From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Brooklyn Accident Attorney)

On Thursday April 29, 2010 at 10:00 AM a house fire was detected at the Heitman home in Buffalo New York. One year-old Nova Heitman was napping in the house, while her father was outside working on a car.

Neighbors tried to rescue the child but were prevented by thick smoke. Buffalo firefighters made an heroic effort and were able to battle through the smoke and get to the baby. She was taken to a local hospital - Erie County Medical Center - where she was declared dead.

Authorities have not yet confirmed if the fire was accidental; the cause of the fire is under investigation.

From:New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Brooklyn Injury Attorney)

(1) This is bad.

(2) This will hurt.

(3) Please car, don't hit me.

(4) No doubt that the truck will steer away, right?

(5) I hope I remembered to wear a helmet.

(6) I should have bought the more expensive health insurance.

(7) Beautiful weather; nice bike ride until now.

(8) I should have taken the car.

(9) Stuff like this doesn't happen to me.

(10) This is just a dream, "wake up, wake up."


Visit my website for helpful tips from a bicycle accident lawyer to follow when you are in an accident. You can learn more about how to handle serious personal injury from a bike crash accident in Brooklyn, or any part of New York City, by calling me at 718-520-8787.

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Queens Accident Lawyer)

Traffic accidents refer to an automobile striking a human (or a bicycle) or animal or another vehicle or car, truck or bus. According to the World Health Organization, motor vehicle accidents kill an estimated 1.2 million people worldwide each year, and injure about forty times that number. Driving is far more dangerous than sailing or even flying. Accidents may occur at any place and at any time to anyone, even at the most unlikely of moments.

Imagine a car accident. In every crash or collision there may be several parties involved, but there is only one bottom line, everyone gets hurt one way or another. The injury can be small, large, physical or serious personal injury, emotional, or material, but still, there would be damage.

Let us say you were fortunate, and after an accident you were the one who had the least severe injuries and damages. You may have minimal, or no, physical pain and discomfort. But the damages in a motor vehicle accident may extend farther than just that. The psychological effects that a car accident brings to an accident victim can vary from just experiencing mild depression to a more severe emotional trauma.

Depression is a state of mind influenced by several factors, including prolonged stress at work or at home, separation from an important person, or loss of a loved one. Negative thoughts and events can affect a person's state of mind, and can hurt their health as well. Depression from traffic collisions or car accidents can trigger an emotional state of intense sadness. In a major depressive disorder an accident victim may feel melancholy or despair that has advanced to the point of disrupting that person's daily activities and social functioning. Flashbacks to the event that has transpired may cause feelings of sadness and increase the depth of a person's depression.

A traumatic event like a car accident can dish out more distress for one person than for another -- to an extent that could change a person's life.

Recovering from depression can be affected by the traumatic event, in this case a car accident. The more difficult and stressful the ordeal of the accident, the more depressed a person becomes. For example, if a family member is in a coma for several days from a car accident, it would prolong the state of depression of his/her other relatives as well.

Car accidents do happen everyday, and it may happen to anyone you know. Keeping safety first, fastening seat belts, and having extra precautions on the road are little things help in preventing vehicular crashes. As far as we know, depression often goes along with sadness, and by preventing accidents, one may also help prevent the feeling of depression.

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Queens Injury Lawyer)

This one from way out of town.

Brazilian housewife Pamela de Souza Costa celebrated her 24^th birthday on Friday April 16, 2010 by getting drunk. All good, until she decided to drive home and had an accident.

Costa lost control of her car and struck Silmara Rodrigues and her 8 year-old daughter, Raisa, crushing them into a wall. Raisa was killed; Silmara lost her unborn child and suffered a crushed and fractured leg, which may have to be amputated.

This all took place in the town of Macae, 160km northeast of Rio de Janeiro.

After the impact and accident Costa tried to drive away, struck a pole, and was chased down by a horde of angry locals. They surrounded her and pulled her from her vehicle. One person shot Costa five times and fled the scene.

Costa also in the neighborhood; she was a mother of three. She was buried on Saturday.

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Queens Accident Attorney)

Monday April 26, 2010-a rainy day. At 4:30 A.M. New York City Transit supervisor James Knell, age 45, was working with a crew on a subway station rehabilitation project, at the Beach 90th Street Station in Rockaway Beach, Queens.

