The unexpected loss of a loved one can be devastating. If you lost a family member in a fatal car crash, a Southlake car accident lawyer can help you seek justice.
Aulsbrook Car & Truck Wreck Lawyers has been advocating for accident victims and their families since 2018. If you lost a loved one in a car crash, a fatal car accident lawyer in Southlake can take on your case and help you seek compensation.
The Role of a Southlake Fatal Car Accident Lawyer
The process of pursuing a wrongful death claim can be overwhelming, especially while grieving the loss of a family member.
A Southlake personal injury lawyer can step in and help by:
- Investigating the accident: We can collect police reports, interview witnesses, obtain surveillance footage, review vehicle data, and work with accident reconstruction experts to determine what caused the crash and who is responsible.
- Calculating your family’s losses: We can evaluate both your economic and non-economic damages to determine the true value of your claim.
- Negotiating with insurance companies: We can communicate with insurance adjusters, respond to requests for information, and work to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.
- Representing your family in court: If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we can present evidence, question witnesses, and advocate for your family at trial.
What Types of Compensation Can You Recover?
After a fatal car crash, you and your family can pursue compensation for numerous financial and emotional losses.
Potential damages include:
- Funeral and burial expenses: You can recover the costs associated with laying your loved one to rest.
- Medical expenses: The estate can seek compensation for medical treatment your loved one received before passing away.
- Loss of financial support: You may recover income and financial contributions your loved one would likely have provided in the future.
- Loss of household services: You can pursue compensation for the value of household tasks and services your loved one regularly performed.
- Loss of companionship: You may recover damages for the emotional loss of your relationship with your loved one.
- Loss of guidance and support: Children and other eligible family members can pursue compensation for the loss of parental guidance, care, and emotional support.
- Mental anguish: You can seek damages for the emotional suffering caused by the unexpected loss.
- Punitive damages: The court may award punitive damages in cases involving gross negligence or willful misconduct from the at-fault party.
A Southlake fatal car accident lawyer can make sure all of your losses are included in your claim.
Southlake Fatal Car Accident Lawyer Near Me (817) 775-5364
How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Texas?
In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of a family member’s death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. If you don’t file within this window, you could lose the right to pursue compensation altogether.
Though two years may sound like plenty of time, important evidence can disappear quickly, which is why it’s important to work with a fatal car accident attorney in Southlake.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Texas?
Texas law limits who can bring a wrongful death claim. Generally, only the surviving spouse, children, or parents of the deceased can bring a claim. These eligible family members may file individually or together.
If none of these family members files a lawsuit within three months of the death, the personal representative of the deceased’s estate must bring the claim, unless all of the eligible family members request that it not be filed.
Common Causes of Fatal Car Accidents in Southlake
Many fatal car crashes are caused by negligence, reckless behavior, or unsafe road conditions.
Common causes include:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk or impaired driving
- Speeding
- Fatigued or drowsy driving
- Aggressive driving or road rage
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Unsafe lane changes
- Poor weather conditions
- Defective vehicle parts
- Dangerous or poorly maintained roads
What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?
A wrongful death claim is an insurance claim or civil lawsuit brought when someone dies because another person or entity acted negligently, recklessly, or intentionally.
Unlike a criminal prosecution, which seeks to punish wrongdoing, a wrongful death lawsuit focuses on compensating surviving family members for the losses they have suffered.
Even if no criminal charges are filed against the at-fault driver, you and your family may still have the right to pursue a claim.
What to Do After a Fatal Car Accident in Southlake
In the wake of a fatal car crash, it’s important to:
- Obtain the official crash report.
- Preserve photographs, documents, and other evidence related to the crash.
- Save medical bills and funeral expense records.
- Avoid discussing the accident extensively with insurance adjusters.
- Keep records of financial losses resulting from your loved one’s death.
- Consult a personal injury attorney in Southlake to get help with your wrongful death case.
Speak to a Fatal Car Accident Attorney in Southlake
The loss of a loved one can have a significant impact on your family’s financial future. If you lost someone in a preventable car crash, a Southlake fatal car accident attorney from The Texas Law Dog can help you file a claim and hold those at fault accountable.
Book a free case review to learn more about how you can pursue justice.
