Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf is a New York Plaintiff's personal injury law firm specializing in automobile accidents, construction accidents, medical malpractice, products liability, police misconduct and all types of New York personal injury litigation.

Articles Posted in Auto Accidents

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Car Accident NYYesterday, communities around the world gathered to observe World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. This annual day, held on the third Sunday of November, is a time to reflect on the lives tragically lost to traffic violence and to advocate for measures that can prevent further tragedies. In New York City, the event took place in Flushing, Queens, a borough that has seen a troubling rise in fatalities, particularly among children, this year.

As attorneys representing victims of car accidents in New York, we have witnessed firsthand the devastating impact that traffic crashes have on families. Each case we handle represents a life irreparably altered — a loved one lost too soon, a child suffering life-altering injuries, or families left to navigate unimaginable grief. This is why we stand alongside the community members, advocates, and elected officials who are pushing for stronger safety measures and legislative changes to protect all New Yorkers.

A Rising Toll on Queens Streets

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NYPD carA recent announcement by the New York Attorney General’s office has reignited concerns about the tragic consequences of high-speed police chases on the streets of the Bronx. In a decision that has drawn mixed reactions, it was determined that no criminal charges would be filed against an NYPD officer who fatally struck a pedestrian, Sofia Gomez, during an emergency response.

The Tragic Incident in the Bronx

The accident occurred on October 5, 2020, when an NYPD officer was responding to an urgent call on the Throgs Neck Bridge after receiving reports of “shots fired.” The officer, driving a marked police vehicle with lights and sirens activated, was traveling at speeds exceeding 60 mph. As the officer approached the intersection of Pelham Parkway South and Wallace Avenue, he drove through a red light and tragically struck 23-year-old Sofia Gomez, who was crossing the street in a designated crosswalk.

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location of the reckless fatal accidentA devastating accident on Myrtle Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant serves as a harsh reminder of the life-threatening risks faced by construction workers who work hard to ensure our city’s development. On October 29, 2024, a 37-year-old construction flagger, Luis Mario Sangurima, lost his life after being struck by a driver recklessly navigating around a box truck. Sangurima was directing traffic near a construction site when he was hit by a speeding van that crossed into oncoming traffic, underscoring the perils that flaggers and construction site workers face daily on Brooklyn’s streets.

The driver, Clyde Mercury, reportedly attempted to bypass a slow-moving truck by veering into the opposite lane. This act of impatience led to a fatal outcome, with Mercury now facing charges of criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment, reckless driving, and failure to exercise due care. As Brooklyn personal injury attorneys, we see the dire consequences that arise when drivers ignore traffic rules and fail to respect construction zones. Tragedies like this are preventable when drivers are responsible and follow basic safety protocols around construction areas.

Construction zones, especially in busy urban areas like Brooklyn, require vigilant attention from both drivers and workers. Often, flaggers like Sangurima are the first line of defense for work crews, directing traffic to protect colleagues and pedestrians. By donning reflective gear and guiding vehicles past narrow lanes, they ensure the safety of everyone around the construction site. However, when drivers disregard these signals and attempt dangerous maneuvers, they put lives at risk.

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New York Police Chase Accident LawyerA tragic police chase in Astoria, Queens, on Tuesday night claimed the life of a cyclist when a driver, fleeing from NYPD officers, fatally struck her. The driver, who was attempting to evade arrest for burglary, was speeding along 34th Avenue before hitting the cyclist on 37th Avenue. This marks yet another fatality resulting from the surge in police chases under Mayor Adams’ administration, prompting concerns about the NYPD’s policies regarding high-speed pursuits.

As NYPD chase accident lawyers, we understand the devastating consequences of reckless pursuits in densely populated neighborhoods. In this case, the police pursuit resulted in not only the senseless death of a cyclist but also intense public outcry about the necessity and safety of such actions.

In New York City, where traffic is already chaotic, engaging in high-speed chases in residential areas is a recipe for disaster. The aftermath of this chase, in which the suspect continued to evade police while an innocent cyclist lost her life, raises the question: Was it worth it? As advocates for victims of road violence, we firmly believe that no property crime, such as burglary, should justify endangering lives in this manner.

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dangerous intersection E59th Street and 2nd AveAn elderly woman walking with a cane was tragically injured in a hit-and-run accident on the Upper East Side. The incident occurred Monday morning when the woman, believed to be in her 80s, tripped and fell into the street near the dangerous intersection of E. 59th St. and Second Ave., just feet away from the entrance to the Queens-bound Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge. At around 10:10 a.m., she was struck by a box truck, and the driver continued on without stopping, heading across the bridge into Queens.

