car accident nyc

Published on: September 13, 2023

Grandmother pushing a stroller fatally struck by reckless pick-up truck driver in Brooklyn, NYC

A grandmother who was pushing her 2-year-old granddaughter in a stroller was fatally struck by the driver of a pickup truck who failed to yield to them. The pedestrian accident occurred yesterday afternoon around 1:00 p.m. at the intersection of Bay 25th Street and Bath Avenue in Brooklyn. The 56-year-old driver of the pick-up truck, identified as Faheem Shabazz, was making a left turn when he struck the grandmother and her goddaughter. He remained at the accident scene and was later charged with failing to yield to a pedestrian. According to How’s my driving, the pick-up truck has a history of recklessness. In the last 9 months, the pick-up truck received 9 violations for a total of $850 in fines. 4 of them were school zone speed camera violations.

The 66-year-old grandmother was transported to the hospital in critical condition but she did not survive. Miraculously her granddaughter survived and was not injured.

In New York City, the Right of Way or Failure to Yield Law was passed in May 2014 to reduce pedestrian fatalities. Under this law drivers who fail to yield to a pedestrian or a cyclist can be subjected to a fine of up to $150 and up to 15 days in jail. While this law and other initiatives such as the lowering of the city speed limit and the installation of speed cameras in school zones have led to a decrease in pedestrian fatalities in the city, large vehicles driven by reckless drivers remain a significant danger for pedestrians. Last year 116 pedestrians died in car accidents in New York City and 8,500 of them were injured. While these numbers are lower than in 2013, before Vision Zero, when 168 pedestrians were killed and 11,978 were injured they are far from the “zero” fatality goal of the Vision Zero program.

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Published on: September 8, 2023

Driver kills grandfather and seriously injures his wife and two grand children at notoriously dangerous curve in Queens, NYC

By GGCRBHS&M

A grandfather was killed and his wife and two grandchildren were seriously injured in a car accident in New York City after a driver lost control of his vehicle and plowed into their parked car. The driver who remained at the scene has so far not been charged.

67-year-old Sam Amorese and his wife were in the process of getting their two young grandchildren, aged 1 and 5, out of their white Honda SUV. They were near their home on 73rd Avenue. Their car was parked in a spot well-known to locals as a danger zone. This area had earned a notorious reputation as the “dead man’s curve.” It was notorious for being a high-risk location due to speeding cars, a concern that residents had repeatedly voiced.

A 39-year-old driver of a Nissan Pathfinder, coming around the corner, slammed into the Amorese family’s parked SUV. The impact was devastating. Witnesses describe the horrifying scene: the baby was ejected from the backseat of the SUV, and Mr. Amorese was pinned between his vehicle and another car.

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Published on: September 5, 2023

4 people died in crashes in New York City in a single day

By GGCRBHS&M

Four lives were lost in three separate collisions in a single day in New York City.

On Sunday, the Staten Island Expressway bore witness to a horrific crash that claimed the lives of two young women, Jianna Pischetola and Gabriella Shammas, both aged just 22. The fiery collision left their Chevrolet Corvette unrecognizable, underscoring the devastating impact of the accident.

Earlier in the day, a motorcyclist lost his life in another tragic incident on Staten Island. The 29-year-old rider collided with a Dodge Ram as the truck was turning left onto 10th Street from New Dorp Lane. The motorcycle attempted to pass the truck on the left side, resulting in a fatal collision. The severity of the head trauma sustained by the rider resulted in his being pronounced dead at the scene.

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Published on: August 11, 2023

E-bike rider killed by hit-and-run driver in the Bronx

By GGCRBHS&M

In the early hours of a Wednesday morning, a man on an electric bike was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver in The Bronx. The impact of the collision led to severe head trauma, ultimately claiming the cyclist’s life.

The streets of New York City have witnessed a tragic surge in cyclist fatalities this year. Yesterday’s accident marks the 21st fatality of the year, making it a grim record within the Vision Zero era. As bicycle accident lawyers, we would like to shed light on the legal complexities surrounding such cases and advocate for safer streets and stricter accountability for drivers.

From a legal standpoint, hit-and-run cases can be particularly challenging. The act of fleeing the scene not only demonstrates a disregard for human life but also creates obstacles for identifying and holding the responsible party accountable. Gathering evidence, such as surveillance footage and eyewitness testimonies, becomes crucial in building a strong case against the driver.

