Wrongful Death Car Accident Settlements

Wrongful Death Settlements

Losing a loved one is never easy. But if your loved was lost in a wrongful death car accident, you likely have a lot of questions and concerns about what to do. You are likely facing a devastating lost, both in a personal sense and financially.

• How Much Is Your Car Accident Settlement Worth?

  Find out the maximum compensation you could receive.

• How Much Is My Car Accident Settlement Worth?

If the death occurred because of an accident or negligence of another person, you may have grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit, seeking a wrongful death settlement. A lawsuit is a complicated process, but it can help you to recover damages from the party responsible for your loved one’s death.

Learn more about what a wrongful death lawsuit looks like, what steps you should take, and what you can expect from a wrongful death settlement.

Wrongful Death Settlement Overview

A wrongful death settlement comes from a claim or lawsuit filed against a negligent party. This means that the plaintiff, the person filing the claim, is seeking damages and compensation from the person or party responsible for the loss of their loved one. A wrongful death lawsuit can be filed against an individual person, a group of people, or a business. The amount of money that you can claim in your suit depends on the facts and circumstances of the death.

It is possible to get a wrongful death settlement without going to court. You can file a claim with the insurance company representing the at-fault party. If they offer or agree to a settlement for an acceptable amount, the claim can end there. However, your insurance claim may have to become a lawsuit if you cannot reach an agreement with the insurance company. It is also possible to skip dealing with insurance and sue the other party, making your demands clear.

However, keep in mind that a wrongful death lawsuit is complicated and it may not always go the way you think. Cases can get dismissed or the amount given in damages may vary. To get a better understanding of what your specific case looks like, you should talk to an experienced attorney. A lawyer will advise you whether it is best to sue or accept a wrongful death settlement without getting the courts involved. If there is a question of liability, this makes the future of your settlement less clear.

What Qualifies as Wrongful Death?

In order to file a legitimate wrongful death claim, you need to be able to prove that negligent actions by one or more parties resulted in a death. The defendant’s negligent actions could be a variety of things, from a drunk driving accident to failure to maintain a commercial vehicle causing an accident. In order to prove negligence, you have to have evidence of three things:

• The at-fault party had a responsibility or duty of care to the deceased. This means they were expected to follow safety laws and avoid actions that put other people at risk.
• The at-fault party did not uphold their duty of care. A willfully negligent action such as driving at excessive speeds or neglecting to maintain safe road conditions is a breach of duty.
• A direct link exists between the breach of duty and the event that caused the death. If a driver breaks a traffic law and causes an accident that results in death, that must be proven with evidence.

Wrongful death can also be claimed if the death was due to an intentional act. When wrongful actions lead to wrongful death, there is likely a claim to be made.

Who Can Sue for Wrongful Death

When a wrongful death lawsuit is filed, it must be brought forth by those who shared a relationship with the deceased and experienced damages from the death. Damages refer to a loss such as financial or consortium. There are different laws from state to state that dictates what sort of relationship is required in order to file a wrongful death lawsuit. However, there are some common categories.

• Immediate family members, including spouse, children, and parents of unmarried children. In the case of an adult child, it may be harder for a parent to file a wrongful death suit.
• Life partners – If a person has been in an established, committed relationship with the deceased, they are considered domestic partners and have the right to file wrongful death actions.
• Extended family members, including grandparents and siblings. This can vary from state to state.
• Financial dependents who did not share a blood or legal relationship with the deceased may have a claim to a wrongful death settlement.

If you are unsure whether you have the right to file a wrongful death claim, speak with a personal injury lawyer in your area. They will know the laws of your state and the strength of your claim.

Who Can Be Sued For Wrongful Death?

Responsibility for an accidental death can fall on a single person or an entity such as a corporation. You may have a claim against a store, a governmental unit, a company, or even a combination of people or parties. Let’s say that a car accident occurs on a road that was poorly lit and the victim was struck by a delivery truck. The survivors of the deceased may be able to file a lawsuit against the driver of the truck, the government agency responsible for maintaining the light fixtures, the company that the delivery driver worked for.

Questions about who can be held liable for a wrongful death should be directed towards a personal injury lawyer. Some government employees and agencies can be immune from prosecution, depending on the laws of your state. A lawyer will advise you on the best course of action to recover damages for the accident and resulting death.

How To Pursue a Wrongful Death Claim

When a car accident ends in a fatality, it may be determined that an act of negligence was responsible for the crash. If a negligent act results in death, it can open the door for a wrongful death claim. The survivors of the deceased may have options when it comes to pursuing wrongful death compensation. If liability can be proven, a claim may be filed against the at-fault driver, the at-fault driver’s insurance company, or with the insurance company of the deceased.

