Auto accident deaths spark frequent questions

The tolls taken on America’s roads and highways are catastrophic. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than six million car accidents occur yearly in America, with more than three million people injured, and two million of them suffer permanent injuries. More than 40,000 people suffer a fatal car accident.

In over half of all auto accident fatalities, the victims did not wear seat belts at the time of the collision. Many auto accidents also are caused by drivers who are distracted while talking to other passengers or talking on cell phones while driving, with cell phones being a factor in 25 per cent of auto accidents. Others are caused by a driver distracted by eating or drinking while driving. Many car accidents would have been prevented if the driver had paid primary attention to driving a vehicle and less attention to other activities.

Auto accident attorneys can help

• What are legal ramifications of compensation for car accident injuries or an auto accident death? An auto accident attorney can guide you.
• If you have been injured in a car accident, you can file a personal injury claim. If you have lost a loved one in a car accident, you can file a wrongful death claim.
• Many people who are in vehicle accidents suffer serious injuries or death. Types of such car accident injuries include neck, head, spine and brain injuries, fractures and other broken bones.

Auto accident criteria

What criteria are required to be eligible for a claim of injuries, and for what is compensation paid?

Victims in vehicle collisions can recover damages or compensation for injuries in the accident if they meet the following criteria for a personal injury claim:

• their injury is a direct result of the vehicle accident
• the accident was caused not by them, but by another person's negligence or fault

Proving the other driver's negligence and fault is the first step in a personal injury claim. The law does not permit   compensation for your own fault and negligence.

Once fault is established, you can recover compensation and damages for these things:

• medical expenses for treatment of your injuries
• future medical costs
• actual lost wages
• future lost wages
• loss of enjoyment of life
• damages for mental pain and anguish

Wrongful death claims

What about wrongful death eligibility and compensation breakdowns?

If you have lost a parent, spouse or child in a vehicle accident, you may file a wrongful death claim against a negligent driver with help from an auto accident attorney. States may limit which people can bring a claim of wrongful death. If you were financially dependent on someone who died from another person's negligence, you can bring a claim of wrongful death even if you were not related to the deceased person.

In such a wrongful death claim, you can gain damages for these things:

• loss of companionship
• loss of sexual relationships
• actual financial losses, if the person killed was provider of your household or you were dependent on the person financially
• mental pain and suffering

Jim S. Adler & Associates has a personal injury lawyer ready to handle an auto accident death or injury claim. Contact an Adler auto accident lawyer today. Fill out the online form for a free case review from an Adler auto accident attorney.

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