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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Fatal Brooklyn car accident location on Quentin road and Ocean ParkwayA devastating car crash in Brooklyn has once again underscored the urgent need for legislative action to hold repeat speeding offenders accountable. As Brooklyn car accident lawyers with decades of experience representing families shattered by preventable tragedies, we echo the community’s demand for real solutions—not just condolences—when reckless driving takes innocent lives.

On Saturday, 34-year-old Natasha Saada and her two young daughters, Diana (8) and Deborah (5), were struck and killed while walking on Ocean Parkway near Quentin Avenue in Midwood. Her 4-year-old son, Philip, remains in critical condition. The driver, Miriam Yarimi, who had an extensive history of speeding violations—including 21 speeding tickets, 15 of which occurred in school zones—now faces multiple felony charges, including manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.

This crash is not an isolated incident. Brooklyn streets, particularly high-speed corridors like Ocean Parkway, have long been the site of deadly pedestrian crashes involving drivers with repeat traffic offenses. What makes this case even more heartbreaking is how preventable it may have been.

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New-Bill-to-close-NY-drugged-driving-loopholeAs New York car accident lawyers, we are all too familiar with the pain and loss caused by drivers who choose to get behind the wheel while impaired. Tragically, under current New York law, many drug-impaired drivers escape accountability—until it’s too late.

Unlike in most states, New York requires that police identify the specific drug a driver has consumed before they can bring charges. If the drug isn’t on a pre-approved list—or if the driver refuses a toxicology test—prosecutors often have no legal recourse. This means dangerous drivers can remain on the road until they injure or kill someone.

A new bill proposed by Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli seeks to change that. The legislation would expand the definition of a drug to include any substance that impairs a driver—not just those currently listed in New York’s statute. If passed, New York would finally join the 46 other states that allow officers and prosecutors to act based on observable signs of impairment, rather than requiring precise chemical confirmation.

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Location of the Queens NYC Hit and Run Car AccidentA 78-year-old woman was tragically killed in a hit-and-run accident in Murray Hill, Queens, NYC, after being struck by a gray minivan while crossing Northern Boulevard near Parsons Boulevard on March 14. The driver sped away, leaving her critically injured in the roadway.

Emergency responders rushed the victim, Jung Sook Ung, to New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital, where she later died. Now, the NYPD’s Highway District Collision Investigation Squad and the 109th Precinct in Flushing are searching for the driver responsible.

Hit-and-Run Crashes in NYC: A Growing Concern

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Imani Vance killed in a Brooklyn Car AccidentWhen an unlicensed driver gets behind the wheel, they put every pedestrian, cyclist, and passenger in danger. In Brooklyn, a family is now left grieving after an unlicensed driver, Tyree Epps, fled the scene of a devastating crash, leaving 26-year-old Imani Vance to die in the front seat of his Mercedes-Benz.

The Tragic Crash That Took a Young Life

The crash occurred on Van Sinderen Avenue in Brownsville last Thursday when Epps, speeding south in a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300, blew through a stop sign at Blake Avenue around 1 p.m. His reckless driving led to a violent collision with a school bus, sending it careening into a parked box truck. The impact left Imani Vance with severe head trauma. Instead of helping his passenger, Epps reportedly fled the scene in a taxi, leaving Vance behind.

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stepping out of a car on Flatbush Ave is not a good ideaA tragic accident in Downtown Brooklyn late Friday night claimed the life of a 45-year-old woman after she exited a livery cab and stumbled into traffic on Flatbush Avenue near State Street. The fatal crash, which occurred outside the Atlantic Terminal Mall around 11:10 p.m., highlights the dangers pedestrians face when exiting vehicles on busy New York City roadways.

Details of the Fatal Accident

According to police reports, the livery cab had stopped in the middle lane when the woman unexpectedly exited the vehicle. She lost her footing and fell into the right lane, where she was struck by a Chevrolet Malibu driven by a 29-year-old man. Emergency medical responders rushed her to New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, but she did not survive. The driver of the Chevrolet remained at the scene, and no charges have been filed at this time.

