Your loved one is driving home on Interstate 80 on her way back from visiting Sacramento. The drive seems to be going smoothly when, suddenly, a drunk driver loses control of his vehicle and drives into the oncoming lane, crashing head-on with your loved one’s car. The collision is severe, and your loved one sustains injuries that cost her life.

Tragically, scenarios like this one are a reality for many Californians. In fact, according to data from the Office of Traffic Safety, an average of over 3000 people lose their lives in California crashes every year. In addition, thousands lose their lives in accidents that could have been prevented, such as exposure to dangerous chemicals at work, boating accidents, medical malpractice, etc.

If you have lost someone in your family or somebody you depend on because of another party’s negligence, contact a Dixon wrongful death lawyer to learn what legal options are available. An attorney with experience in wrongful death cases will help you understand your case and advise whether or not it is a good idea to seek wrongful death payments through legal action. Call our wrongful death lawyers at (707) 564-1900 for free, friendly, and compassionate advice.

In most cases, we depend on our family members. Whether it is for emotional support, financial aid, or both. While a person can never be replaced, at-fault parties are responsible for paying for losses associated with the accidents they cause. Those who depended on a person killed in a wrongful death case have the right to pursue payments for damages such as:

• Loss of a life companion
• Loss of parental mentorship and guidance
• Funeral expenses
• Burial expenses
• Medical bills related to the fatal accident (e.g., ambulance and emergency room costs)
• Stress and emotional trauma caused by dealing with the sudden loss of somebody you love
• Loss of a source of income
• Loss of inheritance

You should speak to a wrongful death lawyer to get a solid idea about your legal options. Most wrongful death and personal injury lawyers, including myself, offer free initial consultations. During such a meeting, you can get valuable information about recovering financially after your loved one’s death.

If you have a viable wrongful death case, hiring a lawyer to represent you is often the best thing you can do. There are many factors to consider when filing a wrongful death case and attempting to claim payments from negligent parties and/or their insurers. Those filing a wrongful death case must contact insurance companies, submit the proper paperwork and itemized bills, meet deadlines, negotiate with claims adjusters, and more. For many, the process of pursuing a claim can be overwhelming. On top of all this, those filing a claim are most often grieving and trying to recover emotionally after losing somebody they love.

A Dixon wrongful death lawyer can take the burden of dealing with a legal claim off your shoulders. Not only can a good attorney take care of the paperwork and make sure deadlines are met, but a lawyer with experience will know the best way to investigate the incident, prepare your case, negotiate with insurers, and, if necessary, argue in court so that you receive the total amount of recompense that you deserve.

The attorney you choose to represent you can make a big difference in how your case is settled. If you have a lawyer with ample experience and a good reputation in his or her community, there is a better chance that your settlement will be fair. Hiring a lawyer without much experience means a higher chance insurance companies will give you lowball settlement offers. Some important things to look out for when deciding on a lawyer include:

• The lawyer is sensitive and compassionate about your situation.
• The lawyer always takes time to clearly explain what your legal options are.
• The lawyer has a good reputation (a good way to check this is by using third-party websites such as Avvo).
• The lawyer has had previous success with taking wrongful death cases to trial.

While all of these are essential factors, you should also make sure you feel personally comfortable with your chosen lawyer.

Watch the video below for more on a wrongful death claim.

Every case is different, and there is always a chance that your case will go to trial. However, the vast majority of wrongful death and personal injury cases are settled without the need for a jury. In fact, over 90 percent of claims are settled out of court. Even so, your case may need to go to trial, especially if the insurance company makes lowball offers or liability for the accident is contested. When cases go to trial, your lawyer will be critical and take on the job of filing lawsuits, drafting the necessary pleadings, taking depositions, and more.

If you have lost a loved one because of another’s negligence, please call our Dixon wrongful death lawyers today at (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly, and confidential advice.

Learn more about us. See our past verdicts and settlements and client reviews on Avvo, Yelp, and Google.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 8.8.23] Photo: by joaph through cco-pixabay ms cha [cs 912]}