You may need professional help from a lawyer if you lose a parent in a fatal motor vehicle collision in Indiana. An Indianapolis wrongful death lawyer can assess your situation and help you understand your legal position after a deadly accident.
You can rely on an attorney to compassionately assist you with your legal needs. A lawyer can help you find the liable party, hold them responsible, and push them to cover the losses your family sustains.
Why You Should Get a Lawyer if a Parent Dies in a Car Accident
You should get a lawyer if a parent dies in a car accident to ensure that you have someone on your side during this incredibly challenging time. An attorney will stand up for your family and help you understand your legal options after the loss of a loved one.
Hiring an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer means you’ll have professional assistance when dealing with the insurance company and potentially filing a wrongful death lawsuit. Attorneys handle all legal matters so you can focus your attention on caring for your family.
Your attorney cannot bring back your beloved parent but may help you get a sense of closure and the damages you need to deal with all the financial burdens you face due to someone else’s dangerous behavior.
Your Case Will Get
The Attention It Deserves
How a Lawyer Helps After the Loss of a Parent in a Collision
Attorneys address all your legal needs after a fatal accident that resulted in the loss of a parent. Depending on your specific circumstances, a lawyer may:
Explain Indiana’s Laws on Wrongful Death Claims
Indiana has specific laws about legal claims for death from a wrongful act or omission. These laws control the process of filing a wrongful death claim and often become confusing if you do not have experience navigating the legal system.
Fortunately, a wrongful death attorney can step in and clarify all these matters so you understand your options and what you need to do next.
Find the Liable Party
Your lawyer will need to investigate to find the party responsible for the deadly car accident that caused the loss of your parent. An attorney may need to speak to witnesses, get copies of any police reports, and collect videos or photos showing the collision.
You can rely on a wrongful death law firm to investigate quickly after a fatal side impact, head-on, or rear-end collision.
Deal with the Insurance Company
Many families don’t want to deal with fielding calls and dealing with paperwork from insurance companies after the loss of a loved one. An attorney will handle these matters for you, protecting your legal claim and mitigating some of the legal stress of this process.
You can rely on an attorney to assess any settlement offers and to handle all negotiations for your family so you can focus on providing the emotional care your family needs.
File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Finally, in some cases, your attorney may need to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the liable driver. A professional law firm can represent your family in court if the insurance company refuses to engage in fair settlement negotiations.
Bring You Fair Damages
Indiana’s legal codes allow you to secure damages after the loss of a parent in a fatal car accident. Your parent’s estate may receive damages to pay for medical, hospital, funeral, and burial expenses.
You may directly receive damages for your loss of:
- Affection
- Love
- Care
- Guidance and training
In some cases, the court will provide damages for the loss of your parent’s future earnings. Some of these damages may go to your other surviving parent, your siblings, or other dependent relatives.
Keep Your Wrongful Death Claim on Track
Indiana only gives you two years to file a wrongful death claim after most fatal car accidents. An attorney will keep your claim moving and deal with stall tactics from the at-fault party that could cause you to miss essential dates in the legal process.
Can You File a Wrongful Death Claim After Losing a Parent?
Indiana will only allow you to file a wrongful death claim after the loss of a parent if you are the personal representative of your mother or father. Your parent may have listed you as a personal representative on legal paperwork, or the court may assign you to this role.
Your wrongful death lawyer can review your case and determine who acts as the personal representative for your parent.
Talk to Us if You Lose a Parent in a Fatal Motor Vehicle Collision
Should you get a lawyer if a parent dies in a car accident in Indiana? Hiring a lawyer can help your family throughout the entire legal process. You can learn more about the benefits of hiring a compassionate attorney with our team at Vaughan & Vaughan.
We’ll put you first. You can discuss your situation 24/7 by calling or filling out our online contact form.