Knell slipped on a wet piece of subway track and fell onto the electrified third rail of the elevated A line tracks. He died from his electrocution injury.

John Samuelson, president of Transport Workers Union Local 100 who said he had worked together with Knell in the past, says that no transit worker should be near a third rail while it rained. "Nobody should be working near a live third rail while its raining or wet. You can clearly be killed," he said.

According to a senior New York City Transit official, the third rail was turned off during the work. It was then energized at the end of the job to run a test train. Knell then went back on the tracks to retrieve a bucket. It was wet, and he slipped and fell onto the third rail, a freakish accident..

While Knell's death has been ruled an accident, the NYC Transit Authority and police are nvestigating.

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Queens Injury Attorney)

FOR PROTECTION AGAINST INJURY, WEAR THE RIGHT SHOES, GLOVES AND CLOTHING.

Thick, protective garb not only provides comfort against the elements, but also may be all there is between you and the pavement in the event of an accident.

Studies show that the head, arms and legs are most often hurt in a motorcycle crash. Protective clothing and equipment serve a three-fold purpose for motorcyclists: comfort and protection from the elements; some measure of injury protection; and through use of color or reflective material, a means for other motorists to see the motorcyclist and prevent an accident.

Helmet: This is the most important piece of equipment. In New York State, use of a helmet is required. Passengers should also wear a helmet. Safety helmets save lives by absorbing the impact of head injury in the event your motorcycle goes down. Make sure your helmet fits comfortably and snugly, and is fastened while you ride. In choosing a helmet, look for the DOT (Department of Transportation) label on the helmet. The DOT label on helmets is the manufacturer's certification that the helmet conforms to Federal law. Helmets come in different styles, varying the amount of face coverage. Some riders prefer the smallest helmet, which leaves the ears exposed. A full-face helmet covers the head and jaw and offers maximum protection against face and jaw injury in event of an accident.

A consumer information brochure about motorcycle safety is available on-line from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Eye Protection: Since many motorcycles don't have windshields, riders must protect their eyes against insects, dirt, rocks or other airborne matter - even at night. Even the wind can cause the eyes to tear and blur vision, and good vision is imperative to avoid an accident when riding. Choose good quality goggles, glasses with plastic or safety lenses, or a helmet equipped with a face shield. Goggles, glasses, and face shields should be scratch free, shatter proof, and well ventilated to prevent fog buildup. Only clear shields should be used at night since tinted shields reduce contrast and make it more difficult to see. Even if your motorcycle has a windshield, eye protection is recommended. Some motorcycle-approved eyewear is available in prescription.

Jackets and Trousers: Clothing worn when riding a motorcycle should provide some measure of protection from "road rash" in the event of an accident or fall. Clothes should be of durable material (i.e., special synthetic material or leather). Jackets should have long sleeves. Trousers should not be baggy or flared at the bottom to prevent entanglement with the chain, kick starter, foot- pegs, or other protrusions on the sides of a motorcycle. Also, long pants reduce the possibility of suffering a leg burn injury on a hot exhaust pipe. Do not wear shorts.

Gloves: Gloves should be of the non-slip type to permit a firm grip on the controls. Leather gloves are excellent, as are special fabric gloves with leather palms and grip strips on the fingers. Gauntlet-type gloves keep air out of the rider's sleeves. Appropriate gloves are available for all types of weather.

Footwear: Proper footwear affords protection for the feet, ankles, and lower parts of the legs in case of an accident. Leather boots are best. Durable athletic shoes that cover the ankles are a good second choice. Sandals, sneakers, and similar footwear should not be used since they provide little protection from abrasion or a crushing impact. Don't even THINK of wearing little flippy-flops. Beware of synthetic soles that can melt on a hot exhaust pipe. Avoid dangling laces that can get caught.

Note: Upper body clothing should be brightly colored. Some riders wear lightweight reflective orange or yellow vests over their jackets. Retro-reflective material used on clothing, helmet, and the motorcycle helps to make the rider visible to other motorists, especially at night. A high percentage of car-vehicle accidents occur because the driver of the other vehicle failed to see the rider in time to avoid the crash.

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Brooklyn Accident Lawyer)

The increase in motorcycle deaths due to accidents is staggering. Between 1997 and 2007, the number of motorcycle deaths has more than doubled. As a matter of fact, in 2007, there were 5,037 deaths reported.

