Few life experiences are as unimaginably tragic as the sudden loss of a loved one in a car accident. Family members are left to pick up the pieces without their loved one as they deal with their financial losses, grief, and anguish. When the accident was caused by someone else, it adds further trauma. After a fatal car accident in Washington, there is a lot at stake for surviving family members. They shouldn’t have to be left with the financial distress of the loss, while also struggling with their grief. Although nothing can alleviate the sorrow of a fatal car accident, close surviving family members can recover compensation for their financial losses so they can focus on moving forward. In these heartrending situations, a dedicated car accident lawyer in Arlington from Wells Trumbull can help bereaved families understand their rights, pursue justice, and recover the financial support they need during this difficult time.
Washington’s urban areas are often congested, with high instances of car accidents; however, accidents also occur on rural roadways. Common causes of fatal car accidents in Washington include the following:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive driving
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Tailgating
- Unsafe lane changes
- Improper passing
- Intoxicated driving
- Improper merging
- Fatigued driving
Drivers have a legal obligation to follow traffic laws and avoid distraction behind the wheel. When they violate their duty of reasonable care and cause a car accident with fatal injury to someone else, they are liable for the damages through a wrongful death claim in Washington.
What Is a Fatal Car Accident Wrongful Death Claim?
When a family member dies unexpectedly, their closest loved ones often face significant financial consequences, especially if the decedent was a provider. A family representative can make a wrongful death claim—typically the executor of the decedent’s will or a representative named by the court if the deceased loved one lacks a will. A successful wrongful death claim made against the driver who caused the fatal car accident requires compelling evidence of their liability and a carefully calculated list of damages. Many claims result in compensation for the following damages:
- Medical bills from before the death if the decedent required medical care
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost income for a family member who took bereavement leave
- The lost income for the remaining working years left to the decedent had they not died
- Compensation for the loss of health insurance coverage and retirement contributions
- The loss of household services
- Compensation for emotional damages such as grief and anguish, loss of a parent’s support and guidance, loss of consortium and companionship
A wrongful death claim after a fatal car accident in Washington may be made against at-fault parties other than a driver in some cases, such as a negligent road maintenance agency or the manufacturer of defective brakes or another faulty auto part.
How Can a Fatal Car Accident Attorney In Washington Help My Case?
A wrongful death claim after a car accident fatality in Washington is often crucial for the family to move forward with fewer financial concerns from the death, so they can focus on their grief and saying goodbye to their loved one. Call the Arlington personal injury attorneys at Wells Trumbull for a personalized strategy to achieve a favorable result and become a voice for justice for your loved one.