Vehicle Fire on I-287 Highlights the Risks of Highway Crashes in Westchester County — What Drivers Should Know & How an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

Traffic came to a grinding halt this week on Interstate 287 in Westchester County after a vehicle erupted in flames, leaving the car destroyed and commuters backed up for miles. First responders quickly contained the fire, but the incident underscores a critical reality for New York drivers: high-speed corridors like I-287, the Cross Westchester Expressway, the Hutchinson River Parkway, and the Bronx River Parkway remain some of the region’s most dangerous roadways.

While not every vehicle fire results from a collision, many do — and they often involve sudden mechanical failures, rear-end impacts in stop-and-go traffic, or high-speed crashes during rush-hour congestion.

Why I-287 and Surrounding Roads Are So Hazardous

As a central route connecting White Plains, Yonkers, Tarrytown, and the I-95/I-87 interchanges, I-287 carries heavy commuter traffic and large commercial trucks. When you combine:

• High speeds

• Tight lane patterns near exits

• Distracted or aggressive driving

• Poor visibility from curves and elevation changes

…the result is a roadway where a single mistake can lead to catastrophic injuries.

Vehicle fires, multi-car pileups, jackknife truck accidents, and chain-reaction crashes are increasingly common on this stretch — especially during peak hours or adverse weather.

If You’re Injured in a Highway Crash, Experience Matters

For more than 35 years, attorney Norman Gershon has represented victims of serious car accidents throughout Westchester County and New York City, securing tens of millions in verdicts and settlements for people whose lives were changed by a driver’s negligence.

Norman is widely known as the trial lawyer other attorneys call for their toughest cases — especially those involving:

• Highway collisions

• Vehicle fires

• Rear-end and chain-reaction crashes

• Tractor-trailer and commercial vehicle accidents

• Multi-car pileups on I-287, I-95, the Bronx River Parkway, FDR Drive, Bruckner Expressway, and Grand Central Parkway

Relevant Case Results

Norman’s track record includes major verdicts for victims of severe motor-vehicle collisions, including:

• $16,500,000 – Betancourt v. NYCTA: Passenger struck by bus, multiple spinal fractures and fusions.

• $14,500,000 – Lin v. MTA: Bus crash causing devastating degloving injuries and multiple surgeries.

• $7,500,000 – Call v. NYC Transit Authority: Bus passenger with lumbar disc herniation and fusion.

• $3,000,000 – Carmona v. Esther Transportation: Lumbar spine fusion following vehicle crash.

• $2,500,000 – Yurkovic v. Cepin (Westchester): Intersection accident with cervical disc herniations requiring fusion.

These results demonstrate not only Norman’s courtroom ability, but also his ability to reconstruct complex highway collisions and present them clearly to juries.

What to Do After a Vehicle Fire or Highway Collision

If you’re ever involved in a crash on I-287 or any high-speed roadway:

1. Move to safety immediately — vehicle fires spread quickly.

2. Call 911 and request an ambulance, even if injuries seem minor.

3. Document the scene, including smoke, fire damage, skid marks, traffic conditions, and the other vehicles involved.

4. Do not give statements to insurance adjusters before speaking with a lawyer.

5. Seek legal counsel quickly — early investigation is essential in highway fire and impact cases.

Why Clients Trust Norman

Victims consistently describe Norman as:

• “Smart, experienced, compassionate, tough.” — Michael Benowich

• “A kind, caring lawyer who got me a bigger settlement than I expected.” — Nancy Joyce

• “Top-notch in the courtroom… he knew the ins and outs of the trial process.” — Lance, New York

• “Warm, caring, and relentless in preparation.” — B., New York

• “A brilliant attorney — a beast in the courtroom.” — Dessasore

In serious car accident cases—especially those involving fires, catastrophic injuries, or disputed liability—you want someone who has spent three decades winning the cases others avoid.

Protecting Westchester & NYC Drivers

Whether your accident occurs on I-287 in White Plains, the Major Deegan in the Bronx, the LIE in Queens, or the West Side Highway in Manhattan, the Law Offices of Norman Gershon stand ready to help you secure the justice and compensation you deserve.

Your life can change in a moment on New York’s highways. When it does, choose the lawyer who’s proven he can win — again and again.