It is also possible that there is a separate or additional party responsible for the death. That may include a person who permitted an unlicensed minor to drive their car. Or it may be a manufacturer who produced a faulty component of a vehicle that failed. A business may be held liable if a customer is served excessive amounts of alcohol and then drives themselves.

Handling the death of a loved one is hard enough. You should rely on the help of a personal injury attorney to guide you in the right direction to get a settlement.

Different wrongful death claims can go a different route from one another. Some car accident settlements involving fatalities are handled by the insurance companies and a fair wrongful death payout is offered. Sometimes there is a negotiation period with the insurance company. If those negotiations fail, arbitration may be the next step. Otherwise, litigation may be necessary. If you do end up filing a lawsuit, there is a general series of steps you will need to follow before the trial can even begin.

• Establish that you have a valid case. You will need to make sure your suit is filed with the proper court.
• Write up the complaint. You need to ensure that your lawsuit is properly drafted and includes all of the necessary information.
• Determine the value of your claim. This means calculating your damages and finalizing your demands.
• Gather and submit evidence. The stronger your evidence is, the more likely you are to win your claim.
• Negotiate with the defendant. There is a chance that you will be able to come to an agreement with the other party before the case moves into the courtroom.

How Long Does it Take to Settle Wrongful Death Claims?

The answer to this question truly relies on what route you take. If a wrongful death claim is very clear cut, they may settle in a matter of months. Even if you do not decide to take the claim to court, it can still take time to conduct investigations and go through the negotiation process. On average, wrongful death lawsuits take one to four years to settle. Insurance companies often prefer to settle claims quickly, though they do tend to offer smaller settlements in hopes they will be accepted without a fight. Working with an attorney can ensure that you are not taken advantage of by the insurance company during a difficult time in your life.

What Damages Can Be Awarded in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

Wrongful death damages are similar to the damages that can be claimed in a car accident that did not result in death, with a couple notable additions. There is also the possibility to file a survival claim, in which you are seeking damages on behalf of the deceased. This would include their pain and suffering between the accident and the time of their death, medical expenses incurred prior to death, and lost wages. The difference between wrongful death claims and survival claims is who the damages are attributed to: the person who died or the person/people affected by the death. Typical wrongful death damages include:

• The burial, funeral, or cremation costs
• Projected loss of income
• Medical expenses
• Loss of consortium or companionship

The damages that you can claim will vary from case to case. The laws and regulations for wrongful death and survival claims can vary depending on the state in which you are filing the claim. A personal injury lawyer will be able to advise you on the best course of action and talk you through the differences of these actions.

How Much Can I Expect to Receive in a Wrongful Death Car Accident Settlement?

When it comes to any type of auto accident claim, it is common for people to wonder what the average amount is. However, since every case is different, there really isn’t a fair average to offer up. You can look at examples of other wrongful death settlements, but the best way to get an idea of how much your claim may be worth is to speak with an attorney.

There are factors that affect the amount of compensation you may expect to receive. It is hard to calculate a dollar amount to reflect a person’s worth, but there are many things to take into consideration when figuring an appropriate settlement. In addition to the damages discussed above, insurance companies and courts look at the following:

• The age of the deceased and how much life they potentially had ahead of them.
• How healthy the deceased was. This also factors into what the possible life expectancy of the person was.
• If the deceased had children and/or dependents.
• Education and profession of the deceased is taken into account in some cases.
• The potential income that the deceased would have earned had they not died.
• Cost of services that the deceased provided. For example, if they were the primary caregiver to your children, you can claim the cost of childcare that you will now have to pay someone else to provide.
• The value of any benefits, such as health insurance, that were lost upon their death.

Reasonable Expectations of a Wrongful Death Settlement

It is not permissible to give a number at random to value a wrongful death claim. Things such as expenses, lost income, and lost benefits must be proven. Non tangible damages, such as loss of consortium or mental suffering due to the loss must be supported by evidence. Your personal injury attorney will be able to help you put together a strong case that shows how the death has affected you and your family.

Typically, wrongful death settlements are paid out through the liability insurance coverage held by the individual or entity that you are seeking compensation from. Keep in mind that all insurance policies have limits to the amount they can payout. If you are suing an individual, it is likely that they have lower limits than a business would have.

• How Much Is Your Car Accident Settlement Worth?

