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 Personal Injury

Published on:

Summer-Camp-Injury-NYAs New York personal injury attorneys who have seen firsthand how preventable negligence can change lives, we are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life at Camp Mystic in Texas, where a catastrophic flash flood claimed the lives of dozens of children and counselors over the July 4th weekend.

While the floodwaters surged in Texas, the ripple effects are being felt across the country — especially by parents preparing to send their children to summer camp in New York. The question on every parent’s mind: Could this happen here?

The heartbreaking reality is that camps — whether in upstate New York, the Catskills, or Long Island — are not immune from natural disasters, inadequate emergency preparedness, or lapses in supervision. But there are important steps parents can take to better protect their children and avoid preventable harm.

Published on:

Jewel Perez died in a Queens car accidentAs Queens car accident lawyers, we’ve seen firsthand the devastation reckless driving can bring to families and communities. The recent fiery crash on the Belt Parkway that killed 24-year-old driver Noah Thompson and his 22-year-old passenger Jewel Perez is a heartbreaking reminder of just how deadly these incidents can be — especially when speed, alcohol, and failure to wear seat belts may be involved.

According to reports, Thompson was driving a BMW eastbound on the Belt Parkway around 6 a.m. on Saturday when he lost control near the Cross Bay Boulevard exit in Howard Beach. He slammed into a concrete divider, causing the vehicle to go airborne, land on the opposite side of the highway, strike two other cars — a Honda CR-V and a red Hyundai — and burst into flames. Tragically, neither Thompson nor Perez survived their injuries. Three other passengers in the BMW miraculously escaped with minor injuries.

At the time of the crash, none of the BMW occupants were wearing seat belts. Police sources have indicated that authorities were seeking a warrant to test Thompson’s blood for alcohol before he died.

Published on:

intersection of Cropsey Avenue and 17th Avenue in Brooklyn where the van accident occuredA serious van crash in Brooklyn’s Bath Beach neighborhood left more than a dozen people injured on Tuesday morning, highlighting the vulnerability of passengers who rely on ambulette and medical transport services. The incident occurred just before 10 a.m. near the intersection of Cropsey Avenue and 17th Avenue.

The vehicle involved, a transport van operated by D & J Ambulette Services, was carrying adult passengers with special needs when it veered off the road and struck a tree. Witnesses stated the 44-year-old driver attempted to swerve to avoid another vehicle, causing the van to lose control and crash. Initial reports from ABC7NY confirmed that 12 individuals were transported to NYU Langone Hospital for evaluation, while News12 placed the number of injuries at 14. Among the injured, one person suffered a leg injury, and another sustained a head laceration.

As Brooklyn automobile accident attorneys who have represented victims in similar crashes, we understand that transport vans like ambulettes must adhere to strict safety standards. When drivers make sudden maneuvers or when these vehicles are not properly maintained, the consequences can be devastating, especially for passengers with disabilities who may be less able to brace for impact or exit a damaged vehicle quickly.

Published on:

NYC Port Authority terminal where the bus accident occuredThis morning’s crash involving three NJ Transit buses at the Port Authority Bus Terminal is a stark reminder of the risks commuters face daily in one of the nation’s busiest transit hubs. According to authorities, the crash occurred around 6:15 a.m. during peak rush hour, leaving at least 12 people with minor injuries and one individual hospitalized for further evaluation. The Port Authority was temporarily shut down as emergency crews responded, causing major disruptions throughout Midtown Manhattan.

As New York City bus accident lawyers, we know just how chaotic and dangerous these types of collisions can be. Bus terminals like Port Authority are high-traffic, high-pressure environments, where small errors in timing, driver fatigue, poor visibility, or mechanical failure can lead to serious consequences.

Even though the reported injuries were mostly minor, the potential for catastrophic harm in a multi-bus crash cannot be overstated. Commuters seated without seatbelts, people standing, and those near exit doors are particularly vulnerable when a crash occurs. Collisions at low speeds inside terminals may not always look severe, but even seemingly minor accidents can lead to long-term injuries such as herniated discs, torn ligaments, or traumatic brain injuries — especially if victims are jolted or thrown off balance.

