Almost any traffic accident that happens at high speeds has the potential to cause debilitating and potentially deadly injuries to everyone involved. Collisions involving tractor-trailers, which can legally weigh up to 80,000 pounds, are uniquely dangerous. Even a single reckless or careless act by a truck driver can have devastating consequences.
There is no amount of money that can completely erase the damage done by a fatal truck wreck, but seeking fair civil recovery with a skilled personal injury attorney’s help can still be crucial to preserving your financial security and future prospects after a tragedy like this. From gathering evidence to establishing civil fault to ensuring you get the compensation you need for all your recoverable damages, a Stamford fatal truck accident lawyer from Berkowitz and Hanna LLC can streamline the legal process for you and give you the best possible chances of case success.
When a truck driver breaks a traffic law, drives while drunk or distracted, or acts irresponsibly in a way that directly leads to an otherwise preventable wreck, they can be held personally liable for every injury and loss they cause. That said, it is rare for an individual truck driver to have anywhere near the amount of insurance coverage or personal assets needed to cover the immense costs associated with a fatal traffic accident.
Fortunately, it is often possible to name trucking companies that hired negligent drivers as co-defendants in a claim of this nature and hold them “vicariously liable” for their employees’ misconduct. There may also be other people whose misconduct contributed to causing a crash and whom a Stamford fatal truck injury attorney can include in a comprehensive lawsuit—for example, a mechanic who failed to identify and replace a truck’s faulty brakes before it went out on a delivery route.
Working with an attorney is especially important when it comes to navigating the specific rules that apply to wrongful death claims in Connecticut. Most notably, because the victim of a fatal truck accident in Stamford cannot file suit on their own behalf, so the legal right to do so passes to the “executor” named in their estate plan, or, if no executor was designated, to someone appointed by the court to serve in that role.
It is also worth noting that any compensation recovered through a wrongful death lawsuit, including for things like lost earning capacity, medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, and loss of enjoyment of life, goes to the decedent’s estate, not directly to individual family members. The compensation is considered an asset of the decedent and is distributed based on the instructions in their will or, if there is no will, Connecticut’s laws of intestate succession.
Fatal truck crashes in Connecticut can be devastating and legally complex. Navigating the state’s legal system can be challenging, especially when you’re also grieving the loss of a loved one. Between strict procedural rules, tight deadlines, and the burden of proving liability, pursuing fair compensation alone can feel overwhelming, if not impossible.
This is where experienced legal support can make all the difference. At Berkowitz and Hanna LLC, we have recovered more than $400 million in total through past settlements and court verdicts, and we are prepared to put that experience to work for you and your family. Call today to discuss your options with a Stamford fatal truck accident lawyer. Your initial consultation is completely free of charge.
Berkowitz Hanna
1177 Summer St 4th Floor
Stamford CT
06905
