My Family Member Died in a Delray Beach Car Accident: What Are My Legal Options?

Fatal car accidents can be incredibly challenging for surviving family members. Grief can be paralyzing, and you might find it difficult enough to handle funerals, probate, and various paperwork. A wrongful death lawsuit in Delray Beach may seem like a daunting task that is too complex and time-consuming to handle. However, you are not alone in this situation, and a personal injury lawyer could help. What are your legal options after a fatal car crash?

When Can I File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit After a Fatal Accident in Delray Beach?

You can file a wrongful death lawsuit after a fatal accident in Delray Beach if certain conditions exist. First, you must be related to the deceased victim in some way. Some of the most common plaintiffs in this scenario include the spouses, adult children, and parents of the victim. Note that adopted adult children can also file these lawsuits, and you do not necessarily have to be related to the victim by blood.

Secondly, you must establish that someone other than the victim caused the fatal accident. For example, your loved one might have been struck and killed by a drunk driver. Perhaps they walked into the road as a group of street racers sped past and caused fatal injuries. Maybe a driver failed to yield when turning left at an intersection before colliding with the victim’s vehicle. Whatever the case may be, you must establish that someone else’s “negligence” led to the fatal crash.

Note that a wrongful death lawsuit may still be possible even if your loved one partially contributed to their own fatal accident. For example, they may have been speeding at the time of the crash. Perhaps they were texting and driving. Florida’s modified comparative negligence allows lawsuits in these situations, but only if your loved one was 50% responsible for the crash or less. If they were the “main cause” of their own accident, a lawsuit could be impossible.

Why Should I File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

A wrongful death lawsuit could help families recover emotionally and financially after a fatal crash. This type of lawsuit can help cover your funeral bills, which can be significant in the modern era. A wrongful death claim can also cover any unpaid medical bills your loved ones left behind before passing away. If your loved one was the primary breadwinner for the family, they might leave behind dependent children, a spouse, and seniors. A wrongful death claim can provide compensation for what the victim would have earned throughout life.

Can a Delray Beach Car Accident Help Me Pursue Justice for My Lost Loved One?

If you lost a loved one due to the negligence of another driver, you have every right to consider your legal options. You can do so with help from an experienced car accident lawyer in Delray Beach. Your wrongful death lawyer can help you pursue accountability and justice. A lawsuit may also help you cover funeral expenses, unpaid medical bills, and other damages. Contact Steinberg Law today to explore your options in more detail.

Source:

 leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0700-0799/0768/Sections/0768.81.html