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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Brooklyn Cyclist Killed in Tesla Hit-and-Run: Urgent Legal Steps Families Should Take Now

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location-of-the-deadly-bicycle-accident-in-BrooklynA Brooklyn woman, 32-year-old Alexandra Huggins, was killed early Saturday morning after being struck by a Tesla while riding her bicycle in Williamsburg. The crash happened at the intersection of Meserole and Leonard Streets, a roadway with a painted but unprotected bike lane. According to the NYPD, the Tesla driver fled the scene and has not yet been identified.

This heartbreaking case raises urgent legal questions about accountability and justice. As NYC bicycle accident lawyers, we know how devastating hit-and-run crashes are — and how crucial it is for families to take immediate steps to protect their rights.

Why Families Must Act Quickly After a Hit-and-Run

Time is critical in any hit and run case, especially when the driver has fled the scene. Evidence can disappear quickly — skid marks fade, surveillance footage is erased, and witnesses become harder to locate. By contacting an attorney immediately, families allow a legal team to:

  • Work with investigators to gather police reports, 911 records, and surveillance video before it’s lost

  • Retain accident reconstruction experts to analyze the scene and vehicle impact

  • Canvass the neighborhood for witnesses or businesses with cameras that may have captured the fleeing car

  • Ensure insurance notifications and potential Uninsured Motorist (UM) claims are filed promptly

Waiting too long risks losing critical evidence that could help identify the driver or prove liability.

Wrongful Death Claims in Fatal Bicycle Crashes

Under New York law, the surviving family may bring a wrongful death lawsuit. These claims may seek compensation for:

  • Funeral and burial costs

  • Loss of financial support

  • Loss of parental guidance and companionship

  • Conscious pain and suffering of the victim

Wrongful death cases must be filed within a specific time period under New York’s statute of limitations, which makes it even more important to act quickly.

Options When the Driver Is Not Found

Even if the driver escapes, families may still have legal recourse. Claims can be made under:

  • Uninsured Motorist coverage (UM): If the victim or a household family member had an auto insurance policy, UM coverage may apply.

  • MVAIC (Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation): This state fund protects victims of uninsured and hit-and-run drivers when no other insurance is available.

Our NYC hit-and-run accident lawyers are experienced in navigating these complicated claims to make sure families are not left without justice.

Potential Liability Beyond the Driver

Questions also remain about whether Tesla’s autopilot features may have played a role. If the company’s technology or warnings contributed to the crash, there could be grounds for a products liability claim in addition to the wrongful death action. Such claims require deep technical expertise and aggressive trial advocacy.

Brooklyn Car Accident Attorneys Fighting for Justice

Brooklyn has some of the highest rates of traffic deaths in New York City. Our Brooklyn car accident attorneys have long fought for safer streets and have secured record-setting verdicts for families devastated by reckless drivers. We understand the unique risks cyclists face in neighborhoods like Williamsburg, where bike lanes remain unprotected.

What Families Should Do Now

After a tragedy like this, families are left in shock. But the most important step is to consult with an attorney immediately. A skilled trial lawyer can:

  • Preserve and collect time-sensitive evidence

  • Coordinate with police to push the investigation forward

  • Explore all sources of recovery — from the driver, insurance, or manufacturers

  • Guide families through the wrongful death process with compassion and expertise

At Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, we have decades of experience representing cyclists and their families in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. Our team of Brooklyn auto accident attorneys not only pursue negligent drivers but also fight insurance companies that try to deny victims the coverage they paid for.

For example, we represented a cyclist — a 63-year-old physician — who was struck by an underinsured taxi in Greenwich Village. Although he had wisely purchased Supplementary Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (SUM) coverage to protect himself, his insurers refused to pay. After years of litigation, our firm secured the full SUM policy limits through arbitration, ensuring he received the compensation he deserved. (read more about this case)

This case underscores two key lessons: families should contact an attorney immediately after a hit-and-run so vital evidence isn’t lost, and every New Yorker should strongly consider purchasing SUM coverage to protect themselves and their loved ones from uninsured and underinsured drivers.

If your loved one has been killed or seriously injured in a bicycle hit-and-run accident, do not wait. Contact Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf at 212-943-1090 today. Our attorneys will act quickly to investigate the crash, pursue every available claim, and hold all responsible parties — including negligent drivers and insurance companies — fully accountable.

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