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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Fitz Herbert Slowe was killed by a reckless driverThe tragic death of Fitz Herbert Slowe, a beloved 71-year-old great-grandfather, serves as a painful reminder of the devastating consequences that reckless driving can have on our community. On December 18, 2023, Mr. Slowe’s life was tragically cut short when another motorist, Mario Hill, ran a red light and collided with his vehicle at the intersection of Guy R. Brewer Blvd. and South Conduit Ave. in Springfield Gardens, Queens. Now, after more than nine months, Hill has been criminally charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and reckless driving, as he rightfully should be.

Understanding the Legal Implications

As Queens personal injury lawyers, we often see the profound impact that reckless and negligent actions on the road can have on victims and their families. The charges brought against Hill are not just about punishing him for his actions, but about seeking justice for Mr. Slowe and ensuring that such tragedies are prevented in the future.

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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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location of the deadly pedestrian accident in East Harlem, NYCIn East Harlem, a tragic incident unfolded 2 days ago, highlighting the grave dangers posed by reckless driving in urban areas. Nadjari Reid, a 51-year-old pedestrian, was killed in a chain-reaction crash caused by a speeding Mercedes-Benz driver.

Reid was crossing the street when a speeding Mercedes-Benz, driven by Angel Melendez, ran a red light and mounted a concrete island. The car struck a parked motorcycle, a Chevy Tahoe, and finally a parked Infiniti, pinning Reid between the Tahoe and a postal truck. Despite immediate medical attention, Reid succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

The driver, Melendez, was found to have a blood alcohol level above the legal limit, adding another layer of recklessness to his actions. He now faces serious charges, including manslaughter and reckless endangerment.

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Bronx accident sceneAs Bronx car accident lawyers, we want to highlight the devastating accidents that occurred this past weekend, resulting in the loss of two lives and leaving several others injured. The Bronx witnessed two separate tragic car accidents, both resulting in heartache for the victims’ families. Here are the details of these unfortunate events:

Collision at Viele Ave. and Manida St.

Early Saturday morning, a 21-year-old woman from Pennsylvania lost her life in a tragic collision. Jinmaris Melendez of Lancaster, Pa., was in the passenger seat of a Ford Focus when it collided with a purple BMW at around 2:45 a.m. at the intersection of Viele Ave. and Manida St. in Hunts Point.

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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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Our train accident attorneys represented all the passengers in the Metro North crash that killed 5 and injured dozens

On February 3, 2015, a devastating accident occurred at the Commerce Street Crossing in Valhalla, New York, involving a Metro-North train and a motor vehicle. The tragic incident led to the deaths of five passengers and numerous injuries, marking it as the deadliest crash in Metro-North’s history. After nearly a decade of legal proceedings, a Westchester County jury has delivered a landmark verdict, holding Metro-North primarily liable for the crash.

That evening, Ellen Brody, driving an SUV, inadvertently drove onto the tracks at the Commerce Street Crossing. As a northbound Metro-North train approached, the train struck the vehicle, resulting in a catastrophic sequence of events. The train continued to move several hundred feet post-collision, causing the vehicle to strike the electrified third rail. The third rail dislodged and penetrated the floor of the first train car, igniting multiple fires and causing extensive damage. Tragically, Ellen Brody and five passengers lost their lives, and dozens were injured.

In the aftermath of the crash, the families of the victims and the injured passengers sought justice

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car-accident-scene-in-Manhattan-scaledAs car accident attorneys in New York City, it’s heartbreaking to witness the increasing frequency of deadly accidents on our streets. Over the past few days, our city has been struck by multiple tragic incidents, highlighting the urgent need for improved traffic safety measures.

Harlem Tragedy: A Family’s Worst Nightmare

On Thursday evening, a devastating crash in Harlem claimed the life of three-year-old Jaynelyse Valdez and injured her two younger brothers and mother. The family was crossing Malcolm X Boulevard with the walk sign when a 40-year-old driver, turning left onto W. 135th Street, struck them. Despite efforts to rush Jaynelyse to NYC Health and Hospitals/Harlem, she was pronounced dead upon arrival. Her two-year-old and four-month-old brothers, along with their mother, sustained minor injuries.

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Corlears-Hook-park-where-the-deadly-car-accint-occured-e1720473719458On the evening of July 4th, a tragic incident unfolded at Corlears Hook Park on the Lower East Side when Daniel Hyden, 44, allegedly drove his gray Ford F-150 into a crowd of people. The crash resulted in the deaths of Lucille Pinkney, 59, her son Hernan Pinkney, 38, and 43-year-old Ana Morel. Eight others were injured in the incident. According to reports, Hyden was driving under the influence of alcohol. He admitted to having a few drinks but refused a breathalyzer test. Additionally, Hyden’s driving privileges had been suspended due to his failure to answer four prior summonses.

Legal Perspective: What the Victims’ Families Can Do

In the wake of such a devastating event, the families of the victims are understandably seeking justice and compensation for their immense loss. Here are some legal avenues they can explore:

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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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Car Accident in NYThe upcoming Memorial Day weekend, traditionally a time for celebration and travel, also marks one of the most dangerous periods on U.S. roads.

As attorneys representing victims of car accidents, we recognize the profound impact that crashes can have on individuals and families.  The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that 418 people may lose their lives in motor vehicle crashes over the holiday period from Friday, May 24, to Monday, May 27. This represents an 11% decrease compared to last year’s estimate, but it still underscores the critical need for heightened awareness and preventive measures.

The Role of Infrastructure and Driver Behavior