Motorcycle accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, from the negligence of other drivers to bad road conditions. However, there is another major cause of motorcycle accidents. Reports have identified improper braking as a prevalent cause of motorcycle accidents.

As most motorcyclists know, the braking systems on motorcycles are dramatically different from the braking systems found on cars. Motorcycles generally contain separate controls for the front and rear brakes that require the driver to determine how much pressure to apply on each control when braking.

Too much pressure on either of these controls can cause the wheels on the motorcycle to become locked, leading to an accident. This is commonly found with less experienced drivers having to make a quick decision.

When the wheels become locked, the motorcycle can become unstable, leading to serious personal injury. As you know, the list of possible injuries suffered in motorcycle accidents is extensive. The accident can be life-altering and lead to paralysis and even death.

Remember: If you or someone you know has been hurt or injured in a motorcycle accident, you should contact an experienced New York - Brooklyn and Queens - accident and injury attorney.

Motorcyclists are 30 times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident.

According the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclist are over 30 times more likely to suffer a fatal motor vehicle accident than those in a passenger vehicle. Even what would normally be considered a "fender bender" for a passenger vehicle could be devastating accident for a motorcycle rider.

Motorcycles are easily lost in the blind spots of passenger vehicles. Likewise, those on motorcycles should never assume that another vehicle sees them. Those riders and drivers who are cautious in traffic are less likely to be involved in an accident and avoid serious injury. We must share our roads with all types of vehicles so stay alert and avoid becoming a statistic.

If you or someone you know has been hurt or injured in a motorcycle accident, please contact an experienced New York personal injury lawyer.

From:New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Brooklyn Injury Lawyer)

On Wednesday April 28, 2010 at 9:30 A.M. 18-year-old bicycle rider Jake McDonaugh was struck by a minivan near the intersection of Flatbush Avenue and Beverly Road, in Brooklyn. His bicycle got stuck under the van and the rider was dragged some 50 yards to his death. McDonaugh, a Brooklyn resident, was pronounced dead at the accident scene.

Van driver Michael Oxley, age 29, was arrested and charged with criminally negligent homicide in violation of New York law for passing a slower car and running a red light before striking McDonaugh. Police say he Oxley did not have a valid driver's license at the time of the accident.

Such behavior is a typical of a dangerous "highway mindset" that overcomes many motorists on Flatbush Avenue. Bicycle transportation advocates are calling for a marked bicycle lane on Flatbush Avenue.

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Brooklyn Accident Attorney)

What are the causes of motorcycle accidents? Typically, lack of basic riding experience and skills, rider's failure to handle a powerful motorcycle, failure of a rider to understand that bikes can be unstable at slow speeds, refusal to wear protective gear (proper clothing and eye protection increase riding comfort and can reduce the occurrence of serious personal injury in the event of a crash), and failure to drive defensively.

Motorcycle accident prevention requires care and specific braking and cornering skills

About 50% fatal single-vehicle motorcycle crashes involve drinking and riding. Operating a motorcycle while under the influence of alcohol limits an operator's ability to ride safely.

Motorcycles require more skill and coordination to operate than cars. It is estimated that 33% of riders killed in crashes with cars, trucks or buses, are not licensed or just have an automobile driver's license without license to operate a bike. By riding without a motorcycle license, riders are bypassing the only method they and state licensing agencies have to ensure they have the knowledge and skill needed to safely and skillfully operate a motorcycle.

Select a motorcycle that fits. A motorcyclist should be able to touch the ground with both feet when astride the vehicle. If you will be carrying a passenger, make sure the motorcycle you select has a passenger seat as well as footrests (footpegs) for the passenger.

Check the location of the controls. Make sure you can reach and operate them easily and comfort

Functional Requirements: Buy the power you need, but only as much as you can handle safely. Large motorcycles are heavy, and you must be strong enough to push it, or pick it up if it falls over. But smaller bikes (e.g., a 125cc machine) may not have the speed, performance and ride you'll need if you plan to travel long distances.

Consider the primary use of your bike. Don't buy a "trail" bike for highway use. Similarly, don't buy a "highway" bike if most of your riding will be off -road. Some motorcycles are built especially for trail use, with special tires and suspension. Other motorcycles have special characteristics for highway use, such as tires designed to grip pavement, and more powerful braking systems. If you have dual requirements, combination cycles are available that make a compromise between road and trail riding.

