What an Heir Should Do Following the Death of a Loved One
Posted on September 30th, 2020 by Oddo & Babat, P.C.
Wrongful Death Lawyer
Following the death of your loved one, you may not know what to do. Especially if the death was caused by a negligent driver, you may not know whether to take an offer from the insurance company, pursue a lawsuit or let the law handle it. The following are some things you can do after your loved one dies at the hands of another driver.
Collect As Much Evidence As Possible
Chances are there is ample evidence to support your claim of someone else being responsible for your loved one’s death. There may be traffic cameras in the area where the accident occurred or a police report to gain information from. There could be photographs of the scene, as well as witnesses willing to make a statement about what happened. All of this evidence is vital to you receiving as much compensation as you deserve after your loved one dies due to a negligent driver.
Get a Lawyer Involved
Perhaps one of the most important steps you can take is getting a lawyer involved. Whether you end up filing a lawsuit or taking an insurance payout, your lawyer can help you determine what is going to be most fair for you and your family. In most cases like these, there are a lot of financial losses.
Perhaps the deceased was the main breadwinner in your family, so you’ll need to be compensated for lost wages. Perhaps you had to pay out of pocket for funeral and burial expenses. Maybe the accident caused serious injuries that put the individual in the hospital for weeks before he or she died, and you still owe medical bills. Your lawyer can help you determine an amount to seek in a lawsuit.
There are also punitive damages that could be awarded, depending on the state in which you live. This type of award is meant to punish the driver who caused the crash and the death, but the estate of the deceased benefits from it.
Prepare to Be Patient
Some wrongful death cases can take several years to reach a settlement. If you are worried about paying bills in the meantime, you can ask medical providers to put a lien on the settlement and take other measures to prevent you from having to pay out of pocket. It’s important you tackle the case head-on, but that you’re patient while things are being taken care of.
Getting Your Case Started
After your loved one dies, you shouldn’t have to suffer the financial effects. Contact a lawyer, like a wrongful death lawyer from Patterson Bray, today to learn what you can do today to get your case started.
Tags: Wrongful Death Lawyer
I consulted with David the first time a couple of years ago on a serious matter that affected a very close member of my family. Not expecting a good experience from this serious situation coupled with an attorney consultation, the entire thing surprised me as it was pleasant, professional, and completely successful. We found him clear, direct, generous and extremely knowledgeable throughout the process. I give my very strongest recommendation
