Learn How a Stamford Fatal Car Accident Attorney Can Help
Car accidents happen every day. For the most part, these collisions are relatively minor. They might involve some degree of property damage or even a bodily injury, but many people walk away unharmed. Unfortunately, some accidents are so serious that they have permanent or even fatal consequences. If you have lost a loved one in a car accident, you might be entitled to financial compensation, and an experienced Stamford fatal car accident attorney can help.
No amount of money can bring your loved one back, but a wrongful death lawsuit could be your best shot at getting a measure of justice on their behalf. These claims could also help you cover the unexpected expenses that follow an accidental death.
At Slager Madry, we understand how difficult it can be to lose a loved one under these circumstances. When you rely on our team, you get the peace of mind that comes with knowing we will work hard on your behalf. Call a Stamford fatal car accident lawyer today to get started.
Connecticut Fatal Crash Statistics
When it comes to fatal car accidents in Connecticut, the numbers make clear just how tragic these incidents can be for families across the state. Each year, tens of thousands of motor vehicle collisions are reported statewide, and while the majority result in minor injuries or property damage, a significant number also end in loss of life. According to the Connecticut Crash Data Repository, there were more than 260 fatal car accidents in 2024 alone.
Preliminary 2025 data from CT Insider suggests a decline in overall traffic deaths with totals lower than recent five-year averages. However, the rate of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities remains troubling because they have not shown the same decrease as driver/passenger deaths.
For families dealing with the aftermath of a fatal collision, understanding the wider trends can help clarify the frequency of these tragedies in Connecticut and reinforce why the support of a Stamford fatal car accident attorney can offer a path toward justice.
Common Crashes That Lead to Fatal Car Accidents
Certain types of car accidents are far more likely to result in fatal injuries due to the forces involved, the speeds at which they occur, or the lack of protection for those involved. Recognizing how these types of collisions happen can help explain why fatal accident cases often involve complex investigations.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on crashes are among the deadliest types of car accidents, as they usually include a tremendous impact. They frequently occur when a driver crosses the center line or drives the wrong way on a roadway before colliding with another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. While the front of modern vehicles has the greatest capacity for a vehicle to absorb a major impact, the combination of high speeds and two vehicles traveling in opposite directions generates a substantial force.
T-Bone Crashes
Side-impact (or T-bone) collisions occur when the front of one car collides with the side of another. They are most common at intersections where one driver fails to yield to a traffic light or stop sign. The injuries that come with these accidents can be devastating, given that the side panels of a car have a limited ability to absorb an impact compared to the front or rear.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions have the reputation for being relatively minor, but these incidents can lead to fatal injuries when they occur at high speeds. A vehicle striking another at full speed may cause extreme force, causing fatal injuries. These crashes are often linked to distracted driving, speeding, or driver fatigue.
Single-Vehicle Roadway Departures
Fatal accidents tend to involve a single vehicle leaving the roadway and striking a fixed object or building. Rollovers happen frequently when drivers leave the roadway, since the odds of turning sideways and flipping over increase dramatically.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Collisions
Car accidents involving pedestrians or bicyclists are especially likely to be fatal due to the lack of physical protection for the person struck. These crashes are prevalent at intersections or along roadways with limited visibility. Even at moderate speeds, a collision between a motor vehicle and a pedestrian can result in fatal injuries.
What Are the Common Causes of Fatal Car Accidents?
Fatal car accidents are rarely the result of a single factor. In many cases, investigators uncover a combination of issues that ultimately contributed to a deadly outcome. Identifying the cause of a fatal crash is one of the ways our wrongful death lawyers may be able to help.
Impaired Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or certain prescription medications remains one of the top causes of fatal car accidents. Impaired drivers often suffer from reduced reaction times, poor judgment, and other factors that make it difficult to respond to changing traffic conditions.
Distracted Driving
Distractions have never been more available to motorists than they are today. Mobile devices make it easy to text or use navigation apps while driving, but that does not make it safe to do so. When drivers are traveling at high speeds, even a brief glance at a text message can be enough to cause a fatal crash.
Speeding
Excessive speed significantly increases both the likelihood of a crash and the severity of resulting injuries. It reduces the time a driver has to react and increases the force of impact during a collision. Aggressive behaviors, such as tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and road rage, can further escalate the risk of a fatal accident, particularly on highways and congested roadways.
Driver Fatigue
Fatigued driving can be just as dangerous as impaired driving. When drivers are drowsy or tired, it can cause them to make serious mistakes behind the wheel. Fatigue-related crashes are far more common late at night or early in the morning, especially among drivers who are behind the wheel for long hours as part of their job.