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Queens Accident Lawyer)

There are over 4 million motorcycles registered in the United States. Motorcycles are popular for several reasons. They can be inexpensive to buy, get good gas mileage, and let the rider "feel" the outdoors. Motorcycle accidents lead to death in abut five out of every 100 fatal highway crashes, yet just 2% of vehicles registered in the United States are motorcycles.

The primary reason motorcycle accidents tend to lead to serious personal injury and death is that the motorcycle itself offers virtually no crash protection. By way of example, approximately 80% reported motorcycle crashes result in injury or death; automobile accidents tend to lead to death about 20% of the time.

A car, truck or bus weighs more and is larger than a motorcycle. They have door beams and roofs to provide protection from rollovers or crashes. Cars and trucks have airbags to lessen the effect of a crash, and lap and shoulder belts to keep passengers from bouncing around the insides of their vehicles. Windshield wipers and washers help with visibility in bad weather - a motorcyclist riding in the rain or snow may have impaired vision.

Cars, trucks and buses have four or more tires, giving them greater stability and, because of their size, they tend to be more visible to other traffic. A motorcycle suffers in comparison when considering vehicle characteristics that directly affect the safety of passengers or the driver. What a motorcycle gives up in weight, bulk, and other crashworthiness characteristics is somewhat offset by its agility, maneuverability, ability to stop quickly, and ability to swerve quickly when necessary.

A rider should attend a motorcycle safety to learn how to safely and skillfully operate a motorcycle and avoid an accident. For more information, contact the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

Intersections can be particularly hazardous, as that is where most motorcycle versus car/truck collisions take place. Motorcyclists have especially to watch for vehicles turning left in front of them.

Visibility is critical on a motorcycle; reflective gear should be worn, and reflective stickers placed on the helmet. And yes, motorcycle riders should always wear a Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) approved helmet, even in States that don't require a rider to wear a helmet.

Don't ride in next to a car's side mirror, its "blind spot." Riders have to scan ahead and anticipate other vehicles' actions. For example, cars exiting driveways may not see you. Motorcyclists must be extra careful in bad weather, on slippery surfaces - such as metal road plates - or when approaching obstacles on the roadway.

TO BE CONTINUED -- NEXT: CAUSES OF MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS

From:New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn¹ Queens Bronx; Brooklyn Accident Attorney)

On Sunday April 18, 2010 at 4:00 AM a Brooklyn man suffered serious personal injury after a hit-and-run driver struck him on Calyer Street between McGuinness Boulevard and Newel Street, in Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighborhood.

Accident victim Neil Chamberlain, age 28, a freelance Web designer, is in critical condition in New York City's Bellevue Hospital.

Police do not have a description of the car, which was traveling eastbound on Calyer Street at the time of the accident.

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^{1Serving Brooklyn neighborhoods of: Bath Beach, Bay Ridge, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Bensonhurst, Bergen Beach, Boerum Hill, Borough Park, Brighton Beach, Broadway Junction, Brooklyn Heights, Brownsville, Bushwick, Canarsie, Carroll Gardens, City Line, Clinton Hill, Cobble Hill, Coney Island, Crown Heights, Cypress Hills, Ditmas Park, Downtown Brooklyn, DUMBO, Dyker Heights, East Flatbush, East New York, Flatbush, Flatlands, Fort Greene, Fort Hamilton, Fulton Ferry, Georgetown, Gerritsen Beach, Gowanus, Gravesend, Greenpoint, Highland Park, Homecrest, Kensington, Manhattan Beach, Marine Park, Midwood, Mill Basin, New Lots, Ocean Hill, Ocean Parkway, Paerdegat Basin, Park Slope, Plum Beach, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Prospect Park South, Red Hook, Remsen Village, Rugby, Sea Gate, Sheepshead Bay, Spring Creek, Sunset Park, Vinegar Hill, Williamsburg, Windsor Terrace and Wingate.}

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens¹ Bronx; Queens Injury Lawyer)

Toyota announced the recall of 600,000 Sienna minivans, from model years 1998-2010. It believes that the vans, when frequently driven in cold weather States, could pick up road salt put down after snow falls. This road salt can cause the van's (underneath) spare tire carrier cable to corrode. The corroded cable can break, causing the spare tire to drop onto the road - and a spare tire dropped onto a road by a moving van presents a hazard to other vehicles, with risk of accident and serious personal injury.

Toyota advised that it is trying to fix the problem. Meanwhile, customers are being sent notices telling them to bring their van to a dealer for inspection.

