Personal Injury

Published on: January 20, 2026

New York Law Journal Reveals Key Trial Strategy Behind $182 Million Metro-North Settlement

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A newly published article in the New York Law Journal sheds further light on the more than $182 million settlement reached in litigation arising from the deadliest crash in Metro-North Railroad history — a case tried on behalf of approximately 30 plaintiffs by Ben Rubinowitz and Richard Steigman of the New York Personal Injury Law Firm of Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf.

The settlement, benefiting families of five passengers killed and dozens of others injured, stems from the February 3, 2015 Metro-North collision at the Commerce Street crossing in Valhalla, Westchester County. Rubinowitz said that the individual settlements are confidential.

According to the New York Law Journal, Rubinowitz led the liability trial to ensure consistent verdicts across plaintiffs represented by multiple firms. The trial strategy centered on two critical failures: the train engineer’s decision not to slow despite uncertainty at the crossing, and a uniquely dangerous third rail design that turned the crash into an inferno-like event.

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Published on: January 16, 2026

Trying a Personal Injury Case in New York City: What Trial Readiness Really Means

By GGCRBHS&M

Trying a personal injury case in New York City is unlike litigating anywhere else in the state. The volume of cases, the sophistication of judges, and the expectations of juries demand a level of preparation that goes far beyond routine claims handling. In NYC, outcomes are driven by evidence, credibility, and a lawyer’s demonstrated willingness to take a case all the way to verdict.

New York City Is a True Trial Venue

Personal injury cases in New York City are litigated in a fast-moving, high-stakes environment. Judges expect tight pleadings, focused discovery, and efficient motion practice. Weak liability theories and unsupported damages claims are exposed quickly. As a result, meaningful progress often depends on whether the case is being prepared for trial from day one.

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Published on: January 13, 2026

Rear-Ended, Not at Fault — Why You Should Speak With a Car Accident Lawyer Immediately After a Crash

By GGCRBHS&M

After a car accident, injured drivers often assume the process will be straightforward — especially when the collision was clearly not their fault. In New York, however, even a simple rear-end crash can trigger serious medical, financial, and legal consequences. A recent report by Spectrum News shows why speaking with a New York car accident lawyer as early as possible can be critical to protecting your rights.

Quick Summary of the News Report

According to Spectrum News, a Rochester woman was rear-ended at a red light and suffered a herniated disc that required surgery and ongoing physical therapy. Despite having no responsibility for the crash, her no-fault insurance benefits were exhausted, her insurance premiums more than doubled, and medical bills began coming back to her personally. The report highlights how New York’s insurance structure can leave injured drivers exposed even when liability is clear.

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Published on: January 8, 2026

Recidivist Drunk Driver Charged in Nassau County Hit-and-Run After Police Chase

By GGCRBHS&M

A Long Island Bar Owner, a Revoked License, and Serious Injuries to a Pedestrian and Police Officers

A Long Island bar owner described by prosecutors as a “recidivist drunk driver” now faces multiple felony charges following a hit-and-run that left a pedestrian with life-threatening injuries and a subsequent police chase that resulted in injuries to law-enforcement officers in Nassau County. The case highlights recurring failures in DWI enforcement and the profound risks posed by drivers who continue to operate vehicles despite revoked licenses.

According to prosecutors, Leonard Gross—owner of Teddy’s Bully Bar in Oyster Bay—had his license revoked nearly a decade ago yet allegedly consumed multiple alcoholic drinks before driving a pickup truck that struck a pedestrian in a crosswalk, ran the victim over, and fled the scene. Surveillance footage, witness statements, and license-plate reader data ultimately led police to Gross’s residence.

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Published on: January 7, 2026

Most Common Personal Injury Claims After the Holidays in New York

By GGCRBHS&M

The weeks immediately following the holidays are a peak period for personal injury claims in New York. As normal routines resume, hazardous winter conditions, increased traffic, and post-holiday fatigue combine to create a surge in preventable accidents. January consistently sees a rise in claims tied to negligence that property owners, drivers, and employers are legally required to prevent.

Below are the most common types of personal injury claims filed after the holidays.

