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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A devthe New York intersection where the tourists where hit by a carastating hit-and-run crash in Midtown Manhattan has left one pedestrian dead and another critically injured, underscoring the dangers of reckless driving in New York City and the legal consequences that follow.

According to police and prosecutors, 50-year-old Alexandra Sabine Lewalter Maric, a tourist from Hamburg, Germany, was fatally struck near Bryant Park last week. Her husband, 55, suffered a severe skull fracture and remains in critical condition at Bellevue Hospital.

The driver, Mohammad Abouzaid, 40, of the Bronx, was behind the wheel of a Toyota Sienna minivan that was blocking the intersection at West 40th Street and Fifth Avenue. Authorities say he suddenly reversed into the crosswalk, hitting the couple and a nearby box truck. After the collision, Abouzaid fled the scene, only to be later apprehended and charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. Surveillance footage confirmed his involvement.

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tort claims against the city of New York 2025The New York City Comptroller’s Claim Dashboard provides real-time, continuous visibility into how the City spends taxpayer dollars on settlements and judgments. For Fiscal Year 2025 (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025), the dashboard data offers a detailed picture of the City’s personal injury liability—showing which agencies and claim types are driving the highest costs, where payouts are increasing or declining, and what this means for personal injury victims pursuing claims against the City of New York.

Citywide Totals: Liability Still Above $800 Million

  • FY 2024: $1.06 billion in settlements/judgments
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NYC Personal Injury Attorney Ben Rubinowitz to speak at Decision 2025Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf is pleased to announce that Managing Partner Ben Rubinowitz will be a featured speaker at DECISIONS 2025: Recent Developments in Tort Law, to be held in New York City.

Widely regarded as one of the leading trial lawyers in the nation, Ben Rubinowitz has built a reputation for securing record-setting verdicts and for his mastery of trial advocacy. At this year’s conference, he will present on Trial Practice, sharing his insights on effective courtroom strategies and techniques that have defined his career.

Topics at DECISIONS 2025

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Deadly Queens IntersectionA tragic crash in South Richmond Hill, Queens left one woman dead and another seriously injured on Saturday afternoon, underscoring both the dangers of reckless driving and the complex legal issues that arise in pedestrian accident cases.

What Happened at Van Wyck Service Road and Liberty Avenue

According to police, a Mercedes-Benz driven by a 65-year-old woman slammed into the rear of a Toyota Scion that had been stopped to make a left turn. The force of the impact pushed the Toyota forward into two women who were crossing the street.

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Prima Donna restaurant might have some responsibility in the death of the pedestrianExploring wrongful death, personal injury, and bar liability after an alcohol-fueled, intentional vehicle attack

A horrifying incident in Queens left 16-year-old Jhoanny Alvarez dead after, prosecutors say, a man intentionally drove his Chevrolet Suburban into a group of people outside the Prima Donna Restaurant in the early hours of September 15, 2025. The Queens District Attorney has since charged 38-year-old Edwin Cruz Gomez with murder, attempted murder, and related counts. Police report that Cruz Gomez’s blood alcohol concentration measured 0.137% after the crash.

When a violent act with a motor vehicle results in death, victims’ families face two separate paths to justice: criminal prosecution and civil recovery. In addition to a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver, the family may have grounds to pursue Dram Shop liability against any establishment that negligently sold or served alcohol to the driver before the attack. In catastrophic cases involving alleged intentional conduct and intoxication, a thorough civil investigation can mean the difference between partial and full accountability.

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Martense ave and 102nd street in Queens where the pedestrian accident occuredAn allegedly drunk and unlicensed driver has been arrested in Queens after a violent crash left two pedestrians — a 13-year-old girl and a 72-year-old man — seriously injured. The incident underscores the devastating consequences of drunk driving and highlights the dangers that negligent motorists pose to innocent pedestrians.

Details of the Crash

According to NYPD reports, the collision occurred on September 14, 2025, around 8:05 p.m. at Martense Avenue and 102nd Street in Corona. A 40-year-old man behind the wheel of a 2013 white Honda sedan struck both the teenager and the senior as they crossed the street.

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The East New York Intersection where the accident occuredA shocking crash in East New York has raised serious questions about liability and accountability. According to reports, a 15-year-old—far too young to drive legally—was behind the wheel of a stolen black Honda Accord when he struck a 71-year-old pedestrian standing on the curb at Pennsylvania and Hegeman Avenues.

Video footage shows the vehicle traveling the wrong way before going airborne, slamming into a utility pole, and injuring the pedestrian. The teenager fled the scene on foot just as police vehicles, which had been pursuing him, arrived. Moments later, the mangled car burst into flames. The victim was rushed to the hospital in stable condition, while the teen was later arrested and charged with grand larceny, reckless endangerment, leaving the scene of an accident, and other crimes.

Beyond the Driver: Could the Police Share Responsibility?

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Canal street is dangerous to pedestrians and cyclists

Between 2020 and 2024, three people were killed and more than 200 others — including 23 who suffered severe injuries — in crashes along Canal Street. The combination of heavy traffic, narrow sidewalks, and complex intersections has long made this corridor one of the most hazardous for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike.

Now, Canal Street is finally slated for a long-overdue safety overhaul. The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) has unveiled a comprehensive redesign proposal aimed at reducing crashes, easing pedestrian congestion, improving bicycle connections, and expanding public space.

As attorneys representing victims of car accidents in New York City, we know just how dangerous Canal Street can be for vulnerable road users. The numbers confirm what victims and their families already understand all too well: without meaningful infrastructure improvements, serious accidents are inevitable.

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Reminder-Facebook-Post-1This is a reminder that on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 1:30 PM ET (10:30 AM PST), Trial Lawyers University will host a live Zoom webinar featuring two of the nation’s most respected trial attorneys: Ben Rubinowitz and Michael Kelly.

Why Jury Selection Matters

Jury selection is one of the most pivotal stages of trial. The ability to uncover juror bias, assess attitudes toward damages, and establish the foundation for a strong summation can make the difference between a modest recovery and a record-setting verdict.

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The Hip Hop that partially collapsed in BrooklynAs Brooklyn personal injury lawyers, we are closely following the recent ceiling collapse at the IHOP in Flatlands that left nine people injured and forced the restaurant to shut down. On September 5, 2025, a 10-by-10-inch section of the ceiling, weakened by water damage, fell onto diners. Five victims were transported to area hospitals, while four others received treatment at the scene. City inspectors later issued a vacate order and cited the property owner for failure to maintain the premises.

What Happened

  • A section of the ceiling collapsed due to water damage.