The loss of a family member can lead to unexpected financial pressure. A Joliet car accident lawyer can help you recover the compensation your family deserves.
When a fatal crash occurs due to negligence in Joliet, surviving family members have the right to pursue compensation. A fatal car accident lawyer in Joliet from Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., can help you file a strong claim and seek justice for your loved one.
How a Joliet Fatal Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
A Joliet fatal car accident lawyer can handle every aspect of your claim while your family is grieving. Specifically, they can:
- Investigate the crash: They can gather police reports, photographs, surveillance video, and physical evidence to establish what happened and who was at fault.
- Calculate full damages: They can assess medical bills, funeral expenses, lost future income, and the long-term impact of the loss to determine your claim’s true value.
- Handle insurance communications: They can negotiate directly with insurance companies and prevent you from being pressured into an unfair settlement.
- Prepare for trial: Your attorney can build a case that is ready to present in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached.
Types of Damages Available After a Fatal Crash
Your family may be eligible to recover several types of compensation after a fatal car accident, such as:
- Funeral and burial expenses: You can recover costs related to memorial services, burial, cremation, and other related arrangements.
- Medical bills: You can claim expenses for the emergency care, hospitalization, and treatment the deceased received before passing.
- Loss of financial support: You can seek compensation for the income, benefits, and financial contributions the deceased would have provided to your family.
- Loss of companionship and guidance: You can recover damages for the emotional loss of love, care, support, and guidance your loved one would’ve provided.
- Pain and suffering of the deceased: You can pursue compensation for the conscious pain and suffering your loved one experienced before death through a survival action.
A Joliet personal injury lawyer can help make sure your claim accounts for all of your losses.
Common Causes of Fatal Car Accidents in Joliet
Fatal crashes often happen because of dangerous driving behaviors or hazardous conditions. Some of the most common causes include:
- Distracted driving: Drivers who text, use navigation systems, eat, or adjust in-car controls often fail to react in time to sudden stops or changes in traffic.
- Speeding: Driving above the speed limit reduces vehicle control and increases the force of impact, making crashes far more likely to be fatal.
- Drunk or drug-impaired driving: Alcohol and drugs slow reaction time, impair judgment, and make it harder to operate a vehicle safely.
- Reckless lane changes: Unsafe merging, failure to signal, and abrupt lane shifts can cause high-speed side-impact and rollover accidents.
- Weather-related hazards: Snow, ice, and heavy rain create slick road conditions that become even more dangerous when drivers fail to slow down.
What to Expect During the Claims Process
Fatal car accident cases often involve these stages:
- Case review: Your lawyer will thoroughly examine the facts of the accident, review police reports, and assess the strength of your claim.
- Evidence collection: Your attorney will gather critical evidence such as medical records, witness statements, vehicle data, and expert analyses to support your case.
- Insurance negotiations: Your lawyer will handle all communications with insurance companies and work to secure a fair settlement on your behalf.
- Trial: If necessary, your lawyer will file a lawsuit to pursue compensation for your family.
What Is Wrongful Death in Illinois?
In Illinois, a wrongful death occurs when a person’s death is caused by another party’s wrongful act, neglect, or default. A death is wrongful when, under the same circumstances, the deceased would have been eligible to bring a personal injury lawsuit had they survived.
A wrongful death action allows certain family members to seek compensation for losses they suffer as a result of the death.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Illinois
In Illinois, wrongful death lawsuits must generally be filed within two years of the date of the person’s death. There are exceptions in certain circumstances, such as when the death results from a violent or intentional act. In cases involving specialized claims like medical malpractice, specific rules may also apply.
A fatal car accident attorney in Joliet can help you file your claim promptly.
Get Assistance from a Fatal Car Accident Attorney in Joliet
No legal outcome can undo the pain of losing a loved one. However, pursuing a fatal car accident claim can provide financial stability and a sense of accountability. A Joliet fatal car accident attorney from Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., can guide you through the claims process and fight for the compensation your family is entitled to.
Schedule a free consultation to discuss your case today.
