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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GSHA pedestrian fatalities reportThe alarming increase in pedestrian fatalities in the United States has reached its highest level since 1981, according to a recent report released by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA).

The GHSA report reveals that in 2022, at least 7,508 pedestrian died marking a staggering 77% increase since 2010. This tragic statistic signifies not only a significant loss of life but also a growing safety disparity for pedestrians compared to other traffic-related fatalities, which saw a 25% increase over the same period.

Multiple factors contribute to this escalating crisis. Dangerous driving behaviors, inadequate infrastructure, and the prevalence of larger and heavier vehicles all play significant roles in the rising number of pedestrian fatalities. Regrettably, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic witnessed a surge in dangerous driving practices, which have persisted and further jeopardized the safety of pedestrians.

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As car accident attorneys, we are acutely aware of the devastating consequences of reckless driving in New York City. Indeed, the city’s high population density means that millions of people and vehicles share limited road space, leading to increased risks associated with reckless driving. This congestion heightens the likelihood of collisions and resulting injuries. Furthermore, New York City boasts a complex network of streets, intersections, and areas with heavy pedestrian traffic, underscoring the importance of drivers exercising caution and adhering to traffic laws. Reckless driving behaviors such as speeding, running red lights, aggressive maneuvers, and failure to yield to pedestrians can have dire consequences in such an urban environment. Additionally, the presence of vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists, further elevates the potential for severe injuries or even fatalities when reckless driving occurs.

Over the past weekend, several people were injured, and significant property damage occurred due to reckless driving.

A 6-year-old boy in East Harlem Park was critically injured when he was struck by a moped-like vehicle, which then fled the scene. The incident occurred at around 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, causing severe head trauma to the child. The suspect initially stayed but fled before the police arrived. The vehicle was described as similar to a moped, and it was last seen heading northbound in the park. This hit-and-run occurred just before the city’s plan to lift a ban on e-bikes and scooters in parks as part of a yearlong pilot program, which excludes faster, heavier mopeds. The pilot program will allow e-bikes and scooters under 100 pounds to operate on park drives and greenways but not on pedestrian paths. The Parks Department emphasizes maintaining rules against reckless behavior throughout the pilot period, which starts on Tuesday and ends on May 31, 2024.

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Families for Safe Street fight to reduce car accidents in NYCNew York City has long been striving to make its streets safer for pedestrians and reduce the number of tragic accidents caused by speeding vehicles. A proposed law known as Sammy’s Law, named after a young child who lost his life to a speeding driver, has become a symbol of the urgent need for change. However, despite widespread support, the law has faced obstacles in the State Legislature. In a powerful display of their determination, advocates are planning a hunger strike to shed light on the importance of passing this life-saving bill. As car  accident lawyers in New York City, we believe it is crucial to discuss the significance of Sammy’s Law and the urgent need for its implementation.

Sammy’s Law is dedicated to Sammy Cohen Eckstein, a 12-year-old boy who tragically lost his life in 2013 when he was struck by a speeding van while retrieving a soccer ball in Park Slope, Brooklyn

Since Sammy’s death, an alarming number of 98 children have lost their lives in traffic collisions on the city’s streets, highlighting the pressing need for measures to improve safety. Amy Cohen, Sammy’s mother, along with others who have suffered the loss of loved ones in similar accidents, founded Families for Safe Streets, a group advocating for safer streets and stricter regulations.

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Location of the fatal DUI accident in Manhattan, NYCIt was an ordinary evening in Gramercy, Manhattan, where people were going about their daily routines. However, that evening turned into a nightmare when a terrifying car accident caused by an intoxicated driver unfolded on a busy sidewalk.

Last Sunday night around 7:30 pm, an intoxicated driver, 26-year-old Mahbub Ali from Astoria, Queens, drove onto the sidewalk at 21st Street and Third Avenue, resulting in a chain-reaction crash. Eyewitnesses described the scene as horrific, with people screaming, commotion everywhere, and bystanders rushing to help the injured. The consequences of this reckless act were devastating, leading to the death of a 23-year-old man in the crosswalk and injuring several others, including an 18-year-old man on an e-bike and a 26-year-old woman. It is particularly heartbreaking to learn that the victims struck on the sidewalk were asylum seekers staying at a nearby migrant shelter.

