Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for individuals between the ages of 5 and 35 years old, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). While some of these fatal car accidents may be caused by unforeseeable factors, such as adverse weather conditions, in many cases deadly crashes are caused by preventable errors, negligence or recklessness on behalf of another driver or some other party.
Some specific examples of negligence and/or recklessness that can result in fatal car accidents include:
- Driver intoxication, including drunk driving or driving under the influence of prescription, over-the-counter or illegal drugs
- Driver fatigue, which has been shown in some studies to be as dangerous as driver intoxication
- Driver distraction, such as operating cellphones or GPS systems when driving
- Poor roadway conditions, in which case the city, county or other entity responsible for maintaining safe roadways would be the negligent party
- Vehicle equipment problems, such as brake system or airbag failures, in which case the vehicle manufacturer would be the negligent party
Damages in Fatal Accident Cases
When any of these factors contributes to a car accident that results in death, the family of the victim may be entitled to compensation for their:
- Loved one’s medical bills
- Loved one’s funeral and burial costs
- Mental anguish and suffering
Although no amount of money can ever make up for the devastating loss of a loved one, pursing a wrongful death lawsuit can help a victim’s family secure the compensation they need to help them try to get through this difficult time. Schedule a free consultation with Brown & Brown, LLP if you lost a loved one in a crash caused by another driver's carelesseness.
Speak to one of our attorneys in St. Louis by dialing the 3s: 314-333-3333 or 573-333-3333. Call the 8s if you live in Southern Illinois and are looking for an attorney in or around Illinois at 618-888-8888.