Weather Conditions
Rain, snow, ice, and fog can reduce visibility and traction, increasing the risk of fatal accidents. While drivers cannot control the weather, they are still responsible for adjusting their speed and driving behavior to match road conditions.
Vehicle Defects
Mechanical issues can also make a fatal crash unavoidable, even when drivers make every effort not to collide. Some of the malfunctions that could cause an accident include brake failures, tire blowouts, steering defects, or malfunctioning safety systems. It may be possible to pursue damages from the manufacturer of the vehicle or one of its parts through a product liability claim in these scenarios.
Roadway Issues
Poorly designed intersections, inadequate signage, malfunctioning traffic signals, and dangerous construction zones can play a role in fatal crashes. When roadway conditions contribute to a deadly accident, liability may extend beyond the drivers involved to government entities or contractors responsible for maintenance or design.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Case?
The right to file a wrongful death action differs from one state to another. In many jurisdictions, surviving relatives, including spouses and children, are entitled not only to recover the proceeds from these lawsuits but also to file them directly. However, that is not the case in Connecticut. Instead, a wrongful death claim stemming from a fatal car accident must be brought by the executor or administrator of the deceased person’s estate. This individual is tasked with managing the estate’s affairs, which includes overseeing a wrongful death action when one is appropriate.
Many people pass away with a last will and testament in place; this document often names someone to act as their executor. When there is no will, the probate court will appoint an administrator to manage the estate, and that administrator has the authority to move forward. This process typically starts right after the death, and it usually has to be completed before a wrongful death action can move forward.
Although the executor or administrator files the case, the compensation recovered through a wrongful death claim is intended to address the losses caused by the death itself. The distribution of any recovery generally follows the rules of the estate and probate process rather than being paid directly to a specific family member at the outset. A Stamford fatal car accident attorney at our firm can help you understand how the law might apply in your case.
The Wrongful Death Process
Pursuing a wrongful death claim after a fatal car accident in Connecticut follows a structured legal process. Each of these steps is important for anyone seeking justice for the passing of a loved one.
Step One: Appointing an Executor
Before a wrongful death case can proceed, the estate of the deceased must be legally established. If the person left a will, the executor named in the document fills this role. If there is no will, it falls to the probate court to appoint an administrator.
Step Two: Investigating the Fatal Accident
Once the estate is in place, a detailed investigation begins. This includes reviewing police crash reports, medical records, witness statements, and any available video or photographic evidence. In fatal accident cases, additional evidence such as vehicle data, phone records, or accident reconstruction analysis may be necessary. Preserving evidence early is critical, as key information can be lost or overwritten with time.
Step Three: Establishing Liability
The next step is determining who is legally responsible for the death. This requires showing that another party’s negligence or misconduct caused or contributed to the fatal crash. Liability may rest with a single driver or extend to multiple parties, such as an employer, vehicle owner, manufacturer, or roadway maintenance authority. Proving liability is often one of the most contested aspects of a wrongful death case.
Step Four: Calculating Damages
After liability is established, the value of the claim must be assessed. Damages in a wrongful death case may comprise medical expenses incurred before death, funeral and burial costs, loss of future earning capacity, and other losses recognized under Connecticut law. This step often involves financial documentation and expert analysis to accurately reflect the long-term impact of the loss.
Step Five: Filing the Lawsuit and Negotiating
With evidence and damages identified, the executor or administrator can formally file the wrongful death lawsuit. Many cases proceed through negotiation or mediation with insurance companies or defense counsel. Settlement discussions may occur at multiple stages, but if a fair resolution cannot be reached, the case may continue through discovery and toward trial.
Step Six: Resolution and Distribution of Compensation
If the case resolves through settlement or verdict, the recovered compensation is paid to the estate. From there, funds are distributed according to the will or Connecticut’s intestacy laws, but only after any required expenses are paid. While no outcome can replace a loved one, this process provides a legal path to accountability and financial support for the future.
Talk to a Stamford Fatal Car Accident Attorney at Slager Madry Today
There is no easy way to deal with the unexpected loss of a family member. While it is impossible to turn back the clock or erase what happened, a successful wrongful death action could provide your family with the resources it needs to cover your loved one’s final expenses. If you are ready to learn about your options, reach out to a Stamford fatal car accident attorney with our firm today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fatal Car Accidents
How long do I have to bring a wrongful death case in Connecticut?
You generally have two years from the date of a person’s passing to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
What evidence is most important in a fatal crash case?
Some of the most important pieces of evidence include police reports, medical records, and video of the accident as it happened.
Can you file a wrongful death suit while a criminal case is underway?
Yes, because wrongful death cases are independent from any criminal case filed by prosecutors.
How long do fatal accident cases usually take to resolve?
The timeline varies, but fatal accident cases often take months or even years, depending on how complex the issues are.