The government says it has received six complaints involving spare tires falling off Siennas; no accidents have been reported.

The recall involves two-wheel-drive Sienna minivans in the District of Columbia and 20 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin and West Virginia.

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^{1Serving Queens neighborhoods of: Arverne, Astoria, Auburndale, Bayside, Beechhurst, Bellaire, Belle Harbor, Bellerose, Blissville, Breezy Point, Briarwood, Broad Channel, Cambria Heights, College Point, Corona, Douglaston, East Elmhurst, Edgemere, Elmhurst, Far Rockaway, Flushing, Forest Hills, Fresh Meadows, Fresh Pond, Glen Oaks, Glendale, Hillcrest, Hollis, Holliswood, Howard Beach, Hunters Point, Jackson Heights, Jamaica, Jamaica Estates, Jamaica Hills, Kew Gardens, Laurelton, Lefrak City, Linden Hill, Lindenwood, Little Neck, Long Island City, Malba, Maspeth, Middle Village, Murray Hill, Neponsit, Oakland Gardens, Ozone Park, Pomonok, Queens Village, Queensboro Hill, Rego Park, Richmond Hill, Ridgewood, Rockaway Park, Rockaway Point, Rosedale, Saint Albans, Seaside, South Jamaica, South Ozone Park, Springfield Gardens, Steinway, Sunnyside, Utopia, Wave Crest, Whitestone, Woodhaven and Woodside.}

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Queens Accident Attorney)

When: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 @ 10:45PM

Where: Southbound Whitestone Expressway at Linden Place, in Queens, New York

What and Who: Harley Greenfield, age 65, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and a founder, of Jennifer Convertibles, a Long Island, New York-based furniture company, allegedly ran down and killed Mohammed Rohman, age 45.

Rohman, worked as a security guard for Summit Security and was posted at a nearby Metropolitan Transit Authority bus depot in College Point, Queens. He was taking a meal break and was walking to a local Burger King when he was hit; he died at the accident scene from his injuries.

Greenfield, an Upper East Side resident, was driving a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt; its windshield and front end sustained damage from the accident and impact with Rohman.  Allegedly, he had "slurred speech and glassy eyes" and admitted to drinking one glass of vodka and a glass of wine, according to prosecutors.

At the scene of the accident, Greenfield was given a portable Breathalyzer test. After he was taken into custody at the 109th Precinct, he refused to take an official Breathalyzer test and a warrant was obtained to take his blood and test its alcohol level.

Greenfield was charged with operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol. Presumably, vehicular homicide charges are in Greenfield's immediate future.

Regarding the accident, Greenfield was quoted as saying to police,"I was in the left lane changing lanes, when I hit something, but I didn't know what I hit."

From:  New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Brooklyn Injury Attorney)

In a fatal accident, on Wednesday April 14, 2010 at 9:30 AM a Brooklyn bicycle rider, Jake McDonaugh, was struck by a speeding van on Flatbush Avenue, near Beverly Road, in Brooklyn. He was thrown down from his bicycle, sucked under the van, and dragged.

Witnesses and bystanders tried to lift the van off the injured young man.

The cyclist died at the scene from his injuries. Reportedly, he was wearing a helmet.

Van driver Michael Oxley, age 28, allegedly ran a red light and did not have a driver's license. He has been charged with criminally negligent homicide, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, driving through a red light and speeding.

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Other bicyclists were injured by vehicles in accidents on New York City roads on Wednesday.A second accident involved a bicyclist riding on Linden Boulevard at the corner of Schenck Avenue, in Brooklyn. He was hit by a Toyota Camry and taken to Brookdale Hospital in Brooklyn with critical injuries.

A third bicyclist was struck on 24th Street and Lexington Avenue, in Manhattan, Wednesday morning. He was taken to Bellevue Hospital with assorted injuries from his accident.

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Queens Injury Attorney)

This tragic accident took place on Tuesday April 13, 2010, at 5:15 PM, in Verona, upstate New York.

Leon Jason, age 39, and his wife Sherry, age 37, of Oneida, New York, were riding their Kawasaki motorcycle when - unable to stop - they struck a lowered railroad train track warning gate. The impact propelled them off the bike and into the side of a passing freight train. Their injuries proved fatal; both were declared dead at the accident scene.

The Jasons are survived by five school-aged children.

