What Surviving Family Members Must Know if their Loved one Suffered Wrongful Death as a Passenger in an Auto Wreck
An essential trait found in an excellent personal injury or wrongful death attorney is a refined ability to account for properly and calculate ALL of the damages to which a civil litigant is entitled. Our lawyers thoroughly appraise every case to maximize its potential value in filing a wrongful death claim on behalf of surviving family members after the wrongful negligence-related death of a loved one.
Two primary goals lie at the heart of such lawsuits. The plaintiff’s lawyer must secure adequate financial compensation to the family of the deceased and prevent such future accidents by bringing charges against all negligent parties. Under Texas civil law, defendants who are not held legally accountable for death under criminal law can be held fiscally responsible for deaths they may have caused through a civil lawsuit for damages
Surviving family members in wrongful death lawsuits can win the same types of damages we have already outlined for accident victims who do not die. Traditional injury damages can be awarded in addition to additional wrongful death damages that are rightfully due to the surviving family members whose loved one dies in as a passenger in a car accident. Further damages can be awarded for pain and suffering by the deceased family victim as well as those suffered by the surviving family members.
In Texas, only spouses, children, parents, and, in rare cases, dependent siblings are allowed to seek wrongful death damages in most car accident cases. These damages may include the victim’s medical expenses prior to the death, funeral expenses, loss of future monetary support the deceased victim would have provided to his or her family, compensation for mental and emotional trauma. The emotional loss of the unique familial love that the deceased victim’s family will no longer receive can also be considered as damage.
The closest living relative may purse survival damage compensation, with the spouse typically being the first one who can rightfully claim such damages. If there is no spouse (in most cases, ex-spouses cannot file) the right to file for survival damages, then passes to the oldest child (oldest first). If there are no living children, the next in line is the deceased victim’s parents and, finally, fellow siblings.
A wrongful death suit is the only way to bring those who caused the death of your loved one to full civil justice. It is not unusual for some of the laws governing wrongful death to overlap with other, more general damages, making the issue of appropriate compensation quite complicated at times. This complexity is why you need the assistance of an experienced wrongful death auto accident lawyer to win the fair compensation you seek, be it through a settlement or a civil trial.
The auto accident lawyers at our Texas Law Firm have effectively handled car accident litigation for over 30 years. We’ve won favorable verdicts and settlements against nearly every major auto insurer in the state. Insurance companies recognize our name. The reputation that precedes us is beneficial in securing special attention to our clients’ claims from these insurers. Our goal is to make sure that you recover as much as possible for your injuries and make this sometimes complicated legal process as easy as possible for you. 
Put our years of experience to work for you. Know your rights, how to proceed with your claim, and how much compensation you can secure from your auto injury case. Call our Law Firm now at 1(800) 862-1260 (toll-free) for a free consultation and find out how we can help you recover the full fair value of the damages you have suffered through the negligence of another driver.
This Blog was posted By The Carabin & Shaw Law Firm. principle Office in San Antonio, Texas
