Fatal Car Accidents
Guidance and advocacy for families who have lost a loved one in a car crash.
A fatal car accident changes a family’s life forever. It can leave you searching for answers, for justice, and for what to do next. This is a time to have an advocate on your side.
At Dane Shulman Associates, we handle the legal issues so you can focus on your family and on grieving. For more than 75 years, Massachusetts families have trusted the Dane Shulman name. Call 617-298-2500 for a free, compassionate consultation.
What to do after a loved one dies in a car accident
- Take care of your family first. There is time to address the legal side.
- Request a copy of the police accident report.
- Keep records of medical bills, funeral expenses, and lost income.
- Don’t give statements to the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
- Talk to a wrongful death attorney before signing anything.
Compensation your family may recover
Through a wrongful death claim, your family may recover:
- Medical bills from before your loved one’s death
- Conscious pain and suffering they experienced
- The income and support they would have provided
- The loss of their companionship, guidance, and care
- Funeral and burial costs
- Punitive damages where the death was caused by gross negligence or reckless conduct
Our goal is a settlement that meets your family’s needs. If we can’t achieve that through negotiation, we’re prepared to take your case to trial.
Head-on collisions and other deadly crashes
Head-on collisions are among the deadliest crashes on the road. The combined speed of both vehicles determines the force of impact — two cars traveling 50 mph each hit with the force of a 100 mph crash. Seat belts, airbags, and headrests may not be enough to save a driver or front-seat passenger.
Head-on crashes often happen when a driver passes on a two-lane road, loses control on ice, is drunk or distracted, or suffers a medical emergency. Other fatal crashes involve rollovers, T-bone collisions at intersections, and collisions with trucks.
When a defective vehicle is to blame
Sometimes a crash isn’t caused by driver error alone. A defective part — a failing axle, faulty brakes, a tire defect — can cause a driver to lose control. Investigating the vehicle quickly can uncover defects that point to the manufacturer’s responsibility and may reveal a recall.
How fault affects your family’s claim
Massachusetts follows modified comparative negligence. A family can recover as long as their loved one was not more at fault than the other driver, but the compensation is reduced by their share of fault. Insurers often try to shift blame to the person who can no longer tell their side of the story. A thorough investigation protects your family’s claim.
FAQ
Lost a loved one in a crash? Let’s talk.
Your consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we win. The sooner we start, the more we can do.