Authorities say the freight train's crew wasn't aware of the accident and didn't find out about the accident until the train was stopped 10 miles from the scene.

New York State police are investigating this double-fatal accident.

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Queens Injury Attorney)

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada announced a voluntary recall of Gund Baby Paperboard Books.

About 15,100 books have been sold in the United States and about 865 in Canada. The books are imported by Gund, of Edison, New Jersey, and manufactured in China.

Hazard: The styrofoam used to fill the book binding can detach, posing risk of accidental choking to infants and young children.

No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves three miniature children's paperboard books with plastic handles designed as baby rattles. They include "Animals" (item number 059174), "Numbers" (item number 059175) and "Colors" (item number 059176). The books were also sold as a three-book set (item number 059173). The name "Gund" and the item number are located on the back of the books. The books measure 4 1/2 inches by 7 inches.

Sold at: Gift and specialty stores nationwide from January 2009 through March 2010 for about $8 and $20 for the set.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the books away from young children and contact Gund for a free replacement product.

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Brooklyn Accident Lawyer)

Monday April 12, 2010 at 4:30 AM a hit-and-run driver struck a Ford Taurus in Brooklyn, causing it to burst into flame. Burned alive in this accident was Felix Geiman, age 62. The crash occurred at 65th Street and 21st Avenue in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.

The burnt body was only found after firefighters put out the flames that engulfed the car and two others and threatened to ignite several surrounding homes.

Police are searching for the driver of the other vehicle, who may face criminal charges fro this accident.

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Brooklyn Injury Lawyer)

On Saturday April 10, 2010 Harry Martinez, a student at York College in Jamaica, Queens, came home at about 9:00 AM after a night out. Crooks trying to rob him chased him to the roof of his apartment building in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

Martinez, age 20, was able to call police from his cell phone, but fell to the sidewalk below before help could arrive.

It is unclear if his fall was an accident or if he was pushed.

His injuries are serious; he is in a coma in a Brooklyn-area hospital, his condition is listed as critical.

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Brooklyn Accident Attorney)

The number of motorcycle accidents resulting in death is on the rise. The number of motorcycle deaths more than doubled between 1997 and 2007. Accidental motorcycle deaths numbered 5037 in year 2007.

Various factors lead to motorcycle accidents, from bad road conditions to the negligence of other drivers. But a new cause of motorcycle accidents has been making the news as of late - improper braking has been identified as a leading cause of motorcycle accidents.

For the very first time they get on their bike, motorcycle riders know that the brakes on a motorcycle operate far differently from the brakes on a car, truck or bus.

Motorcycles carry separate hand-operated controls for the front and rear brakes. The rider squeezes a lever to initiate braking; thiss require the rider to gauge how much pressure to apply to - or how hard to squeeze - each lever to slow down the vehicle.

Hit the brakes on a motorcycle too hard and you can have an accident, go down on the bike, and get hurt. Why? Because hitting the brakes too hard can lock the wheels, causing the bike to lose stability and drop. Thus, when wheels become locked, motorcycles can become unstable, leading to accidents.

This type of accident is more common with less experienced riders, who sometimes have to make quick braking decision and may not be well acquainted with their bikes. This can occur even if the bike is a "soft body" style, with shocks to dampen bumps on the road as well as sudden braking, which nonetheless can cause the bike to dip hazardously, or fall down.

As all motorcycle riders know, long, indeed, is the list of possible serious personal injuries that can be suffered in motorcycle accidents. Motorcycle accidents can lead to amputation, paralysis, or even death.

If you or someone you know in Brooklyn, Queens or anywhere in the New York City metropolitan area has been injured in a motorcycle accident, you should contact an experienced New York City motorcycle accident attorney.

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Brooklyn Injury Attorney)

The Consumer Products Safety Commission announced recall of Hyland Bicycles and Carbon Bicycle Forks imported by Civia Cycles, of Bloomington, Minnesota and manufactured in Taiwan.

About 800 pieces have been sold. The bicycle front fork can crack or break, causing the bicycle to crash and cause an accident and possible personal injury.

Incidents/Injuries: Civia Cycles has received two reports of forks cracking and one report of a fork breaking and causing an accident resulting in an abrasion injury to the face and bruised ribs.

Description: The recall is of all Civia Hyland bicycles sold with original equipment carbon fiber forks and all Civia Carbon forks sold as aftermarket products. The forks are black and have the word "Civia" forged into the fork dropout.

