Auto wrecks in Texas and many other states in the U.S are a daily occurrence. A crash is reported every minute, with at least 99 fatalities recorded across the country every year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Unfortunately, many of these tragedies are linked to negligence by drivers, vehicle manufacturers, state agencies, and construction companies, among other parties. Failure to observe traffic rules and the duty of care may have ripple effects. Anyone who causes foreseen harm to another party must be held accountable.
When the unthinkable happens and a loved one is killed in an auto wreck caused by negligence, you are faced with unprecedented ranges of emotions. Besides the emotional suffering, medical bills may have piled up, and coupled with the new expenses associated with burial and funeral preparations, you may have no other choice but to seek compensation. Our caring Alief fatal car accident lawyers handle similar cases daily and are committed to bringing you closure.
Your Legal Options Following a Fatal Car Accident
The goal is to recover maximum compensation as the deceased may have claimed if he or she had survived. On top of this, you also ought to be compensated for your losses. Therefore, whatever option you choose to settle following a fatal car accident in Alief should achieve this. Essentially, there are two major options for you to choose from when litigating a wrongful death claim in Texas. They are:
Settling with Insurance Companies
Dealing with insurance companies is usually the first step, especially when the at-fault party is insured. In other cases, you may have to deal with the deceased’s insurer. Either way, settling a fatal car accident case out of court means negotiating with an insurance adjuster about the amount at which the claim should be settled and the case closed.
Oftentimes, insurance companies will pull to their side for maximum profits at your expense. This may be achieved through bad-faith tactics such as delaying your settlement, lowering your claim, denying some damages, or failing to be forthcoming with relevant information regarding their insurance policies. Without a seasoned Alief fatal car accident attorney to advocate your interests and rights, you are likely to settle for less than you truly deserve. If a fair settlement is not agreed upon, your attorney may decide to proceed to court.
Settling in Court
Most cases involving personal injury law often have a chance of settling out-of-court. However, you are under no obligation to settle if you feel robbed of your rightful compensation. You may decide to head directly to court without giving negotiations a chance. A court process entails having a judge or jury determine your case. Therefore, you have a lot of work to do to prove with the preponderance of the evidence, that you deserve compensation from the defendant.
Court processes, though longer and more complex than dealing with insurance companies, often result in higher compensation. Punitive damages may be awarded on top of the damages you claim. Hiring a trial-tested lawyer is the only possible way your case can be handled seamlessly and with the utmost professionalism and dedication it deserves.
For a free legal consultation with a fatal car accident lawyer serving Alief, call (832) 449-8230
How Much is My Case Worth?
Texas laws allow close relatives of the deceased person to pursue monetary interests on their behalf through filing a wrongful death claim. However, they must fulfill the critical requirement that proving negligence is on most times. If you can do so, you stand a better chance of recovering compensation for damages such as:
- Medical expenses incurred by the victim in the form of ambulance expenses, medical costs, laboratory expenses, and more
- Emotional suffering
- Burial and funeral expenses
- Loss of affection and companionship
- Loss of inheritance
- Lost financial benefits
- Physical pain and suffering
Any other costs besides these may also be recovered as long as there is a proper paper trail. A skilled Alief fatal car accident attorney will help you compile all the documents needed to support your claim and maximize your compensation. All past, current, and future losses must be taken into account for justice to prevail.
Alief Fatal Car Accident Lawyer Near Me (832) 449-8230
Let an Alief Fatal Car Accident Attorney Help
At Lone Star Injury Attorneys, we understand how lost one can be following the sudden loss of a loved one. Nobody should have to grieve their loved one due to the mistakes and careless conduct of another party. To ensure justice is served, our compassionate Alief fatal car accident lawyers step in to fight for our client’s rights. You can get justice too by speaking with our team today.
Call or text (832) 449-8230 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form