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

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NYC accident sceneIn the span of just two days, the East Side of Manhattan has witnessed three alarming accidents where pedestrians were struck by cars, highlighting a disturbing trend of vehicular accidents in one of the busiest areas of New York City. As New York pedestrian accident attorneys dedicated to advocating for the safety and legal protection of individuals on foot, we are compelled to address these accidents and the urgent need for enhanced pedestrian safety measures.

Accident One: A Close Call in Midtown Manhattan

On Monday morning, a 40-year-old female driver, navigating her SUV northbound on Third Avenue, swerved to avoid colliding with another vehicle. In a harrowing sequence of events, her vehicle veered off the road at East 58th Street, striking a 22-year-old male pedestrian and crashing into sidewalk scaffolding. The impact, captured on video, left the SUV ensnared in the wreckage of the scaffolding, painting a stark picture of the chaos unleashed in mere moments. The young man was quickly transported to New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center with a leg injury, the severity of which remains unclear. Miraculously, no criminality was suspected in the crash, and the driver remained at the scene, cooperating with law enforcement.

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Law-Dragon-final-CopyAt Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, we are thrilled to announce that several of our esteemed attorneys have been recognized in The Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers for 2024. This prestigious acknowledgment underscores their unwavering dedication to seeking justice for those who have suffered from injustice and tragedy. Congratulations to Marijo Adimey, Jeffrey Bloom, Diana Carnemolla, Christopher Donadio, Howard Hershenhorn, Ben Rubinowitz, and Peter Saghir for this well-deserved honor.

Their commitment to tirelessly advocating for the rights of the injured and wronged embodies the core values of our firm.

Consider the scenarios that these lawyers confront with courage and determination:

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Location of the Brooklyn drunk driving accidentIn a recent tragic accident in Brooklyn, a chain-reaction crash involving multiple vehicles and an MTA bus sent 11 people to the hospital, highlighting the severe consequences of irresponsible driving. This accident, caused by a 60-year-old driver under the influence, underscores the importance of road safety and the legal implications for those who choose to disregard it.

The accident occurred when the driver of a Lexus SUV,  heading south in the northbound lane of Pennsylvania Avenue collided with a Honda minivan, carrying a 64-year-old woman, a 34-year-old woman, an 18-year-old woman, and a 3-year-old boy, all of whom sustained injuries. The force of the crash propelled the driver’s vehicle into parked cars along the avenue, further escalating the situation as an MTA bus sideswiped the vehicles involved in the initial collision.

The injured parties, including the passengers of the minivan and ten individuals on the MTA bus, were taken to local hospitals with conditions ranging from stable to minor injuries. The driver of the Lexus, now in police custody and hospitalized, faces pending charges. This scenario brings to the forefront the legal ramifications of driving under the influence (DUI) and the potential for civil liability.

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location of the crash between a car and a MTA bus in BKLast Monday night, a Mercedes-Benz, reportedly running a steady red light at the intersection of Harrison Avenue and Lorimer Street in Williamsburg, collided with an MTA bus. The impact was so severe that it sent the Mercedes careening onto a nearby sidewalk, where it struck a CitiBike rack. Alex Caba-Gutierrez, a passenger in the Mercedes, was ejected onto the street, suffering fatal injuries.  The driver and another passenger fled the scene, leaving behind a scene of chaos and unanswered questions. The bus driver and a passenger were injured and transported to the hospital.

The Legal Challenges of Hit-and-Run Accidents

Hit-and-run accidents pose unique legal challenges, primarily due to the difficulty of holding the responsible party accountable when they have fled the scene. Victims and their families often feel helpless and unsure of their next steps. This is where a hit-and-run accident lawyer becomes indispensable. Specializing in these types of cases, these lawyers possess the expertise to navigate the complexities of the legal system, ensuring that victims’ rights are protected and that they receive the compensation they deserve.

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location of the tractor trailer truck accident in BrooklynYesterday, New York experienced two significant truck-related accidents that impacted traffic, businesses, and local communities.

Brooklyn Accident: Tractor Trailer and Sedan Crash into Popeyes

In East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, a collision involving a tractor-trailer and a sedan resulted in both vehicles crashing into a Popeyes restaurant at the intersection of Metropolitan and Vandervoort Avenues. The tractor-trailer reportedly lost control and collided with the sedan, which had the right of way, causing extensive damage to the restaurant’s facade.

