What Should You Do if Your Loved One Was Involved in a Fatal Accident on I-95 Today in Maine?

The loss of a loved one is never an easy thing to deal with. Unfortunately, fatal car accidents take the lives of more than 700 people in Maine every year. Given the fact that Interstate 95 is one of the deadliest roadways in the United States and here in Maine specifically, it is no surprise that these accidents do take place on this busy roadway.

After losing a loved one due to a fatal accident on I-95 today in Maine, it is crucial that families understand the options that they have moving forward. One of the most common steps that families take after fatal accidents is the filing of a wrongful death claim. It is important to understand what this process involves and how it can help your family throughout the grieving process and beyond.

Proving Negligence after a Fatal Crash on I-95

In the aftermath of the fatal accident on Interstate 95 today in Maine, families are able to take legal action so long as they are able to prove that the negligence of another party was the cause of the fatal accident that claimed the life of their loved one. This can be a difficult task as it often involves an in-depth investigation into the accident to uncover critical details surrounding what occurred.

There are several negligent actions that continue to impact families across our state. Some of the leading factors in fatal I-95 accidents include:

• Distracted driving
• Aggressive driving
• Weather conditions
• Speeding
• Impaired driving
• Reckless driving
• Fatigue
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Poor road conditions
• Mechanical failures

It is important to have a thorough investigation performed to determine what factors contributed to the accident taking place and who is responsible.

The Investigation Process

After a fatal accident is reported, an investigation is performed to uncover various details pertaining to what took place. The investigation process will review evidence and information surrounding all aspects of the crash in order to recreate exactly what occurred. Some of the information and evidence that is reviewed during the investigation includes:

• Vehicle damage
• Surveillance camera footage
• Weather conditions
• Eyewitness accounts
• Vehicle positions and trajectories
• Skid marks and tire tracks
• Roadway conditions
• Vehicle data recorders
• Toxicology reports

All of these factors will be thoroughly scrutinized as the investigators try to re-create the accident to show how each one of them contributed. In some cases, authorities will also review cell phone records and vehicle maintenance records to determine if cell phone use or a mechanical failure led to the accident. Given the fact that one or more factors can contribute to an accident taking place, the investigation is not typically rushed. This process can take several weeks to months after an accident to come to any conclusion.

Although you have no legal requirement to do so, it is in your best interest for your family to seek help from a wrongful death lawyer who will be able to conduct an independent investigation into the accident and work with experts who can re-create the crash to uncover details in support of a claim for wrongful death against the responsible party.

Negligence Laws in Maine

After a fatal accident on Interstate 95 in Maine, bereaved families have the ability to file wrongful death claims against those who are responsible. These claims can help families recover compensation for various damages that they face. This can include:

• Medical expenses
• Funeral and burial costs
• Property damage
• Loss of future earnings
• Loss of services
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of companionship

To recover compensation for the losses and damages that you face, you must be able to prove that the defendant was responsible for the crash. Awards of compensation for lawsuits filed in Maine follow the laws of comparative negligence.

These laws state that a person can recover compensation for the damages and losses that they face so long as the deceased victim is not more than 51 percent responsible for the accident occurring. If the deceased victim contributed to the accident taking place in any way, the amount of money that a family is able to recover for their wrongful death claim will be reduced to reflect the amount of fault that was shared.

This makes it important for you to seek guidance from a wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible. A lawyer will be able to prove your case against the defendant so that your family can maximize your recovery.