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 Wrongful Death

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stepping out of a car on Flatbush Ave is not a good ideaA tragic accident in Downtown Brooklyn late Friday night claimed the life of a 45-year-old woman after she exited a livery cab and stumbled into traffic on Flatbush Avenue near State Street. The fatal crash, which occurred outside the Atlantic Terminal Mall around 11:10 p.m., highlights the dangers pedestrians face when exiting vehicles on busy New York City roadways.

Details of the Fatal Accident

According to police reports, the livery cab had stopped in the middle lane when the woman unexpectedly exited the vehicle. She lost her footing and fell into the right lane, where she was struck by a Chevrolet Malibu driven by a 29-year-old man. Emergency medical responders rushed her to New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, but she did not survive. The driver of the Chevrolet remained at the scene, and no charges have been filed at this time.

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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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Deadly intersection in the Bronx where the MTA Bus killed a cyclistOn the evening of February 25, 2025, a tragic incident occurred in the Bronx involving an MTA bus and a cyclist. At approximately 10:45 p.m., a 57-year-old man was fatally struck by an MTA bus while the vehicle was making a left turn from East 149th Street onto Brook Avenue in the Mott Haven neighborhood. The cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. The 35-year-old bus driver remained at the location and, as per current reports, has not been charged. The NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad is actively investigating the incident.

This unfortunate event underscores the potential dangers that cyclists face on New York City streets, especially when sharing the road with large vehicles like buses. Navigating the complexities of traffic in the Bronx requires both motorists and cyclists to exercise heightened caution to prevent such devastating accidents.

In the aftermath of such incidents, victims and their families often grapple with emotional and financial hardships. Pursuing legal action can be a crucial step in obtaining justice and compensation. Our team of experienced attorneys specializes in handling cases involving MTA bus accidents, cyclist injuries, personal injury claims, and wrongful death lawsuits in the Bronx. We are well-versed in the specific challenges these cases present and are committed to advocating for the rights of victims and their families.

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Deadly Bronx intersectionAs Bronx auto accident lawyers, we are deeply saddened by the tragic incident that occurred on February 24, 2025, at the intersection of East 172nd Street and Metcalf Avenue in the Soundview neighborhood. A 17-year-old male and a 14-year-old female were riding a bike when they collided with a Honda Odyssey minivan operated by a 42-year-old driver. The young male was pronounced dead at NYC Health + Hospitals Jacobi, while the female passenger sustained injuries but is expected to recover. The driver of the van was also seriously and transported to the hospital. No arrests have been made as the investigation continues.

This heartbreaking event underscores the critical importance of understanding the legal complexities surrounding motorcycles and motor vehicle accidents in New York City.

Legal Considerations in Bike-Motor Vehicle Collisions

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the bike lane on Third AvenueAs car accident lawyers practicing in New York City, we have witnessed the unfortunate consequences of traffic collisions and the severe impact they have on individuals, families, and communities. However, recent developments on Third Avenue present a hopeful narrative that underscores a truth we can all rally around: bike lanes make roadways safer for everyone.

The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) recently released data indicating that the installation of a protected bike lane on Third Avenue has resulted in a remarkable 33 percent decrease in total injuries over the past year. Even more striking, injuries to drivers and passengers in vehicles plummeted by 43 percent. These statistics are not merely numbers; they represent lives profoundly affected—or saved—by thoughtful urban planning.

As noted by DOT spokesperson Vin Barone, “DOT’s redesign of Third Avenue has significantly reduced serious injuries—whether you’re walking, biking, or in a car on the corridor.” This statement demonstrates a comprehensive view of roadway safety, one that considers all users rather than prioritizing vehicles alone.

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Accident sceneOn February 4, 2025, a tragic accident occurred on Manhattan’s FDR Drive, resulting in the death of a female driver and injuries to her 26-year-old male passenger. The incident took place around 2:45 a.m. near East 70th Street on the Upper East Side. The Tesla vehicle was reportedly traveling at high speeds when it struck a guardrail, overturned, and caught fire. Both occupants were ejected from the vehicle upon impact. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while the passenger was transported to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell and is expected to recover.

This devastating event underscores the critical importance of adhering to traffic laws and understanding the legal implications of high-speed driving in New York City.

Legal Implications of High-Speed Driving in New York

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A 65-ylocation of the fatal Bronx truck accidentear-old woman was fatally struck by a flatbed truck while crossing Franklin Avenue at East 169th Street in the Bronx on Monday morning. The devastating collision, which occurred just minutes after she visited a local bodega, underscores the persistent dangers pedestrians face on New York City streets—especially in areas with high truck traffic.

Surveillance footage (see video below) revealed that the victim, who used a cane and walked with a limp, was in the crosswalk when the truck began to move forward. As a yellow cab made a turn, the truck—seemingly preparing for a wide right turn—rolled over the woman, pinning her under its front right wheel. Despite frantic efforts from bystanders to alert the driver, the impact proved fatal. Emergency responders rushed the woman to Lincoln Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The 43-year-old truck driver remained at the scene and has not been charged as of now, but police continue to investigate. According to records, the truck has accumulated multiple traffic violations in recent years, including red-light infractions and speeding in a school zone—raising serious concerns about the vehicle’s history and the driver’s responsibility.

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A 95-year-old woman who survived some of history’s most devastating events, including the Nazi occupation of Ukraine, the Chernobyl disaster, and the COVID-19 pandemic, lost her life in a tragic car accident on a Brooklyn street.

Mayya Gil was fatally struck by a cargo van on Cropsey Avenue near her Bensonhurst home while walking with her home health aide on Thursday afternoon. Despite her incredible resilience through decades of hardship, her life was cut short in a preventable traffic collision.location of the deadly Brooklyn Car Accident

The Incident

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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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car-accident-scene-in-Manhattan-scaled-e1735862450680As New York City pedestrian accident lawyers, we have witnessed firsthand the tragic consequences of an increasingly dangerous urban environment for walkers. While the city proudly touts its walkability and its Vision Zero program aimed at reducing traffic fatalities, 2024 saw a troubling surge in pedestrian deaths, highlighting gaps in safety measures that demand immediate attention.

Pedestrian Deaths on the Rise

According to a recent article in the New York Times, City data reveals an 18% increase in pedestrian fatalities in 2024 compared to 2023. This surge comes despite a slight overall decline in traffic deaths. Notable incidents, such as the tragic Christmas Day crash in Midtown that injured six pedestrians, underscore the persistent hazards on New York’s streets.