For several decades, Queens Boulevard has been synonymous with danger, particularly for pedestrians. Once labeled the “Boulevard of Death” due to its high volume of serious and fatal accidents, this major corridor cuts through some of Queens’ most densely populated neighborhoods, including Forest Hills and Rego Park.
Despite ongoing city efforts to improve safety, accidents remain a persistent issue. Luckily, those injured in pedestrian accidents along this thoroughfare can work with a personal injury lawyer to hold the negligent parties accountable.
Call Poltielov Injury Lawyers; we’re seeking recovery for our clients throughout New York City.
Queens Boulevard Is a High-Risk Area for Pedestrian Accidents
Queens Boulevard serves as a major artery in the borough’s transportation network. Stretching from Sunnyside to Jamaica, it passes directly through Forest Hills and Rego Park—two residential and commercial hubs where foot traffic intersects with high-speed vehicular movement.
For example, areas near the 71st Avenue subway station in Forest Hills or along 63rd Drive in Rego Park experience heightened pedestrian congestion. This significantly increases the risk of pedestrian injury. Key factors that contribute to the frequency of pedestrian accidents in this area include:
- Wide Traffic Lanes: In some stretches, Queens Boulevard spans as many as twelve lanes. Pedestrians often face difficulty crossing in the time provided, even when using marked crosswalks.
- Heavy Congestion: The mix of commuter traffic, local deliveries, and public transportation creates unpredictable conditions. Drivers turning left or speeding to beat red lights frequently collide with pedestrians in crosswalks.
- Limited Visibility: At night or during poor weather, visibility along the boulevard is often compromised. This increases the likelihood of a driver failing to yield, particularly at intersections lacking adequate lighting.
- Driver Behavior: Instances of speeding, distracted driving, and failure to yield to pedestrians contribute to accidents.
These conditions form the backdrop for many personal injury claims and are frequently central to legal determinations.
Following persistent safety concerns, the Safety Division of the New York City Department of Transportation has adopted many measures under the Vision Zero initiative to address the issue. Some of these measures include:
- Pedestrian islands
- Extended medians
- Improved traffic signal timing
- Expansion of bike lanes
- Speed cameras
- Pedestrian crosswalk designs
As a result, pedestrian injuries on redesigned sections of Queens Boulevard have decreased by almost 45%, while total fatalities decreased by 68%. However, despite these improvements, accidents are still being reported, and injured parties still pursue legal recourse under New York’s personal injury statutes.
Personal Injury Claims in New York After Accidents on Queens Boulevard
Pedestrian and traffic accidents on Queens Boulevard in Forest Hills and Rego Park trigger a unique set of legal and insurance issues under New York law. To pursue compensation effectively, you must understand how claims work and how they may impact your case. Here is what you need to know:
New York’s No-Fault Insurance System
New York is one of several states that follow a no-fault insurance model for motor vehicle accidents. Under this system, an injured party, regardless of who caused the accident, is initially compensated through the vehicle owner’s insurance policy for basic economic losses. This includes:
- Medical Expenses: Coverage for reasonable and necessary treatment up to $50,000.
- Lost Wages: Up to 80% of lost earnings, subject to a cap.
- Transportation and Incidental Costs: Reimbursement for costs related to treatment and recovery.
If you are a pedestrian injured on Queens Boulevard, the no-fault benefits will come from the insurance policy covering the vehicle involved in the collision. However, if the vehicle is unidentified, such as in the cases of hit-and-run, you may still be eligible to recover through the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC), which provides a safety net for uninsured and hit-and-run incidents.
However, no-fault coverage does not compensate for pain and suffering or long-term disability unless the injury meets New York’s “serious injury” threshold under Insurance Law § 5102(d). This includes:
- Broken bones
- Significant disfigurement
- Dismemberment
- Permanent loss or limitation of use of a body organ, member, function, or system
- Any medically determined injury that substantially disrupts usual daily activities for at least 90 days within the 180 days following the accident
Only upon meeting this threshold can a pedestrian file a personal injury lawsuit seeking non-economic damages, including pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life.
Proving Negligence
Once you step outside the no-fault system to pursue a personal injury claim, the burden shifts to proving that another party’s negligence caused the accident. This is a central element of any tort claim in New York. You must demonstrate that another party breached a legal duty, directly causing your injuries and resulting damages.
Establishing negligence requires a combination of factual and expert evidence. This may involve surveillance footage from businesses in Forest Hills or Rego Park, eyewitness accounts, skid mark analysis, traffic signal data, and accident reconstruction testimony.
Comparative Negligence
New York is a pure comparative negligence rule state. This means that even if the injured party shares some degree of fault for the accident, they are not barred from recovering compensation. Instead, the court will assign each party a percentage of fault so that the final award is reduced by their share of the blame.
Statute of Limitations
Time is a critical factor in personal injury litigation. In New York, the general statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the accident. However, claims involving minors or government entities are subject to special rules and tolling provisions. To ensure you adhere to all these regulations, it is highly advisable to work with a personal injury lawyer.
Why Legal Representation Matters in Personal Injury Claims After Accidents on Queens Boulevard
Initiating a personal injury claim without a lawyer can result in lower settlements or denied claims, especially in serious cases on Queens Boulevard. Insurance companies often use strategies to reduce payments, like blaming pedestrians for injuries or making offers that don’t cover long-term expenses.
A personal injury lawyer understands New York’s traffic laws and insurance rules and can fight back against these tactics by looking into the accident details, collecting evidence, and negotiating professionally. For residents of Forest Hills and Rego Park, legal counsel is key due to familiarity with Queens Boulevard’s traffic patterns and accident history, which can make a claim stronger.
Work With a Queens Personal Injury Attorney
While accidents still persist despite safety improvements on Queens Boulevard, pedestrian accident victims can take legal action to seek compensation. However, it is important to work with an attorney to help you know your legal rights and the steps to take to build a winning personal injury claim. A personal injury attorney from a trusted firm can provide the guidance and support needed to reclaim your life.
Reach out to Poltielov Law Firm Injury Lawyers immediately to understand your legal options.