The losses/damages for which you may seek compensation after a loved one passes away as a result of a car accident someone else caused can vary depending on numerous factors, such as which state the accident occurred in.
Those eligible to receive compensation are often close loved ones of the decedent, such as:
- A surviving spouse
- Children
- Parents
An experienced fatal car accident attorney can evaluate your case and determine if you may be eligible to receive compensation based on the nature of your relationship with the decedent. Losses/damages for which compensation may be available include (but aren’t necessarily limited to) the following:
- The cost of medical care the decedent might have received for their injuries prior to their passing
- Reasonable expenses for a funeral and burial
- Loss of the income the decedent may have earned over the course of their lifetime had they not died
- Loss of the decedent’s benefits
Surviving loved ones of someone who died in a car accident resulting from negligence may also be able to secure compensation for certain non-economic losses. For instance, the decedent’s children may receive compensation for loss of a parent’s guidance and mentorship.
A fatal car accident attorney can determine if compensation for non-economic losses is available. If it is, they can also estimate a proper “dollar value” for such losses.