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When winter hits Westchester County and the NYC metro, the roads change fast. One hour it’s wet, the next it’s slush over black ice on the Saw Mill River Parkway, Hutchinson River Parkway, Bronx River Parkway, or I-287. Down in the city, the FDR, West Side Highway, Cross Bronx (I-95), BQE, LIE, and Grand Central Parkway can swing from slow-and-slick to stop-and-go chaos in a single commute. With visibility down, traction compromised, and holiday travel up, serious crashes rise sharply.
At The Law Offices of Norman Gershon, we’ve tried—and won—complex winter crash cases across White Plains, Yonkers, the Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, and beyond. Below is a practical, New York-specific guide to winter driving accidents, what to do after a crash, and how an elite car accident lawyer builds the strongest possible claim.
Why Winter Crashes Spike Here
Road surface & traction. Snow, sleet, and refreeze create black ice on shaded stretches (think tree-lined parkways and overpasses on the Taconic or Bronx River Pkwy). Even light snow drastically lengthens stopping distance.
Visibility. Twilight plus precipitation means headlights, salt spray, and glare. In dense corridors (e.g., Queens Blvd, Fordham Rd, Jerome Ave, Northern Blvd), pedestrians and double-parked vehicles appear with little warning.
Traffic density & bottlenecks. Reduced roadway capacity in storms funnels cars into chokepoints (interchanges on I-87 / I-287, bridges, and toll approaches), increasing multi-vehicle collisions and secondary impacts.
Holiday behavior. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, there’s more night driving, more fatigue, and more impaired driving—a dangerous multiplier in poor conditions.
Where We See the Most Winter Risk (Locally)
- Westchester: I-287 (Cross-Westchester), Hutch, Saw Mill, Bronx River, and Route 9A—curves + shade = black-ice hotspots.
- Bronx & Manhattan: Cross Bronx (I-95), Deegan (I-87), FDR, Harlem River Drive, West Side Highway—short merges, sudden slowdowns.
- Queens: BQE, LIE, Grand Central Pkwy, Northern Blvd—heavy truck traffic and lane changes on slick pavement.
- Bridge approaches (GW, RFK, Whitestone, Throgs Neck) and interchanges add wind gusts and freeze zones.
Common Winter Crash Injuries—and Why Fast Care Matters
High-energy impacts on slick roads cause:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Cervical/lumbar disc herniations (often requiring fusion)
- Fractures (pelvis, wrist, ankle, vertebrae)
- Shoulder/knee tears needing surgery
- Burns/road rash from secondary events
Immediate medical evaluation protects your health and your claim. In winter, cold exposure can worsen outcomes; EMS and ER documentation also anchors causation and injury severity in your records.
The New York Insurance Basics (Plain English)
- No-Fault (PIP): In NY, your own policy initially covers medical expenses and lost wages—regardless of fault—but PIP is limited.
- Serious Injury Threshold: To sue for full damages (pain & suffering), you must prove a “serious injury” under NY law—e.g., fracture, significant limitation, or surgery-level disc injury. The defense will scrutinize MRIs, gaps in treatment, and prior history.
- Comparative Fault: Even if you’re partly at fault (speed for conditions, following too closely), you can still recover—your award is reduced by your percentage of fault.
This is where having a trial-proven car accident lawyer matters. Insurance carriers increase real offers when they know your attorney can—and will—win in front of a jury.
Why Injured New Yorkers Hire Norman Gershon
35+ years of courtroom success. Known throughout the tri-state as the lawyer other attorneys call for their toughest cases, Norman has recovered tens of millions for injured New Yorkers—many in transportation and roadway cases common to winter.
