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Losing a loved one in a car accident is a life-altering tragedy. When that loss is caused by another’s negligence, the weight of grief is also compounded by a desperate need for answers and accountability. Our Hamden fatal car accident lawyers at Loughlin FitzGerald, P.C. provide compassionate, relentless legal representation for those navigating the aftermath of a fatal collision.
In 2024, there were 314 traffic fatalities, Connecticut’s second-deadliest year in the past decade. The loss of a loved one often leaves families navigating a profound and sudden grief on top of handling the legal and insurance complications. Understanding the nature of these fatal injuries is difficult, but it can be a necessary step when deciding to seek justice.
Common causes of fatalities in motor vehicle accidents include:
While no amount of money can replace a family member, a wrongful death claim can provide the financial security you and your family need to move forward. These damages are designed to relieve your financial stress and honor the memory of your loved one.
Commonly recovered damages include:
Every family’s situation is unique. Our team is here to help you understand your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you are owed.
Losing a loved one in a fatal accident is a tragedy that words can’t fully capture. Whether the collision occurred on a busy road like Dixwell Avenue or a rural country road, the sudden void left behind is devastating. Between the arrival of medical bills to the looming worry of how to provide for your family without your primary breadwinner, the weight can feel impossible to carry alone.
At Loughlin FitzGerald, P.C., we believe that you shouldn’t have to handle a legal battle alone while you’re trying to heal. Our legal team can provide more than just legal advice; we can offer a steady hand to help you navigate the path forward. We take on the burden of investigating the crash and holding negligent parties accountable, giving you the space and peace you need.
Loughlin FitzGerald, P.C., is a personal injury law firm based in Wallingford, Connecticut, with over 60 years of legal experience. The firm works with clients throughout New Haven, Hamden, Meriden, and the surrounding areas with complex personal injury matters, including motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, dog bites, and premises liability.
In Hamden, liability for a fatal car accident is determined by negligence under an at-fault system. Most often, the at-fault driver is held responsible for reckless actions, such as speeding or DUI. Employers may be held liable if the driver was working, and manufacturers can be held accountable for vehicle defects. You should discuss your case with a lawyer who can help you understand who may be held liable in your case.
In Hamden, the estate of a deceased individual can recover both economic and non-economic damages through a wrongful death claim. Economic recovery usually includes medical expenses incurred prior to death, funeral and burial costs, and the loss of the decedent’s future earning capacity. Non-economic damages are intended to compensate the living family for the pain and suffering they have endured.
The statute of limitations for fatal car accidents in Hamden is generally two years from the date of the death, according to Connecticut General Statutes § 52-555. Connecticut law also imposes an absolute deadline of five years from the date of the negligent act that caused the fatal accident. This means that even if the death occurs later, no claim may be brought more than five years after the incident.
In Connecticut, only the executor or administrator of the deceased person’s estate is legally permitted to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Unlike many other states, family members can’t file a claim directly. If the deceased left a will naming an executor, that person must be the one to file. Otherwise, the probate court will appoint an administrator who can then file. Also, a surviving spouse may independently file a separate claim for “loss of consortium.”
Losing a loved one in a sudden crash is a devastating experience that no family should have to navigate on their own. Dealing with the legal complexities and insurance hurdles of a wrongful death claim while grieving can feel like an impossible task.
During this difficult time, you deserve a compassionate legal advocate who can investigate the details of the accident, establish liability, and pursue justice against those responsible. When you hire a fatal car accident lawyer like Loughlin FitzGerald, P.C., you get the help you need to secure the compensation your family deserves. Reach out to our Hamden fatal car accident lawyers today.
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