What Should You Do if Your Loved One Was Involved in a Fatal Accident on I-95 Today in Connecticut?
If you have lost a loved one due to a fatal crash on Interstate 95 today in Connecticut, we know that you are going through a lot right now. You are in shock most likely, faced with grief and a long journey ahead as your family begins to cope with your loss. Unfortunately, the mental and emotional consequences of fatal accidents are not the only negative impact that these accidents have. Many families are forced into a situation of overwhelming financial insecurities.
In addition to being deprived of a source of income, they also sometimes lose the right to inheritance and benefits in some cases. After losing a loved one in a fatal car accident on Interstate 95 in Connecticut, it is important that families are aware of their legal options and the rights that they have.
The Importance of a Crash Investigation after a Fatal I-95 Crash Today
After losing a loved one due to a fatal car crash on Interstate 95 in Connecticut, a crash investigation will take place. In general, the Connecticut State Police and area law enforcement will be in charge of the crash investigation.
Law enforcement agencies will work together to conduct a thorough investigation surrounding what occurred at the time of the accident that claimed the life of your loved one. The investigation process for fatal car crashes in Connecticut often involves:
- Gathering a variety of forms of evidence from several sources
- Recreating the scene of the traffic accident
- Speaking with witnesses and recording their statements
- Examining data from vehicle black boxes when accessible
- Evaluating any available surveillance footage or dashcam recordings that might have documented the occurrence
All of this evidence will be compiled into an investigative report. Law enforcement will use the findings to issue a police report surrounding the accident and what took place.
How Long Does the Crash Investigation Take?
The timeframe associated with a fatal collision on Interstate 95 in Connecticut is typically determined by various factors. In instances where all evidence is accessible, the investigation into a fatal crash might conclude within a few weeks. In complex car crash situations, the process could extend over several months.
It is essential to recognize that while law enforcement agencies often prioritize accuracy when it comes to investigating rather than speed. As a result, they will take their time to ensure no stone is left unturned. Law enforcement often focuses on establishing liability for a crash instead of just placing blame on one of the involved parties.
Unfortunately, there are instances where the findings of law enforcement are different than your attorney’s private investigation. Having a team of experts to help prove your case can play a critical role when it comes to holding the negligent party accountable.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Fatal I-95 Crash Today in Connecticut?
Motor vehicle collisions on Interstate 95 often take place for various reasons. Many of these crashes involve the negligent actions of other motorists who are sharing the road.
After a fatal I-95 crash today in Connecticut, there are several parties who may be held liable. Identifying who is liable is critical when it comes to filing a wrongful death claim. Some common parties identified in wrongful death claims following these accidents include:
- Road maintenance agencies
- Construction companies
- Commercial vehicle operators
- Employers of involved drivers
- Vehicle manufacturers
- Another driver who was involved in the accident
- Government entities responsible for road design
- Third-party contractors
- Pedestrians or cyclists
An investigation surrounding the accident will be needed in order to identify who all is liable for the fatal I-95 crash today in Connecticut that claimed the life of your loved one. To ensure your family has the best chance of getting justice after experiencing the sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one, you should hire a wrongful death lawyer who can work with experts to conduct a private crash investigation.
Common Factors that Lead to I-95 Fatal Car Crashes in Connecticut
Interstate 95 is an incredibly busy highway in the state of Connecticut. It sees a substantial amount of traffic every day. As such, these factors can increase the likelihood of fatal car crashes taking place. This is particularly true when the road is occupied by negligent and reckless drivers. Far too often, acts of negligence are the cause of fatal I-95 car crashes in Connecticut. Some of the leading factors of these accidents include:
- Speeding or traveling too fast for road conditions
- Drivers who lose control of their vehicles
- Drivers who are impaired
- Drivers who are distracted
- Drivers who drift into other travel lanes
- Drivers who engage in aggressive behaviors
To take legal action after the loss of a loved one, you will need to identify the specific act of negligence that led to the accident occurring. This will help to ensure you are able to prove the legal elements of negligence existed at the time of the fatal accident, which are required to obtain compensation.
Proving the Elements of Negligence after a Fatal I-95 Crash in Connecticut
When proving negligence after a fatal Interstate 95 accident in Connecticut, you must be able to demonstrate the following elements were present at the time of the crash.
- Duty of Care: You must show that the defendant that you identify in your wrongful death claim owed a duty of care to the deceased victim. Doing so will help to demonstrate that they had a legal obligation to exercise reasonable caution to avoid causing harm.
- Breach of Duty: You must be able to demonstrate that the defendant breached their duty of care by failing to act in a manner expected under the circumstances while traveling on Interstate 95. This could be done by showing that the driver was speeding, under the influence, or otherwise careless while operating their vehicle.
- Causation: You must then prove that the breach of duty directly caused or substantially contributed to the fatal I-95 car crash today in Connecticut, and that the accident would not have occurred otherwise.
- Damages: You must then be able to demonstrate the measurable harm or damages suffered as a direct result of the accident. This can encompass physical injuries, emotional distress, and other economic and non-economic damages that you have suffered.
It is in your best interest to seek the guidance of a skilled legal team that can help to prove these elements existed at the time of the fatal I-95 crash in Connecticut that claimed the life of your loved one.
Comparative Negligence Laws in Connecticut
When it comes to pursuing legal action after a fatal I-95 crash, you should recognize that Connecticut operates under a modified comparative fault system. This type of legal framework stipulates that those affected by fatal car accidents can be eligible to recover financial compensation for damages that they face even if their loved one was partially at fault for the accident taken place.
This is true so long as your loved one is less than 50% responsible for the accident. If your loved one was found to be any percent responsible for the accident taken place, the amount of compensation that you are able to recover for the resulting losses and damages will be reduced in an amount that is proportional to the percentage of fault that they shared.
Insurance companies are well aware of the comparative negligence laws in the state of Connecticut following fatal Interstate 95 accidents. As a result, they will do everything they can to shift the blame onto your loved one. Unfortunately, your loved one is no longer here to be able to defend themselves against self-serving insurance companies. This makes it vital that you have a strong legal team on your side who can help to defend your loved ones’ actions on your behalf so that you are able to get justice.
Get Help Now
After the loss of a loved one due to a fatal I-95 crash today in Connecticut, your family has a period of up to two years from the date of death to file a legal claim against the responsible party. Even though you have a total of two years to file a claim, it is in your best interest to file timely legal action to ensure you have the strongest evidence possible.
At i95accidentalerts.com, we understand how difficult it can be to deal with the sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one due to a fatal car accident on I-95 today in Connecticut. For this reason, we want to help make the process as easy as possible by connecting you with experienced attorneys who have extensive knowledge and experience handling wrongful death claims for families across Connecticut.
We know how difficult this time can be emotionally, so let us take some of that burden off your shoulders while you focus on healing. Do not hesitate to reach out to our team of professionals today if someone close to you has lost their life due to an Interstate 95 car accident in Connecticut.