When you’ve lost a loved one in an auto accident, life squeals to a halt. Suddenly you find yourself numbly planning a funeral and trying to figure out how to pick up the pieces of your shattered life without that important person.
At some point, you may start wondering if you should file a lawsuit against the person responsible for your loved one’s death. But where do you begin? Here are a few things you should know about wrongful death cases in Maryland:
Who can file a lawsuit following a Maryland wrongful death accident?
This depends on the marital status and age of the person who died. In general, the person who is most closely related to the deceased will be the one filing a wrongful death lawsuit. Those who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Maryland include:
- The deceased person’s spouse
- Any children under age 18
- The deceased person’s parents
What type of compensation can I expect?
Every wrongful death case is different, but the types of compensation you can receive after losing a loved one in a Maryland truck accident are typically the same. You can expect to receive monetary damages for the following:
- Any medical bills that your family incurred in your loved one’s last hours
- Funeral costs
- Lost income due to the death of a breadwinner
- Pain and suffering (this is highly subjective)
How long will the entire process take?
It’s impossible to say for certain how quickly you will get your compensation. This depends in part on the how straightforward the circumstances of the accident are and how agreeable the defense is to your proposed settlement. You should know that the entire process could take years to complete.
That’s why it can be helpful to hire an experienced Maryland truck accident attorney who is willing to fight for you and see it through to the end. To see how a Rockville accident attorney can help you recoup the most for your loved one’s death, call our offices at 1-800-875-9700.