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Losing someone you love in a motorcycle crash is a life-altering tragedy. In the midst of grief, families are often faced with overwhelming questions: How did this happen? Who is responsible? And what can be done to find accountability?
We understand that this is a challenging time, but navigating a wrongful death motorcycle accident lawsuit doesn’t have to be your burden alone.
Mann Law is a respected, female-led personal injury firm with offices throughout Maine. We’ve spent decades guiding families through some of life’s most challenging moments with compassion, honesty, and respect. Our attorneys are recognized for balancing fierce advocacy with genuine care, bringing every client support from start to finish.
In this guide, we’ll explain who can file a wrongful death claim, how the process works, and the wrongful death statute of limitations in Maine.
A wrongful death claim allows surviving family members to seek justice when another person’s negligent or reckless behavior causes a fatal accident. This type of lawsuit is a civil claim, separate from any criminal charges that may arise from the same incident. A wrongful death action seeks to secure the resources a family needs to rebuild after a tragedy, covering both the financial and emotional consequences of their loss.
Maine law allows a personal representative—the individual appointed through the deceased person’s estate—to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This person acts on behalf of the family and facilitates the distribution of any recovery in accordance with state law.
The amount recovered in every wrongful death action, except as specifically provided in certain situations, is for the exclusive benefit of the deceased’s heirs. It is distributed to those individuals in the proportions provided under Maine’s intestacy laws, the same laws that determine how property is divided when someone dies without a will.
In most cases, beneficiaries include the deceased’s spouse, children, and parents. If none survive, more distant relatives (such as siblings or grandparents) may be entitled to recover under Maine’s intestacy laws.
Because these rules can be complex, it’s essential to work with an attorney who understands both wrongful death law and estate procedure. At Mann Law, we help families navigate these sensitive legal details, helping confirm that the claim is filed correctly and every rightful beneficiary is considered.
Understanding how a wrongful death claim works can feel overwhelming, especially while coping with the loss of a loved one. An experienced attorney can help you understand the fatal motorcycle accident legal options in Maine by reviewing the circumstances of the crash, identifying who may be legally responsible, and guiding your family through each stage of the process to safeguard your rights.
While no two cases are the same, most filings of a wrongful death motorcycle accident lawsuit follow a series of key steps.
A wrongful death attorney conducts a thorough investigation to determine what caused the motorcycle accident and who may be responsible. This process often includes collecting key evidence such as:
Together, these pieces of evidence form the foundation of a wrongful death claim and help ensure your loved one’s story is told.
To recover damages in a wrongful death motorcycle accident lawsuit, your attorney must prove that another party’s carelessness or wrongdoing directly caused your loved one’s death. They must prove that the at-fault driver or other responsible party owed a duty of care, breached that duty through negligent actions, and caused the fatal accident as a result.
Negligence in motorcycle cases can take many forms, such as distracted or impaired driving, speeding, or unsafe road conditions. Your lawyer gathers and presents evidence that clearly connects those actions to the harm your family has suffered.
A wrongful death attorney helps determine the full scope of your family’s losses, both financial and emotional. Calculations include assessing the impact of lost income, your loved one’s support and companionship, and the many ways their absence affects your daily life.
Many wrongful death cases are resolved through settlement negotiations, but insurers and defense attorneys often resist full accountability. Our firm prepares every case as if it will go to trial, allowing us to negotiate from a position of strength. When settlement is not possible, we are ready to present your story in court.
No amount of money can ever replace a loved one’s life. But a wrongful death claim can help ease the financial and emotional burdens families face after a fatal motorcycle accident. These damages can include:
Mann Law works closely with families and strives for every impact—economic or emotional—to be acknowledged and reflected in the claim.
In Maine, most wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within three years of the date of death. This deadline is called the statute of limitations. If the case is not filed within this timeframe, the family typically loses the right to recover damages, regardless of the strength of the claim.
Acting promptly also helps preserve evidence and witness memories, both of which are crucial in proving negligence. Reaching out to an attorney soon after the accident helps avoid delays so that the investigation begins while the facts are still fresh and accurate.
Losing someone you love in a motorcycle accident is devastating, and navigating the following steps can feel overwhelming. But you don’t have to do it alone.
At Mann Law, we represent families across the entire state, with satellite offices throughout Maine for convenient, local access. Our attorneys are also licensed in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.
We take the time to understand your story, explain your options, and guide you through the process. If you are considering suing for wrongful death after a motorcycle crash, Contact Mann Law today at (207) 709-0900 for a free consultation and let us discuss your options.
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