The death of a loved one rarely comes easily to anyone. Such an incident may have a domino effect, and as a result, your life could change drastically. If your loved one suffered fatal injuries in a car accident and died suddenly, you may face additional hardships while attempting to address the resulting grief stemming from your loss. Luckily, you may have the opportunity to pursue a legal claim against the individual or entity considered at fault for the fatal incident.
Car accidents happen on a regular basis, and most individuals end up involved in such an event at some point in their lives. The causes of these accidents can vary, and the severity may range from minor to severe, and the information about the incident that claimed the life of your loved one may play a role in your legal action.
Accident factors
The investigation into the fatal event will more than likely reveal the direct cause of the incident. Certain factors commonly come up as contributing aspects to these types of accidents, including:
- Distracted driving
- Cell phone use/texting
- Drug or alcohol use
- Speeding and other reckless behaviors
- Drowsy driving
- New or elderly drivers
- Vehicle defects
- Street conditions
- Weather conditions
Any of these factors could contribute to a serious accident that leads to a fatality. The possibility exists that one or more of these causes may have played a role in the event that resulted in your loved one’s untimely demise.
Wrongful death
To pursue a wrongful death claim in hopes of gaining compensation and other damages for your loved one’s death, certain elements must exist. For instance, though one of the previously mentioned factors may have contributed to the accident, the driver of the other vehicle must have acted negligently or carried out some other action that resulted in his or her being deemed at fault for the incident. Additionally, monetary damages must have occurred from the crash.
The elements involved in a successful wrongful death claim can vary from case to case. Therefore, you may wish to fully assess your circumstances and determine your best options for moving forward. Information on the legal proceedings involved with such action may help you feel more confident in your decision making. Utilizing local reliable legal resources may allow you to ensure that you gain the correct information.
