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Current news articles from New York and New Jersey

This page of our website contains the most recent, ground breaking stories that relate to injury accidents in New York and New Jersey. If you have been injured in a medical malpractice or construction accident, we can help. Contact our office today.

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Auto Accidents

Head on Collision Takes a Life in Queens
Nov 20, 2011
A 37-year-old is dead and several other people are injured after a wrong-way crash in Queens last month. The crash occurred around 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 15 on the service road to the Long Island Expressway.

Accident reports indicate that a Chrysler Sebring was travelling the wrong way on the service road and crashed head-on into a livery cab. The driver of the Sebring reportedly left the scene of the accident on foot.

The 37-year-old victim was a passenger in the livery cab. The victim and the driver of the livery cab were taken to Elmhurst General Hospital. The victim was declared dead on arrival and the driver's condition was unknown. A passenger from the Sebring was also taken to Elmhurt General Hospital and reported to be in stable condition. The identities of the drivers and passengers have not yet been released to the media.

The service road in Maspeth was shut down as police investigated this fatal New York City accident.

We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the person who died in this crash, and we wish the other victims of this New York City head-on collision a fast and complete recovery.
What New Yorkers Can Expect in 2017
Nov 13, 2011
All it takes is one accident to create a nightmare scenario on the current Tappan Zee Bridge. The current bridge connecting Westchester and Rockland Counties is more than 50 years old, and there is concern both about the amount of traffic on it and the structural integrity of it.

Recently, President Obama declared the bridge eligible for fast track funding. Various hearings are being held in the area to determine the best design for a new bridge. Some favor a lower cost bridge that may not include designated lanes for express buses and tracks for commuter rails. Others view the low cost option as short cited and believe that the updated bridge should be built to accommodate mass transit and improve safety. A third option is to build the bridge without the commuter rail but leave room for that to be added in the future.

If an existing plan for a new Tappan Zee Bridge is approved and passed, experts anticipate that it could be viable for about 100 years and it could be ready as early as 2017. Our New York accident lawyers hope that the design that is ultimately chosen is one that promotes safety and helps reduce the number of accidents as people travel over the Hudson.
Four People Injured in Bronx Car Accident
Nov 07, 2011
Two cars collided in the East Tremont section of the Bronx last month, leaving four people injured. This New York City car crash occurred shortly before 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 near the intersection of Marmion Avenue and East 175th Street.

According to accident witnesses, one of the cars went through a stop sign and crashed into the other car. One of the cars then hit a nearby building.

No pedestrians or people inside the building were reported to be injured. However, three people in one of the cars and one person in the other car were injured and were transported to the hospital. Reports of the accident indicate that three people had to be cut out of one of the vehicles and they were all taken to Saint Barnabas Hospital.

Witnesses report that one of the injured women was bleeding from the mouth and a child had a leg stuck in the backseat of the car. None of the four people who were hurt are believed to have sustained life threatening injuries in this Bronx car accident.

Police have not yet told the media the results of their investigation. We wish everyone injured in this New York City car accident a full and fast recovery.
Food Deliveryman Killed in Brooklyn Car Accident
Nov 06, 2011
According to the New York City Police Department (NYPD) a scooter driver was killed in a Brooklyn car accident on Monday October 10, 2011.The 41-year-old scooter driver was working as a Chinese food deliveryman when he was hit by a 2002 Buick around 7 p.m. on Leonard Street in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn.

Reports of this fatal Brooklyn crash indicate that the driver of the scooter stopped his vehicle at the stop sign located at the intersection of Leonard Street and Meserole Avenue. However, it is alleged that the 29-year-old driver of the Buick did not stop and instead crashed into the back of the scooter.

The scooter operator, who has not yet been identified to the media pending notification of his family, was taken to Bellevue Hospital where he died from his accident injuries.

The driver of the Buick as not injured in this crash but was taken into custody by the NYPD for driving while intoxicated. Charges were pending against the driver as of Monday, October 10.

We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the man who died in this Brooklyn car accident. He is remembered by the manager of the restaurant where he worked as nice and hardworking family man.
New Jersey Woman Killed By Distracted Driver
Oct 12, 2011
A 28-year-old Hoboken waitress was struck by an Amcare van and killed on Saturday, September 17, 2011. According to police, the waitress, Irina Alekseeva, was crossing 14th Street in Hoboken, New Jersey around 5:40 a.m. in order to get back to her job at the Malibu Diner.

As Ms. Alekseeva was crossing 14th Street, an Amcare van hit her. Police allege that the 29-year-old driver of the van was distracted at the time of the accident. Specifically, it is alleged that the driver was reaching for a clipboard to record information about an 89-year-old passenger whom he had just picked up.

Witnesses report that the driver seemed to lose control of the van and hit Ms. Alekseeva before driving onto the sidewalk and hitting a light pole and parked cab.

Ms. Alekseeva suffered a severe laceration to her leg and her head. Additionally, she suffered a significant break in her leg. Her injuries are said to have caused her death within an hour of this New Jersey accident.

The van driver and his passenger were both taken to Jersey City Medical Center. There is no report on their condition.

We extend our sincere condolences to the family, friends and coworkers of Irina Alekseeva following this tragic accident.
Young New Jersey Man Dies From Car Accident Injuries
Oct 06, 2011
On March 17, 2011 William Ryan Steidl was hit by a car while jogging in Denville, New Jersey. The 23-year-old Randolph resident suffered significant head injuries in the New Jersey accident, but had made some progress in the months since the crash. Then, at 11 a.m. on Thursday September 15, 2011 Mr. Steidl died from his accident injuries - almost six months to the day after the car accident occurred.

