It is common for surviving family members to want answers right away. In many cases, unfortunately, that is not possible.
The end of the school year heralds the beginning of vacation season, which means more cars on the road and more car accidents. According to the National Safety Council, the number of deaths resulting from motor vehicle accidents begins to climb significantly in May of each year, continuing on an upward trajectory through September.
And it’s not just more cars on the road that leads to more fatalities. Studies also show warmer temperatures can lead to more driver errors. Recent findings reveal hot weather increases the risk of a lethal wreck by causing drowsiness, dehydration, and decreased cognitive performance in drivers.
Overall, the combination of higher temperatures and higher traffic volumes in the summer months creates an environment where auto accidents are more prevalent. As a result, summer is a time when accident victims or their families may need to call upon the services of an attorney.
For families dealing with the aftermath of a fatal accident that claimed the life of a loved one, meeting with an attorney can be very difficult. But it is very important. A competent attorney can ensure that the families of victims secure compensation for their losses.
The following are some steps those seeking compensation will need to take in the aftermath of a fatal car accident.
Seek out a personal injury expert
Some lawyers present themselves as a jack-of-all-trades who are able to handle whatever legal needs you have. That is not the kind of attorney you want when you are dealing with a wrongful death case. You need to seek the services of an attorney who exclusively handles personal injury cases.
General practice attorneys will not have the experience or expertise needed to properly handle your case. Nor will attorneys practicing in other areas and wanting to “get into” personal injury claims. You’ll want an attorney with at least ten years of experience who has handled at least ten wrongful death claims per year.
Wrongful death cases require engaging with a wide range of experts, including damages experts, neuropsychologists, counselors, economic loss experts, and medical experts. Attorneys with personal injury expertise will not know how to handle that engagement. The right attorney will also be able to effectively and compassionately articulate what the loss means to dependents of the victim.
Online reviews can be extremely helpful in finding an experienced personal injury attorney. Reaching out to past clients who have left reviews can provide additional information that will help in the selection process. Calling the local state bar to ensure the attorney is still in good standing is also important.
Gather relevant documentation
Consulting with an attorney will be more fruitful if you gather as much relevant documentation as possible before the meeting. This should include investigation reports, family statements, photographs, obituaries, life sketches, health insurance cards, wills and testaments, and W2 statements or tax returns.
It is also valuable for the victim’s family to identify which member will act on their behalf. Appointing one person to coordinate with the attorney as the initial legal work plays out will streamline the process.
Meet with a personal injury lawyer
During the initial consultation, which will typically take two hours, the attorney will focus on answering all of the questions the family has and setting out a plan for the claim. The meeting should include all members of the family who have been affected by the death. Those attending the meeting should be prepared to discuss the victim’s past and the details of the accident.
Ideally, those pursuing legal action should come to the meeting with an objective in mind. If the goal is to recover money for the estate and its heirs, a number should be determined. The attorney can provide guidance on what a reasonable anticipated outcome is.
You should leave the initial consultation with a clear vision of what they can expect moving forward. This should include the amount of time it will most likely take to pursue the claim and the reasonable value of the claim. If the attorney gives you assignments, attending to them as quickly as possible is important to ensure the claim moves forward and maintains momentum.
Have healthy expectations
It is common for surviving family members to want answers right away. In many cases, unfortunately, that is not possible. Obtaining facts can take time, which means getting answers can take weeks or months. Having unhealthy expectations will only lead to additional stress and disappointment.
It is also important to acknowledge that every case is unique. An experienced attorney can give you an idea of how things might unfold, but he or she cannot predict every twist and turn of the case. There are a lot of variables that affect the ultimate outcome and value of the case.
Hopefully, engaging with an attorney in the aftermath of a fatal car accident is something you will never need to do. If it does become necessary, make sure you improve your chances of receiving fair compensation by choosing an experienced personal injury lawyer, providing all the information needed to move the case forward, and having healthy expectations.
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