Fatal Car Accidents

Nobody anticipates losing a family member in a car accident, but unfortunately, fatal accidents happen all too often. In most instances, car accidents are caused by the negligent behavior of one or more people. If you suffered the loss of a loved one due to a fatal car accident, you should consult an experienced New Hampshire car accident lawyer to discuss whether you may be able to recover damages. Collectively, the attorneys of Peter Thompson and Associates have more than 60 years’ experience helping New Hampshire residents whose family members were fatally injured in car accidents. Our attorneys are mindful of the devastating financial and emotional impact suffered due to deadly car accidents and will work diligently to help you seek compensation to restore your life following your loss.

One of the most common causes of fatal car accidents is excessive speed. While driving at a speed higher than the posted speed limit can be dangerous in any situation, collisions that occur when a driver is traveling at a very high speed are more likely to cause fatal injuries. Distracted driving is another common cause of deadly accidents. When a driver takes his or her attention away from the road, even for a brief time, it can lead to catastrophic injuries that ultimately result in the loss of the injured person’s life. A driver’s failure to be mindful of inclement weather conditions also commonly results in accidents that cause significant and often fatal injuries.

Under New Hampshire law, anyone with an interest in the estate of the deceased victim can file a wrongful death lawsuit. In most cases, lawsuits filed following a fatal car accident will assert that the negligence of one or more parties caused the accident to occur. To successfully show that a person should be held liable under a theory of negligence, you must first show that he or she owed you a duty of reasonable care. In car accident cases, the duty owed is generally the duty to drive safely and reasonably. After you establish the duty owed, you must show that the other party breached the duty in some way and that the breach caused the accident to occur. Lastly, you must show that the accident caused you to sustain actual damages.

In cases involving fatal car accidents, any evidence as to how the accident occurred and what the respective parties were doing at the time of the accident is essential to supporting your argument that the other driver should be held liable for the accident. An experienced car accident attorney will engage in discovery to seek evidence regarding the accident, such as a police report, eyewitness testimony, and any photographs or video surveillance. In some cases, it may also be necessary to hire an accident reconstructionist to analyze the manner in which the accident occurred.

Suffering the unexpected loss of a family member can be overwhelming, and you may be uncertain about which actions to take. It is important to consult an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible, however, since any wrongful death lawsuit needs to be filed within three years of the date of your loved one’s death. Compensation commonly sought in a wrongful death claim includes the cost of any medical treatment that the deceased individual underwent prior to his or her death, as well as any funeral or burial costs. Additionally, parties who file wrongful death claims often seek damages for any pain and suffering suffered by the deceased victim prior to his or her death. Lastly, it is common to seek compensation for the loss of earnings that the deceased party would have accrued throughout the remainder of his or her life.

In many cases, it will be necessary to engage an expert to set forth an opinion as to the amount of money that the deceased victim was reasonably expected to earn during his or her lifetime. If the victim was married at the time of his or her death, or had minor children, the surviving spouse and children may be entitled to damages for the loss of companionship and services that would have been provided by the deceased victim.

Fatal car accidents cause irreparable harm. If you suffered the loss of a loved one in a deadly car accident, it is in your best interest to confer with a seasoned car accident attorney to discuss whether you may be able to recover damages. The attorneys of Peter Thompson and Associates recognize that while no amount of money can ever repair the harm caused by the death of your loved one, compensation from the liable party can help provide financial security in an uncertain time. Our skillful representation has resulted in a high rate of success and a history of favorable verdicts. We have offices in Bedford, Nashua, Portsmouth, and Manchester, New Hampshire, and we assist individuals pursuing wrongful death claims throughout New Hampshire. Contact us at 800.804.2004 or via our online form to schedule a meeting.