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Published on: August 1, 2023

NYC Crash Fatalities Back to Pre-pandemic Numbers, Except for Cyclist Deaths at a Record High

By GGCRBHS&M

When the total number of crash fatalities during the first semester of 2023 is lower than the previous years, one category of road users, the cyclists, had a record number of fatalities with 14 deaths. Pedestrian fatalities were lower than usual with 41 fatalities. The NYPD also recorded 31 driver fatalities and 16 passenger fatalities for the first semester of 2023.

After two years of an unusually high number of auto accident fatalities in New York City during the first six months of the year, the total number of crash fatalities for the first six months of 2023 was pretty much similar to the levels observed before the Covid19 crisis, oscillating around 100 for the first six months of the year. In 2023, 102 people died in crashes during the first semester compared to 113, 118, 92, 101, 84, 96, 107, 107, 97, and 121 during the semesters of 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, and 2013 respectively.

During the first semester of 2023, 24,535 people were injured in crashes. This number is slightly higher than the two previous years, during which 23,963 and 22,898 people were injured during the first semester of 2022 and 2021, respectively, but still lower than what it was before the pandemic when the number of traffic injuries for the first six months of the year was above 25,000. Among the category of road users, drivers were the most injured with 10,785 injured motor vehicle operators for the first semester, followed by passengers (7,564), pedestrians (4,098), and cyclists (2,088).

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Published on: June 20, 2023

Multiple pedestrian injured by reckless drivers over the weekend including a child

By GGCRBHS&M

As car accident attorneys, we are acutely aware of the devastating consequences of reckless driving in New York City. Indeed, the city’s high population density means that millions of people and vehicles share limited road space, leading to increased risks associated with reckless driving. This congestion heightens the likelihood of collisions and resulting injuries. Furthermore, New York City boasts a complex network of streets, intersections, and areas with heavy pedestrian traffic, underscoring the importance of drivers exercising caution and adhering to traffic laws. Reckless driving behaviors such as speeding, running red lights, aggressive maneuvers, and failure to yield to pedestrians can have dire consequences in such an urban environment. Additionally, the presence of vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists, further elevates the potential for severe injuries or even fatalities when reckless driving occurs.

Over the past weekend, several people were injured, and significant property damage occurred due to reckless driving.

A 6-year-old boy in East Harlem Park was critically injured when he was struck by a moped-like vehicle, which then fled the scene. The incident occurred at around 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, causing severe head trauma to the child. The suspect initially stayed but fled before the police arrived. The vehicle was described as similar to a moped, and it was last seen heading northbound in the park. This hit-and-run occurred just before the city’s plan to lift a ban on e-bikes and scooters in parks as part of a yearlong pilot program, which excludes faster, heavier mopeds. The pilot program will allow e-bikes and scooters under 100 pounds to operate on park drives and greenways but not on pedestrian paths. The Parks Department emphasizes maintaining rules against reckless behavior throughout the pilot period, which starts on Tuesday and ends on May 31, 2024.

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Published on: May 30, 2023

14 people injured after reckless drivers collides with MTA bus at dangerous intersection with no traffic lights

By GGCRBHS&M

Reckless driving continues to pose a significant risk to public safety in New York City, with recent incidents serving as alarming reminders of the consequences of irresponsible behavior behind the wheel. One such incident occurred at the intersection of Essex St. and New Lots Ave. in East New York, where an unlicensed driver triggered a chain-reaction crash involving an MTA bus, injuring 14 people, including the passenger of the unlicensed driver, who remains hospitalized in critical condition.

In addition to addressing the issue of reckless driving, it is essential to examine the dangerous conditions of intersections lacking traffic lights, which contribute to the heightened risk

At the aforementioned intersection, the collision occurred due to the reckless actions of an unlicensed driver. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that the absence of traffic lights and reliance solely on stop signs exacerbates the dangers present at this location. Intersections without traffic lights demand heightened caution and adherence to traffic rules from all road users, as they rely on visual cues to determine right-of-way. Without clear signals, accidents become more likely, particularly when combined with reckless driving behaviors. The intersection of Essex and New Lots Avenue has a history of crashes. Over the last three years, between April 2020 and April 2023, 11 crashes occurred at this dangerous intersection, and six people suffered injuries as a result of these accidents. The illustration from Crash Mapper on the left shows that New Lots Avenue is a dangerous street and also clearly indicates that the intersection with Essex Street has a higher risk of accidents than any other intersection on the same Avenue.

