Joliet, IL asked in Wrongful Death for Illinois

Q: If my wife got injured due to another driver's negligence, can that guy's estate sue her for wrongful death?

Related Topics:
2 Lawyer Answers
Steve McCann
Steve McCann
Answered
  • Chicago, IL
  • Licensed in Illinois

A: You wife can certainly be sued, but the estate's chances of recovery is very slim if your wife was not negligent. If your wife was not negligent, and still sustained injuries as the result of an accident, I suggest you consult with a personal injury attorney immediately to discuss her options moving forward in detail.

Many of us offer free consultations and will represent your wife on a contingent basis if her claims have merit, so it will not cost you anything to obtain the opinion and representation of an experienced professional who will work with your wife to add value to her claims.

Drew R. Ball and Charles Candiano agree with this answer

Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
Answered
  • Chicago, IL
  • Licensed in Illinois

A: Anyone can sue anyone. If they do sue you, you MUST turn it over to your insurance, IMMEDIATELY. If the decedent is determined to have been the negligent driver, the estate CANNOT recover. In this case, your wife also needs to hire counsel, ASAP, to file a Counterclaim, working with your insurance attorney. Your insurance attorney MUST defend you, without cost. If your wife's injuries merit (and you have more coverage than the Defendant), you also need to place your own insurance on notice that you are filing an underinsured motorist (UM) claim.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.