Our Brooklyn Car Accident Lawyers Call for Justice After the Tragic Death of Mayya Gil
A 95-year-old woman who survived some of history’s most devastating events, including the Nazi occupation of Ukraine, the Chernobyl disaster, and the COVID-19 pandemic, lost her life in a tragic car accident on a Brooklyn street.
Mayya Gil was fatally struck by a cargo van on Cropsey Avenue near her Bensonhurst home while walking with her home health aide on Thursday afternoon. Despite her incredible resilience through decades of hardship, her life was cut short in a preventable traffic collision.
The Incident
The accident occurred around 12:40 p.m. when a driver making a left turn struck Gil and her health aide. While the aide, 54, was hospitalized in stable condition, Gil succumbed to her injuries. According to the NYPD, the driver was neither arrested nor charged, raising questions about accountability in cases like this.
Gil was not just a pedestrian. She was a cornerstone of Bensonhurst’s Jewish community and a beloved matriarch who had lived a full life but still had many more years to enjoy with her family. Her daughter, Irina Lizunova, described her as “a very active lady” who found joy in helping raise her seven great-grandchildren.
The Need for Safer Streets in Brooklyn
Mayya Gil’s tragic death highlights the urgent need for better pedestrian safety measures in Brooklyn and across New York City. Cropsey Avenue, like many streets in the city, remains dangerous for pedestrians, particularly for older residents who are more vulnerable to severe injuries in collisions.
Transportation Alternatives reported that 46 senior pedestrians were killed in car crashes across New York City last year. The elderly population is disproportionately affected by traffic violence, and these numbers underscore the need for significant changes to protect our most vulnerable neighbors.
Holding Drivers Accountable
As experienced Brooklyn car accident lawyers, we know that many pedestrian fatalities result from driver negligence, including failure to yield, distracted driving, and unsafe turns. The fact that no charges were filed against the driver in this case raises concerns about how seriously authorities take pedestrian safety.
New York’s traffic laws are designed to protect pedestrians, yet enforcement often falls short. When drivers are not held accountable, it sends a troubling message that pedestrian lives are less valued.
Advocating for Victims and Their Families
The loss of a loved one in a traffic accident is devastating, particularly when it could have been prevented. Families like the Gils deserve answers, accountability, and justice. While no legal action can bring back a loved one, it can provide financial stability and hold negligent parties responsible.
At Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, we fight tirelessly for families who have suffered unimaginable losses due to traffic accidents. Our experienced trial attorneys are not afraid to go to court to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
A Call to Action
The death of Mayya Gil is a tragic reminder of the ongoing dangers pedestrians face on Brooklyn streets. It’s time for the city to take stronger action to protect its residents, especially its elderly population, from preventable traffic fatalities.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a car accident, contact our experienced Brooklyn car accident lawyers at Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf. With over 100 years of experience and a track record of securing some of the highest verdicts and settlements in New York, we are here to help you seek justice. Call us at 212-943-1090 for a free consultation.