Craig D. Rosenbaum | September 4, 2026 | Car Accidents
The Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) is one of Brooklyn’s most important—and aging—transportation routes. Approximately 130,000 vehicles travel the BQE each day, including about 13,000 trucks. The city-owned BQE Central section between Atlantic Avenue and Sands Street is now about 20 years beyond its original design life.
For drivers, deteriorating infrastructure, heavy traffic, construction, narrow lanes, and sudden congestion can create challenging conditions. If you are injured in a crash on the BQE, determining what caused the accident can be an important part of establishing who may be responsible.
Why Is the BQE in Such Poor Condition?
Much of the BQE was built decades ago, and the highway carries far more traffic than originally anticipated.
Conditions that could potentially contribute to crashes include:
- Potholes or deteriorated pavement
- Uneven road surfaces
- Construction zones and lane shifts
- Narrow lanes or shoulders
- Debris in the roadway
- Poor drainage or standing water
- Congestion and sudden stops
- Damaged barriers or other infrastructure
However, poor highway conditions do not automatically mean the city or state is legally responsible for a crash.
Who Could Be Responsible for a BQE Accident?
Liability depends on what caused the accident. Another driver may be responsible if they were speeding, following too closely, distracted, impaired, or otherwise driving negligently.
In some cases, several parties could share responsibility. Potentially liable parties may include another motorist, a trucking company, a construction contractor, or a government entity responsible for a particular section of the highway.
Determining exactly where the crash happened and what condition contributed to it may therefore be critical.
Rosenbaum Meier Personal Injury Lawyers has over 40 years of combined experience and has recovered tens of millions of dollars for injured clients. Our attorneys can investigate the circumstances of a BQE crash, identify potentially responsible parties, and help you pursue compensation for your injuries and losses.
Can I Sue New York City for Dangerous BQE Conditions?
Potentially. A government entity may be liable when a dangerous roadway condition contributes to an accident, but claims against New York City or another government agency are subject to special legal requirements.
For example, the injured person may need to establish that the government entity had legally sufficient notice of the dangerous condition and failed to address it within a reasonable period. Government claims can also have much shorter notice requirements than ordinary personal injury cases.
What Evidence Can Help After a BQE Crash?
Evidence can help establish whether another driver’s behavior, roadway deterioration, construction, or several factors contributed to your collision.
Useful evidence may include:
- Photographs and videos of the accident scene
- Images of potholes, pavement damage, or debris
- Dashcam footage
- Police accident reports
- Witness statements
- Vehicle damage
- Medical records
- Construction and maintenance records
- Surveillance or traffic-camera footage
Documenting the roadway itself can be especially important because potholes may be repaired, construction zones can change, and debris can disappear shortly after a collision.
What if I Was Partly Responsible for the Crash?
Sharing responsibility does not necessarily prevent you from recovering compensation in New York. Under CPLR § 1411, an injured person’s damages generally can be reduced according to their percentage of responsibility.
For example, if another driver was speeding but you were following another vehicle too closely, both actions could potentially be considered when fault is assigned.
This makes it important to investigate all contributing factors rather than assuming one person or one roadway condition was entirely responsible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the BQE Being Repaired?
Yes. NYC DOT has conducted ongoing preservation and repair work, including concrete and reinforcing-steel repairs, deck work, resurfacing, and structural monitoring. In August 2026, the city also announced plans to rehabilitate the city-owned section between Atlantic Avenue and Sands Street.
Can Construction on the BQE Contribute to an Accident?
Yes. Lane shifts, reduced lanes, changing traffic patterns, work vehicles, barriers, and congestion can contribute to crashes. However, whether a construction contractor, government agency, or another driver is legally responsible depends on the circumstances.
How Long Do I Have to File a BQE Accident Claim?
The deadline depends partly on who is responsible. An ordinary personal injury lawsuit in New York generally has a three-year statute of limitations under CPLR § 214, but substantially shorter notice and filing requirements can apply to claims against New York City or another government entity.
Contact Rosenbaum Meier Personal Injury Lawyers After a BQE Crash
A BQE accident may involve more than careless driving. Deteriorating pavement, ongoing construction, heavy truck traffic, and aging infrastructure can all raise additional questions about how a collision occurred and who may be responsible.
For more information, please contact Rosenbaum Meier Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a Brooklyn personal injury lawyer. We have three convenient locations around Manhattan, NY, near you in New York City, The Bronx, and Brooklyn.
Rosenbaum Meier Personal Injury Lawyers – New York City Office
100 Wall St 24th Floor, New York, NY 10005
(212) 514-5007
Rosenbaum Meier Personal Injury Lawyers – Bronx Office
1578 Williamsbridge Rd suite 3b, Bronx, NY 10461
(212) 514-5007
(917) 905-2339
Rosenbaum Meier Personal Injury Lawyers – Brooklyn Office
32 Court St #704, Brooklyn, NY 11201
(212) 514-5007
(917) 920-7332
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