Losing a loved one can put your entire life on hold. After learning that you lost someone close to you in a car accident, you may feel a flurry of emotions. At the same time, you may want to consider your legal options. While no amount of money can replace your loved one, it may help to hold the other driver accountable and recover the cost of various expenses.
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we can use our network of resources to get you compensation for your damages. An Alexandria car accident lawyer can investigate your loved one’s passing, calculate the cost of your economic and noneconomic damages, and prepare your case for litigation. During your time of grief, you do not have to serve as your legal advocate. You have options available.
Types of Fatal Car Accidents
No matter how your loved one passed away, we can help you. First, you must act within the state’s statute of limitations. A personal injury lawyer in Alexandria can help ensure that you meet the deadline.
Under CC Art. 2315.2, you only have one year from the date of your loved one’s passing to take your case to court. Because of your limited time to act, we encourage you to reach out to our team today.
You may have lost someone close to you in any of the following situations.
Drunk Driving Accident
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 10,100 people died in drunk driving accidents nationwide in 2019. If a drunk driver caused your loved one’s death, our legal team could review the police report to look for details regarding intoxication.
Even if the police arrested the drunk driver and they face criminal charges, you still can pursue damages from them and their insurer. Find out more about these situations with an Alexandria DUI accident lawyer.
Aggressive Driving Accident
Aggressive driving does not only pertain to road rage. It also involves willfully taking these actions that put others in danger:
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Driving on the median
- Cutting off other drivers
- Disregarding traffic signals
Your Alexandria fatal accident lawyer can examine traffic surveillance footage, consult with accident reconstruction specialists, and review the police report to get an idea of what happened.
Head-On Collision
If a loved one lost their life in a head-on collision, your lawyer could pursue the cost of your damages from the at-fault party. Your legal team will need to show that because the other driver acted carelessly or recklessly, they caused an accident that claimed the life of your loved one.
Side Impact Collision
Known colloquially as a “T-bone” collision, these accidents happen when there is opposing traffic, such as at an intersection. The negligent driver may have disregarded a traffic signal or failed to yield the right of way. If this was the case in your situation, your Alexandria fatal accident lawyer could advise you on your legal options.
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we understand that many circumstances could have resulted in your loved one’s passing. We cannot possibly list every type of accident here. No matter the accident that claimed your loved one’s life, our team wants to learn more about them, how they passed away, and what we can do for you.
Laborde Earles injury was great for me they took care of me very fast and professional. If for any reason I need legal help they will be who I use.
ClientEstablishing Liability in a Fatal Accident Case
To recover compensation, your lawyer must prove another party’s liability. These parties could include another driver, a vehicle manufacturer, or a government municipality.
Your lawyer must show that four elements were present in your case:
- Duty of care: Every single motorist who gets behind the wheel undertakes a duty of care. This nonverbal obligation means that all drivers must use good judgment when performing certain maneuvers.
- Breach of duty: Let’s say that a drunk driver killed your loved one on US Highway 167. In this situation, your legal team would say that the other driver breached their duty of care by choosing to drive while intoxicated.
- Causation: Your lawyer must tie the negligent party’s actions to causing the collision. Going back to the previous example, your lawyer would need to show how the driver’s intoxication led to them causing the accident.
- Damages: You must have incurred financial losses for your case to succeed. These could include medical bills, loss of income, funeral bills, and intangible losses such as loss of companionship or pain and suffering in your situation.
I thank God for Digger & David. I don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t have been for them.
Rick Smith | ClientWrongful Death Damages You Could Recover
What does “damages” mean when it comes to wrongful death cases? Upon hearing that term, the first thing that comes to mind is economic damages – financial expenses and losses related to the death. You can sue for these monetary damages after a wrongful death:
- Medical bills: Your loved one survived the crash long enough to seek medical treatment for their injuries
- Repair bills: The collision damaged or destroyed your loved one’s car
- Loss of income: Your loved one could not work following the accident, or you had to take time away from your job to care for them
- Funeral and burial expenses: The money you spent ensuring your loved one was laid to rest with dignity and their final wishes were respected
- Loss of financial support: You depended on your loved one and will have difficulty making ends meet without their income
However, another award – noneconomic damages – is just as important to help you and your family rebuild after a fatal accident. Noneconomic damages compensate for the physical and emotional trauma you and your deceased loved one suffered due to the accident. They may include:
- Pain and suffering: Your loved one suffered physically and mentally from their accident-related injuries
- Reduced quality of life: In their final days, your loved one relied on others for care or could not enjoy life as much as they used to do
- Disability: The accident inflicted any physical or intellectual disability on your loved one
- Emotional trauma: Your loved one’s passing (including the fact that they died so suddenly) has caused you and your family grief and anguish
- Loss of companionship: You can no longer turn to your loved one for affection, solace, or advice, and their death has left a hole in your life
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientHow do I Know What to Ask For?
Calculating a fair settlement can be challenging, especially when it comes to noneconomic damages that do not have bills, receipts, or other paperwork that you can use to pinpoint an exact dollar amount.
The team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can help you assign an appropriate value to the damages you and your loved one suffered. This determination includes estimating future losses, such as lost financial support, to ensure that you and your family are taken care of in the years ahead.
They treated us like no other people would. Whenever we needed something they were there for us. I put my trust in them and I don’t regret it.
ClientGet Started with a Free Case Review
Many complexities go into filing a wrongful death claim. For example, only certain family members can file this type of action. Additionally, some family members receive priority over others. Combined with your limited time to act and legal complexities, you likely do not want to go through the recovery process alone.
An Alexandria fatal accident lawyer can:
- Initiate legal action
- Investigate your claim
- Gather evidence
- Assign liability
- Negotiate with the involved parties
- Consult with third-party field experts
- Take your case to court if necessary
Before we do any of this, a team member would be happy to provide you with a free case review. During this review, you can tell us about your loved one’s death, and we can let you know if you have a viable legal case.
Call Today for Legal Help
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we get paid on a contingency-fee basis. Therefore, if we cannot get compensation on your behalf, you do not owe us attorney’s fees.
To get started with a free case review from a team member, call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today at (318) 777-7777.
