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.
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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.

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The light pole that crashed on the street in New YorkPersonal injury claims may arise after a serious accident like the one that occurred on the Upper West Side on September 6, 2025, when a traffic light pole came crashing down at the corner of West 81st Street and Central Park West, injuring multiple pedestrians. According to police, four victims were transported to Mount Sinai Morningside in stable condition following the collapse.

Witnesses reported that the accident may have been triggered when the top of a truck struck overhead electrical wires, pulling the pole and traffic light down onto pedestrians below. Bystanders rushed to help the injured, while the truck driver attempted to free his vehicle from the tangled wires.

While the investigation remains ongoing, the central legal question is clear: Who may be held liable when public infrastructure fails or is knocked down in a way that causes injury?

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police car Suffolk CountyTwo 66-year-old women were injured Tuesday afternoon in Huntington, Long Island, NY, when a 2020 Mazda began rolling backward on a sloped driveway. According to Suffolk County Police, the driver was exiting the vehicle when it moved; her arm was run over as she tried to re-enter. The passenger’s leg was also run over while attempting to get out. Both were treated at Huntington Hospital; one injury was described as serious but not life-threatening. Police say the car also rolled through bushes and struck another vehicle. The reason the Mazda moved has not yet been explained.

As New York car accident lawyers, here’s how we analyze an incident like this and the options available to injured passengers.

Key Liability Questions

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Horse and carriage in Central Park New YorkA recent incident in Central Park once again highlighted the dangers of horse-drawn carriages in crowded public spaces. On Labor Day, a horse pulling a carriage bolted from its handler near the Central Park Dairy building, close to the 65th Street Transverse Road. Video footage below shows the animal running uncontrolled, knocking over a traffic sign, and forcing terrified passengers to jump from the moving carriage to avoid serious harm.

Thankfully, reports indicate that the horse was eventually contained and no major injuries were reported. However, the situation raises an important legal question: if someone had been injured, who could be held responsible?

Potential Defendants in a Horse Carriage Accident Case

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ambulance at accident sceneWhen an MTA bus jumped a barrier on the University Avenue Bridge in Morris Heights on Tuesday morning, several passengers and others were injured. The incident, which occurred around 11:30 a.m. near West 181st Street and University Avenue, underscores the legal complexities that follow bus crashes in New York City.

Reports indicate that at least four people suffered minor injuries. While the cause of the accident has not yet been determined, those harmed may have important legal rights. In cases involving public transit, liability can extend to the driver, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, or contractors responsible for maintenance and safety.

Legal Rights of MTA Bus Accident Victims

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Trial Lawyers Ben Rubinowitz and Michael Kelly webinarThe art of jury selection often determines the outcome of a trial, and two of the nation’s most respected trial attorneys—Ben Rubinowitz and Michael Kelly—are breaking down the strategies that win cases.

On September 18, 2025, at 1:30 PM (ET), Trial Lawyers University (TLU) Beach 2025 presents an exclusive Replay Session on Jury Selection, led by Rubinowitz and Kelly. The program is available via Zoom for live participants, with on-demand access for those who cannot attend in real time.

What You’ll Learn

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Patients are at risk of technology hazardsArtificial intelligence is rapidly entering hospitals and clinics, powering devices that interpret imaging scans, assist with diagnoses, and monitor patient health in real time. While these tools hold enormous promise, a new study in JAMA Health Forum warns that many AI-enabled devices are being cleared for use without clinical validation — and those devices are significantly more likely to be recalled.

Why This Matters for Patient Safety

AI is increasingly trusted in critical areas of patient care. When these devices are rushed to market without real-world testing, the risks fall directly on patients:

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Fatal-Queens-IntersectionA tragic accident occurred in Queens on Sunday afternoon when a pedestrian was fatally struck by a vehicle at the intersection of 39th Avenue and 30th Street, according to the NYPD.

What Happened

Police reported that at approximately 12:48 p.m., a 38-year-old woman was walking in the south crosswalk when she was hit by a 2020 Ford Transit van. She was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

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The East RiverThe New York City Police Department is investigating a serious boating accident on the East River that left at least five people injured. The collision, which occurred near the FDR Drive between 23rd and 25th Streets, involved a large party boat known as the Cabana and a private vessel identified as the Let’s Live II. While injuries were reported as minor, the incident raises important legal questions about liability when boats collide on New York waterways.

Who May Be Held Liable in a Boating Accident?

When two vessels collide, determining fault is not always straightforward. Several parties may bear legal responsibility, depending on the facts:

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Hit-and-Run-Injury-in-Lake-RonkonkomaA 13-year-old boy riding his e-bike was left seriously injured after a hit-and-run crash in Lake Ronkonkoma on Tuesday night, adding to the troubling rise in e-bike accidents across Suffolk County. According to Suffolk County police, Travis Wertovitch of Ronkonkoma was struck around 8:30 p.m. while riding north on Hawkins Avenue. A southbound driver in a 2012 white Ford Fusion made a left turn onto School Street and hit him before fleeing the scene.

Wertovitch was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Police later arrested a 47-year-old woman in connection with the crash.

As NY bicycle accident lawyers, we are all too familiar with the devastating consequences of e-bike crashes and hit-and-run collisions. These cases present unique legal challenges that require attorneys with trial experience and a deep understanding of both traffic law and the fast-evolving world of e-bike regulations.