Fatal Car Accident Lawyer

Personal Injury Lawyers / Car Accident Lawyer / Fatal Car Accident Lawyer

Did you lose a loved one in a car accident with a negligent driver? Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys is here for you.

Losing a loved one in a preventable accident is nothing short of a tragedy. In the aftermath of such an unthinkable loss, a legal battle is the last thing you need. At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, our fatal car accident lawyers alleviate the burden of dealing with the insurance companies and their lawyers so that you and your family can heal.

During this difficult time, your choice of accident lawyer matters. For more than six decades, people across the state of Pennsylvania have turned to a fatal car accident lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys for help. We have gained national recognition for our success, and have earned AV-Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell. In other words, we are trusted by our clients and respected by our peers.  And, we never collect a fee for our services unless we win your case.

If you have questions about your legal rights after a fatal car crash, contact Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys today. An experienced, compassionate car accident attorney will review your case and help point you in the right direction, free of charge. Fill out our online contact form or call today.

 Holding Negligent Drivers Accountable for Fatal Car Accidents

Car crash deaths continue to plague our streets. As of 2021, the National Safety Council reports that more than 46,000 people lost their lives in a car crash – an 18 percent increase since 2019. The vast majority of these car accidents result from driver error. Common causes of fatal car accidents include:

• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Driver distraction
• Unrestrained vehicle occupants
• Speeding and aggressive driving
• Drowsy driving

If unsafe or negligent driving behavior results in the death of someone you love, you have options. While no amount of money can compensate for the loss of your family member or spouse, a fair settlement can lessen the financial burdens you are left with, and justice can help put your mind at ease.

Personal Injury vs. Wrongful Death Lawsuits

After a fatal car accident, those that are left behind often wonder what happens after a fatal car accident.

When someone is involved in a car accident that results in injuries and property damage, they have the legal right to file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent driver. While the insurance company may offer some compensation for the injuries sustained, there may be limits to what the victim can collect. With a personal injury lawsuit, car accident victims can recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, disability, property damage, emotional distress, and pain and suffering–regardless of insurance coverage.

But, if someone dies as a result of a fatal car accident, it then is up to their family members to bring forth a wrongful death claim. While this in no way can amount to the loss of the loved one, it is an attempt to procure justice and get the compensation needed that the victim would have otherwise been entitled to pursue. Further, the family can also collect for funeral and burial expenses as well as the loss of companionship in a wrongful death claim.

How Does the Family Establish a Wrongful Death Claim?

Under Pennsylvania law, the personal representative for the estate may file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased. The estate must file the lawsuit within six months from the date of death, otherwise, any of the aforementioned individuals can file a wrongful death claim.

Regardless of who is filing the wrongful death claim following the fatal car accident, the party must establish that the negligent driver or other at-fault party caused the injuries that led to the death of their loved one.

However, these cases are not entirely black and white. Extensive evidence is needed to prove fault in the wrongful death claim including:

• A thorough investigation into the auto accident
• Utilizing professional reconstruction specialists and medical expert witnesses to prove fault
• Determining if the car accident resulted from any manufacturing design flaw or defect
• Speaking with witnesses
• Gathering medical reports of the deceased

Gathering this type of evidence can be time-consuming and expensive. For the family members who just lost a loved one in a fatal car accident, it is likely the last thing on their minds to have to relive the horrible moment again and again.

However, a fatal car accident lawyer can help relieve this burden and allow the family to grieve as we gather the information needed to prove fault.

Are There Still Negotiations with the Insurance Company For a Wrongful Death Claim?

Even when a loved one dies from injuries sustained in fatal car accidents, the family of the deceased will still need to start negotiations with the insurance company for their wrongful death claim. The hope is that the insurance company will offer fair compensation for the losses sustained.

However, insurance companies do not want to pay out any more than they have to, especially with the cost of a wrongful death claim. The family members of car accident victims need to be mindful of practices the insurance company may employ to manipulate the family into a lesser settlement amount.

One of the most prominent deceitful practices the insurance company may engage in is to record you and your loved ones talking about the accident. You should never consent to be recorded as these can and will be used against you.

You also do not want to provide a complete medical history to your loved one’s insurance company or the other driver’s insurance company. The insurance companies only have a right to the medical records that directly relate to the accident.

You should also not cash any check for the insurance companies unless you are willing to take that as a settlement. Even if the insurance adjuster says there is more money coming, you have likely accepted that value as a settlement amount.

Finally, you should meet with a fatal car accident lawyer as soon as you can when filing a wrongful death claim. An experienced car accident lawyer will be able to help you negotiate the wrongful death claim process, and get the compensation you deserve for your loved one’s death.

What Compensation Is the Family Eligible for with Wrongful Death Claims and Lawsuits After a Fatal Car Accident?

