A fatal car accident can leave you and your family dealing with financial pressure and questions about what happened. If you lost a relative in a fatal crash, a Suffolk County car accident lawyer can help you seek justice.
The attorneys at Chaikin Trial Group Injury Lawyers have more than 50 years of combined experience. If you lost a loved one in a fatal car crash, a Suffolk County fatal car accident lawyer can help you seek compensation.
The Role of a Suffolk County Fatal Car Accident Attorney
Wrongful death cases are often complex.
A Suffolk County personal injury lawyer can assist with your case by:
- Investigating the crash: We can collect police reports, photographs, surveillance footage, witness statements, and other evidence to determine what caused the crash and who is at fault.
- Calculating your family’s damages: We can calculate your family’s financial and personal losses and determine the value of your wrongful death claim.
- Handling insurance companies: We can manage communications with insurance companies and attempt to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.
- Representing your family in court: If a fair settlement can’t be agreed upon, we can take your case to court and advocate for your family before a judge or jury.
Case Today (212) 977-2020
What Types of Compensation Can You Recover?
If you lost someone in a fatal accident, you may be entitled to a variety of damages, including:
- Medical expenses: You may recoup reasonable medical costs incurred between the crash and your loved one’s death.
- Funeral and burial expenses: You may seek compensation for qualifying expenses associated with laying your loved one to rest.
- Lost financial support: You may recover compensation for income and financial contributions the deceased would have provided.
- Loss of services: The value of household services the deceased provided may increase the value of your claim.
- Loss of companionship: You can seek damages for the loss of guidance, companionship, and other forms of support you have suffered.
- Punitive damages: In rare cases, if the other party’s conduct was especially reckless or malicious, punitive damages may be awarded.
How Long Do You Have to File a Fatal Car Accident Lawsuit in New York?
In New York, you generally have two years from the date of the person’s death to file a wrongful death lawsuit for a fatal car accident. If you miss this deadline, it will jeopardize your ability to recover damages.
Exceptions may apply in certain situations, such as if the crash involved a government-owned vehicle or criminal charges are pending against the at-fault driver. A Suffolk County fatal auto accidents attorney can analyze your case and determine how much time you have left to file a lawsuit.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Fatal Car Accident?
More than one party can be held liable for a fatal car crash, including:
- A negligent driver: A driver who speeds, drives while intoxicated, runs a traffic signal, or otherwise violates their legal duty of care may be held responsible.
- An employer: If a driver was working when the crash occurred, their employer could potentially face liability.
- A vehicle manufacturer: A defective vehicle or component that contributed to the collision may shift liability to a manufacturer.
- A vehicle owner: In some situations, a vehicle’s owner can be held responsible for allowing another person to use their vehicle.
- A negligent maintenance provider: A company responsible for maintaining or repairing a vehicle could potentially be liable if improper work contributed to the accident.
- A government entity or roadway operator: Dangerous roadway conditions can potentially provide grounds for a claim against the entity responsible for maintaining the road.
A fatal car accident lawyer in Suffolk County can investigate your loved one’s crash and determine who is responsible.
What Causes Fatal Car Accidents in Suffolk County?
Fatal crashes can happen for many reasons.
Common causes of fatal car crashes in Suffolk County include:
- Speeding: Excessive speed reduces the amount of time a driver has to react and can dramatically increase the force of a collision.
- Distracted driving: Texting, phone use, or engaging in other distractions can cause a driver to miss road hazards.
- Drunk or drugged driving: Alcohol and drugs can impair a driver’s judgment, reaction time, coordination, and ability to safely operate a vehicle.
- Reckless driving: Aggressive maneuvers, unsafe passing, tailgating, and other dangerous behaviors can lead to devastating crashes.
- Running red lights or stop signs: Ignoring traffic signage can result in high-speed collisions.
- Fatigued driving: A tired driver may have slower reactions or even fall asleep behind the wheel.
- Unsafe lane changes: Failing to check blind spots or signal before changing lanes can cause serious side-impact or multi-vehicle crashes.
- Defective vehicles or parts: A mechanical failure, defective tire, faulty brake component, or other issue with a vehicle can contribute to a fatal collision.
- Dangerous road conditions: Poorly designed roads, inadequate signage, construction hazards, or other roadway problems can sometimes contribute to an accident.
What to Do After a Fatal Car Accident in Suffolk County
Helpful steps to take after a fatal car crash include:
- Preserving evidence: Keep copies of accident reports, photographs, insurance documents, medical records, and correspondence relating to the crash.
- Speaking to witnesses: Exchange contact information with people who witnessed the collision. Their testimony may become valuable later.
- Be cautious with insurance companies: Any statements you make to insurers can potentially hurt your claim. Don’t give a recorded statement until you hire a lawyer.
- Avoid posting about the accident: Social media posts can be taken out of context and used against you later.
- Consult an attorney: A fatal car accident attorney in Suffolk County can help with every aspect of your case.
Speak to a Fatal Car Accident Attorney in Suffolk County
A fatal accident can change a family’s life in an instant. If you lost a family member in a fatal wreck, a Suffolk County fatal car accident attorney from Chaikin Trial Group Injury Lawyers can help you take legal action and pursue compensation.
Book a free consultation to find out whether you have grounds for a lawsuit.
