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What should you do after losing a loved one to wrongful death?

On Behalf of The Law Offices of Goldfine & Bowles, P.C.

July 16, 2021

Car accidents happen all the time in Illinois. Sadly, some of those crashes result in the death of a loved one. If this type of tragedy has personally affected you and your family, you have a right to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

What are the main causes of car accidents?

Car accidents can happen for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately, many of those accidents can result in serious personal injury or even death. The following are the main causes of car accidents:

  • Distracted driving such as texting while driving
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Driver fatigue
  • Car manufacturer defects
  • Inexperienced drivers or elderly drivers
  • Poor weather conditions
  • Reckless driving such as racing, speeding or disregarding traffic signs and signals
  • Defects on roadways

If a person is killed in a car accident that involves any of those causes (among others), their surviving loved ones can file a wrongful death lawsuit.

What are the elements of a wrongful death claim?

While there are simple rules surrounding a personal injury claim, wrongful death involves a bit more. There are certain elements that must be in place in order to file a wrongful death lawsuit. They include the following:

  • The driver caused the accident that killed your loved one
  • That driver acted in a negligent manner and was wrongful and was at fault for the accident occurring
  • Your deceased loved one has a surviving spouse, child or other dependents or beneficiaries
  • Monetary damages were suffered as a result of your loved one’s death
Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit?

A surviving family member who is part of the deceased’s immediate family can file a wrongful death lawsuit. Usually, this would be the person’s spouse or child, but sometimes, it may be their parent. A personal representative of the deceased’s estate can also file on behalf of the family members.

An attorney may be able to help you if you have lost a loved one in a car accident. An attorney could help you prepare your lawsuit and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.