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 Personal Injury

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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.

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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

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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

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St John Episcopal HospitalThe tragic death of 24-year-old Tenisha Evans, a first-time mother who passed away just 15 days after delivering twin boys via C-section at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway, has left her family and community searching for answers—and justice. As New York birth injury lawyers, we know that stories like Tenisha’s are far too common, especially among Black and Brown women in the city.

Her family believes her death may be linked to complications from the cesarean section, yet they say the hospital has not provided any follow-up or explanation. “When she came home from the hospital, nobody reached out,” said her mother, Lynette Williams. “It’s like my other half is gone.”

Now, Tenisha’s newborn sons—Angel and Liam—are being raised by their grandmother as the family navigates unimaginable grief and the uncertainty of what legal options are available.

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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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ambulance at accident sceneA school bus accident in Queens early Monday morning resulted in nearly a dozen people being transported to the hospital, including six children. The incident occurred on the Union Turnpike exit ramp near Winchester Boulevard and Glen Oaks School campus at approximately 7:30 a.m., according to fire officials. While all the victims are expected to recover, the nature of the accident and potential involvement of other vehicles remain under investigation.

Understanding Liability in School Bus Accidents

When a school bus is involved in an accident, multiple factors must be examined to determine liability. In cases like this, where details are still emerging, potential causes could include:

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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.