Slip-and-Fall Accidents on Snow and Ice

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Published on: January 5, 2026

McGuinness Boulevard Road Diet: A Long-Overdue Safety Fix for Greenpoint

By GGCRBHS&M

As Brooklyn car accident lawyers, McGuinness Boulevard has long stood out as one of Greenpoint’s most dangerous corridors. Its history as a widened, high-speed thoroughfare has translated into decades of preventable crashes, severe pedestrian injuries, and fatal collisions. That is why Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s announcement to complete the full McGuinness Boulevard road diet matters—not just politically, but from a public-safety and legal accountability perspective.

The decision revives the original NYC DOT redesign initiated during the Bill de Blasio administration and scaled back under Eric Adams. By narrowing McGuinness to one travel lane in each direction between the Pulaski Bridge and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, and extending parking-protected bike lanes through the entire corridor, the city is finally addressing a roadway design that has put Greenpoint residents at risk for generations.

Why McGuinness Boulevard Has Been So Dangerous

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Published on: December 24, 2025

Season’s Greetings and Best Wishes for the New Year from Our New York Personal Injury Law Firm

By GGCRBHS&M

As the year comes to a close, we take a moment to reflect on the trust placed in our firm by clients, colleagues, and members of the community throughout the year. Representing individuals and families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives is a responsibility we take seriously, and we are grateful for the confidence shown in our work.

As the holiday season approaches, we extend our best wishes for safety, good health, and peace to all. We look forward to continuing our work in the year ahead and remain committed to providing the highest level of advocacy for those who need it most.

Wishing everyone a safe holiday season and a healthy New Year.

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Published on: December 16, 2025

Dooring Accidents in New York: Legal Options for Injured Cyclists and Scooter Riders

By GGCRBHS&M

A fatal dooring crash in Ozone Park, Queens, has once again highlighted the serious and often overlooked dangers faced by cyclists, e-bike riders, and scooter riders on New York City streets. These incidents are not unavoidable accidents—they are frequently the result of a driver or passenger failing to exercise basic care when opening a vehicle door.

The Ozone Park Dooring Crash: A 10-Day Struggle for Survival

On the evening of November 18, 2025, Sahan Ahmed, a 24-year-old electric scooter rider, was traveling westbound on Liberty Avenue near 103rd Avenue in Ozone Park, Queens. As he passed a parked 2012 Kia Soul, the driver opened the driver’s-side door directly into his path.

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Published on: December 15, 2025

Our New York Personal Injury Attorneys Warn of Increased Injury Risks During Dangerous Cold Snap

By GGCRBHS&M

A severe cold snap has gripped New York City and the Tri-State Area following recent snowfall, creating dangerous conditions for pedestrians, drivers, and workers throughout the region. With temperatures dropping into the single digits, extreme wind chills, and widespread black ice, the risk of serious personal injuries has increased significantly across New York.

In response to the extreme cold, New York City has activated Code Blue, highlighting the danger posed to vulnerable populations and underscoring the seriousness of the conditions. As New York personal injury attorneys, we routinely see an uptick in preventable accidents during periods of extreme winter weather—many caused by unsafe property conditions, untreated ice, and failure to follow basic safety obligations.

Hazardous Winter Conditions Across New York City

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Published on: December 15, 2025

Scarry MTA Bus Accident in the Bronx injures 8: When Public Transportation Fails Riders and Pedestrians

By GGCRBHS&M

A frightening MTA bus crash unfolded in the Bronx today (see video below) when a Bx6 bus lost control in the Longwood section of the borough, slamming into multiple vehicles over a five-block stretch before coming to a stop near Prospect Avenue. According to reports, the incident began near Cauldwell Avenue by the Forest Houses and continued through East 163rd Street, with panicked passengers on board as the bus struck at least one car and kept moving. The driver and six others were taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries, and the cause of the loss of control remains under investigation.

MTA buses are a critical part of daily life in the Bronx, transporting millions of passengers through some of the most congested and complex roadways in New York City. When a bus accident occurs, however, the consequences can be devastating—leaving passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists with serious injuries and unanswered questions about accountability.

As MTA bus accident lawyers, our team has decades of experience representing victims injured in Bronx transportation accidents, including collisions involving city buses, commercial vehicles, sanitation trucks, and other government-owned vehicles operating on Bronx streets.

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