Maine Attorneys Handling Fatal Car Accident Cases
Our Portland car accident lawyers can help you get justice for your loved one
A car accident can cause serious injuries, and sadly, those injuries are sometimes fatal. Nothing will bring back the loved one you lost in a car crash, but taking legal action is a way of holding the negligent driver accountable and getting justice. The Portland car accident lawyers at Jabar LaLiberty, LLC can help.
Nothing can prepare you for losing a loved one in a fatal car accident. While you are still trying to process the loss, you are confronted with bills for your loved one’s medical care and funeral costs. If your loved one was a provider, your family is facing a loss of income.
In Maine, there is a statute that allows wrongful death claims and specifies who is entitled to the compensation recovered. There are three kinds of losses that can be recovered under the wrongful death statute:
- Economic losses (pecuniary losses), such as expenses incurred for medical care, funerals and lost income
- Non-economic (non-pecuniary), which covers emotional, psychological and other damages
- Punitive, intended to punish the people who caused the death when their behavior is deemed to be so egregious that it amounts to intentional action or malice
The distinction is important under Maine law because there is no limit on the pecuniary damages that can be recovered. However, both non-pecuniary and punitive damages are limited to specific amounts ($500,000 for non-pecuniary and $250,000 for punitive).
Committed to getting the best results
Determining the amount of expenses caused by a loved one’s injury and death is usually just a matter of tracking bills and proving payment. Claims for loss of support are more complicated. The amount of lost support depends on how much a lost loved one would have been expected to contribute to the household in the future. That amount will differ depending on:
- You’re loved one’s occupation and work history
- Your loved one’s age at the time of death
- How many dependents your loved one leaves, which depends on whether there is a spouse, whether that spouse works, whether there are dependent children, etc.
Our firm investigates your loved one’s accident to get the facts for ourselves. Our legal team gathers evidence that proves a negligent driver was responsible. Our lawyers carefully review accident reports and medical records. We identify and interview witnesses. We consult accident reconstruction experts and other specialists, if needed.
Our lawyers build a strong case to hold the negligent driver accountable and provide you with financial compensation for the losses you have suffered. Many times, we are able to negotiate a settlement with the insurance companies. We’re committed to helping you get the best possible outcome, even if that means going to court.
Get the Portland car accident lawyers that Mainers trust
We’ve been helping Maine families since 1979. During that time, we’ve earned a reputation as lawyers that people can trust. You can expect compassionate representation from our attorneys. You can expect us to fight to get justice for your loved one.
Learn more about we can help. Contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced car accident attorneys at our Waterville or Portland office. We can go over the details of your loved one’s accident, explain your legal options and answer any questions you have.