Far too many good, responsible people lose their lives on Connecticut roads due to reckless drivers. These are mothers, fathers, grandparents, sons, and daughters.
Some drivers fail to take other's lives into account when they use cellphones behind the wheel, exceed the speed limit, weave through traffic, or drive while impaired.
State crash data shows that 294 people lost their lives on Connecticut roads in 2018 - an increase of more than four percent from the previous year. Here are some additional facts regarding statewide crash fatalities for that year:
- The majority of fatalities happened on urban roadways, such as those in Hartford, New Haven, and Waterbury.
- 115 were caused by drunk driving and 90 were caused by speeding.
- More than half of the people who died were passengers, 74 of whom were restrained by seatbelts.
What can I do if a loved one was killed in a crash?
Connecticut law allows the deceased person's spouse, estate, or executor of the estate to pursue a wrongful death suit. If an executor of the estate wasn't named, then a Probate court may have to appoint one.
A wrongful death suit applies when someone's death is caused by negligence. It doesn't only apply to car accidents, but also includes:
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse and neglect
- Workplace accidents
- Negligent security
- Premises liability (such as slip and falls)
Damages you can pursue in a wrongful death suit
The law allows you to pursue the following damages in a wrongful death suit:
- Medical expenses related to the deceased person's injury or condition before death
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Potential wages and earnings the deceased person could have gained if he or she was still alive
- Pain, suffering, and anguish relating to the death
- Loss of guidance, companionship, and support (consortium) that would have been provided by the deceased person
- Punitive damages may be pursued, if the death was caused by someone's reckless behavior
A lawyer can pursue a wrongful death suit
The attorneys at The Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli understand how emotionally devastating the loss of a loved one can be.
Pursuing a wrongful death suit may not be the first thing on your mind while you're grieving. Connecticut law allows you up to two years to pursue damages, however.
You should never go it alone. Wrongful death suits are highly complex and require the help of an experienced attorney who has in-depth understanding of Connecticut's legal system.
You can count on our legal team to help you obtain the compensation you need during these difficult times. Contact us online to find out what we can do for you. We offer free case evaluations and won't ask for any money unless we win your case.