Maryland Accident Law Blog
Last October, Secret Service agents and Capitol Police officers shot and killed a woman who failed to stop her black Infinity at a security checkpoint and led them on a chase throughout the nation’s capitol. According to an article by the National Journal, the officers and agents will not be prosecuted by the Justice Department. However, the civil charges alleging the wrongful death of the victim still remain.
According to police documents, the woman failed to stop at a security checkpoint, knocking over a bicycle rack with her car, which knocked down a police officer. From there, she sped away towards Capitol Hill. She drove her car over a curb near the Reflecting Pool, where she was surrounded by officers. She then put the car in reverse and hit one officer. It was at this point that the officers shot the woman. She was shot five times from two different directions. Her 14-month-old child was in the back seat the whole time. The child was not injured, thankfully.
The Justice Department stood by the officers’ decision to use deadly force, explaining that situation fit within the parameters for the permissible use of deadly force. The family of the woman, however, still has a pending wrongful death action against the officers and the police force for using excessive and unnecessary force.
Wrongful Death Actions
Wrongful death actions are a way for the surviving family members of someone killed in an accident to seek justice and compensation for their loss. In most cases, the person bringing the wrongful death action is an immediate family member of the deceased, usually a spouse, child, or parent. In some cases, it is possible for more distant relations to bring a wrongful death action, if there are no immediate family members available.
Once the proper plaintiff files the suit, they must then prove that the defendant wrongfully caused the death of their loved one. This most often entails showing that the defendant exhibited negligent, reckless, or intentional behavior that led to the death of their family member. Often, the bulk of litigation in a wrongful death claim is in proving this element. An experienced Maryland accident attorney can assist you with the preparation of your case to make sure that you comply with all the necessary rules and procedural requirements.
Have You Lost a Loved One in a Maryland Accident?
If you have recently lost a family member in any kind of Maryland accident, you may want to consider filing a wrongful death cause of action against those parties responsible for the loss of your loved one. Before filing, however, you should speak with a dedicated Maryland accident attorney to gain a better understanding of what to expect moving forward. Often, defendants in these cases will retain highly sophisticated defense attorneys who vigorously defend their clients. It is important that you have someone just as dedicated on your side. Click here, or call 410-654-3600 today to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced and dedicated Maryland accident attorney.
More Blog Posts:
Family of Man with Down Syndrome Sues the State of Maryland After He’s Killed While Being Detained By Off-Duty Police, Maryland Accident Law Blog, June 19, 2014.
Drowning Death During Tough Mudder Competition Leads to Wrongful Death Lawsuit Maryland Accident Law Blog, June 5, 2014.