Orlando Wrongful Death Car Accident Lawyer | Justice for the Loss of Your Loved Ones
Losing a loved one in a wrongful death car accident is an unimaginable tragedy, and no amount of compensation can ever fully heal the pain. However, financial compensation can help ease the burden of medical bills, funeral expenses, and lost income. If you’ve experienced such a loss, an Orlando wrongful death car accident lawyer at Paul | Knopf | Bigger can assist you in seeking justice and compensation for the emotional and financial hardship you’re facing. Call us now at (800) 434-4327.
What Is a Wrongful Death Car Accident?
A wrongful death car accident occurs when a person dies due to the negligence or misconduct of another driver. These tragic incidents may have been caused by a variety of factors, such as reckless driving, distracted driving, driving under the influence, or defective vehicle parts. When such actions cause a death, the responsible parties can be held liable for their negligence, and the surviving family members may have the legal right to file a wrongful death claim. As the population of Florida continues to grow and more tourists are on the road, the number of injuries and fatalities increase each year. In 2022, there were 3,553 fatalities on Florida’s roads. This total put it only third behind California and Texas of all 50 of states of the United States.
How an Orlando Wrongful Death Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You
In the aftermath of a wrongful death car accident, survivors often face emotional turmoil and financial challenges. An experienced Orlando wrongful death car accident lawyer can offer invaluable assistance by:
- Assessing Your Case: A lawyer will evaluate the details of the accident and help you understand whether you have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim.
- Determining Liability: The attorney will conduct a thorough investigation to identify the parties responsible for the accident, which could include drivers, vehicle manufacturers, or even government entities.
- Calculating Damages: In addition to economic damages such as medical bills, lost income, and funeral expenses, your lawyer will assess non-economic damages like emotional distress, loss of companionship, and pain and suffering.
- Handling Insurance Negotiations: Dealing with insurance companies can be complex and stressful, especially during a time of mourning. A lawyer can negotiate with insurers on your behalf to ensure that you receive fair compensation.
- Taking Your Case to Court: If the liable parties fail to offer an adequate settlement, your lawyer will not hesitate to take your case to court and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
Have questions? Call us now at (800) 434-4327.
Types of Compensation You May Be Entitled To
A wrongful death car accident can cause significant financial losses for the surviving family members. Compensation in a wrongful death claim typically falls into two categories: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages:
- Medical Expenses: These include costs incurred for the victim’s medical treatment before their death, such as hospital stays, surgeries, and medications.
- Funeral and Burial Costs: The cost of laying your loved one to rest can be overwhelming. Compensation can help cover these expenses and ease the financial burden on your family.
- Lost Income and Benefits: If your loved one contributed financially to your household, you may be entitled to compensation for the income and benefits they would have provided had they lived.
Non-Economic Damages:
- Pain and Suffering: Surviving family members may be compensated for the emotional pain and suffering caused by the wrongful death of their loved one.
- Loss of Companionship: Losing a spouse, parent, or child can leave an emotional void in your life. Compensation may be awarded for the loss of companionship, guidance, and support.
- Mental Anguish: Grief, depression, and psychological distress resulting from the death of a loved one are compensable under wrongful death claims.
Punitive Damages:
In cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the responsible parties and deter similar behavior in the future. However, punitive damages are not awarded in every case and require clear and convincing evidence of misconduct.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death Car Accidents in Orlando
Orlando’s growing population and tourist influx contribute to heavy traffic, which increases the likelihood of accidents. Some of the most common causes of wrongful death car accidents include:
- Distracted Driving: Texting, talking on the phone, or using in-car entertainment systems can divert a driver’s attention from the road, resulting in fatal accidents.
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Drunk or impaired driving is one of the leading causes of wrongful death in car accidents. Drivers who get behind the wheel while intoxicated put everyone on the road at risk.
- Speeding: Exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for road conditions is a frequent cause of fatal crashes in Orlando.
- Reckless Driving: Aggressive behaviors like tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, and road rage can result in deadly collisions.
- Defective Vehicle Parts: If a car’s faulty components, such as brakes or airbags, lead to a fatal crash, the manufacturer or designer of the vehicle may be held liable for wrongful death.
Proving Liability in a Wrongful Death Car Accident Case
Proving liability in a wrongful death car accident requires establishing negligence. To do this, your Orlando wrongful death car accident lawyer will need to prove four key elements:
- Duty of Care: The responsible party owed a duty of care to the victim to drive safely and follow traffic laws.
- Breach of Duty: The responsible party breached their duty by acting negligently or recklessly.
- Causation: The breach of duty directly caused the accident that led to the victim’s death.
- Damages: The surviving family members suffered financial and emotional losses as a result of the wrongful death.
What to Expect During Your Wrongful Death Car Accident Case
The legal process for a wrongful death car accident claim involves several steps. After retaining a lawyer, they will begin by:
- Investigating the Accident: Your attorney will gather evidence, interview witnesses, and consult experts to build a strong case against the responsible party.
- Filing a Claim: Once the investigation is complete, your lawyer will file a wrongful death claim on your behalf. This claim may be against the negligent driver, the vehicle manufacturer, or other liable parties.
- Negotiating a Settlement: Most wrongful death cases are settled outside of court. Your lawyer will negotiate with the opposing parties to secure a fair settlement for your losses.
- Going to Trial: If a settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer will prepare your case for trial, where a judge or jury will determine the amount of compensation you should receive.
Have more questions? Call us now at (800) 434-4327.
Why You Should Contact an Orlando Wrongful Death Car Accident Lawyer
Handling a wrongful death claim on your own can be overwhelming, especially while grieving the loss of a loved one. Hiring an Orlando wrongful death car accident lawyer ensures you have a dedicated legal advocate who will fight for justice and fair compensation.
Key benefits of working with a lawyer include:
- Expert Legal Guidance: Navigating the legal system can be complicated, but an experienced lawyer will guide you every step of the way.
- Maximizing Compensation: A skilled attorney knows how to negotiate effectively with insurance companies and opposing counsel to maximize your compensation.
- Peace of Mind: By entrusting your case to a professional, you can focus on healing and spending time with your family, knowing that your legal matters are in capable hands.
Paul | Knopf | Bigger – Your Orlando Wrongful Death Car Accident Lawyer
If you’ve lost a loved one in a wrongful death car accident, don’t wait to seek legal help. An experienced Orlando wrongful death car accident lawyer with Paul | Knopf | Bigger can provide compassionate support and expert representation during this difficult time. Call now at (800) 434-4327 for a free consultation or complete our contact form and take the first step toward justice for your family.
Sources:
- https://www.flhealthcharts.gov/ChartsDashboards/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=Death.Dataviewer&cid=0110
- https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/crashreports/crash_facts_2022.pdf
- https://www.iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/state-by-state
- http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0768/0768.html