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 Queens personal injury

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location of the Queens drunk driving accidentEarly Sunday morning, a suspected drunk driver caused a head-on collision with an FDNY ladder truck at the intersection of Jamaica Avenue and 115th Street in Richmond Hill, Queens. This incident underscores the severe risks posed by impaired driving, not only to the driver but also to others sharing the road.

Details of the Collision

Jimmy Lealecheverria, a 41-year-old driver from Harrison, New Jersey, was behind the wheel of a white panel van traveling eastbound on Jamaica Avenue when the crash occurred. The van collided with Ladder Co. 143, which was stationary and facing westbound at the time.

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Koscuiuszko bridgeA tragic multi-vehicle collision at the base of the Kosciuszko Bridge on November 21, 2024, claimed the life of a 75-year-old man and left seven others injured, including a 9-year-old girl. This devastating accident highlights the dangers posed by inclement weather, congested roadways, and potential driver negligence.

Details of the Kosciuszko Bridge Crash

The accident occurred on the Brooklyn-bound side of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) near Exit 34, at Meeker and Morgan Avenues, in Maspeth, Queens. Initial reports indicate that a 46-year-old driver operating a pickup truck rear-ended another vehicle, triggering a chain reaction involving four vehicles: a pickup truck, a green “boro taxi,” an SUV, and a sedan.

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Accident sceneLabor Day weekend was marred by a series of fatal collisions across New York City, resulting in the loss of six lives. These incidents highlight ongoing concerns about road safety in our city and the need for careful attention from all road users.

A Weekend of Fatal Collisions

The unfortunate events began on Thursday, August 29, when a 55-year-old  pedestrian identified as Jacqueline Healy of Jamestown was struck by a Ford pickup truck while crossing Cross Bay Boulevard at Pitkin Avenue in Ozone Park, Queens. The driver, Keith Ryan, 47, was arrested and charged with driving with a fake license.

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carbon monoxide danger signTen individuals were hospitalized due to carbon monoxide poisoning at a residence on Roosevelt Ave. This event underscores the silent but deadly threat posed by carbon monoxide (CO) in urban dwellings. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death if inhaled in large quantities. Properties in New York City are not immune to this hazard, making it imperative for property owners, landlords, and tenants to understand their legal responsibilities and rights.

Legal Duties and Responsibilities

In New York City, property owners and landlords are legally obligated to ensure their buildings are safe and comply with local, state, and federal safety standards. This includes installing carbon monoxide detectors in accordance with the New York City Administrative Code, which mandates CO detectors in most residential dwellings. Failure to install and maintain these detectors can result in legal consequences, including fines and liability for any injuries or deaths that occur due to non-compliance.

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NYC school busA recent accident involving a school bus, an SUV, and a parked Lexus on the eastbound Nassau Expressway near Van Wyck Expressway in Queens has once again brought to light the critical issue of road safety, especially concerning school buses. The incident, which occurred just before noon on Monday, resulted in serious injuries to two individuals and involved about 20 students.

According to the FDNY, the accident began when a 60-year-old SUV driver, attempting to merge lanes, side-swiped a school bus operated by Meir Transport LLC. This collision led to a subsequent crash involving a parked Lexus, with a 62-year-old man inside, near John F. Kennedy International Airport. Thankfully, the injuries sustained by the drivers were not life-threatening, and the students on the bus, along with others involved, refused medical attention.

Legal Implications and Liability

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Jessica was injured in a car accidentLast Thursday night, Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas in Queens, a well-known advocate for safer streets, became a victim of the very issue she has been fighting against. While crossing 78th Street near 35th Avenue in Jackson Heights, she was struck by a driver, resulting in a broken arm, bruises, and undoubtedly, a shaken belief in the safety of her community’s streets.

The driver, who was making a left turn, failed to yield, knocking González-Rojas to the ground. Although the driver was not speeding, which possibly prevented more severe injuries or fatal consequences, the accident raises significant concerns about visibility and road safety in urban intersections.

González-Rojas pointed out the poor visibility at the intersection, a problem exacerbated by the lack of effective daylighting—a method that improves visibility by keeping corners clear of parked cars. This incident underscores the critical need for such safety measures in urban planning and road design.

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location of the car crash on 47th street and Queens BoulevardThe legal world frequently encounters instances of repeat offenders, individuals who, despite having faced the consequences of their actions, find themselves entangled with the law again. The story of Michael Moreno from Stormville, NY, is one such  reminder.

In October 2015, Gabriela Aguilar-Vallinos, a dedicated waitress, was fatally struck while cycling home from work. The individual behind the wheel, Michael Moreno, did not stop. After two weeks of silence, Moreno turned himself in to the authorities. His decision to wait meant that key evidence, such as alcohol involvement, was lost.

The court found Moreno guilty of criminally negligent homicide and leaving the scene of an accident. He was sentenced to six years in prison, providing some solace to Gabriela’s grieving family and the community.

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location of the deadly crash in Queens, NYCA grandfather was killed and his wife and two grandchildren were seriously injured in a car accident in New York City after a driver lost control of his vehicle and plowed into their parked car. The driver who remained at the scene has so far not been charged.

67-year-old Sam Amorese and his wife were in the process of getting their two young grandchildren, aged 1 and 5, out of their white Honda SUV. They were near their home on 73rd Avenue.  Their car was parked in a spot well-known to locals as a danger zone. This area had earned a notorious reputation as the “dead man’s curve.” It was notorious for being a high-risk location due to speeding cars, a concern that residents had repeatedly voiced.

A 39-year-old driver of a Nissan Pathfinder, coming around the corner, slammed into the Amorese family’s parked SUV. The impact was devastating. Witnesses describe the horrifying scene: the baby was ejected from the backseat of the SUV, and Mr. Amorese was pinned between his vehicle and another car.

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LIRR TrainThirteen people were injured after an LIRR train derailed in Queens, NYC last week. Approximately 100 people were on board an 8-car train when all the cars derailed near Jamaica Station. Thirteen passengers sustained leg and back injuries in the accident.

Although speed was not a factor, an investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the accident.

Train derailments are complex accidents that can result from a combination of factors. Some of the most common causes of derailment include:

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Traffic accidents near JFK airportLast week 15 people were injured in a bus accident and a teenager was killed when the car she was in collided with a truck. Both accidents took place near JFK Airport, which is currently undergoing a major makeover. The aim of this $19 billion project is to rejuvenate the airport by providing modern facilities and improved terminals. However, this extensive renovation comes at a cost: roadways are being torn up and closed, resulting in significant traffic disruptions that are projected to last for several years. Consequently, various modes of transportation, including driving, public transit, taxis, and ride-hailing services, will be affected, potentially causing substantial congestion, delays, and safety concerns.

Last Friday a collision occurred between a Delta Airlines bus and a commuter van on the Van Wyck Expressway, resulting in 15 injuries. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by commuters in and around JFK Airport and southeast Queens. Local leaders, such as Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, have been advocating for clearer signs, speed warnings, and overall safer street designs as part of the JFK Airport overhaul. Additionally, Richards highlighted the peril of driving on North and South Conduit Avenue, where a 14-year-old girl was killed in a car accident just two days prior. The accident took place on North Conduit Avenue near 160th Street. The 14-year-old was a passenger in a BMW driven by a 16-year-old driver. The young driver, who was not supposed to be driving alone, lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a UPS truck, resulting in the death of his passenger and friend.

As predicted by Frommers, commuting to JFK airport, is currently and will continue to be a nightmare for years to come.