Wrongful Death Claims after Auto Accidents

Traffic accidents can happen in a single instant, but they can change the rest of your life. This is especially true when a close family member does not survive a crash. While your family is likely going through a devastating time and dealing with shocking grief, it is also important to consider your legal rights if someone else caused the accident. A wrongful death claim might be possible to provide your family with compensation. While this can never bring back your loved one, it can bring a sense of justice and help with your financial needs moving forward.

Fatal Car Accidents in Alabama

Traffic crashes can result in life-threatening injuries and, even with emergency medical care, some victims will succumb to their injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 36,560 people died in traffic accidents in a recent year across the United States, and at least 953 of those fatalities occurred in Alabama.

The following are some notable facts regarding deaths from auto accidents in our state:

●     49 percent of deadly crashes happened at night, dusk, or dawn

●     Most fatalities happen in rural parts of the state

●     Saturday is the most common day for fatal accidents

●     The number one factor in fatal accidents was speeding, and Alabama is 12th in the United States for speed-related fatalities

●     Drunk driving crashes have a much higher rate of causing fatalities than non-drunk driving crashes

●     39 people were confirmed to pass away in distracted driving crashes, and this number likely should be much higher

These numbers show that fatal crashes are a serious problem in Alabama, and a death from an auto accident could happen to one of your close family members.

Do You have a Wrongful Death Claim?

Wrongful death laws are different in every state, and this is especially true in Alabama. Wrongful death claims take place in a unique manner in our state, and it is critical to have an experienced wrongful death lawyer handling your claim as soon as possible.

A wrongful death claim is possible if the deceased person would have had the right to file a personal injury claim if they had lived. This means someone else must have acted negligently or wrongfully to cause the accident and fatality. The following is some basic information about how wrongful death cases work in Alabama:

●     Family members do not file the claim directly, but instead, the personal representative of the deceased’s estate will have to file the claim.

●     A claim can only recover punitive damages, which are not intended to compensate families for their financial losses, but are instead meant to punish the wrongdoer.

●     If damages are recovered, they are distributed according to state intestacy laws instead of according to your loved one’s will.

Discuss Your Family’s Options with a Montgomery Wrongful Death Attorney

There are strict timelines and procedures that a personal representative must follow to obtain damages for wrongful death. This is why families should not delay in consulting with a Montgomery wrongful death lawyer at The Law Office of Richard F. Matthews, Jr. We are ready to help you move forward, so please contact us online or call 334-398-8408 for free today.

No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.