Wisconsin witnesses over 120,000 traffic accidents every year, and more than 500 people lose their lives in these accidents. While minor accidents are easy to get over, fatal car accidents are tough to deal with and may cause severe mental and physical trauma to the survivors.
While it won’t undo the accident’s aftermath, suing the at-fault driver may help you get compensation for the damages. However, you must ensure to hire a professional and experienced lawyer to help with your case, like Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, LLC.
Understanding the reasons leading to a fatal car accident
A fatal car accident involves a person losing their life within 30 days of the car accident. While there may be several reasons that may lead to a fatal car accident, they can broadly be divided into the following main categories.
- Driver error: Most road accidents occur because either of the drivers failed to yield the right of way, i.e., due to driver error. Many things can lead to failure to yield the right of way, but the most prominent ones are driving under the influence, overspeeding, not following traffic signals and signs, etc.
- Vehicle error: Sometimes, a malfunctioning vehicle may also lead to a fatal car accident. Reasons like a poorly kept vehicle or a manufacturing defect are primarily responsible for such crashes.
- Road conditions: Many times, a road accident is caused by bad conditions of roads, like potholes, lack of road signs, dangerous road designs, etc. may also lead to road accidents.
- Environmental conditions: Sometimes, adverse weather conditions like heavy rain, snow, fog, etc., can make driving hazardous and lead to fatal car accidents.
- Other factors: Many road accidents are caused by the faults of pedestrians and cyclists or by animals and other obstacles on the roads.
What to do in case of a fatal car accident
If you or someone you know experiences a fatal car accident, you should try to ensure that you go through the following steps.
- Get yourself to safety and see if someone needs help, or call for help if you need it.
- Immediately call 911 and police and ensure to tell the dispatcher that there’s been an accident.
- Be calm and exchange information with other drivers and witnesses, if any.
- Take pictures and videos of the scene.
- Get a checkup from a doctor.
- Get in touch with your lawyer to decide the next course of action.
Types of damages you can claim after a fatal car accident.
You can sue the driver at fault for compensation after a fatal car accident. Here are the common types of damages.
- Medical bills and funeral expenses
- Financial support due to loss of income
- Suffering and pain
- Loss of companionship due to wrongful death of a family member in an accident
- Punitive damages.
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