Published on:

location of the Long Island Car AccidentA serious pedestrian crash in Huntington early Sunday morning has once again drawn attention to the dangers of impaired driving—this time involving an off-duty law enforcement officer.

According to Suffolk County police, a 28-year-old man was crossing New York Avenue at Carver Street around 2:30 a.m. when he was struck by a southbound 2012 Chevrolet Camaro. The driver was later identified as Alexander Vargas, a 30-year-old off-duty Suffolk County police officer assigned to the Second Precinct.

The victim sustained serious injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital. Vargas was arrested at the scene and charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). Following the incident, he was suspended without pay.

Published on:

West Harlem Piers where the boat accident occuredAt approximately 4:15 p.m. on Saturday, a 200-foot yacht called Timeless struck a dock near Riverside Park while attempting to moor along the Hudson River in Manhattan. According to the New York City Fire Department, 35 people were injured in the incident, including 22 individuals who were transported to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. Thankfully, all reported injuries were non-life-threatening.

The yacht, which was reportedly hosting hundreds of passengers, collided with a pylon as it approached the dock near West 125th Street and the Henry Hudson Parkway. The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that the vessel sustained damage and that marine units were dispatched to escort the yacht to shore, where emergency personnel triaged and assisted injured passengers.

As New York personal injury attorneys, we are closely monitoring this incident and the ongoing investigation into its cause. In situations involving commercial or chartered vessels, multiple parties may share responsibility—including the boat’s operators, event organizers, or even maintenance providers—especially if negligence played a role in the crash. Investigators will likely examine whether the vessel was operating at a safe speed, whether it was properly maintained, and whether the crew was adequately trained and sober at the time of the incident.

Published on:

31st-street-in-Queens-is-dangerous-for-cyclistsAs personal injury lawyers serving the Queens community — and as legal advocates who have seen firsthand the devastating consequences of bicycle accidents — we feel compelled to weigh in on a matter that’s deeply impacting our neighbors in Astoria: the proposed protected bike lane on 31st Street.

This debate is about more than infrastructure. It’s about lives, livelihoods, and the possibility of building a safer, stronger community.

The Harsh Reality of Bicycle Accidents

Published on:

Defective Baxter PumpInfants in neonatal intensive care units rely on precise intravenous infusions for survival—but a recent recall by Baxter International reveals that a widely used infusion pump may be putting vulnerable newborns at risk.

Baxter has issued a Class I recall—the FDA’s most serious designation—for its Novum IQ large volume pump after the device was linked to a serious injury caused by under-infusion. According to the FDA, variability of just 10% in infusion delivery can lead to dehydration, malnutrition, inadequate drug therapy, and even death in infants. Yet Baxter has allowed over 34,500 affected units to remain in hospitals across the U.S. and Canada.

The Risk to Infants: Under-Infusion Can Be Catastrophic

Published on:

The Marine Parway Bridge where the accident occuredOur NYC Personal Injury Lawyers Raise Concerns About Kite Fighting, Negligence, and Public Safety

Two cyclists were seriously injured—one critically—after riding into a string stretched across the Marine Parkway Bridge bike lane on June 1st, 2025. Despite the traumatic injuries sustained, including a severed windpipe and broken bones, the NYPD has announced it found “no criminality.” As New York personal injury attorneys, we believe this incident raises troubling questions about accountability, enforcement, and public safety.

A Harrowing Incident with Life-Altering Consequences

Published on:

Bronx Boat Accident LawyersA weekend celebration on the water turned tragic when a boat carrying more than 20 passengers caught fire near Hart Island on Saturday evening. According to the FDNY and local news sources, the captain, 33-year-old Joshua Brito of the Bronx, was arrested and charged with boating while intoxicated (BWI) and reckless endangerment. The fire left 22 people injured, including one individual who remains in critical condition.

As Bronx personal injury lawyers representing victims in catastrophic accidents throughout the borough, including City Island, we understand the physical and emotional toll such incidents take on survivors and their families. This case highlights the dangers of impaired boating and the legal options available to those injured by negligent operators.

What Happened?