Although many car accident victims survive their crash, others aren’t so lucky. In fact, 2022 saw nearly 43,000 thousand fatal car accidents. That marks a 16% increase since 2018, a figure that’s shocking considering the multiple safety initiatives that have been implemented nationwide. While these fatal accident rates only make up about 1% of all accidents, they still mean that more than 100 fatal car crashes occur each day.
What has led to an increase in fatal car accidents?
It’s hard to say with certainty, but there are some disturbing trends. Speeding has continued to cause an increasing number of fatal wrecks, playing a role in nearly 30% of all deadly car accidents. Alcohol use and intoxication are also problematic, causing 36% of fatal accidents. Even more concerning, though, is the fact that alcohol-related accidents that result in death have increased by 32% just since 2019.
The increase in fatal accidents may also be attributable, in part, to an increase in miles driven. As people have returned to work and regained their normal pre-pandemic lives, more vehicles have hit the road, which could increase the risk of being involved in an accident.
What to do if you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal car accident
If you’ve lost a loved one in a car crash, then you’ve got a lot on your plate. While you struggle to cope with the emotional ramifications of your loss, you might also be worried about making ends meet, especially if you relied on your loved one’s income for support.
That can certainly be a stressful position to be in, but you might be able to find relief by taking legal action against the individual responsible for the accident. If you succeed on a wrongful death claim, then you could recover compensation to offset your loved one’s lost wages, any final expenses related to their passing, and your loss of love, affection, and support.
How do you build in a wrongful death claim?
When building your case, you’ll want to focus on gathering evidence that shows liability and damages. Therefore, you should make diligent efforts to secure the following:
- Police reports that detail the accident scene and witness accounts
- Medical records that demonstrate the treatment your loved one received and the costs associated with it
- Pay stubs that show your loved one’s income
- Receipts and invoices from services related to your loved one’s funeral and burial
- Witness statements pertaining to the cause of the accident
- Expert testimony pertaining to contested issues related to causation and damages
- Your own personal account of how the loss of your loved one has negatively impacted your life
These are just starting points. There may be more that you need to do in your case to build the robust and persuasive arguments that you necessary to present a compelling case, which is why you’ll need to carefully analyze the facts of your situation to ensure that you’re being as thorough and as aggressive as possible.
Now is the time to build your wrongful death case
We know that you’re dealing with a lot of heartache after losing your loved one. As tough as that can be, you might find a sense of justice in imposing liability and recovering the compensation that you need and deserve.