Sold by: Specialty bicycle retailers nationwide from April 2008 through February 2010 for between $1,675 and $3,500 for Civia Hyland complete bicycles and for about $195 for Civia Carbon forks.

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Queens Accident Lawyer)

On Wednesday, April 7, 2010 about 3:30 in the afternoon, Daniel Ronk, age 19, was speeding in his Geo Tracker near the city of Kerhonkson, New York State. The car entered a curve in the road, left the roadway and hit a tree.

Ronk was killed, as was back-seat passenger Michael Flynn, age 22, who was not wearing a seatbelt and was thrown from the car. The young men were pronounced dead at the accident scene.

Front-seat passenger Shane Avery, age 24, suffered serious personal injury. He was flown by helicopter to Westchester Medical Center, where he was reported in critical condition.

According to New York State police, all accident victims are from the Ulster County community of Kerhonkson.

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Queens Injury Lawyer)

On Wednesday April 7, 2010 at around 6:00 PM, a Long Island woman, Barbara Ryan, age 44, and her 11 year-old daughter suffered serious personal injury in an accident with a tractor trailer.

The accident took place at the intersection of Central Park Avenue and Hicksville Road in Bethpage, Long Island, New York.

According to authorities, the northbound tractor trailer truck ran a red light and crushed Barbara Ryan's 2006 Pontiac, as Ryan was turning left onto Hicksville Road. Mother and daughter were rushed to a local hospital to treat for their injuries, but they died there.

Reportedly, several other cars were also involved in teh accident.

Nearby resident Eileen Casper reported that her house - about 100 feet from the intersection - vibrated from the impact of the accident. She stated that the intersection was dangerous, with cars and trucks often running red and yellow lights and causing accidents and personal injury.

No word yet if charges will be filed against the driver of the tractor trailer truck.

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Queens Accident Attorney)

This accident is out of upstate New York.

On Wednesday April 7, 2010 at 4:30 AM, the tail end of a dump truck struck a bridge over the New York State Thruway, east of the city of Rochester. Two other cars slammed into the wreck and became part of the accident, seriously injuring five adults and 12 children.

Police say the bed of the dump trunk lifted while it was driving past the bridge, ripping off the bed and flinging it into lanes of moving traffic.

A van carrying two adults and eight children, driven by Max Itzkowitz, age 47 of Brooklyn, struck the detached bed of the dump truck. A second vehicle then struck the pile, injuring all seven occupants, four of them children. The injured people were all taken to Rochester-area hospitals -- two of the children were taken by helicopter, the others were taken by ambulance.

New York State police report serious injuries, but the number of major injuries is still uncertain.

After being closed for several hours, all lanes of the New York State Thruway have re-opened.

New York State transportation officials are inspecting the bridge for damage.

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Queens Injury Attorney)

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, announced a voluntary recall of Crate and Barrel glass water bottles, imported by Crate and Barrel, a division of Euromarket Designs Inc., of Northbrook, Illinois and manufactured in China.

The glass bottles were exclusively at: Crate and Barrel stores in New York City and elsewhere, and through Crate and Barrel's catalog and website between December 2008 and 2010 for between $9 and $17.

The glass beverage bottles have glass stoppers which can break when inserted into or removed from the bottle, posing a risk of accidental personal injury to consumers - cuts, lacerations, and such.

There are seven reported accidents of the recalled water bottles shattering, including four reports of cuts and injuries to hands.

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Brooklyn Accident Lawyer)

On Sunday April 4, 2010 at 12:50 PM a Brooklyn family's 3 year-old pit bull without warning attacked 20 month-old Elliot Korenblyun, seriously injuring him. In the presence of the boy's parents, the dog seemed to snap, and turned on the child, biting into the helpless child's face inside the family's Bensonhurst, Brooklyn apartment.

Elliot was rushed to Brooklyn's Lutheran Medical Center; his condition is stable.

The brutal attack left the boy with wounds that required reconstructive surgery to both sides of his face. A hospital spokesperson said that the injured little boy underwent around two hours of surgery. Fortunately, the dog did not injure the child's eyes, and his vision was not affected.

It remains unclear exactly what caused the dog to attack -- a source reported that the animal may have become agitated after a family argument.

The pit bull was removed and placed in the care of New York City Animal Care and Control, where she is being monitored for rabies and her behavior observed.

