Arbutus Wrongful Death Lawyer

Fatal accidents due to negligence have serious financial and emotional consequences for survivors in Arbutus, and our lawyers can help them get justice via wrongful death claims.

Survivors do not have unlimited time to sue for wrongful deaths and are bound to a three-year filing window. Since filing quickly is often essential to making a suitable recovery, our lawyers can begin preparing your case immediately and identify all potentially liable parties. While doing this, our lawyers may speak to eyewitnesses, enlist experts to assist with your case, and review all available physical evidence from the accident. Once we have the necessary information to file your lawsuit, we can submit the complaint to the court, naming the defendant and requesting your deserved compensatory damages in Arbutus. We can then help you navigate settlement negotiations with the defendant or a trial if your case goes to court.

To get a free and confidential review of your case from our wrongful death lawyers, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.

When to Seek Help from Our Lawyers with Your Wrongful Death Case in Arbutus

If a close relative or loved one recently died due to negligence in Arbutus, our attorneys can review the circumstances to see if you can file a lawsuit for wrongful death.

For accidental or wrongful deaths, survivors should seek assistance with their claims right away. The statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits in Maryland is typically three years under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. Art., § 3-904(g)(1). While survivors have the full amount of time to sue, it is generally best to bring claims as soon as possible. If you delay initiating your case, relevant evidence might be lost or destroyed, weakening your ability to prove liability. Survivors who do not file lawsuits by the applicable deadline may not recover any damages, and their claims may be dismissed.

Our wrongful death lawyers can help survivors preserve evidence and begin building the foundation of their claims in the aftermath of a victim’s death. We can start pooling any records or documents that are relevant to the case, such as any police reports, medical records, eyewitness statements, and any photographic evidence, and see how they relate to one another and might influence your claim.

Wrongful death cases are complicated, and survivors must show that it is more likely than not that a defendant’s negligence or recklessness killed a victim. Our lawyers are familiar with the steps necessary to meet this standard of proof and can guide you through your claim as it proceeds in Arbutus.

Determining Liability for a Wrongful Death in Arbutus

When accidents are fatal, determining liability is extremely important so that victims’ survivors can seek justice in Arbutus. Our attorneys can use the necessary investigative tactics to identify all parties who might share fault for the victim’s untimely death.

At first, it might seem that only two parties are involved in an accident. For example, suppose your loved one died after being hit by a driver in Arbutus. Initially, it might appear as though the driver who hit your loved one is the only person or party to blame. Upon further investigation, however, our lawyers might discover that a vehicular equipment issue caused the accident, like brake failure. In that case, the brake manufacturer might share some liability for the victim’s death, possibly opening the door to additional damages like punitive damages.

To assess the liability of all potential parties involved in the victim’s death, our lawyers may enlist experts like accident reconstruction experts. This is especially useful to determine the cause of fatal motor vehicle accidents in Arbutus.

Eyewitnesses may also testify in court to prove liability. Though witnessing a fatal accident typically leaves an impression on eyewitnesses, they might forget details as time passes. To ensure eyewitnesses’ statements are as accurate and thorough as possible, we will interview them immediately after the victim’s death.

Preparing and Filing Wrongful Death Petitions in Arbutus

Wrongful death claims are initiated by complaints filed with the court. Our lawyers can prepare an accurate and complete complaint to properly kick start your lawsuit in Arbutus.

The complaint must contain certain information. For example, it must outline the incident’s circumstances, name the defendant or defendants, and outline the survivors’ desired damages. Our lawyers will write the introduction for the complaint and list the chronological facts of the accident that caused the victim’s death. We will then outline how we plan to prove the four elements of negligence, duty, breach, causation, and damages, and finally request relief in the form of compensatory damages.

To ensure our request for compensatory damages is accurate, our lawyers will carefully track all recoverable losses due to the victim’s death. § 3-904(a)(1) allows a victim’s spouse, children, or parents to benefit from wrongful death claims, and we can explain how compensation will be divided among beneficiaries. In addition to non-economic damages, survivors may also recover compensation for emotional pain and suffering, though those damages are capped in Arbutus.

After our lawyers file your complaint with the court, the defendant will be served and notified of the lawsuit. Once that happens, settlement negotiations might follow unless survivors immediately want to go to court. This provides a venue for plaintiffs and defendants to negotiate a settlement informally without a jury’s involvement. Our lawyers can ensure survivors only accept fair settlement offers from at-fault parties by carefully comparing any proposals to our calculation of their damages.

Remember, survivors only have three years to bring wrongful death claims in most cases. Preparing and filing wrongful death petitions within this strict window of time is crucial, as missing it could bar survivors from holding negligent parties accountable in Arbutus.

Call Our Wrongful Death Attorneys in Arbutus Today

Call the wrongful death lawyers of Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291 for a free case evaluation.