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 Truck Accidents

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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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truck in NYCThe New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) is taking a significant step towards making our streets safer and more efficient with the introduction of two new delivery microhubs beneath the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE). These hubs, part of a broader plan to establish 20 such zones citywide, aim to transform the way goods are delivered in the city, significantly reducing the number of large trucks on our residential streets. This initiative is not only about streamlining deliveries but, crucially, about enhancing safety for pedestrians and cyclists and preventing truck accidents, a concern that truck accident lawyers in New York City often deal with.

Reducing Truck Traffic for Safer Streets

The microhubs at Meeker and Kingsland avenues in Greenpoint and Park and Washington avenues in Clinton Hill will serve as transfer points where packages are moved from large trucks to smaller, more agile delivery vehicles like cargo bikes. This shift is expected to drastically cut down on the number of large trucks navigating through dense residential areas, which has been a major concern for pedestrian and cyclist safety.

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Ghost bike showing locations of previous NYC deadly bicycle accidentsAs personal injury lawyers serving the Queens community, we are deeply saddened and concerned by the recent tragedy that occurred on August 5, 2024. A cyclist was struck and killed by a truck driver at the intersection of 34th Street and 43rd Avenue in Sunnyside, Queens. This unfortunate event marks the 148th traffic fatality in New York City this year, with 42 of these deaths occurring in Queens alone. These statistics highlight the ongoing dangers that cyclists face on our streets.

The cyclist was riding in a protected bike lane, a crucial link between the Queensboro Bridge and Queens Boulevard. However, the protection ended at the intersection, leaving the cyclist vulnerable. This incident underscores the inadequacy of current infrastructure, which often relies on temporary measures rather than permanent, concrete solutions that could offer true protection.

Elizabeth Adams, Interim Co-Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives, expressed the collective grief and frustration poignantly: “We are heartbroken and outraged to learn that a truck driver struck and killed a person biking in Sunnyside today. All New Yorkers have a right to get where they’re going safely, and our city’s leaders failed to protect this bike rider today.”

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U-Haul_Trucks_Stamford_CT_06902_USA_-_Feb_2013A troubling accident occurred in Downtown Brooklyn last Sunday afternoon when a U-Haul truck collided with a livery bus, leading to injuries for 15 individuals. This incident serves as a critical reminder of the potential hazards associated with vehicle rentals and the complex legal landscape that can surround such accidents.

The accident occurred at the intersection of Livingston Avenue and Elm Place, where a U-Haul vehicle rear-ended a bus full of passengers. The collision resulted in multiple injuries, though thankfully all were reported as minor. The scene was described with significant vehicle damage and debris scattered across the road.

Legal Considerations for Accident Victims

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location of the deadly box truck hit and run accident in QueensLast Sunday afternoon near JFK Airport, a devastating accident claimed the life of 68-year-old U Fo Ng. Mr. Ng was parked along the shoulder of the Nassau Expressway when an unidentified box truck driver veered off the road, striking his Honda CRV in a lethal collision. The driver, in a flagrant disregard for human life and legal obligation, chose to flee the scene.

As attorneys specializing in truck accidents, this tragic accident underscores the devastating impact that negligent driving and hit-and-run behavior can have on victims and their families. The loss of U Fo Ng is not just a statistic; it represents a profound personal tragedy for his loved ones and a grave injustice that demands legal redress.

The Legal Ramifications of Hit-and-Run Accidents

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manolos-truckingAs dump truck accident lawyers, we have seen far too many cases where negligence leads to devastating consequences on our roads.

Last Thursday, 58 year old Maria Piovanetti was crossing the intersection of Tilden Ave and Flatbush Ave in Brooklyn, NYC, with the light in her favor when the reckless driver of a dump truck who initially stopped decided to take off and ran the red light fatally striking the victim (see video below). 6  months earlier the exact same truck belonging to New Jersey  company Manolos Trucking killed Kristina Naprawa, a crossing guard in Queens.

These two fatal accidents involving two different drivers working for Manolos Trucking highlights the pressing need for stricter oversight and accountability within the trucking industry.

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location of the fatal pedestrian pickup truck accidentThe tragic death of Danielle Aber in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, after enduring a week of suffering from injuries sustained in a truck accident, casts a stark light on the vulnerabilities pedestrians face and the critical need for stronger legal safeguards. This accident not only highlights the physical and emotional toll on the victim and their loved ones but also highlights the gaps in our legal and traffic safety systems.

Danielle Aber’s prolonged fight for life before succumbing to her injuries raises significant legal and ethical questions about the responsibilities of drivers, particularly those operating large vehicles in densely populated areas. The charges against the pick-up truck driver, Stanley Manel who had 26 previous camera violations, for failing to yield and exercise due care, while necessary, prompt a broader discussion on the adequacy of such measures in addressing the severity of the consequences of traffic violations.

The Urgent Need for Legal and Policy Reform

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location of the tractor trailer truck accident in BrooklynYesterday, New York experienced two significant truck-related accidents that impacted traffic, businesses, and local communities.

Brooklyn Accident: Tractor Trailer and Sedan Crash into Popeyes

In East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, a collision involving a tractor-trailer and a sedan resulted in both vehicles crashing into a Popeyes restaurant at the intersection of Metropolitan and Vandervoort Avenues. The tractor-trailer reportedly lost control and collided with the sedan, which had the right of way, causing extensive damage to the restaurant’s facade.

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private garbage truck involved in New york fatal bicycle accidentNew York City’s decision to overhaul its private garbage truck industry is a critical step toward addressing a longstanding public safety crisis. As lawyers specializing in garbage truck accidents, we have witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of the chaotic and dangerous practices endemic to this sector. The city’s plan, finally set to unfold after years of delays, promises significant changes that could not only enhance safety but also transform the legal landscape for those affected by these accidents.

The reform, proposed back in 2016 and passed in 2019, is a response to a series of alarming statistics and incidents involving private garbage hauling companies

These firms, tasked with collecting commercial waste, have operated under a system that prioritizes efficiency over safety, resulting in a patchwork of overlapping routes that span multiple boroughs. This inefficient management has not only led to horrendous working conditions for haulers, often working shifts longer than 12 hours, but also posed a significant threat to public safety. A city report from 2021 highlighted a grim reality: over a decade, commercial garbage trucks were involved in accidents that led to at least 43 deaths and 107 injuries.

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accident-scene-1Following the recent tragic incident in Brooklyn, where a speeding Mercedes-Benz collided with a garbage truck, resulting in the untimely death of the car’s driver, it is crucial to explore the legal and safety aspects surrounding such accidents, especially those involving private carting companies.

At around 12:30 a.m. in Gerritsen Beach, a 54-year-old driver for Cogent Waste Solutions was executing a U-turn when the collision occurred. The Mercedes driver, 42-year-old Patrick Donovan, did not survive the impact. This incident exposes the dangers posed by private garbage haulers in New York City. Historically, these companies have been scrutinized for their operational methods.

As garbage truck accident lawyers in New York City, it is important to highlight the legal complexities in such cases. While the garbage truck driver did not face immediate charges, and Cogent Waste Solutions has expressed cooperation with the ongoing investigation, the key questions revolve around the operational practices of private carting companies and the responsibility they bear in ensuring public safety.