numbers too. On a corridor as busy as Queens Boulevard, witnesses vanish in minutes. Our step-by-step guide walks through all ten steps.
Report the crash fast
Tell your own insurance company right away. In New York, your no-fault application is generally due within 30 days of the crash. That form is what gets your medical bills and part of your lost pay covered, no matter who caused the crash.
Why Queens crashes get complicated
Queens crashes often involve more than two cars. A chain reaction on the LIE can pull in four drivers and four insurance companies. Every one of them has an adjuster whose job is to pay as little as possible, and they are happy to point at each other while your bills stack up.
Fault gets argued hard here too. Wide boulevards, long crossings, sudden stops near the airports. Sorting out who owes what is exactly what a free case review is for. Tell us what happened and we'll tell you what it may mean.
The clocks already running on your Queens case
- 30 days. Your no-fault (PIP) application is generally due within 30 days of the crash.
- 90 days. Hit by a city vehicle or bus? A Notice of Claim is generally due within 90 days.
- 3 years. Most New York injury lawsuits generally must be filed within 3 years of the crash.
Your deadline may be different. That is exactly why you should get advice now, not later.
Who to call after a Queens car accident
Not the other driver's insurance company. Their adjuster will call you soon enough, and you should know what to say before that happens.
Call someone on your side first. We'll go over your crash for free, flag your deadlines, and give you a plain-English picture of what your case may be worth. If you want a lawyer, we connect you with an independent New York car accident attorney. The attorneys we work with charge no fee unless they win for you. One number worth knowing while you decide: accident victims with legal representation receive settlements nearly 3.5 times higher than those without, according to a 2014 Insurance Research Council study. That's a national average, not a promise about your case, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Questions Queens drivers ask us
Who pays after a multi-car pileup on the LIE?
Often more than one insurer. New York law generally lets fault be shared between drivers, and your own no-fault coverage generally pays your first medical bills either way. Finding every policy that applies is detective work, and it's a big part of what a good attorney does.
Do I need a police report for a Queens car accident?
Call 911 and ask for police, even for a small crash. The report becomes key evidence. If police didn't come and there's injury or real damage, you may also need to file a crash report with the DMV.
What does it cost to ask about my Queens crash?
Nothing. The call is free, the case review is free, and you never get a bill from us. Read what builds a case's value, then ask us about yours.
Crashed in Queens? Get your free case review or call (347) 526-1246. A real person answers, 24/7.
