Every year, hundreds of drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians lose their lives in fatal car accidents in New York. Fatal collisions are almost always preventable; they occur when a driver or another party is negligent, or does not act with the right amount of care. In these situations, surviving loved ones may have the right to seek justice through wrongful death claims.
Deadliest Types of Car Accidents
A fatal collision is a catastrophic car accident that takes one or more lives. These collisions are often caused by driver errors, such as speeding, texting and driving, or driving while impaired.
The deadliest types of automobile accidents in New York include:
- Commercial truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle and pedestrian accidents
- Head-on collisions
- T-bone (side impact) accidents
- Intersection accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
- Speed-related accidents
- Hit-and-runs
- Multivehicle pileups
- Rollovers
These collisions can involve one or more vehicles. It is necessary to determine the cause of a deadly car accident before an insurance claim or lawsuit can be filed.
Your Rights After a Fatal Car Accident in New York
In New York, when a car accident results in serious injuries or deaths, those impacted have the right to seek financial compensation outside of their own car insurance providers. This means you have the right to file a claim against the at-fault driver or another party as the surviving loved one of someone who was killed in a fatal collision in New York State.
New York’s wrongful death laws limit the ability to file a claim only to the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate. This is someone who may be named in a will or appointed by the probate courts. This party has the right to file a fatal car accident claim on behalf of all beneficiaries related to the person who was killed in the crash, such as a spouse or child.
Compensation Available for a Fatal Car Accident in New York
The person or party responsible for paying for a fatal crash in New York will depend on the cause of the accident; it may be a driver, a car part manufacturer, a government agency or another party. The value of these claims will depend on the circumstances; however, since death occurred, they can make up for a lifetime of damages.
A claim for a deadly car accident in New York could lead to financial compensation for various related losses, such as funeral and burial costs, final medical expenses, lost financial support, lost inheritance, the value of household services, parental care and nurturing, and interest.
How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help After a Fatal Crash?
If you lose someone close to you in a fatal car accident in New York, it can be difficult to think about the legal process of filing a wrongful death claim. However, taking legal action is important if you wish to shed light on dangerous drivers, give your loved one a voice and achieve justice.
At Abaev Law Firm, PLLC, our Forest Hills accident attorneys can help you and your family file a claim or lawsuit in the aftermath of a fatal collision anywhere in New York. We will thoroughly investigate the wreck, determine the liable parties, collect evidence and take care of legal paperwork for you. Then, we will negotiate for maximum compensation while your family focuses on healing.
After a fatal car crash in New York, contact us anytime for a cost-free, no-obligation consultation about your family’s legal rights.