Brooklyn Car Accident Lawyer | No Win, No Fee

Brooklyn is one of New York City’s most congested and dangerous boroughs for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. 

In 2023 alone, Brooklyn recorded over 11,980 crashes, 63 fatalities, and holds the highest intersection death rate in the entire United States according to NYC DOT data. From the chaos of the BQE through Red Hook to the notorious Atlantic Ave and Flatbush Ave corridor, which sees over 130 crashes every year, Brooklyn roads demand constant vigilance. 

When an accident does happen, cases are filed at Kings County Supreme Court, located at 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, and handled through NYPD precincts assigned by crash location, including the 72nd Precinct at 830 4th Ave and the 75th Precinct serving East New York. The legal process moves fast, and so should you.

At the Law Office of Michael J. Redenburg, Esq. PC, you get more than a firm. You get a lawyer who personally handles your case from the first call to final resolution. 

Michael J. Redenburg is a SuperLawyers Rising Star (2014–2017) and ASLA Top 40 Under 40 attorney with a proven track record of recovering compensation for Brooklyn accident victims. Brooklyn drivers face real dangers every day: potholes, distracted drivers, reckless truckers on Eastern Parkway, and MTA buses cutting across busy intersections. 

You deserve an advocate who knows these streets, these courts, and these insurance companies. There are no fees unless we win. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us fight for the compensation you are owed.

Brooklyn Car Accident Laws and Court Process

When you file a car accident claim in Brooklyn, your case is handled at Kings County Supreme Court, located at 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY. Understanding how the local court process works is critical to protecting your rights and maximizing your recovery. 

Kings County juries are drawn from one of the most densely populated urban areas in the country, and motion practice timelines can be lengthy, making early preparation and experienced local representation essential.

New York is a no-fault insurance state, which means that regardless of who caused the accident, your own insurance company covers your initial medical expenses and lost wages up to $50,000 through Personal Injury Protection (PIP). However, you must file your no-fault application within 30 days of the accident or risk losing those benefits entirely. 

To step outside the no-fault system and pursue additional compensation through a lawsuit, your injuries must meet the serious injury threshold defined under CPLR 5102, which includes permanent loss of a body organ or function, significant disfigurement, a bone fracture, or an injury that prevents you from performing daily activities for at least 90 out of 180 days following the accident.

One critical local factor Brooklyn accident victims must be aware of involves crashes with MTA buses. Routes like the B35 and B82 run through some of Brooklyn’s busiest corridors, and if an MTA vehicle was involved in your accident, you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the incident before pursuing any legal action against the city or transit authority. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your claim.

Dangerous Roads in Brooklyn

Brooklyn’s road network is one of the most heavily traveled in the country, and certain corridors consistently produce serious and fatal accidents year after year. Understanding where the most dangerous conditions exist can help establish negligence in your case, particularly when traffic camera footage, NYC DOT maintenance records, and NYPD crash reports are used as evidence.

BQE Through Red Hook 

The Brooklyn-Queens Expressway through Red Hook is one of the most congested stretches of highway in New York City. Aging infrastructure, narrow lanes, and constant heavy truck traffic create conditions that regularly produce rear-end collisions, sideswipes, and serious multi-vehicle accidents.

Atlantic Ave and Flatbush Ave 

This intersection and surrounding corridor records over 135 accidents per year, making it one of the most dangerous in all of Brooklyn. High pedestrian volume, bus traffic, and competing turning movements contribute to frequent and serious crashes.

4th Ave in Bay Ridge 

A wide, multi-lane arterial road that sees significant pedestrian activity, 4th Ave in Bay Ridge presents consistent risks for walkers and cyclists who share space with fast-moving vehicles. Intersection failures and driver inattention are common contributing factors.

Eastern Parkway 

Eastern Parkway serves as a major truck corridor connecting several Brooklyn neighborhoods. Side-swipe collisions involving large commercial vehicles are common, and the speed and weight of those vehicles often result in severe injuries.

Tillary Street and Flatbush Extension 

This area near the Manhattan Bridge approach records approximately 180 crashes per year. High traffic volume from drivers entering and exiting the bridge combined with confusing lane merges make this one of Brooklyn’s most accident-prone zones.

Pennsylvania Ave and Linden Blvd 

This corridor in East New York is known for high-speed collisions and has been the site of multiple fatal accidents. The combination of wide lanes, limited lighting in certain stretches, and heavy through-traffic creates dangerous conditions for all road users.

Across these corridors, Brooklyn sees over 15,000 pedestrian and motorist injuries annually. If you were hurt at any of these locations, traffic camera footage, DOT inspection records, and prior accident data can all be used to build a strong negligence case on your behalf.

No-Fault and the Serious Injury Threshold

New York’s no-fault insurance system was designed to ensure that accident victims receive prompt medical care and wage replacement regardless of who caused the crash. 

Under this system, your own auto insurance policy provides up to $50,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits, covering necessary medical treatment and a portion of lost income while your injuries are being treated. This coverage applies no matter who was at fault for the accident.

However, no-fault benefits have limits, and they do not compensate you for pain and suffering or the full extent of your losses. 

To pursue those additional damages through a lawsuit, your injuries must meet New York’s serious injury threshold as defined under CPLR 5102. 

