Wrongful Death After a Savannah Car Accident: How Families Can Seek Compensation?

Georgia law provides the right to pursue a wrongful death claim in Savannah, especially for surviving families of the victims. The family members of the car accident victims are often left with emotional trauma. They deal with medical bills, funeral expenses, as well as complicated legal matters due to another driver’s negligence, and this can be the most devastating experience of their lives.

However, no amount of compensation can replace the trauma caused by a wrongful car accident in Savannah; it is still important to understand the legal rights. If you or your loved one has lost someone due to another driver’s negligence, you can file a wrongful death claim in Savannah by keeping in mind the following points:

Understanding a Wrongful Death Claim in Georgia

The wrongful death claims in Savannah most commonly arise from distracted and drunk driving, speeding and reckless driving, pedestrian and bicycle accidents, commercial truck accidents, and impaired driving. When a civil lawsuit is filed against a person’s death caused by another party’s negligent driving, it is considered a wrongful death claim.

A wrongful death claim in Savannah is unlike the other criminal proceedings as it seeks to recover compensation for the victim’s family members rather than punishing the at-fault driver.

Causes of Fatal Car Accidents in Savannah

Reports from the Georgia Department of Transportation and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety suggest that failure to yield to traffic signals, distracted driving, and drunk driving emerge as the most common causes leading to wrongful deaths caused by car and truck accidents in Savannah.

The city experiences heavy traffic from tourists and commercial travelers on major roadways, and, as a result, speeding remains the leading contributor to fatal accidents in Savannah. It is essential to determine the exact cause of these accidents, as this helps the motor vehicle accident attorney in Savannah establish the total liability for compensation.

Eligibility to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Savannah

The following individuals may have legal authority to bring a wrongful death claim with the help of a motor vehicle accident attorney in Savannah:

The victim’s surviving spouse
The deceased’s children
The parents of the deceased in case there is no spouse or child
The personal representative of the victim’s estate

In case of multiple eligibility, the law states that the compensation should be distributed amongst the eligible family members that exist. An experienced wrongful death attorney in Savannah can help the family of the deceased in understanding the legal rights available to them.

Compensation Available Against Wrongful Death Claims in Savannah

The value of compensation depends upon the circumstances of the accident and may include both economic and non-economic damages. The wrongful death claims in Savannah mostly seek compensation for the “full value of life” of the victim who has passed away.

The financial losses against which the compensation can be asked for are medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, loss of wages and future income, as well as loss of employment benefits.

The non-economic damages may include emotional suffering, loss of companionship, and loss of care and consortium (for the surviving spouse). A few damages may be available for compensation depending on whether the claim is brought by the family or received through the deceased person’s estate.

How to pursue a Wrongful Death Claim in Savannah?

A thorough investigation guided by a motor vehicle accident attorney in Savannah is essential to establish the other party’s fault in causing the accident. The evidence gathered to pursue a wrongful death claim commonly includes police reports, witness statements, camera footage, vehicle damage analysis, toxicology reports, cell phone records, etc. Georgia allows the family of the deceased a period of 2 years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim.

Insurance Companies against the Wrongful Death Claims in Savannah

After the fatal accidents, insurance companies begin their probe to minimize the financial exposure by offering early settlements and arguing comparative negligence. They usually challenge the medical evidence and question the value of future income. Hence, the family of the deceased must be careful before accepting any early settlement made by the insurance companies, as it might impact their overall value of compensation.

How can a Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney in Savannah help?

Litigation for wrongful deaths involves lengthy legal procedures that require extensive paperwork and investigation. With the guidance of an experienced attorney, the family of the victim can:

Investigate the accident & preserve critical evidence
Identify the liable parties & calculate future damages
Negotiate with insurance companies & represent the family during litigation

Have a Lawyer connects the families of the accident victims to experienced wrongful death attorneys who help them with personalized legal support. We understand the emotional distress of a family experiencing the loss of a loved one, and hence we review your case for free and match an attorney based on your case; because every wrongful death claim deserves relevant legal representation.

motor vehicle accident attorney Savannah

Final Words

A wrongful death does change the fate of a family in an instant, and no amount of compensation can undo such a profound loss. However, Georgia law allows the surviving family members of the deceased to hold the parties at fault accountable and seek compensation. If your loved one has lost their life in a Savannah motor vehicle accident, you are eligible to file a wrongful death claim and seek compensation.

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