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 Pedestrian Accidents

Published on:

A 65-ylocation of the fatal Bronx truck accidentear-old woman was fatally struck by a flatbed truck while crossing Franklin Avenue at East 169th Street in the Bronx on Monday morning. The devastating collision, which occurred just minutes after she visited a local bodega, underscores the persistent dangers pedestrians face on New York City streets—especially in areas with high truck traffic.

Surveillance footage (see video below) revealed that the victim, who used a cane and walked with a limp, was in the crosswalk when the truck began to move forward. As a yellow cab made a turn, the truck—seemingly preparing for a wide right turn—rolled over the woman, pinning her under its front right wheel. Despite frantic efforts from bystanders to alert the driver, the impact proved fatal. Emergency responders rushed the woman to Lincoln Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The 43-year-old truck driver remained at the scene and has not been charged as of now, but police continue to investigate. According to records, the truck has accumulated multiple traffic violations in recent years, including red-light infractions and speeding in a school zone—raising serious concerns about the vehicle’s history and the driver’s responsibility.

Published on:

the dangerous queens intersectionA tragic truck accident in Queens claimed the life of 29-year-old Kevin Thoral early Friday morning. Thoral was just a block from his home when a box truck driver fatally struck him while making a left turn at the intersection of 212th St. and Hillside Ave. Despite remaining at the scene, the 51-year-old driver has not been arrested, and the NYPD’s investigation remains ongoing.

Left-Turn Truck Accidents: A Deadly Pattern

Left-turning trucks are a well-documented hazard for pedestrians, particularly in busy urban areas like Queens. These large vehicles have significant blind spots and require wide turns, making it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians in the crosswalk. However, under New York traffic laws, drivers must yield to pedestrians when making left-hand turns. If the driver failed to check for pedestrians before turning, this could constitute negligence, creating grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit.

Published on:

A 95-year-old woman who survived some of history’s most devastating events, including the Nazi occupation of Ukraine, the Chernobyl disaster, and the COVID-19 pandemic, lost her life in a tragic car accident on a Brooklyn street.

Mayya Gil was fatally struck by a cargo van on Cropsey Avenue near her Bensonhurst home while walking with her home health aide on Thursday afternoon. Despite her incredible resilience through decades of hardship, her life was cut short in a preventable traffic collision.location of the deadly Brooklyn Car Accident

The Incident

Published on:

children going to school in NYCAs New York City car accident lawyers, we commend Governor Kathy Hochul’s recent proposal to prohibit parking within 20 feet of crosswalks in elementary school zones throughout the five boroughs. This initiative aims to enhance pedestrian safety by improving visibility for both drivers and young students, thereby reducing the risk of traffic-related accidents near schools.

Currently, New York State law mandates a 20-foot no-parking zone adjacent to crosswalks—a practice known as “daylighting”—to ensure clear sightlines at intersections. However, New York City has historically exercised a carveout, allowing it to set its own regulations regarding parking near crosswalks. The city’s existing rules prohibit parking within the crosswalk itself but permit it directly next to these pedestrian pathways, often resulting in obstructed views for both drivers and pedestrians.

Governor Hochul’s proposal seeks to align the city’s policy with the state’s standard, specifically targeting areas surrounding elementary schools. By eliminating parking within 20 feet of crosswalks in these zones, the initiative strives to create safer walking conditions for children commuting to and from school. This measure is particularly significant given that New York City is home to over 1,800 public and charter schools, many of which serve students up to the fifth grade.

Published on:

Location of the Brooklyn Car Accident on Nostrand Ave and Kings HighwayOn New Year’s Eve, a terrifying car accident occurred at the busy intersection of Kings Highway in Midwood, Brooklyn, when a car plowed into two women and their children as they crossed the street. The crash, captured on video, shows the harrowing moment when two women and a young child were struck, with baby carriages sent flying across the intersection.

