City to Fix Dangerous Bushwick Intersection After Fatal Truck Crash: A Step Toward Safer Streets

As New York truck accident lawyers, we understand the devastating consequences that unsafe roadway design can have, not just for pedestrians and cyclists, but for drivers as well. A recent announcement by the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) to redesign a hazardous Bushwick intersection highlights a tragic reality: too often, meaningful safety improvements come only after a life has been lost.

Last August, 29-year-old motorcyclist Philippe Haussmann was fatally struck by a box truck driver at the intersection of Scott and Flushing Avenues in Bushwick. The collision took place at a complicated and confusing section of the roadway where poor visibility and unclear traffic controls have long posed a danger to motorists and non-motorists alike.

Following significant advocacy from Haussmann’s family and local officials, the DOT has proposed a series of long-overdue changes to improve safety in this critical area, which sits at the nexus of residential, commercial, and industrial zones along the Brooklyn-Queens border.

Among the key upgrades:

• Banning traffic from a short stretch of Scott Avenue between Flushing and Johnson Avenues, converting it into a pedestrian plaza.

• Daylighting intersections by removing parking spaces near corners, improving sightlines, and reducing the risk of collisions.

• Narrowing Scott Avenue between Flushing and Troutman Streets with planters, granite blocks, and painted sidewalk extensions to slow down traffic.

• Installing a concrete pedestrian island at Troutman Street and prohibiting dangerous right turns onto Scott Avenue.

These types of improvements — known to reduce serious crashes and fatalities significantly — cannot come soon enough. According to DOT data, there were 39 reported crashes at Scott and Flushing Avenues between 2020 and 2024, making it a known hotspot for collisions. The combination of truck traffic on major routes like Flushing Avenue and limited driver visibility has created a hazardous environment for everyone.

Truck accidents at poorly designed intersections often involve issues like obstructed sightlines, misinterpreted traffic control devices, and the inability of heavy vehicles to maneuver quickly enough to avoid danger. In cases like Haussmann’s, confusing street layouts and inadequate signage can be contributing factors in deadly outcomes — circumstances that may expose municipalities, contractors, or property owners to potential liability under certain conditions.

While the DOT’s new plan is a welcome development, it serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for proactive, not reactive, street design. Transportation Alternatives and other safety advocates rightly point out that safer streets protect not just pedestrians and cyclists, but also drivers — including truck operators who frequently bear the heavy burden of navigating dangerous intersections in urban environments.

At our personal injury law firm, we have represented numerous victims of truck accidents throughout New York City, including those injured or killed due to hazardous roadway conditions. When negligence — whether by a driver, a company, or a government entity — causes preventable tragedy, we are committed to helping victims and their families pursue justice and accountability.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a truck accident in New York, it is critical to seek experienced legal counsel immediately. Truck accident claims are complex, and early investigation into all potential causes — including dangerous street design — can make a significant difference in securing the compensation and accountability you deserve.