Car accident fatalities are not uncommon, and many families suffer losses of loved ones they depended on for survival. Don’t suffer financial damages and emotional pain following the wrongful death of a family member. Partner with a fatal car accident attorney in Alpharetta to file a claim and make the liable party accountable for their actions.
The Georgia Department of Public Health indicated that motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) are the number one cause of injury deaths and the second-leading cause of inpatient admissions and ER visits. We are here when you need us most. Our personal injury lawyers can advocate for you and fight for the full settlement amount to recover economic and non-economic damages after a loved one’s death in a crash.
How Can a Fatal Car Accident Lawyer in Alpharetta Help?
It’s pretty devastating to experience a life-changing event due to the recklessness of another driver or entity. Handling a fatal car accident claim by yourself is challenging, and when you factor in financial losses, lost care and companionship, and pain and suffering, the claims process can be overwhelming. A wrongful death lawyer can alleviate the burden.
An auto accident lawyer is dedicated to representing surviving family members to help them seek justice, accountability, and, most importantly, the compensation they need to get back on their feet. We dedicate our time, energy, and effort to investigate the incident to undermine the at-fault driver’s version of the event.
We know how exploitative insurance companies can be; the reason we prepare every wrongful death case for trial with a keen eye for details is to find every opportunity that can tilt the case in your favor.
Why Hire an Alpharetta Fatal Car Accident Lawyer?
It’s challenging to handle a fatal car accident claim on your own. Many claimants lack legal knowledge and experience in filing fatal accident lawsuits. However, a lawyer is seasoned and knowledgeable in such legal cases, so they know what to do and say to help you file a successful claim.
An Alpharetta Fatal Car Accident Attorney Protects Your Rights
The at-fault party always tries to shift the blame to the victim, while their insurer may trick you into giving statements they can manipulate and use against you. We know better. Instead of being bombarded with numerous calls from the insurance company, we’ll handle all the communication and offer you regular feedback regarding your claim.
Fight for a Maximum Settlement Fee
Insurance companies often diminish your claims and compel you into signing a settlement fee that helps them minimize costs. We’ve handled many accident claims and know the tactics that insurance carriers use. Whatever they try, our fatal car accident lawyers can counter it with evidence to ensure you get the maximum settlement fee to cover economic, non-economic, and (impose) punitive damages.
Contingency Lawyer Fees
You need not worry about upfront lawyer fees when you partner with us. We offer legal representation on a contingency fee, which means your partnership with us doesn’t have financial risks. Our auto accident attorney takes on cases they believe they can win, and if they don’t, you won’t pay anything.
How Wrongful Death Claims Are Settled in Georgia
Family members filing for a wrongful death claim must prove negligence by the other driver and that the decedent’s death cost them financial and emotional injuries. Some of these damages include loss of wages and benefits, funeral and burial expenses, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
When they (spouse, children, or parents) file a wrongful death lawsuit, they usually file a claim to get compensation for the “full value of the life of the deceased.” This claim entitles them to compensation for economic and non-economic damages: lost income/employee benefits, loss of a loved one, companionship, care, and other intangible benefits the dependents got from the decedent.
If there are no surviving family members, the representative of the deceased – also known as an estate executor – can file the claim to recover financial losses, including medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, and the pain the deceased went through before their demise. The court holds any financial proceeds and distributes them to the next of kin.
Determining Fault in a Georgia Fatal Car Accident Claim
Georgia is a fault state. That implies that the driver whose negligent actions caused the collision is held liable and is generally responsible for paying the compensatory fee. For you, it means you have various options for pursuing your compensation including:
- Out-of-court negotiation with the insurance company.
- Court trial (if negotiations go awry).
Before an insurance company pays the settlement amount, they first determine which driver is at fault. That determination is critical because the liable driver’s insurance provider is responsible for the victim’s death. Therefore, the law requires them to compensate the surviving family members for their loss.
What’s the Average Settlement Fee for an Atlanta Fatal Car Accident Claim?
There’s no standard settlement fee for a wrongful death claim because each case is unique. Therefore, claimants receive different compensatory amounts based on the circumstances of the incident and other factors, such as:
- The decedent’s age.
- Income, education, and training.
- The decedent’s future earning potential.
- The amount of insurance available to resolve the claim.
- Financial losses suffered, etc.
Some claimants receive $900,000 as a settlement fee, while others get as much as $3.5 million or $4 million. It all depends on the nature of the incident that led to a loved one’s demise. A lawyer can help you understand the factors that affect your claim and the average settlement fee you can expect.
The Role of Comparative Negligence
Georgia civil courts follow contributory or comparative negligence statutes when hearing auto accident claims. When following these rules, the court attempts to determine the victim’s negligent actions that contributed to the accident. Thus, the judge presiding over the case can reduce the claimant’s compensation by the percentage of fault the deceased contributed to the accident.
If the court establishes that the decedent contributed 50% or more to the accident that caused their injuries, you can’t sue the other driver, which means you won’t be able to get any settlement fee. On the other hand, if your deceased loved one was 20% at fault, you’ll receive 80% of the total settlement fee.
Hiring a wrongful death lawyer is the first step to getting the best defense if the deceased contributed to the accident. An attorney is experienced and knowledgeable about the legal practices that can help you win the case. They can thoroughly assess every element of the case to ensure you get the maximum settlement possible.
Consult a Fatal Car Accident Lawyer Today
Have you lost a loved one in a car accident caused by another driver? Partner with an Atlanta fatal car accident lawyer and file a claim to get the compensation you need to recover your medical bills and damages. We can passionately advocate for you and provide personalized legal services to go after the maximum settlement fee.
