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 Wrongful Death

Published on:

accident-scene-1Early Sunday morning, a 23-year-old driver, showing off dangerous ‘doughnuts’ at a car stunt gathering, lost control and collided with a parked fuel truck. Two passengers died, 15-year-old Sabrina Villagomez and 21-yer-old Gilvante “Gio” Roberson while another passenger suffered critical injury. The driver is in stable condition.

This incident isn’t just about a single act of irresponsible driving. It’s a glaring example of how fleeting moments of thrill-seeking can lead to irreversible consequences. The driver’s decision to perform risky stunts on public roads, especially at such high speeds, was a recipe for disaster. It not only endangered his life but also those of his passengers and any bystander in the vicinity.

The loss of young Sabrina and Gio, is a grim reminder of the fragility of life. Sabrina’s death should make us all pause and think about the influence our social circles have on our decisions, particularly in our youth.

Published on:

Queens Boulevard, once notoriously dubbed “the Boulevard of Death,” has seen a remarkable turnaround. In 1997, this street was a pedestrian nightmare, claiming 18 lives. However, since Vision Zero’s implementation in 2014, fatalities have drastically reduced, with some years witnessing zero deaths.

ThAtlantic Avenueis transformation didn’t happen by chance. It was the result of a concerted effort by the city, involving adjustments in pedestrian signal timings, road safety improvements, and the introduction of bike lanes. These measures not only enhanced safety but also fostered a more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly environment.

However, Atlantic Avenue tells a different story. Despite being another major NYC artery, it hasn’t received the same level of attention or intervention. The result is alarming: in the last decade, Atlantic Avenue has witnessed 40 traffic deaths, a number four times higher than that of Queens Boulevard. This stark contrast exemplifies the uneven application of Vision Zero across the city.

Published on:

Bronx location of the fatal hit and run accidentLourdes Camilo, a Bronx resident, was fatally injured in a hit-and-run accident at the intersection of Melrose Avenue and East 156th Street. This incident underscores the importance of road safety and the consequences of traffic law violations. It also reflects on the necessity for enhanced pedestrian protection measures.

The involvement of two vehicles – a white SUV that fled and a green Jeep Cherokee that stayed – brings forth different legal considerations.

1. Liability in Hit-and-Run: The driver of the white SUV, who left the scene, is subject to significant legal ramifications under New York law. Fleeing the scene of an accident, particularly one involving fatality, is a criminal offense.

Published on:

the intersection where the reckless driver killed the pedestrianXiaohong Chen, a 52-year-old pedestrian, was tragically struck and killed by a Dodge Ram pickup truck in Dyker Heights.

The driver, known for a long history of speeding and recklessness, as indicated by the numerous speed camera violations, made an illegal turn, leading to this fatal incident. Despite the driver’s alarming record and the presence of a vanity plate that ironically reads ‘NDRTAKER’, no immediate charges were filed (read more in Streetblog about the reckless driver).

Legal Perspective:

Published on:

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.

Published on:

Stockholm and Irving in Brooklyn location of the deadly hit and runA passenger is dead and 3 other people are in critical condition after two cars collided in Brooklyn in the early hours of Monday morning. The accident was captured by surveillance cameras and showed three individuals fleeing the scene of the accident.

Surveillance footage shows a Toyota cautiously approaching and then partially crossing Stockholm Street’s intersection. Then, a Kia, speeding along Irving Avenue, collided with the Toyota. The force of the impact was so severe that both vehicles spun out of control, striking a nearby suburban vehicle with such intensity that it was pushed onto the curb.

Shortly after the accident at around 12:45 a.m., emergency responders arrived at the scene. Four individuals from the Toyota were rushed to Elmhurst Hospital. Sadly, a male passenger succumbed to his injuries, while two others, aged 34 and 29, remain in critical condition. The 26-year-old driver of the Toyota, now in stable condition, faces charges for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Published on:

Car Accident NYAs car accident lawyers, the recent report by AAA Northeast highlighting the alarming increase in fatal crashes involving senior drivers in New York State is both concerning and a call to action. The findings, which show the highest number since 2013, point towards a critical need for addressing the unique challenges faced by older drivers on the road.

The AAA Northeast report reveals a troubling trend: 214 fatal crashes in New York last year involved drivers aged 65 and older. This statistic is not just a number; it represents lives lost and families forever changed.

The report cites failure to yield, improper lane changes, unsafe speed, and distracted driving as primary contributors to these tragic accidents. These factors are not exclusive to senior drivers, but they can have more severe consequences for this age group due to factors like slower reaction times and physical frailty.

Published on:

Location of the fatal school bus accident in Queens NYCA 73-year-old Bronx woman, Maria Rodriguez, lost her life after being struck by a school bus in Queens, NY. This tragic event occurred just moments after she had dropped off her grandchildren at school, marking a devastating day for her family and the entire community.

Maria Rodriguez was attempting to cross 86th Street in Queens at around 7:30 a.m. when she was hit by a school bus making a left turn from 107th Avenue in Ozone Park. Despite the efforts of first responders, she was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.

Maria Rodriguez was a beloved mother and grandmother, the pillar of her family, known for her vivacity and joy. Her grandson, Joel Rodriguez, described her as the heart of the family, the one who would bring everyone together.

Published on:

Location of the fatal hit and run accidentAs pedestrian accident lawyers, we have seen the devastating aftermath of road accidents far too often. The recent tragedy involving Yvonne Sandiford, a cherished 79-year-old Brooklyn resident, is a reminder that our streets are failing the most vulnerable among us.

The accident, which unfolded on a dangerous street in Bedford-Stuyvesant, involved not one, but two hit-and-run drivers. It is a grim portrayal of the violence that can occur on our roads — violence that should be met with the same urgency and prevention as any other act of violence in our society.

It is deeply troubling that this fatal crash occurred within what is designated as a Senior Pedestrian Zone — areas where the city has pledged to enhance safety for older residents. Yet, the intersection of Herkimer Street and New York Avenue, notorious for being perilous, had seen no safety upgrades. This is not just a failure of infrastructure but a failure of duty to protect those who are most at risk.

Published on:

Location of the fatal NYPD tow truck accidentYesterday morning, a 7-year-old boy lost his life in Brooklyn, NYC, after being struck by a New York Police Department (NYPD) tow truck. The accident occurred at the northern border of Fort Greene Park.

The collision occurred at approximately 7:45 a.m. when the young boy and his mother crossed Myrtle Avenue in a marked crosswalk. The tow truck driver, identified as Stephanie Sharp, a 54-year-old traffic enforcement agent with the NYPD, attempted to make a right turn onto North Portland Avenue and tragically struck the boy, who was on his way to school. Despite the swift arrival of emergency medical workers, they were unable to save the young life, and the boy was pronounced dead at the scene.

Legal consequences