Selected results (illustrative of complex injury litigation):
- $16,500,000 verdict – Betancourt v. NYCTA, Bronx Supreme (bus collision; spinal fractures, multiple fusions)
- $14,500,000 settlement – Lin v. MTA, Queens Supreme (bus accident; degloving injuries, multiple surgeries)
- $7,500,000 verdict – Call v. NYC Transit Authority, Bronx Supreme (bus passenger; lumbar disc herniation/fusion)
- $5,445,000 verdict – Mungo v. Traviseo, Kings Supreme (motor vehicle; cervical & lumbar fusions)
- $3,750,000 verdict – Hernandez-Santos v. Egg Depot, Bronx Supreme (motor vehicle; lumbar fusion)
- $3,000,000 verdict – Carmona v. Esther Transportation, Bronx Supreme (motor vehicle; spinal fusion)
- $2,500,000 verdict – Yurkovic v. Cepin, Westchester Supreme (intersection crash; cervical fusion)
What clients say:
“Norman worked his magic and got me a bigger settlement than I expected… kind, caring, compassionate… I highly recommend him.” — Nancy Joyce
“A beast in the courtroom!… brilliant attorney, and someone I consider a friend.” — R. Dessasore
“Top-notch. Thorough, well-prepared… comfortable and confident at trial.” — Lance, New York
Results depend on facts, but preparation, credibility, and trial skill are constants. Norman’s cross-examination and damages presentation routinely neutralize defense tactics around “minor impact,” “degenerative findings,” or “snow-storm emergency” excuses.
How We Build Strong Winter-Crash Cases
Rapid Evidence Preservation
- Scene photos before plows/sun melt key evidence
- Nearby traffic and Ring cameras, dash-cams, and MTA/bridge authority footage
- 911/EMS audio, weather service data (precipitation timing, freeze/refreeze), sanding/salting logs
Liability Proof—Even in Bad Weather
- Driver conduct: speed for conditions, following distance, lane discipline, device use
- Commercial vehicles: hours-of-service, telematics, braking systems, maintenance
- Municipal/agency issues where applicable: design, black-ice prone drainage, lighting, or signage
Medical Causation & Damages
- Immediate diagnostics (ER, MRI), specialist referrals, and clear treatment timelines
- Functional loss documentation (work limits, ADL restrictions)
- Life-care planning, vocational loss, and economic projections when needed
Settlement Leverage Through Trial Readiness
- We prepare every case as if it will be tried in Bronx, Queens, Westchester, or Manhattan Supreme—and carriers know it.
Smart Winter Driving: Practical, Localized Tips
Before you drive
- Check DOT cams and weather radars; delay trips during active sleet/snow bands.
- Clear all glass, roof, and lights; top off washer fluid.
- Winter kit: blankets, traction aid, phone power, snacks, meds—especially on the Tappan Zee (Gov. Mario M. Cuomo) Bridge corridor and longer parkway stretches.
On Westchester parkways & NYC arterials
- Slow below the limit and lengthen following distance. Expect black ice on bridges/overpasses (Hutch at ramps; Saw Mill near cuttings).
- Avoid abrupt steering/braking; plan lane changes early on the BQE/LIE and Cross Bronx.
- Give trucks space—spray reduces visibility and packed snow from trailers can shed suddenly.
Holiday commonsense
- Absolutely no drinking and driving. Plan a ride.
- If conditions deteriorate, exit safely and wait it out. A 20-minute pause beats a life-changing crash.
What To Do After a Winter Crash (Step-by-Step)
- Call 911 and get to safety; beware secondary impacts on slick shoulders.
- Document: photos/video of vehicles, skid marks, slush/ice, lighting, signage, and your injuries.
- Get medical care now. Don’t “tough it out”—gaps in treatment hurt both health and claim.
- Exchange info and collect witness contacts; note nearby cameras.
- Don’t argue fault or make recorded statements to insurers before counsel.
- Call a trial-tested car accident lawyer—fast. Early preservation of weather/maintenance/camera evidence can make or break the case.
Put 35+ Years of Trial Experience to Work for You
When a winter crash upends your life, you need more than paperwork. You need a relentless courtroom advocate who can turn complex facts, harsh weather defenses, and medical skepticism into a compelling, winning narrative.
Norman Gershon—New York & Federal bars since 1987, member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, NY State Bar, Bronx & Queens County Bar Associations, and National Trial Lawyers—has earned the reputation of the go-to trial lawyer across the tri-state area.
If you or a loved one were injured on I-287, the Deegan, Cross Bronx, BQE, LIE, or any Westchester/NYC roadway, we’re ready to investigate immediately, protect your rights, and pursue the full compensation the law allows.
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