If you are filing a wrongful death claim or lawsuit following the death of a loved one as a result of a fatal car accident, you may be entitled to economic and non-economic damages. Recoverable compensation may include:

• Funeral and burial costs up to a certain limit
• Outstanding medical bills
• Lost wages
• Loss of your loved one’s future earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of a caregiver
• Emotional trauma

How a Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Fatal Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You

Unfortunately, even in the event of a fatality, insurance does not always provide the security you need.  Before accepting any settlement from an insurance company, you should speak to a qualified and experienced fatal car accident lawyer.

The wrongful death attorneys at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys can help you and your family get the compensation you deserve following such a tragic accident. We understand the pain and grief you and your family are going through right now. It may be difficult to even speak with the insurance company, let alone pursue legal action. Our car accident lawyer will answer any questions you may have and guide you through the legal process so that you can focus on what’s most important.

If you lost a loved one in a car accident in Pennsylvania caused by another driver’s carelessness, you deserve compensation. Don’t hesitate much longer – contact a fatal car accident lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys today for a free consultation.

Fatal Car Accident FAQ

Fatal car accidents require experienced car accident attorneys who can guide the family of the car crash victim to a resolution following the death of a loved one. If you have lost a loved one in a fatal car accident, Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys is here to help.

What Are the Most Common Types of Fatal Car Accidents?

Any auto accident can become fatal; however, some car accidents have a greater likelihood to result in death. The most common types of collisions that result in a fatal auto accident are:

• Single-vehicle collisions
• Head-on collisions
• Angle accidents
• Rear-end motor vehicle crashes

What Should I Do After Losing a Loved One in a Car Crash?

Whether you lost your loved one in a car crash very quickly or they passed as a result of the car accident injuries, there are some steps you should be taking to best protect your family.

If it hasn’t already been done, you should file a police report and then secure a copy of it for the car accident case. The police report will have critical information in it which will be needed for the insurance claim.

You will then want to secure the representation of an experienced car accident lawyer to avoid being taken advantage of by the insurance adjusters. An accident lawyer will be able to help you with the initial auto accident claims and then help you with your legal rights if the claim needs to go to court.

Why Do I Need a Wrongful Death Attorney?

When your loved one dies as a result of severe injury from a fatal car accident, an experienced car accident lawyer can help you and your family recover the financial losses that resulted from the car accident. From funeral expenses to medical expenses, and other losses, the family members deserve fair compensation to help them recover from this traumatic event.

No amount of money can hold the at-fault driver liable for what they’ve done, but fair financial compensation can be used to help the family members recover what was lost.

Does the Type of Car Insurance You Have Impact the Ability to Recover Damages?

Whether you have fault or no-fault insurance will not have a large impact on your ability to recover damages, but more so can impact the number of damages you can collect.

There are benefits and disadvantages to no-fault insurance and fault insurance so ultimately, you will need to review what type of policy your loved one has. Further, you will also need to see how much compensation you will be capped at by the insurance company. Often, to receive fair financial compensation, you may have to pursue a car accident lawsuit, which still can end in a settlement.

What Types of Personal Injury Are Most Likely to End in Death After a Car Accident?

The human body is miraculous and can overcome many things including serious injury. However, some types of serious injuries are more likely than others to result in death following a car accident.

Injuries most likely to result in death include traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, broken ribs, or spinal cord injuries.

How Does an Experienced Fatal Car Accident Attorney Fight for Fair Compensation?

No two fatal car accidents are the same, and the same holds true when selecting a fatal car accident lawyer.

When a wrongful death was the result of a car crash, you need an accident lawyer who can fight on your behalf for compensation for medical bills, the damage incurred from the motor vehicle accident, funeral and burial expenses, and compensation for the family members who have suffered as a result of the loss.

To secure a fair settlement, a fatal car accidents lawyer will:

• Determine how the auto accidents occurred
• Determine who the at-fault driver was
• Represent the family members with the insurance companies or in court
• Help the family member take the lead on the claim to file for wrongful death damages
• Uphold your legal rights from start to finish

Even if a collision seems like it would be a minor car accident, even a fender bender can be catastrophic.

A serious motor vehicle accident needs an experienced attorney with a background in personal injury cases, dealing with aggressive insurance company adjusters, who has the compassion and dedication needed to get justice for your loved one.

How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?

You may think you can handle the car and health insurance companies alone, but an experienced attorney can make all the difference in a successful legal claim.

Even in fatal motor vehicle accidents, many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis which means you pay nothing until a settlement or verdict is reached. Accident victims and their families often worry about the cost of working with a law office, but the reality is, that many of us cannot afford to go without legal representation.

For a free case review, contact the fatal car accident lawyer of Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys by calling or connecting with us online.