Medics arrived quickly on the scene and transported the woman in critical condition to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell. As of now, the driver is still being sought.

This tragic accident highlights the dangers pedestrians face daily, especially seniors who may have limited mobility. The outcome of this case hinges on locating the driver, but regardless of the circumstances, it’s crucial for the victim and her family to explore their legal options.

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Intersection of Dekalb and Wyckoff where a pedestrian was killed by a Box truckMarco Gallardo Tirado, a 59-year-old retired Brooklyn home health aide, was fatally struck by a box truck in Bushwick while on his way to a doctor’s appointment. The accident occurred on DeKalb Avenue near Wyckoff Avenue around 9:35 a.m. on Friday morning. Sadly, Mr. Tirado’s life was cut short just blocks from Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, where he was rushed but could not be saved.

The driver, identified as Lennis Escalona Luna, did not stop at the scene but was later identified through his truck’s U.S. Department of Transportation number. He now faces charges of failure to yield to a pedestrian and failure to exercise due care. However, the emotional toll on Mr. Tirado’s family is immeasurable, as they mourn the loss of a kind and caring man who had simply been on his way to a routine checkup.

This incident is just one of several fatal truck accidents that have plagued New York City over the past few days, bringing increased urgency to the conversation around pedestrian safety. As truck traffic continues to rise in the city, especially in densely populated areas like Brooklyn, so too does the risk to pedestrians.

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16 year old Jahel Zihnin was killed in a truck accidentAs personal injury lawyers representing Queens victims, we are no strangers to the devastating impact that reckless drivers can have on families and communities. Recently, families in Queens have been calling for urgent action to protect children from the dangers posed by careless motorists. Yesterday, the group Families for Safe Streets, alongside lawmakers, gathered at IS-125 in Woodside to honor the lives of several young pedestrians who were tragically killed in traffic accidents, including 16-year-old Jael Zhinin (picture). She lost her life in a crosswalk, struck by a truck on the last day of class in June.

The grief and frustration felt by these families are not isolated. Many of our clients have experienced firsthand the sudden loss of a loved one or the long road to recovery after a serious accident. But the pain of losing a child, especially when they were simply walking in a crosswalk or standing on a sidewalk, is unimaginable.

Advocating for Change: Sammy’s Law

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Accident sceneLabor Day weekend was marred by a series of fatal collisions across New York City, resulting in the loss of six lives. These incidents highlight ongoing concerns about road safety in our city and the need for careful attention from all road users.

A Weekend of Fatal Collisions

The unfortunate events began on Thursday, August 29, when a 55-year-old  pedestrian identified as Jacqueline Healy of Jamestown was struck by a Ford pickup truck while crossing Cross Bay Boulevard at Pitkin Avenue in Ozone Park, Queens. The driver, Keith Ryan, 47, was arrested and charged with driving with a fake license.

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Location of the deadly Brooklyn Bike Accident on Union Street and Lynch StreetOn Sunday morning, Luis Mendez, a 46-year-old cyclist, was struck and killed by a van driver on Union Avenue in Brooklyn. The driver, identified as 40-year-old Can Homer, was allegedly operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol and without a valid driver’s license. This devastating event highlights the serious and ongoing issue of road safety for cyclists in New York City, particularly in Brooklyn.

The Legal Ramifications of Bicycle Accidents in Brooklyn

When a cyclist is injured or killed in an accident, the legal landscape can be complex, but it is crucial for justice to be pursued. In this case, the driver, Can Homer, has been charged with multiple serious offenses, including vehicular manslaughter, driving while intoxicated, and driving without a license. These charges carry significant legal consequences, and the pursuit of justice for the victim and his family will likely involve a thorough investigation and litigation process.

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children run over by cars statisticsAs pedestrian accident lawyers, we’ve seen the devastating consequences of vehicular negligence and poor design choices by automakers. The introduction of the Pedestrian Protection Act by Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.) represents a crucial step in addressing a long-overdue issue: the alarming rise in pedestrian fatalities caused by increasingly massive and dangerously designed vehicles.

For years, safety ratings for vehicles have been heavily skewed towards protecting those inside the car, while largely ignoring the risks these vehicles pose to pedestrians and cyclists. The new bill seeks to change that by requiring the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to develop safety standards that consider the likelihood of a pedestrian surviving a crash with one of these massive trucks or SUVs.

Why This Bill Matters

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