Thankfully, the victims – both women and a 1-year-old boy – were transported to Maimonides Hospital and treated for minor injuries. However, this incident raises urgent questions about pedestrian safety in high-traffic intersections across Brooklyn.

Driver Accountability and Ongoing Investigation

Published on:

car-accident-scene-in-Manhattan-scaled-e1735862450680As New York City pedestrian accident lawyers, we have witnessed firsthand the tragic consequences of an increasingly dangerous urban environment for walkers. While the city proudly touts its walkability and its Vision Zero program aimed at reducing traffic fatalities, 2024 saw a troubling surge in pedestrian deaths, highlighting gaps in safety measures that demand immediate attention.

Pedestrian Deaths on the Rise

According to a recent article in the New York Times, City data reveals an 18% increase in pedestrian fatalities in 2024 compared to 2023. This surge comes despite a slight overall decline in traffic deaths. Notable incidents, such as the tragic Christmas Day crash in Midtown that injured six pedestrians, underscore the persistent hazards on New York’s streets.

Published on:

NYPD chase can result in dangerous accidentsA chaotic scene unfolded early Sunday morning in Jackson Heights, Queens, when a high-speed police chase ended with a car careening onto the sidewalk and striking pedestrians at the intersection of 80th Street and Northern Boulevard. The incident, which sent two people to the hospital, raises serious questions about public safety during police pursuits and the accountability of reckless drivers.

The chase began around 2 a.m. in Astoria when NYPD officers attempted a routine traffic stop. Instead of complying, the driver of a white BMW sped away, leading police on a two-mile pursuit. The chase ended when the vehicle crashed into an FDNY call box near Northern Boulevard, narrowly avoiding a restaurant.

Unfortunately, the out-of-control vehicle struck four pedestrians, two of whom required hospitalization. A 23-year-old man suffered a leg laceration, and a 28-year-old woman sustained back injuries. Both are reported to be in stable condition. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with one local resident, Danny Rojas, expressing relief that no lives were lost and hoping for justice.

Published on:

ambulance at accident sceneA shocking and heartbreaking hit-and-run accident in Williamsbridge, Bronx, has left 3-year-old Mylah Rojas with a fractured skull after a reckless moped driver struck her on the sidewalk and fled the scene. This tragic event highlights the urgent need to address the dangers posed by reckless drivers, even on sidewalks where pedestrians should feel safe.

The Accident

The accident occurred on Friday afternoon around 1 p.m. on Holland Avenue as Mylah walked with her mother, Mariel Rojas. A blue moped with black stripes sped onto the sidewalk, striking the toddler and dragging her several feet. Surveillance footage later captured the driver limping away from the scene, but he remains at large as of this writing.

Published on:

Bruckner Boulevard and Castle Hill Ave intersection is deadlyPedestrian safety remains a critical concern in the Bronx, as two separate accidents this past weekend resulted in the tragic deaths of 60-year-old men. These incidents underscore the persistent dangers posed by speeding drivers, reckless behavior, and unsafe conditions on our streets.

Castle Hill Tragedy: Jeep Driver Fatally Strikes Pedestrian

On Saturday night, Uddin Shahi, a 60-year-old Bronx resident, was crossing the intersection of Bruckner Boulevard and Castle Hill Avenue (see picture), just a short distance from his home, when he was struck by a Jeep Compass. The driver, a 34-year-old woman, remained at the scene and cooperated with police. Despite being rushed to Jacobi Hospital, Shahi succumbed to his injuries.

Published on:

In the wake of a tragic incident on November 20, 2024, where an unmarked NYPD minivan fatally struck a woman reportedly lying on Pennsylvania Avenue in East New York, questions have emerged regarding the accuracy of official accounts. The NYPD stated that the woman was already lying in the roadway when the collision occurred.

As attorneys representing victims of NYPD vehicle accidents, we recognize the importance of critically examining such statements. While law enforcement agencies are tasked with providing factual information, there have been instances where initial reports were later found to be inaccurate or incomplete.

Historical Context of Discrepancies in Police Reports