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 Queens Auto Accidents

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Accident sceneAt Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, we are deeply saddened to learn of two fatal pedestrian crashes that occurred in New York City this past Friday — tragic events that underscore the persistent dangers faced by pedestrians across the five boroughs.

Upper West Side: 57-Year-Old Pedestrian Fatally Struck by Ford Van

Early Friday morning, Patrice Brooks, a 57-year-old resident of the Upper West Side, was struck and killed by a Ford van while crossing the intersection at 86th Street and Broadway. According to the NYPD, Brooks was crossing diagonally at approximately 4:27 a.m. when the eastbound van, operated by a 41-year-old woman who had the green light, struck him.

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Justin Diaz killed by a drunk driverThe recent arraignment of Michael Peña, a former FDNY firefighter accused of causing a fatal car crash in Kew Gardens while under the influence of drugs and alcohol, highlights the devastating consequences of reckless driving and the urgent need for accountability in our justice system.

On February 26, 2025, 23-year-old Justin Diaz (picture) was just a block and a half from his family’s home, driving to an early shift at LaGuardia Airport, when his life was tragically cut short. According to prosecutors, Peña—who was off-duty at the time—was traveling at 83 mph, nearly three times the speed limit, when he ran a red light at Northern Boulevard and 107th Street and slammed into Diaz’s vehicle. The crash proved fatal.

Our Queens car accident attorneys represent families devastated by senseless, preventable crashes like this one. No one expects that a loved one commuting to work will be killed by a driver allegedly intoxicated by alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine—especially not someone sworn to protect the public.

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Location of the Queens NYC Hit and Run Car AccidentA 78-year-old woman was tragically killed in a hit-and-run accident in Murray Hill, Queens, NYC, after being struck by a gray minivan while crossing Northern Boulevard near Parsons Boulevard on March 14. The driver sped away, leaving her critically injured in the roadway.

Emergency responders rushed the victim, Jung Sook Ung, to New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital, where she later died. Now, the NYPD’s Highway District Collision Investigation Squad and the 109th Precinct in Flushing are searching for the driver responsible.

Hit-and-Run Crashes in NYC: A Growing Concern

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Fatal Queens Car Accident LocationA tragic crash in East Elmhurst, Queens, claimed the life of 23-year-old Justin Diaz after a Mercedes, allegedly driven by an intoxicated FDNY firefighter, sped through a red light and violently T-boned his BMW. The fatal collision, which occurred at 4:15 a.m. at the intersection of 107th St. and Northern Blvd., was caught on surveillance video (see below) and has since led to the arrest of 28-year-old firefighter Michael Pena, who now faces charges including vehicular manslaughter and driving while intoxicated (DWI).

Surveillance Footage Captures High-Speed Impact

Chilling video footage shows Diaz traveling north on 107th St. before entering the intersection, moments before the Mercedes, moving at high speed, plows into his vehicle’s driver’s side. The force of the crash sent both cars spinning across Northern Blvd., with the BMW ultimately slamming into a parked Toyota Sienna.

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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.

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FDNY_Ambulance_048A devastating car accident in Jamaica, Queens, on January 21, 2025, serves as a grim reminder of the dangers on our roads and the potential risks for property owners. A 63-year-old driver lost his life after his Toyota RAV4 collided with 3 garages,  burying a parked Toyota Prius under the rubble.

This tragic incident, which occurred around 5:20 a.m. at 90th Ave. and 143rd St., underscores how quickly a routine drive can turn fatal. For victims and their families, accidents like these often raise questions about fault, liability, and legal recourse.

Details of the Crash

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The recent transformation of 31st Avenue in Astoria, Queens, from a two-way street to a one-way thoroughfare has sparked significant debate among local residents and commuters. Implemented by the city’s Department of Transportation (DOT), this change aims to enhance safety for cyclists by establishing a dedicated bike boulevard along a 1.1-mile stretch from Steinway Street to Vernon Boulevard.

Community Perspectives

Cyclists have expressed appreciation for the redesign, noting an increased sense of security and a greater inclination to use bicycles for daily commutes. Unidirectional traffic simplifies street crossing and reduces potential hazards.

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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.

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location of the Queens drunk driving accidentEarly Sunday morning, a suspected drunk driver caused a head-on collision with an FDNY ladder truck at the intersection of Jamaica Avenue and 115th Street in Richmond Hill, Queens. This incident underscores the severe risks posed by impaired driving, not only to the driver but also to others sharing the road.

Details of the Collision

Jimmy Lealecheverria, a 41-year-old driver from Harrison, New Jersey, was behind the wheel of a white panel van traveling eastbound on Jamaica Avenue when the crash occurred. The van collided with Ladder Co. 143, which was stationary and facing westbound at the time.

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Koscuiuszko bridgeA tragic multi-vehicle collision at the base of the Kosciuszko Bridge on November 21, 2024, claimed the life of a 75-year-old man and left seven others injured, including a 9-year-old girl. This devastating accident highlights the dangers posed by inclement weather, congested roadways, and potential driver negligence.

Details of the Kosciuszko Bridge Crash

The accident occurred on the Brooklyn-bound side of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) near Exit 34, at Meeker and Morgan Avenues, in Maspeth, Queens. Initial reports indicate that a 46-year-old driver operating a pickup truck rear-ended another vehicle, triggering a chain reaction involving four vehicles: a pickup truck, a green “boro taxi,” an SUV, and a sedan.