ALSO: Authorities report a second pit bull attack yesterday (Sunday) in New York City.

A 28-year-old Queens man was bitten by his pet dog. He was taken to New York Hospital Queens, and is said to be in stable condition.

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Brooklyn Injury Lawyer)

According to the New York Post at New York University Medical Center in Manhattan, New York City, on March 29, 2010, 86 year-old Agatha McGee waiting for rays of her leg when her finger got caught and sliced off in one of her wheelchair's wheels.

To add insult to injury, the hospital tried to blame the patient for its own negligence, saying that she had "injured herself while in a wheelchair."

Another spokesperson stated the obvious: that the wheels were not locked in place at the time that Ms. McGee "moved in it," accidentally lopping off her pinkie.

Thomas Sharon, author of "Protect Yourself in the Hospital," says special care is always required when treating the elderly. He further says, "That a world-class institution would blame an 86-year-old woman for such an obvious hospital error is stunning." So what do you say Dear Reader, accident or medical malpractice?

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Brooklyn Injury Attorney)

On Friday, April 2, 2010 at 11:30 AM, Danielle Goldberg, age 26, was alone riding the elevator to her sixth-floor apartment on Mill Road in New Dorp, Staten Island, New York City, when the building's power failed. She was returning from a doctor's appointment. She used her cell phone to call family members from the elevator, but when rescuers arrived a half hour later, they found her unconscious.

She suffered from a congenital (birth) heart defect. Apparently the accidental stalling of the elevator, her inability to exit the elevator, and its lights going out, frightened her into having a fatal cardiac event.

She died later in the day at Staten Island University Hospital from the accident.

According to Con Edison, the power blackout affected about 1,800 Staten Island customers.

The majority of those customers had power back by before 1 PM, with power restored to the rest of the affected homes and businesses by 5 PM.

The cause of the outage is still unknown, and Consolidated Edison continues to investigate.

Danielle Goldberg's family wants to know the reason for the blackoutand accident, and why their loved one died.

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Brooklyn Injury Attorney)

The New York Post reports that Queens resident Dennis Aryan filed a lawsuit in the Brooklyn branch of the New York Supreme Court, claiming that his car crashed on the Brooklyn side of the Kosciusko bridge because of "defective and hazardous conditions."

Mr. Aryan is suing New York City for personal injury suffered in the accident; after totaling his car on the Bridge, which Gov. Paterson had promised to rebuild.

While New York City is responsible for basic maintenance of roads, it's New York State's job to rebuild them. Apparently, political and budget problems have delayed the $1 billion Kosciusko project, according to the New York State Department of Transportation.

So, could this accident and injuries and lawsuit been avoided?

New York City authorities have not commented.

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Queens Accident Lawyer)

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, announced a voluntary recall of Youth and Junior Hockey Sticks, Shafts, and Blades, imported by Bauer Hockey Inc., of Greenland, New Hampshire and manufactured in China.

About 67,000 sticks have been sold in the United States and about 60,000 in Canada.

Hazard: Paint and decals on the sticks, shafts and blades contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard. There is a risk of accidental injury due to lead poisoning. No children have been reported hurt due to a lead poisoning accident.

Description: The hockey and goalie sticks, shafts and blades come in various shapes, sizes and colors. The name "Bauer" and the model descriptions are on all of the sticks, shafts and blades. Most of the sticks also have the Nike symbol.

Sold at: Sporting goods stores nationwide from February 2005 through March 2010 for about $80 to $200 for sticks, $30 for blades, and $40 to $90 for shafts

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Queens Injury Lawyer)

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of Indoor and Outdoor Extension Cords and Power Strips imported by Howard Berger Co. Inc., of Cranbury, New Jersey and made in China. These items pose a risk of personal injury in an accidental fire.

Description: This recall involves Brightway heavy duty outdoor extension cords and Brightway indoor household extension cords and power strips. Model numbers involved in the recall are R2600 through R2615 (outdoor extension cords), EE6 through EE20 (indoor extension cords) and MP6DG (power strips). "Brightway" is printed on the cords. Model numbers are printed on the product's packaging.

About 12,000 of these cords were sold at hardware and discount stores in New York and nationwide from August 2009 through October 2009 for between $1 and $20.

Hazard: The extension cords and power strips have inadequate coating material around the cords and copper conductors that are smaller than required, posing a risk of personal injury due to fire.