Who declares death in a hospital after a car accident?
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A licensed physician (or in some states, a qualified nurse practitioner or physician assistant) is authorized to pronounce death in a hospital.
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For brain death, U.S. law (Uniform Determination of Death Act) requires:
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Irreversible cessation of all brain functions, confirmed by two physicians (in most states).
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This is separate from cardiac death.
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What if the patient is on life support?
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The medical team determines if the patient meets criteria for brain death.
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Once confirmed, they can legally declare death even if machines keep the heart beating.
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Family cannot override a brain death determination—it is legally death.
When does a court get involved?
A judge may decide if:
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There is a dispute about removing life support (e.g., family disagrees).
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There is a petition for legal death (e.g., body missing, prolonged coma without brain death).
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Guardianship or estate issues arise before death is declared.
Who signs the official death certificate?
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The attending physician or coroner/medical examiner (especially if death is accident-related).
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In car accidents, the medical examiner often gets involved because it's an unattended or traumatic death.