Mr. Steidl's father reports that Mr. Steidl was taken to Meadowlands Hospital on Wednesday September 14, 2011 when it appeared that his head was swollen. He was transferred from Meadowlands Hospital to Overlook Medical Center where he died the next day.

The driver who hit William Ryan Steidl had already been charged with careless driving. It is unclear whether the driver will now face additional charges because of Mr. Steidl's death.

Mr. Steidl is remembered as a wonderful person who was always helping others. He is survived by both of his parents, his younger brother Evan, his grandfather August, and many friends and relatives. We express our sincere condolences to the entire Steidl family and to all those who knew and loved Ryan following his tragic death from New Jersey car accident injuries.
Man Killed in Grand Central Parkway Hit and Run
Oct 06, 2011
A recent hit and run accident on the Grand Central Parkway has cost a 65-year-old man his life. This fatal New York City crash occurred in the early morning hours of Thursday, September 15, 2011.

According to accident investigators, Mr. Jerry Kishun rear-ended another vehicle around 4:30 a.m. near the 82nd Street exit. That accident appeared to be minor. However, when Mr. Kishun got out of the car, presumably to assess the damage and talk to the other driver, he was hit by another vehicle.

The police have told the media that they found Mr. Kishun unresponsive on the road and had him transported to Elmhurst Hospital where he is said to have died from his accident related injuries.

News reports indicate that the police would like to talk to both the driver who was rear-ended in this crash and the driver who allegedly hit Mr. Kishun, as neither driver was at the scene when the police arrived.

We express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Jerry Kishun following this fatal New York accident, and we encourage anyone with any information about this accident to contact the New York Police Department as soon as possible.
City College Student Killed in Brooklyn Crash
Sep 27, 2011
On the morning of September 1, 2011, 21-year-old City College student Karam Rampersaud was riding his motorcycle on Loring Avenue when a Ford Taurus turned in front of him and the bike and car collided. Mr. Rampersaud was allegedly caught underneath the car and dragged for about 30 feet before the driver of the Taurus stopped.

Witnesses report that Mr. Rampersaud was badly hurt by the time the Taurus stopped. The driver of the Taurus was issued a summons for failure to yield.

Rescue workers from the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) and New York City Police Department (NYPD) came to the scene of the accident. Together, the emergency workers began to lift the car off of Mr. Rampersaud.

There is some discrepancy about what happened next. Some witnesses report that the car was accidently dropped on Mr. Rampersaud as the NYPD and FDNY workers were lifting the car. The NYPD and FDNY deny that claim.

While it remains unclear whether the accident injuries or the rescue were the cause of Mr. Rampersaud's death, what is clear is that there is a family grieving the loss of loved one. We extend our sincere condolences to the parents, grandparents, brother, relatives and friends of Karam Rampersaud following this tragic Brooklyn car accident.
New York City Drunk Driving: Leandra’s Law One Year Later
Sep 15, 2011
In 2009, 11-year-old Leandra Rosado was killed by a drunk driver in a one-car crash on the West Side Highway. In 2010, Leandra's Law went into effect and required people convicted of drunk driving in New York City to have an ignition interlock device installed in their car for a minimum of six months or to surrender their licenses.

Now it is 2011 and it has been just about a year since Leandra's Law went into effect. In the first year of the law, 2,562 drivers were convicted of drunk driving. However, only 528 installed ignition interlocks in their vehicles.

Why the Discrepancy?

According to city and state officials, people get around installing the devices by transferring the title of their vehicles to friends or relatives. Then, when they are asked about the ignition interlocks they tell officials that they no longer own vehicles in which they could install such devices.

Failing to install an ignition interlock device, if required, is a criminal misdemeanor that is punishable by up to one year in jail.

State officials remind people that the rate may be low because convicted drunk drivers simply choose to take mass transit in New York City rather than install the devices.

Whatever the reason for the discrepancy, our New York accident lawyers hope that the intent of Leandra's Law, which is to prevent drunk driving fatalities, is upheld and that fewer families have to go through the unimaginable suffering of a loved one's accidental death.
Woman Dies in Scary New York I-95 Truck Accident
Sep 07, 2011
A 62-year-old woman was killed and her 84-year-old mother was injured in a truck accident on I-95 in Westchester County last month. The accident occurred on Tuesday, August 16 when, according to New York State Police, two tires flew off a tractor-trailer truck and crashed into the car driven by Adele Mancuso of Toms River, New Jersey. The crash occurred as the truck was exiting I-95 for I-287 in Port Chester.

Investigators believe that the tractor-trailer may have lost its entire rear axle, with the wheels attached, and that the axle was in the air for approximately 100 yards - going over approximately 3 lanes of southbound traffic - before it crashed onto the roof and windshield of the car driven by Ms. Mancuso in the northbound lane of the interstate. Ms. Mancuso was killed at the accident scene.

Ms. Macuso's mother, Constance Casalina of Larchmont, was treated for minor injuries related to the accident at Stamford Hospital.

The truck driver left the scene of the accident and was located later in the day in New Jersey where he was questioned by police.

We express our sincere condolences to Constance Casalina and to the other relatives and friends of Adele Mancuso following this tragic New York accident.

The Pagan Law Firm has been successful in obtaining outstanding results for their clients throughout New York including:
Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan; and throughout New Jersey including Hudson County, Passaic County, Essex County, as well as Puerto Rico and Hawaii.