Fatal Car Accident Lawyer BIG AUTO

The minutes, hours and days following a fatal car accident can be times of immense panic and confusion. It can be difficult to know what to do next when you lose a loved one in a car accident or if they pass away from their injuries after the fact. Having an idea ahead of time of how to respond to such a shocking event can help you keep calm and make rational decisions in the heat of the moment.
 
Taking these steps after an accident can help you ensure your own well-being and strengthen your car accident claim:

• Seeking medical attention: Even if your focus is on a loved one with potentially fatal injuries, it is also important to seek medical attention for your own injuries even if you do not immediately notice any pain or symptoms
• Collecting medical records: All documentation pertaining to your treatment or the treatment of your loved ones can serve as crucial evidence in your case
• Acquiring police reports: It is required by law for those involved in a car accident to contact the police if they are able, and the officers who arrive at the scene will file a police report with valuable insights that may be relevant to your claim
• Filing an insurance claim: When you feel that you are of sound mind to do so, you should inform the insurance company of the accident and begin the claims process so you can secure the compensation you deserve.

 
A fatal car accident lawyer can help you accomplish these tasks or even bear the burden of many of them entirely so that you can focus on physical and emotional recovery.

Having to navigate the complexities of a wrongful death claim is the last thing you need when you are mourning, not to mention the possibility of having your own injuries to consider. You can gain some much-needed peace of mind by knowing how exactly a fatal car accident lawyer can support you through the process.
 
The team at Big Auto Accident Attorneys can help you by:

• Investigating the cause of your accident
• Collecting evidence that establishes fault
• Handling paperwork and administrative tasks for you
• Negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf
• Taking your case to court if you so choose

 
Involving an accident attorney early on in the process can make all the difference in ensuring that everything goes smoothly. Your legal team can even help you with filing your initial claim and checking all documents for accuracy.

An important part of any accident claim is the presence of recoverable damages. These refer to the financial expenses or emotional suffering you incur as a direct result of the other party’s negligence. Proving that you sustained these damages and providing evidence that they stemmed from the actions of another individual is crucial in securing the best possible settlement from the insurance company.

In the fields of personal injury and wrongful death law, recoverable damages can either be economic or non-economic in nature.
 

Economic Damages

Economic damages are the monetary expenses you incur because of an accident. In the case of a fatal car accident, common economic damages might include:

• Medical costs
• Lost wages
• Loss of future income
• Funeral expenses
• Property damage

 
A fatal car accident lawyer can take an active role in compiling relevant documentation and financial statements so you can have a clear idea of your economic damages and how much compensation you should receive from the insurance company.
 

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages refer to the pain, suffering and other negative consequences of a car accident that do not have an immediately apparent financial value. They are no less valid in the eyes of the law, though, so keep in mind that the following damages may be grounds for compensation:

• Mental anguish
• Emotional stress or anxiety
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent disabilities

 
While there is not likely to be any definitive evidence that establishes a concrete settlement you should receive for your non-economic damages, your fatal accident lawyer can advocate for the amount of compensation you rightfully deserve.

Success in an insurance claim ultimately hinges on proving that the other party was liable for causing an accident and that their negligence caused the damages you incurred. While your attorney can carry much of the burden of collecting evidence, presenting it to the insurance company and negotiating with other lawyers, it can still be in your best interest to understand what goes into proving liability in a car accident case.

When operating a vehicle, all drivers owe a duty of care to other motorists as well as pedestrians or anyone else on or near the road. Driving recklessly, acting negligently or blatantly disobeying traffic laws are all critical breaches of that duty of care. When building your case, your fatal car accident lawyer will collect photo or video evidence as well as witness statements and then compare those accounts to local traffic laws to verify that the other party was in the wrong.

When you decide to file a third-party insurance claim with the other driver’s insurance provider, the first step is to contact the insurance company and provide verbal notice of your claim. It can be beneficial to provide this notice as quickly as possible, but it is also wise to avoid providing too many details until you have a chance to speak with your fatal accident lawyer.

Your attorney can then help you provide written notice and file the actual claim itself. Working with a legal professional at this stage can ensure accuracy, correctness and the inclusion of any details that may strengthen your case. The rest of the process may go smoothly if there is no dispute regarding fault, but having an attorney on your side will make a difference if the insurance company does raise a dispute.

Another thing to consider when filing an insurance claim is the statute of limitations. In Virginia, you must file a car accident claim within two years from the date of injury or wrongful death. It will not be possible to pursue compensation after the statute of limitations expires.