New Year's is synonymous with New York for many. The biggest New Year's celebration in the country takes place here, after all, so it would stand to reason that its residents would take the celebration pretty seriously, even if they don't go to Times Square to ring it in with the tourists. Unfortunately, a little too much celebrating can have terrible consequences, from an inconvenient fender bender to a fatal car accident.

A recent crash on the Long Island Expressway proved to be fatal for one of the passengers. The driver and three passengers were in Queens at Parsons Boulevard when the driver hit the median, causing his Nissan Xterra to flip onto its roof. The vehicle had enough momentum that it proceeded to continue along on its roof for some distance before crashing into a tree.

The passenger in the front seat died at the scene. The driver was rushed to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. At last report, he was still listed in critical condition. The two passengers in the back seat were a woman and a baby, and while they were also transported to the hospital, their injuries were minor. It was not immediately clear if any of them were wearing seatbelts or if any of the airbags deployed.

It was not reported what factors, such as alcohol or speeding, authorities might be considered as contributing to the accident. Surviving family members of a victim of a fatal car accident may have the right under New York law to seek compensation for burial costs and final expenses, along with the loss of companionship and pain and suffering. Victims who are hurt may also seek financial restitution via a personal injury case in order to cover medical bills and lost wages. Naturally, money cannot fully compensate for life or health, but it can ease the stress brought on by the traumatic event.

Source: New York Daily News, Deadly car flip on Long Island Expressway kills passenger, Tina Moore and Mark Morales, Jan. 1, 2014