If you lost a loved one in a fatal car accident in Los Angeles, you should speak to a law firm immediately. A lawyer may be able to help you take the following actions toward seeking financial compensation for your family:
- Prove your relationship to the deceased
- Prove the cause of the accident
- Prove the role of negligence in your loved one’s demise
- Define the financial impact of the accident on your family
- Obtain copies of documents that support your claim
Your legal team might be able to help you understand what to do if you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal car accident, how the actions you take might benefit your wrongful death claim, and how you might seek financial compensation from the at-fault party.
Define Your Relationship with the Deceased Family Member
The loss of a loved one in a car accident might affect your entire family, but only certain family members may qualify to file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party. The law firm representing you may also help you define your familial relationship with the decedent. You might be eligible to file a wrongful death claim if you have the following relation with the decedent:
- Parent
- Spouse
- Domestic partner
- Child
The family members listed above may be legally allowed to seek compensation for the wrongful death of a loved one, according to California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) §377.60.
Prove the Cause of the Accident
When you are preparing a wrongful death claim against an at-fault driver, you may need to prove their negligence leading to the accident. Your lawyer may also glean information from your car accident report. These details can help prove the at-fault driver owed your loved one a duty of care, breached his duty, caused injuries and death, and is responsible for the resulting financial damages.
The car accident report may show the type of collision your loved one was involved in, their condition at the scene of the accident, and the condition of their vehicle. It may also note where the car was impacted or where your loved one was struck if they were a pedestrian, whether or not the vehicle overturned on impact, and whether or not your loved one was trapped in or ejected from the car.
If drugs or alcohol played a role in the accident, the car accident report might contain those facts as well. These details may help attest to the cause of the accident and the loss of your loved one. Obtain a copy of the car accident report as soon as it is available for pickup.
Define the Financial Impact of the Accident on Your Family
After the demise of a family member in a car accident, surviving family members can pursue compensation for any medical bills that may have accumulated due to treatments your loved one received in the aftermath of the accident. In addition, California Civil Code (CIV) §1431.2 might entitle you to compensation for losing your loved one’s society and companionship.
Certain family members might also be eligible for compensation for their loss of consortium. Additional monetary damages you might be able to recoup also include:
- Loss of earnings
- Domestic services
- Pain and suffering
- Inconvenience
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Funeral expenses
- Burial costs
Each wrongful death claim creates a unique set of expenses and losses. Fortunately, your legal team may be able to help you define yours. Provide your lawyer with proof of your financial damages because they can support the value assigned to your wrongful death claim. Obtain copies of any documents and records that support your claim. Then, submit them to your lawyer as soon as possible.
Your Family May Be Able to Recover Compensation After the Loss of a Loved One
The unexpected loss of a family member can be emotionally and financially stressful for your entire family. It may even change the dynamic of your family and how it typically functions.
While your family is focused on the emotional aftermath of losing a loved one, our wrongful death team members may help you determine what to do if you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal car accident. After determining your relationship with the deceased, our team may help you prove their loss’s financial toll on your family. Get in touch with Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices by calling (866) 559-7223 today.