NYPD crash records show 28 police-reported crashes within about 130 feet of 42nd Street and 9th Avenue from 2023 through 2025, injuring 18 people, including 8 pedestrians and 3 cyclists.
A crash at this corner can involve a private driver, a taxi or rideshare, an MTA or commuter bus near the Port Authority Bus Terminal, or a city vehicle, and each one changes whose insurance pays and which deadlines apply.
Several deadlines start in the first days: the DMV report is due within 10 days, no-fault notice within 30 days, and a notice of claim within 90 days if a city vehicle or MTA bus was involved.

The first 24 hours after an accident are, in many ways, the most important. During this time, you’ll be doing things like taking photos of the scene, seeking medical treatment, talking to witnesses, and beyond. One hotspot for auto accidents in Manhattan is 42nd Street and 9th Avenue, and if you were injured in an accident here, it’s imperative that you continue reading and reach out to a Manhattan car accident lawyer from The Law Offices of Richard M. Kenny to learn more about what to do in the first 24 hours afterward.

West 42nd Street and 9th Avenue sits where Hell’s Kitchen meets the Times Square theater district, at the northwest corner of the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Crosstown traffic on 42nd Street meets southbound traffic on 9th Avenue, along with buses heading into and out of the terminal, taxis, delivery trucks and heavy foot traffic. NYPD crash records on NYC Open Data list 28 police-reported crashes within about 130 feet of the intersection from 2023 through 2025, injuring 18 people: 8 pedestrians, 3 cyclists and 6 motorists. Where a contributing factor was recorded, the most common was a driver passing too closely.

What Should I Do Immediately After an Accident at 42nd Street and 9th Avenue?

Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone has been hurt. Give the dispatcher your exact location, including a nearby entrance or landmark, so responders can locate you. If it is safe to do so, you should also do everything in your power to take the following steps:

Reach safety: Get out of active traffic without putting yourself or anyone else in danger.
Request assistance: Ask for police and emergency medical services when reporting an injury.
Exchange information: Obtain the drivers’ names, contact details, license plates, registration information, and insurance details. For a taxi or rideshare, also note the medallion or TLC license number, the company and the trip details in the app.
Document police involvement: Write down the responding agency, officer’s name, and collision report number.

The Port Authority Bus Terminal extends between Eighth and Ninth avenues and West 40th and West 42nd streets, which means terminal entrances and bus movements may help you describe where and how the accident occurred. Record the specific corner as well. However, you should avoid getting into an argument about who caused the crash. If you were hurt one block east, our post on accidents at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue covers that corner, and our guide to slip and fall injuries on the terminal’s stairs and concourses covers what happens inside.

Where Can I Get Medical Care, and What Evidence Should I Preserve?

You should receive a medical evaluation promptly, even if you believe your injuries are relatively minor. Tell the provider how the collision happened, as well as all symptoms you have noticed.

Mount Sinai West has an emergency department on West 59th Street between Ninth and Tenth avenues. For the most serious injuries, emergency personnel may take you to a Level I trauma center such as NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue at 462 First Avenue. If you need an ambulance, emergency personnel should determine where you should be taken based on your condition.

After your immediate medical needs have been addressed, you should try to gather the following:

Surveillance footage of the accident. Nearby stores, buildings, buses and the terminal itself may have cameras, but footage is often recorded over within days, so a car accident attorney may need to send preservation requests quickly.
Pictures of any damage to vehicles caused by the accident.
Witness contact information, as their testimony can prove valuable at a later date.
Medical documentation pertaining to your injuries, as well as medical bills.

Who Should I Notify During the First 24 Hours?

Your insurer, for one. Stick to what you know: when and where the crash happened and who was involved. Don’t guess about fault, and don’t tell anyone you’re fine before a doctor has examined you. Remember that the adjuster works for the insurance company, not for you. A personal injury attorney can handle these conversations for you.

You should also keep these deadlines in mind:

DMV report: Drivers generally must file Form MV-104 within 10 days if a crash causes injury, death, or over $1,000 in damage to any one person’s property, under Vehicle and Traffic Law § 605.
No-fault notice: Eligible injured people generally must submit written notice to the applicable insurer within 30 days, with limited exceptions.
City vehicles and MTA buses: If a city vehicle or an MTA bus was involved, a notice of claim is generally due within 90 days under General Municipal Law § 50-e.

Even if police prepare a report, your separate DMV filing obligation remains.

Common Questions About Accidents at 42nd Street and 9th Avenue

What if I was hit by a bus near the Port Authority Bus Terminal?

It depends on who operated the bus. An MTA bus generally requires a notice of claim within 90 days. Commuter and intercity buses at the terminal are run by private companies, whose insurers handle the claim. A Port Authority vehicle has its own notice rules. Write down the bus number, route and company name right away.

What if I was a pedestrian crossing 42nd Street?

Pedestrians hurt by a car in New York are generally covered first by no-fault insurance, usually through the vehicle’s policy if you don’t own a car. You may also have a claim against the driver for a serious injury, such as a fracture. Photos of the crosswalk, the signal and the vehicle’s position help show what happened.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a car accident in New York?

Generally three years under CPLR § 214, but claims involving city vehicles or MTA buses come with much shorter notice deadlines. Our page on New York statutes of limitations covers the deadlines by case type.

If you were hurt at 42nd Street and 9th Avenue, a car accident lawyer can help you sort out which insurers and deadlines apply before evidence from this busy corner disappears. If you have any additional questions about the steps you need to take after an accident, contact a Manhattan personal injury lawyer from The Law Offices of Richard M. Kenny today.