When the negligence of another person causes the death of a loved one, the surviving family members have a right to pursue compensation. Sadly, obtaining a full and fair settlement is far more difficult than most people anticipate. Thankfully, a little knowledge and the assistance of a seasoned personal injury attorney can increase the chances of a positive outcome in your wrongful death case.
Traffic Accidents and Wrongful Deaths on the Rise
As the economy continues to recover, more and more people are traveling for both work and entertainment purposes. More people on the road (who may be distracted, intoxicated, or otherwise unwilling or incapable of safely operating a vehicle) means more crashes, and almost all crashes carry a risk of death. If your loved one loses his or her life as a result of a crash, it is important that you contact an attorney immediately for an in-depth analysis of your case.
The reason for this is simple: insurance companies do not want to provide a full and fair payout, so they are unlikely to inform you of all the types of compensation that you may be entitled to in your claim. Moreover, they may attempt to use deceptive or manipulative tactics (i.e. shifting the blame to the victims) to reduce your payout.
How an Attorney Protects Your Claim to Compensation
Despite what you have been led to believe, insurance companies are not interested in making full or fair payouts to victims or their families. Instead, they will typically try to place as much of the blame on the deceased party as possible, since doing so would reduce the value of the claim. It is also highly unlikely that an insurance company will inform you or your family of all the compensation types to which you may be entitled. For example, spouses may be owed moneys for loss of consortium, but an insurance company is unlikely to offer such compensation without being pressured to do so. An insurance company is also unlikely to share with you is that, although most claims in a wrongful death case are “statutory, ” there are survivorship claims that could entitle your loved one’s estate to additional recoverable damages.
An experienced, competent attorney can examine your case to not only ensure that all negligent parties are held accountable (there may be more than one), but by also protecting your rights, reducing the chances of a denied or reduced payout on your claim, and discerning what types of compensation may be owed to you and your loved ones. Just be sure to take your time when deciding who will represent you, as every law firm handles personal injury cases a little differently.
At Herrling Clark Law Firm, Ltd., we prioritize the financial future and best interests of your family. Dedicated to ensuring you obtain the full and fair compensation to which you are owed, we prepare every case for litigation to reduce the chances of unexpected delays and surprises. We stand by your side, every step of the way. Schedule your free consultation with our Appleton or Green Bay wrongful death lawyers. Call 920-739-7366 today.
Source:
https://www.google.com/amp/amp.timeline.inc.net/fortune/2017/02/15/traffic-deadliest-year