The unthinkable has happened. You said goodbye to your spouse as they left for work, just like any other day. Then, three hours later, there is a knock on the door. You answer it to find two police officers asking if your name is… your heart drops to your feet because you know.
Life can change in one second, and the results can be devastating. But you have options if you lost a family member in a car accident in Corpus Christi due to someone’s careless actions. D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™, has fatal car accident lawyers serving Corpus Christi ready to help.
We know that money is not a replacement for your loss, but we also know that expenses can pile up quickly. Your family must keep going. Seeking financial recovery after a loss will help keep your family together and pay your bills. It can also help cover the additional burden of funeral and burial costs.
Recoverable Damages After a Fatal Car Accident
Texas law allows you to file for damages from the responsible party when you lose someone in a fatal car accident. Some of the financial recovery you can seek includes:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Final medical bills related to the deadly car accident
- Additional recovery for the loss of their financial contributions to family
How Your Case Value Is Determined
No two claims are alike. With that in mind, determining the value of your claim is individualized to your specific details. Some of the things we use to determine the value of a case are:
- Medical bills for care received following the accident
- The cost of final arrangements for your loved one
- Mental anguish
- Other non-tangible losses that have no equivalent monetary value
Types of Financial Recovery
There are two basic types of financial recovery available to people who have lost a family member. First, economic damages are tangible assets or expenses directly related to the accident. Without the accident, the family would not have had medical bills, burial expenses, and other costs.
Lost wages and the loss of earning potential are also included as economic losses as they can be verified. In addition, expected future expenses can also be included under monetary damages related to the accident, such as replacing the damaged vehicle.
Non-economic damages do not have a price tag. However, these are more difficult to assess as they provide recovery for pain and suffering and non-tangible categories.
Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer’s Help?
In the case of a minor vehicle accident, no, you probably do not need an attorney. However, it might be beneficial to have a car accident attorney guide you through the process when the accident involves a fatality.
When your family is grieving, trying to compile the information necessary to file a claim can become overwhelming. With an attorney working with you, you can take the time you need to grieve your loss and tend to your family. Our team can focus on building your claim, investigating, and finding out:
- Exactly what happened
- How it escalated
- Who was to blame
Insurance may try to contact you to trick you into settling for a small amount or minimizing the loss of your family member. An attorney will handle all communication with insurance claims adjusters leaving you free to be with your family.
What We Do to Support Your Claim
To build your claim, we will compile evidence, including:
- Photos and video of the accident scene
- Police reports
- Medical reports stating the cause of death
- Statements from witnesses
- On-scene sobriety tests
- Cell phone records
- Vehicle computer read-outs (if available)
- Expert testimony if necessary
By compiling this information, we can establish liability or fault and fight for financial recovery for your family.
Benefits of Having a Law Firm Helping with Your Claim
Gaining financial recovery can be a long process, and Texas’s laws can be confusing. That is a lot to take on when you are grieving. One of the most significant benefits of having the help of a law firm familiar with fatal accidents is simply peace of mind.
We will:
- Listen to your version of the events
- Identify the liable party or parties
- Conduct an independent investigation
- Review the medical records of your loved one
- Consult medical experts
Trusting Our Experience with Fatal Car Accidents
A majority of fatal car accidents settle before reaching a courtroom. However, by building a solid case for negligence against the defendant, we are in a better position to negotiate for higher financial recovery.
Our team has successfully settled or won more than 35,000 cases and has recovered millions for our clients. Once we begin seeking financial recovery for your family, we will continue to fight until your claim is resolved.
Filing Deadlines in Texas
Texas law has a limit to file a claim for recovery after the death of a loved one. You have two years from the date of death. When grieving, this can pass quickly, so it makes sense to consider contacting a fatal car accident lawyer as early as possible.
Locating All the Liable Parties
It could be pretty straightforward if your loved one were involved in an accident with only one other driver and vehicle. However, finding the liable party or parties can become quite complex if the accident involves more than one vehicle or a semi truck.
If more than one vehicle is involved, chain reaction situations may need to be pieced together by an accident reconstruction specialist to determine liability. Whatever the situation surrounding your family member’s accident, we will find the facts and fight for your recovery.
Once the liable party is located, our team will assemble the necessary facts to prove the four elements of negligence:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
The evidence our team gathers will show a clear trail of how the accident happened and who was at fault.
Contact Our Fatal Car Accident Lawyers Serving Corpus Christi for Help Today
In Texas, only certain family members may file a claim following the loss of a loved one:
- The surviving spouse
- Surviving parents
- Any surviving children
If you are ready to discuss the details of your loss, our Corpus Christi fatal car accident lawyer is prepared to listen. Do not hesitate to contact D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™, to receive a free case evaluation.
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