Have you lost a loved one in a fatal accident in Prince George’s County, MD? If so, your family can be entitled to compensation for unexpected costs such as funeral and burial expenses and medical bills. You can also seek monetary damages for your pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and other devastating losses. If somebody else’s negligent act caused the tragic accident, your family can pursue justice through a wrongful death claim.
The compassionate Prince George’s County wrongful death lawyers at Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers understand the struggles you will go through in such a difficult time. Our legal team will provide guidance as you navigate your path forward. We will answer all questions you have along the way and work toward your financial recovery. Contact our team to learn more and schedule a free consultation. You can call us at (301) 936-0011.
How Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You After a Wrongful Death Accident in Prince George’s County, MD
After an unexpected tragedy, it is hard to know where to turn. Losing a loved one for any reason is hard enough. When the loss is caused by a tragic accident, death can be even harder to process. In a wrongful death claim, you can seek financial compensation for your economic losses and emotional distress.
Our wrongful death attorneys at Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers can take on difficult tasks such as negotiating with insurance companies and litigating your case in court. This allows you and your family to come to terms with your personal loss while we focus on your financial recovery.
A Prince George’s County personal injury attorney will analyze your case and take action on your behalf. When you hire our law firm, we will do the following:
- Review the facts to find out who would be legally liable for your loss
- Collect evidence and documentation supporting your claim
- Hire experts to determine the cause of the accident, liability, or the extent of your damages
- Evaluate how much your claim is worth
- Protect you legally if your loved one is blamed for the tragedy
- Negotiate with insurance companies for a fair settlement when needed
- File a wrongful death lawsuit to proceed in court whenever necessary to obtain justice.
Our attorneys will work hard to make sure that those involved in an accident are held accountable for their negligence.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Prince George’s County Wrongful Death Lawyer?
Our lawyers handle wrongful death claims on a contingency basis. Contingent fee arrangements mean you only pay legal fees when we win compensation in your legal claim. After the devastating loss of a loved one, you should not have to worry about finding ways to pay an attorney for the legal help you need. When we take on your case, you pay nothing upfront. To learn more about contingency agreements in a wrongful death case, schedule a consultation with our attorneys today.
What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?
Wrongful death is when another person’s negligent, wrongful, or intentional act causes death. Negligence is commonly cited as a legal basis for wrongful death claims in Maryland. Wrongful death claims can be filed by survivors when a person’s death was caused by an act that would have entitled the victim to sue and recover damages if they had not died. Instead, surviving spouses, children, or other family members can file depending on the circumstances.
For example, if your loved one died in an auto accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you can file a lawsuit alleging wrongful death. Through that action, you can obtain financial compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, burial costs, and other economic damages stemming from the accident. Additionally, you can seek non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship, and more.
A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil matter which would run independently of any criminal case against the at-fault individual. While families can recover restitution in criminal cases, the civil lawsuit would address the full range of costs and losses your family has suffered.
Types of Wrongful Death Claims in Prince George’s County, MD
Our lawyers represent clients in wrongful death cases due to a wide variety of causes. Wrongful death claims can be based on:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Train accidents
- Bus accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Construction accidents
- Dog bites
- Product liability
- Nursing home neglect and abuse
- Criminal acts leading to death
If any type of accident causes the death of a loved one, you’ll need skilled legal assistance to guide you toward the financial justice you deserve. Our dedicated legal team stands ready to answer your questions and move forward.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Maryland?
Not everyone can file a wrongful death claim. Maryland law only allows certain individuals to file a wrongful death claim after a tragic accident. Under Maryland’s Wrongful Death Act, a lawsuit can be filed by the victim’s spouse, children, or parents. Only if none of these individuals survive the victim can other blood relatives step in to file the claim. A wrongful death lawyer can explain in more detail how this chain of succession works in Maryland wrongful death cases.
What Is the Value of A Wrongful Death Case in Atlanta?
The value of a wrongful death claim will always depend on the facts involved. Your wrongful death attorney will thoroughly investigate your claim, analyze the evidence, and estimate the fair value of your claim.
Different factors will be involved in determining the case’s worth, including:
- Medical treatment received by the accident victim
- Your loved one’s income and earning ability
- Your loved one’s age at the time of the accident
- Financial support that the victim provided to their family before the accident
- The facts and details of the incident itself
- Whether the at-fault party’s act was intentional or negligent
Your financial settlement in a wrongful death claim is a crucial part of your healing process after a tragic loss. Trust an experienced wrongful death lawyer to evaluate the worth of your claim and pursue damages on your behalf.
How Do I Prove Negligence in a Wrongful Death Claim?
Wrongful death claims based on negligence will be based on the four elements of negligence:
- Duty of care owed by a defendant to the victim
- Breach of duty by the defendant, through their act or failure to act
- Causation between the at-fault party’s breach of duty and your loved one’s injuries
- Damages caused by the defendant
Different types of evidence will be used to support a wrongful death claim, such as:
- Police reports
- Photographs
- Video footage
- Physical evidence
- Eyewitness testimony
- Expert witness reports
- Medical records and bills
- Other documentation of losses from the accident
To prove negligence, the claimant needs to prove it was more likely than not (more than 50%) that the defendant’s negligence caused your loved one’s death. Once liability is proven, the question then turns to the calculation of damages.
What Damages are Available in a Wrongful Death Case?
Damages that survivors can seek in a wrongful death claim might include:
- Lost income and future lost income that would have been earned
- Loss of companionship, caring, and affection
- Loss of parental support for children
- Your loved one’s pain and suffering due to the accident before death
- Medical costs from the accident
- Funeral expenses and burial costs
Punitive damages can also be available if the at-fault party displayed gross negligence or their intentional acts caused the accident.
Can I Receive Compensation if My Loved One is Blamed for the Accident?
If it can be proven that your loved one shared any fault for the accident, you can lose your right to recover financially. Maryland’s contributory negligence rule is among the most strict in the nation. If your loved one was found to be even 1% liable for what happened, this can prevent recovery in a wrongful death claim. Insurance companies and defense attorneys know this and will use all possible tactics to point the finger at your lost loved one for the accident. Our attorneys will be prepared for these arguments and will do everything possible to prove your claim.
What Is the Statute of Limitations In Maryland For A Wrongful Death Case?
The statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including wrongful death in Maryland, is three years. The 3-year time limit applies to most cases and usually starts from the date of the accident. In wrongful death cases, the statute can start running from the date of death. Some exceptions can apply, so discuss the statute of limitations with your lawyer.
If you don’t file your lawsuit within the statute of limitations, you could be prevented from filing a lawsuit in the future. An experienced Maryland wrongful death lawyer will prepare your case and have it ready to file on time.
Contact a Prince George’s County, MD, Wrongful Death Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Nothing can bring back a loved one after a tragic accident. However, your family can achieve some measure of justice and financial security through a wrongful death claim. The Prince George’s County wrongful death lawyers at Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers have helped many others in difficult situations like yours. Schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys to learn more about your legal options.