Losing a family member in a fatal car accident is not something a family expects or can prepare for. It can cause a wide range of difficulties and challenges for a family to navigate the aftermath of a devastating accident ending in the death of their loved one.
A fatal car accident lawyer in Forest Park can help protect your rights if you lost a loved one. We can help you seek justice for your family member and compensation for wrongful death damages when your loved one dies due to another party’s negligence.
When Should a Family Contact a Fatal Car Accident Attorney in Forest Park?
As soon as an accident involves the fatality of a victim, a lawyer may be necessary. Fatal car accidents that occur because of negligence potentially give rise to a wrongful death action for the surviving family of the victim. Insurance companies or the party at fault will not help you to understand the process of filing a claim or how to best pursue the damages you may be eligible for under the law.
You will need an advocate to represent the rights of your loved one and your family as soon as possible after a negligent fatal car accident. The sooner you seek the help of a Forest Park fatal car accident attorney the sooner you can confidently go forward with your wrongful death claim and case.
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The Rights of the Surviving Loved Ones After a Fatal Car Crash in Forest Park
Georgia law gives a right to certain family members of an individual that loses their life in a motor vehicle accident to pursue damages against the party or parties responsible for their death. When someone loses their life in an unexpected and preventable accident such as a fatal car crash, their loved ones and family can be left facing significant financial burdens and difficulties as they try to move forward in their own lives.
The law recognizes the impacts that such a negligent act can cause and gives those most directly affected by the death an opportunity to pursue compensation from the individual or party at fault for the accident.
Damages You May Receive if Your Loved One Dies in a Motor Vehicle Accident
The wrongful death damages allowable for recovery under the state’s statute specifies for “the full value of the life of the decedent”. What that value is may not always be clear or something that an insurance company or other party will agree with you on. The reality is that no life can be accurately measured or valued in terms of money, but a court allows for the family to show proof of what the loss of their loved one’s life entails.
Compensation that you may be eligible to seek after a fatal car accident includes:
- Income your loved one might have earned in the future.
- Benefits lost due to their premature death.
- The contributions of your loved one to the family unit.
- The loss of your loved one’s personal relationships.
- The support that your loved one would have given to their family.
Who May Qualify for Wrongful Death Damages in Forest Park?
After the death of a loved one, there can be some confusion as to who can seek wrongful death damages following an accident in Forest Park. The wrongful death statute of the state clearly delineates the hierarchy of who can seek compensation in a wrongful death claim and case.
Whether you are eligible to file a claim or case on your loved one’s behalf for their wrongful death will depend on your relationship with them and the relationship of other living family members with them.
The family that can seek wrongful death damages in the order of eligibility include:
- A spouse
- Children, whether minors or adults
- The parents
How Can a Forest Park Fatal Car Accident Lawyer Help Your Family?
The role of a lawyer in a wrongful death case is to protect the rights of the surviving family of a victim that loses their life due to the negligence of another. A fatal car accident lawyer in Forest Park can work with your family to help you seek any compensation that may be available to you under the laws of your state.
Common tasks of a wrongful death fatal accident attorney can include:
- Discovering and collecting evidence to prove fault for your loved one’s death.
- Gathering proof of the damages caused by the wrongful death of your loved one.
- Calculating the potential damages available for the case.
- Negotiations with insurance company representatives or an at-fault party.
- Representation in all court proceedings related to the wrongful death case.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death in a Forest Park Collision?
While you have some time to act following the death of a loved one in a fatal car accident, your time to decide to take action is limited. The statute of limitations applicable to Forest Park wrongful death cases gives surviving family members only two years to file a legal action for damages. The time begins to elapse on the date of your loved one’s death.
If you do not initiate and file a lawsuit by the end of this time period, you will be unable to pursue any compensation. It is best to avoid any complications due to time constraints by contacting a fatal car accident attorney as quickly as possible after the accident leading to your loved one’s death.
Contact John Foy & Associates for a Free Consultation
We are ready to help you fight for justice for your loved one after an accident that takes their life. We understand the challenges and burdens you face after an unexpected family death and want to help you protect the rights of your loved one and family to help you move forward. Contact us for a free case evaluation to discuss what compensation may be available to you.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form