Talking someone out of suing
personal injury attorney Maine Jul 28, 2026
Location: Maine several months ago my cousin was killed in a road rage incident. I believe there is still a pending criminal case, although neither the police or the prosecutor’s office have been very forth coming. my aunt was not notified that the other driver turned themself in until a month after the incident. it is not a black and white case. my family knows very little about what actually happened and how it started, but through the small town grapevine we have learned that my cousin at the very least escalated the situation before he was run over. he never woke up after entering the icu (where he spent several weeks). i don’t want to say anything that would jeopardize any pending criminal case, if it actually comes to court (not a legal expert but I would not be surprised if there was a plea deal). my deceased cousins younger sibling and his “best friend” are pushing my aunt HARD to file a wrongful death suit, to the point she is looking at personal injury lawyers. she really doesn’t want to sue but i guess as his nearest living relative (my aunt) is the one who would have to file the suit? he was a grown man (divorced/no kids). to the best of my knowledge my aunt will not be liable for his hundreds of thousands of hospital bills which would change my opinion on suing. can you even sue someone for wrongful death before a judge has even heard the criminal case? again, i don’t want to say too much, but my dead cousin had at least one dui in the last couple years (not his only one). he may have had a traumatic brain injury. i don’t think these things would have much bearing on a criminal case, but i feel like his history could be brought into a civil suit and i don’t want my aunt to have to hear all his faults brought out in court. we know nothing about the man who ran my cousin over but he didn’t do it in a rolls-royce. i’ve never meet the “best friend” and i love my other cousin to death, but i think they are counting on a payday if my aunt sues. i think they are trying to pressure my aunt into something that will cause way to much stress and pain, and never pay out. I guess I’m looking for a way to talk my living cousin out suing (money), and information I can give my aunt on why it’s a bad idea to sue (money and emotional well being). thanks in advance for any advice and sorry if this is the wrong sub. i forgot i started this throwaway, but i will check back.
