Car accident in New York kills 1, injures 1

Police in New York are investigating the cause of a single-vehicle crash that, sadly, proved fatal. The car accident is said to have occurred in Queens on Dec. 3. The driver of the vehicle failed to survive, and a passenger was severely injured.

According to reports, the driver of a Jeep Cherokee lost control of his vehicle on the Union Turnpike exit off the Grand Central Parkway. His SUV went across three lanes of traffic, jumped a curb, struck a concrete barrier and burst into flames. Rescue teams were able to pull a passenger from the front seat — a 31-year-old male. He was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. The driver died in the wreckage.

At this time, investigators do believe speed was a factor in this crash. The have not released any other information. The investigation is still ongoing.

When a car accident only involves one vehicle, the driver of that automobile may be held responsible for any injuries suffered by his or her passengers. In this case, even though the driver did not survive the incident, the injured victim may still be able to seek compensation for his losses by filing a personal injury claim against the decedent’s estate. If negligence can be established successfully in a New York civil court, the victim may be granted monetary relief for any damages deemed recoverable. These may include economic damages such as medical expenses, rehabilitation expenses and lost wages — among numerous others. They may also include non-economic damages such as for pain, suffering and emotional trauma.

Source: New York Daily News, “Car crashes in Brooklyn, Queens leave two dead, two badly injured“, Aidan McLaughlin, Ryan Sit, Dec. 5, 2016