  Find out the maximum compensation you could receive.

• How Much Is My Car Accident Settlement Worth?

What Factors Can Lower Your Wrongful Death Settlement?

There are things that can impact your wrongful death settlement negatively. If there is a question about liability for the accident that resulted in death, it could stall the progress of the claim and/or lower the compensation paid. Say you are pursuing a wrongful death car accident case. If the deceased was determined to be partially at fault for the crash, the total settlement could reduce by the percentage of fault. Different states have variations of liability and negligence laws so it is important to understand the auto accident laws in your state.

It is possible to lose a wrongful death settlement completely. If you are unaware of the statute of limitations in your state, you may miss the window of opportunity you have to file a claim or lawsuit. The average amount of time is three years, but know the laws for your state.

Having a wrongful death attorney on the case is one of the best securities you can have. Without an attorney, you may not know the laws and regulations in place that could affect your case. You want someone in your corner to make sure that your rights are protected and you get the settlement that you are entitled to.

How are Wrongful Death Settlements Paid Out?

Once a settlement agreement has been reached, the insurance company or responsible party will be expected to issue a check. If you have a lawyer, the money may be sent to their office to be relayed onto the plaintiff or executor of the deceased’s estate. Otherwise, settlement checks are sent directly to the settlement recipient. There are two different ways that a settlement is paid out.

• Lump-sum payout. This means that the total amount is paid all at once. All of your damages will be covered by the agreed upon or dictated amount. This allows the plaintiff to pay legal fees, medical bills, funeral expenses and other large payments in full.
• Structured settlement. Under this agreement, you receive predetermined amounts on a regular basis. You will still receive the total amount, but over a long period of time. It can be harder to pay off debts incurred due to the accident and death.

Are Wrongful Death Settlements Taxable?

The type of damages that you receive in your settlement determines if you will be taxed. Any payment that you received for compensatory damages is nontaxable. The payment for these damages are meant to “make you whole again” or act as repayment for the losses that happened as a result of someone else’s negligence. However, the defendant may have to pay for punitive damages. This means they have to pay a certain amount of money as a form of punishment for their negligence. Punitive damages are taxable at the state and federal levels.

Wrongful Death Settlement Examples

We cannot claim to offer an average wrongful death settlement, but we can show some examples of wrongful death claims. The best way to get an accurate idea of what your claim may be worth is to go over the details of the case with a personal injury lawyer.

$1 Million Settlement

A man was rear ended by a semi truck. He was taken to the hospital where he passed away from his injuries three days later. His partner filed a lawsuit against the company that contracted the truck driver. However, the truck driver was only found partially at fault, due to fact that the brake lights on the decedent’s vehicle were not working at the time of the crash. Because fault was shared, the final settlement was lowered.

$3 Million Settlement

A 30-year-old man died in a car accident another driver struck him head-on. The driver of the other vehicle suffered serious injuries and had to be taken to the hospital via helicopter. During investigations, it was determined that the at-fault driver entered the lane of oncoming traffic because the lines indicated each lane were too worn to see. The deceased’s wife filed a suit against both the at-fault driver and the city in which the accident happened. She alleged the city had failed to maintain the roads properly.

$5 Million Settlement

A couple was traveling on the highway when they began to slow down due to stopped traffic ahead of them. A semi truck collided with them and the couple died at the scene. The children of the couple filed a claim with the insurance company representing the company that the semi driver worked for. The company was successful and well known, and they carried an extensive insurance policy on their drivers. The case was settled without a lawsuit being filed.

Wrongful Death Settlement Calculator

It is crucial to remember that it is challenging to get a realistic estimate of a wrongful death settlement. You need to talk to a wrongful death attorney to discuss the details of your claim. But if you would like to enter that conversation with a dollar amount in mind, you can use our free online Car Accident Settlement Calculator.

Get Legal Help for Your Wrongful Death Car Accident Settlements

Any person who has suffered the loss of a loved one to a possibly negligent driver or other negligent party should have their case reviewed by an experienced wrongful death attorney. This attorney can review the case and give you an idea of the type of damages you may expect. Most wrongful death attorneys will have familiarity with cases that resemble yours for your geographic area. The attorney also will be able to help you with the negotiation process. It is common for the non-legal person to be bullied by insurance companies into accepting a small car accident settlement, but you could be entitled to much more.

If you lost your loved one in a car accident caused by another person or entity, you need an experienced wrongful death attorney to take on those big insurance companies. Reach out to Lawsuit Info Center to start the process of getting you the compensation you deserve.

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