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Fatal Queens Car Accident LocationA tragic crash in East Elmhurst, Queens, claimed the life of 23-year-old Justin Diaz after a Mercedes, allegedly driven by an intoxicated FDNY firefighter, sped through a red light and violently T-boned his BMW. The fatal collision, which occurred at 4:15 a.m. at the intersection of 107th St. and Northern Blvd., was caught on surveillance video (see below) and has since led to the arrest of 28-year-old firefighter Michael Pena, who now faces charges including vehicular manslaughter and driving while intoxicated (DWI).

Surveillance Footage Captures High-Speed Impact

Chilling video footage shows Diaz traveling north on 107th St. before entering the intersection, moments before the Mercedes, moving at high speed, plows into his vehicle’s driver’s side. The force of the crash sent both cars spinning across Northern Blvd., with the BMW ultimately slamming into a parked Toyota Sienna.

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Deadly Bronx intersectionAs Bronx auto accident lawyers, we are deeply saddened by the tragic incident that occurred on February 24, 2025, at the intersection of East 172nd Street and Metcalf Avenue in the Soundview neighborhood. A 17-year-old male and a 14-year-old female were riding a bike when they collided with a Honda Odyssey minivan operated by a 42-year-old driver. The young male was pronounced dead at NYC Health + Hospitals Jacobi, while the female passenger sustained injuries but is expected to recover. The driver of the van was also seriously and transported to the hospital. No arrests have been made as the investigation continues.

This heartbreaking event underscores the critical importance of understanding the legal complexities surrounding motorcycles and motor vehicle accidents in New York City.

Legal Considerations in Bike-Motor Vehicle Collisions

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the bike lane on Third AvenueAs car accident lawyers practicing in New York City, we have witnessed the unfortunate consequences of traffic collisions and the severe impact they have on individuals, families, and communities. However, recent developments on Third Avenue present a hopeful narrative that underscores a truth we can all rally around: bike lanes make roadways safer for everyone.

The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) recently released data indicating that the installation of a protected bike lane on Third Avenue has resulted in a remarkable 33 percent decrease in total injuries over the past year. Even more striking, injuries to drivers and passengers in vehicles plummeted by 43 percent. These statistics are not merely numbers; they represent lives profoundly affected—or saved—by thoughtful urban planning.

As noted by DOT spokesperson Vin Barone, “DOT’s redesign of Third Avenue has significantly reduced serious injuries—whether you’re walking, biking, or in a car on the corridor.” This statement demonstrates a comprehensive view of roadway safety, one that considers all users rather than prioritizing vehicles alone.

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location of the hit and run accident in the BronxThe recent hit-and-run incident in the Bronx, as reported by the New York Post, serves as a stark reminder of the dangers pedestrians face daily. A 22-year-old man was struck by a black SUV at the intersection of E 228th Street and Laconia Avenue. The vehicle accelerated suddenly, hitting the victim and fleeing the scene. The victim sustained a head injury and was transported to Jacobi Medical Center, where he remains in stable condition. The NYPD has taken a person of interest into custody, though charges had not been filed as of Sunday.

As Bronx car accident lawyers, we are deeply concerned about the prevalence of such incidents in our community. Hit-and-run accidents not only endanger lives but also complicate the pursuit of justice for victims.

Legal Implications of Hit-and-Run Accidents

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Accident sceneOn February 4, 2025, a tragic accident occurred on Manhattan’s FDR Drive, resulting in the death of a female driver and injuries to her 26-year-old male passenger. The incident took place around 2:45 a.m. near East 70th Street on the Upper East Side. The Tesla vehicle was reportedly traveling at high speeds when it struck a guardrail, overturned, and caught fire. Both occupants were ejected from the vehicle upon impact. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while the passenger was transported to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell and is expected to recover.

This devastating event underscores the critical importance of adhering to traffic laws and understanding the legal implications of high-speed driving in New York City.

Legal Implications of High-Speed Driving in New York