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carbon monoxide danger signTen individuals were hospitalized due to carbon monoxide poisoning at a residence on Roosevelt Ave. This event underscores the silent but deadly threat posed by carbon monoxide (CO) in urban dwellings. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death if inhaled in large quantities. Properties in New York City are not immune to this hazard, making it imperative for property owners, landlords, and tenants to understand their legal responsibilities and rights.

Legal Duties and Responsibilities

In New York City, property owners and landlords are legally obligated to ensure their buildings are safe and comply with local, state, and federal safety standards. This includes installing carbon monoxide detectors in accordance with the New York City Administrative Code, which mandates CO detectors in most residential dwellings. Failure to install and maintain these detectors can result in legal consequences, including fines and liability for any injuries or deaths that occur due to non-compliance.

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AmbulanceAs attorneys specializing in bicycle accidents, we would like to address the perilous issue of “dooring” accidents in  New York City. A recent tragedy in Brooklyn underscores the urgent need for awareness and preventive measures against this often-overlooked hazard.

In Cypress Hills, a food delivery worker on a scooter experienced a life-threatening incident that highlights the dangers faced by cyclists and scooter riders daily. While navigating Fulton Street, the individual was struck by an opened car door from a parked orange car. This collision resulted in severe injuries, leaving the victim unresponsive and critically injured with a head injury. Witnesses at the scene and surveillance footage confirm the sudden and devastating impact of the dooring.

This incident is not isolated but represents a wider issue within our urban landscapes. “Dooring,” or the act of a car occupant opening their door into the path of an oncoming cyclist or scooter rider, poses significant risks. The abrupt and unexpected nature of these incidents leaves the rider with little to no time to react, often leading to severe injuries or even fatalities.

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construction workers must be protectedUnder a transformative Biden administration policy, hundreds of laborers have stepped out of the shadows, informing on unscrupulous employers and, in return, receiving something invaluable: legal work permits and protection from deportation.

This policy, which focuses on protecting workplace whistleblowers and aiding prosecutors, has changed the lives of many, including José Moncada and a welder known only as Alejo. Moncada, who suffered a wrist injury on the job, and Alejo, who experienced a near-devastating eye injury, both faced directives from their foremen to conceal the true nature of their injuries to avoid compensation claims. Despite the risks, they chose to come forward, working with law enforcement to expose the fraudulent practices of their employers. Their bravery was rewarded not just with the satisfaction of justice but with the legal right to work in the U.S., a privilege they had been denied for over a decade due to their undocumented status.

The heart of this policy is deferred action, a form of discretionary relief that allows immigrants who have been exploited at work or who have cooperated with law enforcement investigations to apply for protection from deportation and work permits. This policy not only acknowledges the valuable contributions of immigrant workers but also provides them with a pathway to emerge from the exploitation prevalent in the underground economy. It’s a clear message: their rights matter, and they no longer need to live in fear.

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accident-scene-1Early Sunday morning, a 23-year-old driver, showing off dangerous ‘doughnuts’ at a car stunt gathering, lost control and collided with a parked fuel truck. Two passengers died, 15-year-old Sabrina Villagomez and 21-yer-old Gilvante “Gio” Roberson while another passenger suffered critical injury. The driver is in stable condition.

This incident isn’t just about a single act of irresponsible driving. It’s a glaring example of how fleeting moments of thrill-seeking can lead to irreversible consequences. The driver’s decision to perform risky stunts on public roads, especially at such high speeds, was a recipe for disaster. It not only endangered his life but also those of his passengers and any bystander in the vicinity.

The loss of young Sabrina and Gio, is a grim reminder of the fragility of life. Sabrina’s death should make us all pause and think about the influence our social circles have on our decisions, particularly in our youth.

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Bronx location of the fatal hit and run accidentLourdes Camilo, a Bronx resident, was fatally injured in a hit-and-run accident at the intersection of Melrose Avenue and East 156th Street. This incident underscores the importance of road safety and the consequences of traffic law violations. It also reflects on the necessity for enhanced pedestrian protection measures.

The involvement of two vehicles – a white SUV that fled and a green Jeep Cherokee that stayed – brings forth different legal considerations.

1. Liability in Hit-and-Run: The driver of the white SUV, who left the scene, is subject to significant legal ramifications under New York law. Fleeing the scene of an accident, particularly one involving fatality, is a criminal offense.