Maine Injury Lawyer Blog
Car accidents are usually sudden, unexpected events and often end with significant injuries or even death. When someone in an accident was killed as a result of another party’s negligence or was perhaps a passenger in a vehicle where the driver operating the vehicle itself was negligent, family members of the deceased may have grounds for a Maine wrongful death claim.
According to a local news report, two teens were killed, and several others were seriously injured following a major car collision. Local authorities reported that a Toyota Avalon crashed into a Pontiac carrying four teenage passengers, which left two of the teenagers, ages 17 and 15 respectively, dead at the scene. The couple that was in the Avalon and one of the teenage passengers remain hospitalized with serious injuries. Law enforcement is still investigating the crash and trying to identify what caused the accident to take place.
Following a tragic accident, filing a claim may be the furthest thing from your mind. However, a wrongful death claim could provide a valuable avenue for recovering compensation for injuries that lead to death. A wrongful death lawsuit is a type of personal injury claim where surviving members of the deceased’s family or other designated individuals can seek damages after the deceased’s death. Wrongful death claims were originally and historically created to provide loved ones with an avenue for recovery and to avoid situations where the at-fault or responsible party could get away with their actions simply because the victim died.
When deciding whether a wrongful death claim is something you and your family would like to pursue, meeting with an experienced attorney is paramount to the success of your case. During your initial meeting, discussing the circumstances surrounding your case, how to hold the at-fault party responsible, and other essential information will be essential to a successful wrongful death claim.
In Maine, not everyone can file a wrongful death lawsuit, and the state has laws about not only who can bring wrongful death claims but also how the money is allocated once damages are recovered. In particular, the Maine laws are very strict as to who is able to pursue damages in a wrongful death lawsuit. If the deceased had no surviving children, then the amount recovered from a wrongful death claim is for the exclusive benefit of the surviving spouse. Further, if there is no surviving spouse, but the deceased had minor children, the children will receive the damages exclusively. If the deceased had both a surviving spouse and minor children, the spouse receives half of the compensation, and the children receive the other half.
Do You Need a Maine Wrongful Death Attorney?
If someone you love or a family member has been recently killed as a result of another party’s negligence, you may have grounds to file a Maine wrongful death lawsuit and should contact the attorneys at Peter Thompson & Associates. Our lawyers have represented personal injury clients in Maine for years and will work tirelessly to help you pursue the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation with a member of our team today, you can reach us at 1-800-804-2004, or through our online form.