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Published on: May 23, 2023

Two recent traffic accidents in the vicinity of JFK Airport raise concerns about street safety during the major airport overhaul

By GGCRBHS&M

Last week 15 people were injured in a bus accident and a teenager was killed when the car she was in collided with a truck. Both accidents took place near JFK Airport, which is currently undergoing a major makeover. The aim of this $19 billion project is to rejuvenate the airport by providing modern facilities and improved terminals. However, this extensive renovation comes at a cost: roadways are being torn up and closed, resulting in significant traffic disruptions that are projected to last for several years. Consequently, various modes of transportation, including driving, public transit, taxis, and ride-hailing services, will be affected, potentially causing substantial congestion, delays, and safety concerns.

Last Friday a collision occurred between a Delta Airlines bus and a commuter van on the Van Wyck Expressway, resulting in 15 injuries. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by commuters in and around JFK Airport and southeast Queens. Local leaders, such as Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, have been advocating for clearer signs, speed warnings, and overall safer street designs as part of the JFK Airport overhaul. Additionally, Richards highlighted the peril of driving on North and South Conduit Avenue, where a 14-year-old girl was killed in a car accident just two days prior. The accident took place on North Conduit Avenue near 160th Street. The 14-year-old was a passenger in a BMW driven by a 16-year-old driver. The young driver, who was not supposed to be driving alone, lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a UPS truck, resulting in the death of his passenger and friend.

As predicted by Frommers, commuting to JFK airport, is currently and will continue to be a nightmare for years to come.

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Published on: May 10, 2023

NYC cyclist fatalities at record high during the first quarter of 2021

By GGCRBHS&M

A total of 11,176 people were injured in NYC crashes during the first quarter of 2023 according to monthly statistics from the NYPD including 809 cyclists, 2,163 pedestrians, 3,310 passengers and 4,894 motorists. This is compared to 10,501, 8,984, 12,997, 12,920, 12,608, 11,936, 10,805, and 11,676 during Q1 of 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013 respectively. The number of people injured in traffic accidents during Q1 of each year shows how injuries first declined after Vision Zero started in 2014 and 2015, compared to 2013, and then jumped again in 2016. The number gradually increased to pass 12,000 in 2017 and reach a record high of 12,997 in 2019 due to the increase in distracted driving accidents caused by cellphones and other electronic devices. Crash injuries dropped again in Q1 of 2020 and 2021 due to the decline in activity in the city caused by the pandemic, and gradually increased again in Q1 of 2022 and 2023 as the city gradually became more active again.

Since Vision Zero started in 2014, the number of people dying in car accidents during the first quarter of the year has never gone back to 69, the number of crash fatalities reached during Q1 2013. However, after Vision Zero started, traffic fatalities reached a record high at 58 during the first quarter of last year and remained high during the first quarter of this year with 47 fatalities.

While the number of passenger fatalities dropped significantly from 17 to 6, the number of bicyclist fatalities reached a record high during the first three months of the year. The warm winter, the increased popularity of e-bikes, as well as the more intense truck traffic generated by internet shoppers, are among the factors that contributed to this explosion of fatalities among cyclists.

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Published on: May 2, 2023

The carnage continues with two pedestrians killed and one critically injured in NYC crashes over the weekend

By GGCRBHS&M

The recent string of pedestrian accidents in Queens and Manhattan over the last week-end is deeply concerning as it seems that every week-end in New York City a few more people are getting killed in traffic accidents. Our pedestrian accident lawyers are not the only one to express concerns about the increased number of traffic deaths in New York City. In a recent column for the New York Times, Ginia Bellafante point fingers at the increased number of traffic fatalities in the city and highlights the dangers of Atlantic Avenue. Confirming these concerns, Transportation Alternatives just released today its quarterly traffic fatalities report showing 51 people died in traffic accidents during Q1 including a record 9 bicyclists.

Last weekend’s carnage

The first accident involved a hit-and-run driver who struck and killed Darryl Younger, a Department of Education employee who was on his way to work as a school lunch loader and handler. The driver who struck him was traveling south on Jackson Ave. and is still being sought by police.

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