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 Posted in Auto Accidents

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NYPD Chase LawyersIn the early hours of a Thursday morning, chaos unfolded on the Major Deegan Expressway in New York as a police pursuit out of Yonkers took a perilous turn. What began as a routine response to a robbery report at the Cross County Shopping Center quickly escalated into a high-speed chase on the wrong side of the highway. Unfortunately, the pursuit ended in a wrong-way crash that left two innocent people injured, highlighting the inherent risks associated with police chases and the importance of seeking legal representation in such cases.

According to Yonkers police, officers were initially responding to a report of a robbery and identified a suspect at the Cross County Shopping Center. As the officers approached the suspect, he chose to flee in his Jeep Cherokee with Connecticut plates, setting the stage for a dramatic chase.

The suspect’s reckless flight continued as he entered the Major Deegan Expressway, traveling in the wrong direction in the northbound lanes. Recognizing the imminent danger, Yonkers police swiftly notified the New York Police Department (NYPD), and both law enforcement agencies initiated a coordinated effort to locate and apprehend the suspect. As they scoured the southbound lanes for any sign of the fleeing individual, the situation grew increasingly precarious.

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yearly pedestrian fatalities in New York CityA grandmother who was pushing her 2-year-old granddaughter in a stroller was fatally struck by the driver of a pickup truck who failed to yield to them. The pedestrian accident occurred yesterday afternoon around 1:00 p.m. at the intersection of Bay 25th Street and Bath Avenue in Brooklyn. The 56-year-old driver of the pick-up truck,  identified as Faheem Shabazz, was making a left turn when he struck the grandmother and her goddaughter. He remained at the accident scene and was later charged with failing to yield to a pedestrian. According to How’s my driving, the pick-up truck has a history of recklessness. In the last 9 months, the pick-up truck received 9 violations for a total of $850 in fines. 4 of them were school zone speed camera violations.

The 66-year-old grandmother was transported to the hospital in critical condition but she did not survive. Miraculously her granddaughter survived and was not injured.

In New York City,  the Right of Way or Failure to Yield Law was passed in May 2014 to reduce pedestrian fatalities. Under this law drivers who fail to yield to a pedestrian or a cyclist can be subjected to a fine of up to $150 and up to 15 days in jail.  While this law and other initiatives such as the lowering of the city speed limit and the installation of speed cameras in school zones have led to a decrease in pedestrian fatalities in the city, large vehicles driven by reckless drivers remain a significant danger for pedestrians. Last year 116 pedestrians died in car accidents in New York City and 8,500 of them were injured.  While these numbers are lower than in 2013, before Vision Zero,  when 168 pedestrians were killed and 11,978 were injured they are far from the “zero” fatality goal of the Vision Zero program.

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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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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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the dangerous intersection Eastern Parkway and SchenectadyFour lives were lost in three separate collisions in a single day in New York City.

On Sunday, the Staten Island Expressway bore witness to a horrific crash that claimed the lives of two young women, Jianna Pischetola and Gabriella Shammas, both aged just 22. The fiery collision left their Chevrolet Corvette unrecognizable, underscoring the devastating impact of the accident.

Earlier in the day, a motorcyclist lost his life in another tragic incident on Staten Island. The 29-year-old rider collided with a Dodge Ram as the truck was turning left onto 10th Street from New Dorp Lane. The motorcycle attempted to pass the truck on the left side, resulting in a fatal collision. The severity of the head trauma sustained by the rider resulted in his being pronounced dead at the scene.

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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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36th and 6th where the crazy accident occurredThe recent accident involving a driver who plowed into pedestrians in Midtown, leaving several injured, has sent shockwaves through the city. As car accident lawyers, we understand the gravity of such incidents and the legal complexities they entail.

Late on a Sunday night, Imani Lucas allegedly ran a red light, driving onto the sidewalk and striking seven people. She then fled the scene and was later apprehended by the police after crossing the Queens-Midtown Tunnel, driving 10 more miles, and crashing into two other cars. The repercussions of this accident have left victims with various head, leg, and arm injuries, leading to a multitude of charges against Lucas.

After undergoing a psychiatric evaluation at the hospital, Imani Lucas is set to face arraignment at the Manhattan Criminal Court. Her arrest has led to a slew of charges, each carrying its own weight of legal implications. Among the charges levied against her are attempted murder, assault, and leaving the scene of an accident. These charges reflect the severity of the incident and the potential consequences that may follow.

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Long Island, NY, has seen a record number of fatal crashes in August

According to recent reports, 21 lives have been lost in car crashes in Long Island NY this month alone, and among the victims are four children whose futures were tragically cut short. These are not just statistics; they represent individuals with dreams, aspirations, and connections to the people around them.

In East Moriches, a young life came to an untimely end when 20-year-old Olivia Montgomery lost her life in a crash. Gabriel Reyes, a seasoned motorcyclist at 50, met his unfortunate fate in a head-on collision in Brentwood. Christopher W. McGuckin, 54, lost control of his vehicle in Port Jefferson Station, a stark reminder that accidents can affect anyone, regardless of age or experience.

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NYPD Pursuits August 2023An innocent cyclist was critically injured as she found herself caught in the crossfire of a police chase in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, last week. As law enforcement pursued a fleeing suspect, the cyclist—a 54-year-old woman—became an unwitting casualty.

Behind every statistic, every news headline, and every police chase is a real person—a victim whose life has been upended in an instant and this tragic accident underscores the necessity of examining the procedures surrounding police pursuits to ensure the safety of all individuals involved.

The injuries sustained by victims of police chase accidents can be severe and life-altering. From broken bones and internal injuries to head trauma and emotional distress, the physical and emotional toll is significant. These injuries often require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care, all of which can strain a victim’s resources and well-being.

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location of the deadly e-bike accident in the Bronx, NYCIn the early hours of a Wednesday morning, a man on an electric bike was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver in The Bronx. The impact of the collision led to severe head trauma, ultimately claiming the cyclist’s life.

The streets of New York City have witnessed a tragic surge in cyclist fatalities this year. Yesterday’s accident marks the 21st fatality of the year, making it a grim record within the Vision Zero era. As bicycle accident lawyers, we would like to shed light on the legal complexities surrounding such cases and advocate for safer streets and stricter accountability for drivers.

From a legal standpoint, hit-and-run cases can be particularly challenging. The act of fleeing the scene not only demonstrates a disregard for human life but also creates obstacles for identifying and holding the responsible party accountable. Gathering evidence, such as surveillance footage and eyewitness testimonies, becomes crucial in building a strong case against the driver.