DC Injury Lawyer Blog
When a driver is careless or distracted, they place everyone else on the road at risk of a fatal accident. When a person dies in an accident with a careless driver, that driver hurts not only the deceased victim but also the deceased’s surviving loved ones. If you have lost a loved one in a fatal Maryland accident, you may wish to pursue damages against the responsible driver. Even though a lawsuit may be the last thing on your mind, doing so may help you recover from the financial burden you may be feeling in the wake of your loved one’s death.
A recent news article highlighted the ways in which negligently operating a motor vehicle can lead to a fatal accident. As the article reported, a fatal accident in Montgomery County, Maryland left one woman dead and nine people injured. The accident occurred on Maryland’s Capital Beltway after an SUV traveled southbound in the northbound lanes of I-270. As the SUV drove the wrong way, it crashed into a Lexus and a Nissan Pathfinder. Five people in the Lexus suffered injuries and received treatment at a nearby hospital. The Nissan driver was also transported to a hospital, but she sadly died from her injuries. Four passengers in the Nissan also suffered injuries. After the crash, police arrested and charged the alleged wrong-way driver.
What Damages Can You Recover in a Fatal Maryland Accident?
When a person dies in an accident, their surviving loved ones may seek to recover compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible driver. In a Maryland wrongful death suit, the deceased’s loved ones can seek economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages allow a deceased victim’s loved ones to recover financial costs associated with the victim’s death, such as hospital and funeral expenses. They can also recover the deceased’s lost future earnings from which they would have otherwise benefitted.
In addition to economic damages, the deceased person’s loved ones can recover non-economic damages. These damages awards intend to compensate loved ones for the emotional harm they have suffered. A common example of non-economic damages is compensation for pain, suffering, and mental anguish. Additionally, the deceased’s spouse can sue for loss of consortium, which refers to the loss of the deceased’s companionship, comfort, and services. The deceased’s loved ones may also be able to sue for the loss of marital care, care of a child, or care of a parent. Finally, non-economic damages in Maryland can include the loss of advice, counsel, training, guidance, or education. Maryland imposes a cap of $845,000 for non-economic damages involving a single beneficiary and 150% of that amount for multiple beneficiaries.
Do You Need a Maryland Fatal Accident Attorney?
If someone you love was recently killed in a Maryland car accident, contact the attorneys at The Schupak Law Firm to discuss your case. Our attorneys possess years of experience representing accident victims and their loved ones throughout the state of Maryland. We will work with you to build a strong case and recover the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free initial consultation today, contact us at 240-833-3914.