Everything in your life seemed positive and nothing could bring you down. Until that drunk driver crashed into your spouse’s car!
You’re not the only one who’s had to go through a sudden loss. A recent study found that car accidents are the most common reason for a wrongful death lawsuit.
But, what qualifies as wrongful death, and what is the process for filing a lawsuit? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about wrongful death lawsuits before you hire a lawyer.
What Is Wrongful Death?
Any time someone dies due to negligence, incompetence, or failure to act, that qualifies as wrongful death. These sorts of civil lawsuits, don’t deal with criminal charges. But, they help the deceased person’s loved ones get a settlement for pain and suffering, stress, financial hardship, medical bills, and other costs caused by the negligence.
How To Choose the Best Wrongful Death Attorney
One of the most important tasks for you is to choose the right lawyer to handle your case. You want to hire someone you trust and who can explain things to you in a way you understand.
This site has some great tips for hiring a good wrongful death attorney. Check it out before you start your hunt so you know what to look for.
How Long Can You Wait to File a Lawsuit?
If you want to file a lawsuit for wrongful death, you’ll want to get started ASAP. Most states have a statute of limitations (or time limit to file) between 1 and 3 years from the date of the death for the next of kin to file. If you go past the statute of limitations, the judge won’t even hear your case!
Possible Damages To Seek Settlement for in Wrongful Death Lawsuits
When you decide how much money to sue for, the law allows you to consider certain factors. These are the most common things people seek damages for in a wrongful death lawsuit.
- Loss of income
- Reduction in quality of life
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental suffering
- Loss of inheritance
- Hospital bills
- Burial costs
- Loss of a support system
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of a close family member
- Collective damages
Your lawyer can help you go over each of these and see if you qualify for payment under each category. The more damages you can prove the loss caused, the more settlement money the judge will award you.
Wrongful Death Lawyers Fight for Justice Until the End
After you suffer an unexpected loss, it’s hard to manage your daily life on top of a court case. Though you may choose to represent yourself in a wrongful death case, most people appreciate the help and expertise of a professional lawyer.
These attorneys know how to work with people still in grief and they will fight for you until the judge makes a final verdict. They work day and night to seek justice for those who have lost a loved one due to the actions of another.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article and that you learned all about wrongful death lawsuits. For more helpful articles about lifestyles, news, technology, and more, check out the rest of our blog today!