The driver, Mahbub Ali, has since been arrested and faces serious charges, including manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, DUI, and assault. These charges reflect the severity of the incident and the potential consequences for his actions. As NYC car accident attorneys, we recognize the importance of holding accountable those who cause harm due to their negligence or recklessness. Such cases not only seek justice for the victims but also serve as a deterrent for others, highlighting the importance of responsible driving and the devastating consequences that can arise from impaired or reckless behavior behind the wheel.

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11 crashes injuring 6 occur at Essex and New Lots Ave since April 2023Reckless driving continues to pose a significant risk to public safety in New York City, with recent incidents serving as alarming reminders of the consequences of irresponsible behavior behind the wheel. One such incident occurred at the intersection of Essex St. and New Lots Ave. in East New York, where an unlicensed driver triggered a chain-reaction crash involving an MTA bus, injuring 14 people, including the passenger of the unlicensed driver, who remains hospitalized in critical condition.

In addition to addressing the issue of reckless driving, it is essential to examine the dangerous conditions of intersections lacking traffic lights, which contribute to the heightened risk

At the aforementioned intersection, the collision occurred due to the reckless actions of an unlicensed driver. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that the absence of traffic lights and reliance solely on stop signs exacerbates the dangers present at this location. Intersections without traffic lights demand heightened caution and adherence to traffic rules from all road users, as they rely on visual cues to determine right-of-way. Without clear signals, accidents become more likely, particularly when combined with reckless driving behaviors. The intersection of Essex and New Lots Avenue has a history of crashes. Over the last three years, between April 2020 and April 2023, 11 crashes occurred at this dangerous intersection, and six people suffered injuries as a result of these accidents. The illustration from Crash Mapper on the left shows that New Lots Avenue is a dangerous street and also clearly indicates that the intersection with Essex Street has a higher risk of accidents than any other intersection on the same Avenue.

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Traffic accidents near JFK airportLast week 15 people were injured in a bus accident and a teenager was killed when the car she was in collided with a truck. Both accidents took place near JFK Airport, which is currently undergoing a major makeover. The aim of this $19 billion project is to rejuvenate the airport by providing modern facilities and improved terminals. However, this extensive renovation comes at a cost: roadways are being torn up and closed, resulting in significant traffic disruptions that are projected to last for several years. Consequently, various modes of transportation, including driving, public transit, taxis, and ride-hailing services, will be affected, potentially causing substantial congestion, delays, and safety concerns.

Last Friday a collision occurred between a Delta Airlines bus and a commuter van on the Van Wyck Expressway, resulting in 15 injuries. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by commuters in and around JFK Airport and southeast Queens. Local leaders, such as Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, have been advocating for clearer signs, speed warnings, and overall safer street designs as part of the JFK Airport overhaul. Additionally, Richards highlighted the peril of driving on North and South Conduit Avenue, where a 14-year-old girl was killed in a car accident just two days prior. The accident took place on North Conduit Avenue near 160th Street. The 14-year-old was a passenger in a BMW driven by a 16-year-old driver. The young driver, who was not supposed to be driving alone, lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a UPS truck, resulting in the death of his passenger and friend.

As predicted by Frommers, commuting to JFK airport, is currently and will continue to be a nightmare for years to come.

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Location of the school bus accident in the BronxAs NYC bus accident attorneys,  it is our responsibility to shed light on the unfortunate incidents that occur on our roads and advocate for justice. In a recent chain-reaction crash in the Bronx, a yellow school bus carrying special needs students and a pregnant woman became entangled with a reckless driver, resulting in a devastating collision involving multiple vehicles.

