Interstates and highways are often the scenes of serious truck accidents and, unfortunately, claim many lives each year. At high speeds, trucks can easily cause multi-vehicle crashes when drivers are distracted or fall asleep at the wheel. Losing a loved one in a truck accident is devastating and shocking, and family members often don’t know what their options are or how to pursue them. Under state law, family members can recover damages to help pay for the costly and painful impact of losing a loved one in a Maryland truck accident.
In a recent accident, a careless truck driver was driving one morning when he collided with multiple passing cars, leaving a father and his young son dead, and many others injured. According to a news report, the series of events started when the semi-truck driver rear-ended a car and then continued to drive for at least a mile down the interstate, hitting four more cars and injuring others in the process. The surviving drivers and passengers were taken to nearby hospitals. The driver was taken into police custody soon after the collisions and faces criminal charges in addition to whatever civil claims the victims and their families may file.
A fatal car accident can be a shock and surviving family members may not know where to turn or what to do to get justice for their loved ones. While most people are familiar with criminal charges that reckless drivers may face for causing an accident, they may not know that there are often civil remedies available to them as well that can help recover financially, even though nothing can bring back their loved one.
Grieving families can file a wrongful death claim under Maryland law when they lose loved ones due to the negligent conduct of another person. In the case of truck accidents where the driver was driving carelessly, that may be considered negligent conduct.
Who Can File a Maryland Wronful Death Case Following a Fatal Truck Accident?
With some exceptions, the spouse, parent, or child of someone killed in a trucking accident may bring a wrongful death claim against the driver for financial damages. Damages awarded may include compensation for financial loss because of the death of the loved one, as well as damages for mental anguish, emotional pain, loss of the relationship, and loss of income.
Families should contact an attorney as soon as possible after the accident to explore the legal options available to them because the Maryland statute of limitations for wrongful death cases is just three years from the date of their family member’s death. It can be easy to feel lost after the death of a loved one, but an experienced lawyer can help make sure the legal options available are clear.
Have You Lost a Loved One in a Maryland Truck Accident?
If you or someone you know recently lost a loved one in a Maryland truck accident, a personal injury lawyer that focuses on truck accident deaths can help you navigate the unclear path forward. You can contact Lebowitz & Mzhen, Personal Injury Lawyers, today. Call (800) 654-1949 for your free consultation.