If you lost a loved one in a fatal car accident, you can suddenly find yourself dealing with both the tangible loss of an important person and unexpected costs. Fatal accidents are expensive, often leaving families dealing with cost associated with emergency medical care, funeral expenses and more. It can leave your Florida families devastated and overwhelmed.
When the reckless or negligent actions of another person lead to the death of your family member, you could have grounds to proceed with a civil claim. Through a wrongful death claim, you may be able to get compensation for your financial losses and non-economic damages. It is worthwhile to explore your legal options.
What is a wrongful death claim?
A wrongful death claim is a civil action that holds liable parties accountable for the actions that led to the death of an individual. It is not always easy to determine who is liable for the accident that claimed the life of your loved one, but some potential options include:
- The person who served alcohol to the driver who then caused a drunk driving accident
- The owners of the vehicle, even if the driver is not the owner
- The person who was operating the vehicle at the time of the accident
A fatal accident is not always grounds for a civil claim. There are certain factors that must be present in order to validate your claim and obtain compensation. In order to have a strong wrongful death claim, you must be able to prove the following:
- The death of a person
- That negligent actions caused the fatal accident
- Financial suffering as a result of the death
In order to start building your claim, it can be helpful to seek a complete evaluation of your case as soon as possible in order to understand how to move forward.
Quick action is important
With a wrongful death claim, quick action is important. Crucial evidence can disappear, and it can be more difficult to speak to witnesses as time passes. While it may seem like a daunting prospect during your time of grief, you may find it beneficial to consider legal actions as quickly as possible after an accident.
If you are unsure of where to start or whether your family even has grounds for a claim, you do not have to walk through the aftermath alone. No matter the circumstances of your individual case, you are entitled to a complete explanation of your rights and possible route to recovery.