Qualifying injuries include permanent loss of a body organ or function, permanent consequential limitation of use of a body organ or member, significant disfigurement, a bone fracture, or an injury that prevents you from performing substantially all of your usual daily activities for at least 90 out of the 180 days immediately following the accident. 

Proving these categories typically requires thorough medical documentation including MRI results, physician reports, and detailed records of lost wages and disrupted daily life.

One factor that is especially relevant in Brooklyn is the involvement of MTA buses and municipal vehicles. Brooklyn routes including the B35 and B82 run through some of the borough’s most congested streets, and accidents involving these vehicles require an additional legal step. 

Before you can bring a lawsuit against the MTA or the City of New York, you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident. This deadline is strict and missing it can permanently eliminate your right to recover compensation from a government entity.

If an MTA bus was involved in your accident, contacting an attorney immediately is not optional, it is essential.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Brooklyn

The steps you take immediately following a car accident in Brooklyn can have a direct impact on the strength of your legal claim and the compensation you are able to recover. Here is what you should do:

• Call Michael J. Redenburg Before You Speak to Any Insurer. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company, including your own, before consulting with an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts and anything you say can be used against your claim. There are no fees unless we win and your free consultation starts the moment you call.
• Ensure Safety and Call 911. Move to a safe location if possible and call 911 immediately. Police will be dispatched from the precinct covering your crash location: 60th Precinct for Coney Island, 77th for Crown Heights, 72nd for Sunset Park, and 75th for East New York. Knowing your precinct matters when it comes time to retrieve your official police report.
• Get Your Police Report Number. Ask the responding officer for the report number before leaving the scene. In New York this is documented on the MV-104 form. This report is a foundational piece of evidence and is retrieved through the NYPD precinct that responded to your call.
• Document Everything at the Scene. Take photos and video of all vehicles involved, visible injuries, road conditions, traffic signals, and relevant signage. Note any infrastructure issues such as potholes, faded lane markings, or broken barriers. Collect names and contact information from any witnesses present.
• Seek Medical Attention Immediately. Seek medical care as soon as possible even if you do not feel seriously injured. Kings County Hospital is a major trauma center serving Brooklyn and prompt medical documentation is critical to establishing the connection between the accident and your injuries.
• Preserve All Evidence. If your vehicle has a dashcam, secure that footage immediately. Do not delete, overwrite, or allow anyone to access it before speaking with an attorney. Preserve all physical evidence, photographs, medical bills, and correspondence from insurance companies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I was hit by an MTA bus in Brooklyn? 

If you were hit by an MTA bus in Brooklyn, you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident before you can pursue a lawsuit against the MTA or the City of New York. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your claim. You are still entitled to up to $50,000 in no-fault PIP benefits through your own insurance regardless of fault. Contact an attorney immediately to protect your rights and meet all required deadlines.

Which NYPD precinct handles a Flatbush crash? 

Crashes in Flatbush are typically handled by the 67th or 71st Precinct depending on the exact location of the accident. The precinct that responds to your call will hold the official police report filed on the MV-104 form. Knowing which precinct handled your case is important when retrieving your report and building your legal claim.

What compensation can I get for a BQE accident? 

Compensation for a BQE accident can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. If your injuries meet the serious injury threshold under CPLR 5102, you can pursue a lawsuit beyond no-fault benefits. NYC DOT maintenance records and traffic camera footage from the BQE corridor can be used to establish negligence and strengthen your claim.

How does the Kings County court filing process work? 

Car accident lawsuits in Brooklyn are filed at Kings County Supreme Court, located at 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn. You have three years from the date of the accident to file your claim under New York’s statute of limitations. Once filed, the case moves through discovery, which typically takes 6 to 12 months, followed by trial which averages 18 to 24 months in Kings County.

Can I claim serious injury from Eastern Parkway whiplash? 

Whiplash alone does not automatically qualify as a serious injury under CPLR 5102. However, if your whiplash resulted in a significant limitation of use, prevented you from performing daily activities for at least 90 out of 180 days following the accident, or caused permanent consequential damage, you may qualify. Thorough medical documentation including MRI results and physician reports is essential to proving your claim.

Does Michael J. Redenburg offer a free consultation? 

Yes. Michael J. Redenburg offers a free consultation to all Brooklyn car accident victims. He personally handles every case from the first call through resolution and charges no fees unless he wins your case. Call (212) 240-9465 to speak with him directly and get the guidance you need as soon as possible.

Injured in a Brooklyn Car Accident? Call Now.

Do not wait. New York’s no-fault system requires you to file within 30 days of your accident, and if a government vehicle or MTA bus was involved, your Notice of Claim deadline is just 90 days. Every day you delay is a day the insurance company is building its case against you.

Michael J. Redenburg personally handles every Brooklyn car accident case from the first consultation through final resolution. No handoffs. No fees unless we win. Just experienced, dedicated representation from an attorney who knows Kings County Supreme Court, Brooklyn’s most dangerous roads, and how to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Call (212) 240-9465 today for your free consultation or fill out the form below and we will get back to you promptly.

• No fees unless we win
• Free consultation
• Personally handled by Michael J. Redenburg
• Cases filed at Kings County Supreme Court, 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn

Act now. Your deadline may be closer than you think.