Car accidents are always a painful and shocking situation for the parties involved. When someone loses their life as the result of a careless or reckless driver, however, it can be difficult for the surviving loved ones to move on. At Mass Injury Group, our committed team of Massachusetts car accident lawyers has handled numerous types of car accident cases including accidents that involve fatalities. Although there is no amount of compensation that can truly repair the loss that you and your family has sustained, it can make a significant difference when it comes to dealing with the financial impact of the loss.
Recently, an 87-year-old woman lost her life in an accident that happened on Route 3 in Pembroke near Exit 12, according to a local news report. The accident happened around 9:30 am, according to law enforcement who responded to the scene of the crash. The authorities located the decedent who had sustained severe injuries in a crash involving another vehicle. She was taken to a local hospital where she later died due to her injuries. The other vehicle involved in the crash contained three people including the driver. All passengers were taken to a hospital, but did not sustain any life-threatening injuries. So far, authorities have not released any information about the cause of the accident. The initial accident caused a chain reaction that caused many other minor accidents to take place, resulting in significant traffic delays.
If you lost a loved one as the result of a car accident, you can bring a wrongful death action to recover compensation for your losses and damages. Under Massachusetts law, the estate of the decedent can bring a wrongful death claim to recover compensation. The estate will bring any claims that the decedent would have had standing to bring had he or she not lost his or her life. This means that if the decedent would have been able to sue the other driver for negligence, then the estate can bring a negligence action against the at-fault driver.
In the claim, the estate will have to prove that the defendant failed to operate his or her vehicle with the same level or ordinary care and skill that a prudent and careful driver would have used when faced with a similar situation. This means that the driver abides by traffic laws, adjusts his or her speed to the road conditions, refrains from distracted driving activities, and does not drive while intoxicated. Obtaining a copy of a police report can help you determine the cause of the accident such as whether the other party was speeding or looking at his or her phone when it occurred.
In a wrongful death action, the estate can recover compensation to pay for any medical expenses incurred as a result of the crash as well as funeral and burial expenses. The surviving loved ones are also entitled to seek compensation for the income that the decedent would’ve provided if he or she had not lost his or her life as well as compensation for the loss of their loved one’s companionship, comfort, guidance, and support. A seasoned personal injury lawyer can help your family ensure that you seek the full amount of compensation that you deserve.
At Mass Injury Group, we provide a free and confidential consultation to help your family learn more about Massachusetts car accident law and whether you are entitled to compensation. While your family grieves this terrible outcome, we will ensure that your legal rights are protected. To schedule your appointment, call today at 617-263-0060 or contact us online to get started.