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.
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Amanda Servidio vigile invitationTonight, the family of Amanda Servedio, along with members of Bike and Brew, Families for Safe Streets, and Transportation Alternatives, will gather to honor Amanda’s memory with a vigil and ghost bike installation, followed by a memorial ride. Amanda, an avid cyclist and active Bike and Brew member, lost her life when a pickup truck, engaged in a high-speed police chase, collided with her as she rode her bike through Queens. This tragedy is part of a troubling pattern that has turned the 114th Precinct into an epicenter of reckless high-speed chases on residential streets.

In Queens, the 114th Precinct has seen 38 police chases this year alone—a staggering number for a largely residential area. These pursuits are often initiated on quiet neighborhood streets, placing lives like Amanda’s at extreme risk. The lack of regulation and accountability for these chases has created an epidemic of reckless endangerment in Astoria, where police should prioritize public safety, especially on streets heavily used by pedestrians and cyclists.

While the NYPD patrol guide dictates that officers terminate pursuits when the danger to the public outweighs the need for apprehension, these guidelines seem far from effectively enforced. Amanda’s death painfully underscores this issue—officers pursued a suspect with a staggering record of over 80 speed- and red-light violations, highlighting the systemic failures that allowed a known repeat offender to remain on the roads. The tragedy reflects a disregard for policies meant to protect lives, as the NYPD’s patrol guidelines about high-speed pursuits remain removed from public versions of the guide, further obscuring transparency.

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The 13 personal injury attorneyes at Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hwershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf named 2024 Super LawyersAt the New York Personal Injury Law Firm of Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, we are proud to announce that 8 of our attorneys have been selected to the 2024 Super Lawyers list, with an additional 5 attorneys named to the Rising Stars list. This prestigious recognition reflects our dedication to providing top-tier legal representation in personal injury law and our relentless pursuit of justice for our clients.

Super Lawyers is a respected rating service that recognizes outstanding lawyers in various practice areas based on a multi-phase selection process. This process includes peer nominations, independent research, and peer evaluations. Only the top 5% of attorneys in each state are named to the Super Lawyers list, while the Rising Stars list acknowledges the top 2.5% of attorneys who are either under 40 or have been practicing law for 10 years or less.

Ben Rubinowitz Named Number One: New York — Metro Super Lawyers

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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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2048px-Abercrombie__Fitch_Model_30-scaledThe recent indictment of Michael Jeffries, the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, on charges of running a sex-trafficking operation sends shockwaves through the legal and fashion communities alike. This case involves the exploitation of dozens of aspiring male models, many of whom were lured under the false pretense of career advancement. As sexual abuse attorneys, we understand the profound trauma that victims experience when those in positions of power use their influence for such predatory acts.
Jeffries and his co-conspirators, including his romantic partner and a recruiter, are accused of coercing young men into non-consensual sex acts, leveraging promises of modeling opportunities. Many victims were made to consume alcohol, drugs, and were confined in secretive, controlled environments. Such tactics are common in sex-trafficking schemes, where victims often feel trapped, ashamed, or fearful of retaliation.

For anyone who has endured this type of exploitation, it’s important to know that the law is on your side. The survivors in this case took a courageous step by coming forward, which has led to significant legal actions, including potential life sentences for the accused. However, the path to justice doesn’t end with the criminal prosecution of Jeffries and his associates. Abercrombie & Fitch itself has also been implicated in a class-action lawsuit, with accusations of ignoring or enabling the misconduct.

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A_large_truck_driving_through_extreme_rain_and_windWeather conditions pose a serious risk for truck drivers and everyone else on the road. In fact, 21 % of the 5.8 million crashes that occur annually in the US are linked to adverse weather, according to data from the Federal Highway Administration. With such a high percentage of accidents being weather-related, it’s critical that trucking companies and drivers take proactive steps to safeguard themselves and others.

At Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, we’ve seen firsthand the devastating effects truck accidents can have on victims and their families. As seasoned truck accident lawyers, we know that the key to preventing many of these accidents lies in preparation, proper equipment, and a deep understanding of the hazards weather can create.

 Steps to Prepare for Dangerous Weather Conditions

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Nicholas Dominici died because of the daycare's reckless negligenceIn a tragic case that has shocked New York City, the husband of a Bronx day care owner, Felix Herrera Garcia, has been sentenced to 45 years in prison for his role in operating a fentanyl trafficking ring from a day care facility that led to the death of a 22-month-old child.

Herrera Garcia’s conviction follows a guilty plea to charges including conspiracy to distribute narcotics and possession with intent to distribute narcotics, resulting in death and serious bodily injury. His actions, along with those of his co-conspirators, turned a day care—a place where parents trust their children will be safe—into a deadly drug operation, with hidden fentanyl stashes beneath the very floors where children played, ate, and napped. The death of 22-month-old Nicholas Dominici (picture), and the injury of three other toddlers, illustrates the profound risks of fentanyl exposure, especially for young children.

The Fentanyl Crisis in New York: A Growing Concern

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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 Westchester and Commonwealth Avenues where the cyclist was fatally struck by the pick up truckA 66-year-old bicyclist was fatally struck by a pickup truck in the Bronx at the intersection of Westchester and Commonwealth Avenues on Saturday. Emergency Medical Services rushed the cyclist to Jacobi Medical Center, where he was tragically pronounced dead.

The driver of the pickup, a 24-year-old man, remained at the scene following the accident. While police have indicated that no criminality is suspected, it has been reported that the pickup truck lacked front plates, which raises potential legal concerns about vehicle compliance.

The Increasing Risks for Cyclists in NYC

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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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New Jersey Transit trainThis morning, tragedy struck when a New Jersey Transit train operator lost their life after a River Line train collided with a fallen tree on the tracks in Mansfield Township, Burlington County. The train was traveling south from Trenton when the accident occurred, just north of Roebling Station, shortly after 6 a.m.

The incident resulted in significant disruptions for commuters, with 42 passengers on board. As of 9 a.m., NJ Transit reported that 23 of those riders sustained non-life-threatening injuries, while the remaining 19 passengers were safely transported from the scene by bus. In response to the accident, River Line service has been suspended between Florence and Trenton, with a substitute bus service provided to assist stranded travelers.
While the exact cause of this tragic event is still under investigation, early reports indicate that the train struck a tree that had fallen across the tracks. Whether this tree fell due to natural causes or as a result of preventable factors such as poor maintenance or oversight is yet to be determined. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy shared his sympathies, offering prayers to all affected by this tragic incident.