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 Tagged with car accident lawyer LI

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Kerry And her Son EliIn a tragic car accident that highlights the deadly consequences of driving under the influence, a 9-year-old boy was tragically killed by his own mother after she drove the wrong way on Long Island’s Southern State Parkway while allegedly intoxicated. The devastating frontal collision, which involved multiple vehicles, occurred in the early hours of Thursday morning and has left a community in mourning as the legal implications for the mother, who now faces serious charges, unfold.

The crash took place around 2:20 a.m. near exit 42 in Islip. The driver, 32-year-old Kerri Bedrick, allegedly under the influence, was driving in the wrong direction for approximately five miles before the fatal collision occurred. According to police reports, a Suffolk County sheriff’s patrol officer had spotted Bedrick’s vehicle earlier and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. However, Bedrick allegedly sped up, evading the officer and continuing her wrong-way journey, which ended in a horrific head-on crash.

The collision was so severe that parts of the vehicle were found in the woods, a testament to the sheer force of the impact. Tragically, her 9-year-old son, Eli, who was seated in the back of the car, succumbed to his injuries despite the valiant efforts of first responders.

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The Hawaii Nail Spa in Deer Park where the accident occurredThe recent tragedy in Deer Park, Long Island, where a drunk driver crashed into a nail salon, killing four and injuring nine, underscores the devastating impact of drunk driving. As car accident lawyers, we are committed to representing victims of such reckless behavior, ensuring they receive the justice and compensation they deserve.

On June 28, Steven Schwally, a 64-year-old retiree, drove his SUV at an alarming speed of 78 mph before crashing into the Hawaii Nail & Spa store. The collision resulted in the tragic deaths of four individuals, including an off-duty NYPD officer, and left nine others injured. Schwally, with a blood alcohol content of 0.17, more than twice the legal limit, has been indicted on multiple charges, including murder and vehicular manslaughter.

This case is a stark reminder of the severe consequences of drunk driving. Schwally’s decision to drive under the influence, combined with his excessive speed, led to an unimaginable loss for the victims’ families. Prosecutors highlighted Schwally’s total disregard for public safety, emphasizing the depraved indifference to human life exhibited by his actions.

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drunk drivingOn June 28, Deer Park, Long Island, witnessed a tragic incident when an alleged drunk driver, Steven Schwally, crashed into the Hawaii Nail and Spa. This accident resulted in the deaths of four individuals and left nine others injured. The case brings to light several critical legal aspects surrounding drunk driving incidents.

Steven Schwally, 64, allegedly drove under the influence with a blood alcohol level of .17, more than twice the legal limit. This information was released on Friday by the NYPD. The crash resulted in the deaths of Meizi Zhang, Yan Xu, salon co-owner Jiancai Chen, and off-duty NYPD Officer Emilia Rennhack. Nine others, including a 12-year-old girl, sustained injuries.

Legal Proceedings

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drunk drivingIn a poignant day of justice and sorrow, two separate cases of drunk driving that resulted in five tragic deaths saw the perpetrators sentenced in Nassau County. The courtrooms were filled with emotional outpourings from grieving families, marking the end of a painful chapter but also a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of driving under the influence.

Case One: High-Speed Tragedy in Laurel Hollow

Sotirios Spanos, 33, was sentenced to seven to 21 years in prison for his reckless actions last August that claimed the lives of Ismenia and Odalis Urena, a young married couple. Spanos, intoxicated and speeding at nearly 100 mph, lost control on Northern Boulevard, crossing the yellow line and colliding with the couple’s Ferrari convertible.

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Location of the collision betwen the police car and the cyclist in Long island NYA tragic bicycle accident involving a collision with an emergency vehicle, has brought to light the critical danger that can arise when these vehicles are responding to emergencies.

On Saturday evening, at the intersection of William Floyd Parkway and Adobe Drive In Shirley, Long Island, NY, a 13-year-old boy’s life took an unexpected turn. He was crossing westbound on his bicycle when a police officer, responding to an emergency call for an elderly woman in medical distress, approached the intersection. The officer’s vehicle had its lights and siren activated, indicating an urgent situation. Unfortunately, tragedy struck as the police vehicle collided with the teenage bicyclist, setting off a chain of events that would alter lives forever.

In the line of duty, emergency vehicles play a crucial role in saving lives and providing immediate assistance during critical situations. However, the accident in Shirley underscores the unforeseen consequences that can occur when these vehicles are speeding through traffic, even with lights and sirens on.

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Long Island, NY, has seen a record number of fatal crashes in AugustIn August alone, more than 30 traffic accident fatalities were recorded on Long Island roads. September started badly as well, with two pedestrian deaths occurring over the weekend. On Saturday night around 11:00 pm, 50 year old Christopher Briscoe was killed by a 28 year old driver as he was attempting to cross Montauk Highway. The driver wasn’t charged as no criminality was suspected. A day later, 47 year old Santos Aguirre was struck by two hit and run drivers in Amityville. One of them, 26 year old Danielle Lapersonerie was driving intoxicated and was caught by the police shortly after the accident. The other driver is still at large.

Janine Logan of the group Walk Safe Long Island aptly describes the situation as a “silent epidemic” because it happens far too often. Over the past three years in Nassau and Suffolk counties, 515 people have been hit and injured while walking or biking.

Many of these accidents involve elderly individuals attempting to cross the road, often when vehicles are making left-hand turns. Additionally, joggers face significant risks, especially in areas lacking sidewalks. The recent tragic case of Ilyona Kaydanov, a 22-year-old ballroom dancer from Commack, who was hit and killed while jogging, serves as a stark reminder of the dangers pedestrians and cyclists face daily. Her family’s grief is compounded by the fact that the driver responsible has not been charged.

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accident sceneCar accidents can be devastating under any circumstances, but when they result from a wrong-way driver on a busy expressway, the consequences can be catastrophic. The recent crash on the Long Island Expressway (LIE) involving a pickup truck driver going the wrong way highlights the urgency of understanding the legal implications and consequences associated with such accidents.

Early Thursday morning, Thomas Raimondo, aged 61, was driving his 2013 Chevrolet Silverado in the wrong direction on the westbound lanes of the expressway. Raimondo’s reckless decision led to a devastating head-on collision with a 2005 Acura sedan driven by 32-year-old Jose Ferreira. The accident occurred between Exits 62 and 63 in Holtsville, Suffolk County, leaving both drivers dead.

Legal Implication of Wrong-Way Crashes