The accident occurred yesterday afternoon after 3:00 pm. A silver Jeep traveling northbound on the Hutchinson River Parkway service road failed to stop at a traffic light near Co-op City in Baychester. The Jeep disregarded the red light and collided with a yellow school bus heading eastbound, initiating a chain reaction that impacted a southbound Chrysler Sebring carrying three individuals and a Co-op City maintenance van. The force of the collision sent all vehicles spiraling across the intersection, causing chaos and panic. The driver of the jeep has a history of reckless driving. Since 2109, the driver accumulated 15 violations including one red-light camera violation and 12 school zone speed camera violations according to how’s my driving NY.

Justice Kwansa, a pharmacist at Mount Sinai Hospital in the Bronx and an eyewitness to the crash, described the moment of impact as a deafening boom. Reacting swiftly, he rushed to the scene in his slippers, attempting to assist the trapped occupants of the Jeep. Despite the imminent danger of a potential explosion, Kwansa displayed immense bravery, recognizing the urgency of rescuing those in need. Amidst the chaos, the school bus passengers, including special needs students, experienced understandable panic and distress.

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A total of 11,176 people were injured in NYC crashes during the first quarter of 2023 according to monthly statistics from the NYPD including 809 cyclists, 2,163 pedestrians, 3,310 passengers and 4,894 motorists. This is compared to 10,501, 8,984, 12,997, 12,920, 12,608, 11,936, 10,805, and 11,676 during Q1 of 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013 respectively. The number of people injured in traffic accidents during Q1 of each year shows how injuries first declined after Vision Zero started in 2014 and 2015, compared to 2013, and then jumped again in 2016. The number gradually increased to pass 12,000 in 2017 and reach a record high of 12,997 in 2019 due to the increase in distracted driving accidents caused by cellphones and other electronic devices. Crash injuries dropped again in Q1 of 2020 and 2021 due to the decline in activity in the city caused by the pandemic, and gradually increased again in Q1 of 2022 and 2023 as the city gradually became more active again.

NYC auto accident injuries by category Q1 2023
Since Vision Zero started in 2014, the number of people dying in car accidents during the first quarter of the year has never gone back to 69, the number of crash fatalities reached during Q1 2013. However, after Vision Zero started, traffic fatalities reached a record high at 58 during the first quarter of last year and remained high during the first quarter of this year with 47 fatalities.

While the number of passenger fatalities dropped significantly from 17 to 6, the number of bicyclist fatalities reached a record high during the first three months of the year. The warm winter, the increased popularity of e-bikes, as well as the more intense truck traffic generated by internet shoppers, are among the factors that contributed to this explosion of fatalities among cyclists.

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deadly traffic accidentsThe recent string of pedestrian accidents in Queens and Manhattan over the last week-end is deeply concerning as it seems that every week-end in New York City a few more people are getting killed in traffic accidents. Our pedestrian accident lawyers  are not the only one to express concerns about the increased number of traffic deaths in New York City. In a recent column for the New York Times, Ginia Bellafante  point fingers at the increased number of traffic fatalities in the city and highlights the dangers of Atlantic Avenue. Confirming these concerns, Transportation Alternatives just released today its quarterly traffic fatalities report showing 51 people died in traffic accidents during Q1 including a record 9 bicyclists.

Last weekend’s carnage

The first accident involved a hit-and-run driver who struck and killed Darryl Younger, a Department of Education employee who was on his way to work as a school lunch loader and handler. The driver who struck him was traveling south on Jackson Ave. and is still being sought by police.

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Teen driving crashes infographicAs car accident lawyers, it is heartbreaking to hear about the recent crash in Westchester County that left several teenagers seriously injured, some with life-threatening injuries. This tragedy once again highlights the dangers of teen driving and the devastating consequences that can result when young drivers are not properly trained and licensed.

According to reports, the crash occurred when an unlicensed 16-year-old driver lost control of his Honda Accord while driving with three passengers. The car crossed into the lanes of oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a school bus carrying multiple passengers, including several high school students.

The impact of the crash was severe, and several people suffered serious injuries

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