If someone dies in a truck accident, their surviving loved ones may have a chance to file a wrongful death claim. The family will also need to make arrangements for their loved one, including a funeral and burial.
Families can turn to an Indianapolis wrongful death lawyer for help in the aftermath of a deadly collision with an 18-wheeler, semi-truck, or tractor-trailer. An attorney can explain what to expect throughout each part of what happens when someone dies in a truck accident.
Emergency Services Respond to Fatal Truck Accidents
The police and other emergency responders will come out to the scene of a deadly truck crash in Indiana. These individuals will assess what happened and may contact the coroner who will handle the deceased.
Law enforcement may inform the family of the deceased about what happened to their loved one. Once you discover that you have lost a family member in a fatal truck accident, you will need to make arrangements for a funeral and burial.
You will also need to review your family’s legal options in this situation. You can discuss your next steps with an Indianapolis truck accident lawyer. An attorney can also explain what happens when someone dies in a truck accident.
Your Case Will Get
The Attention It Deserves
You May File a Wrongful Death Claim After a Deadly Truck Crash
Your family may have a chance to file a legal claim against the party responsible for a fatal truck accident. An attorney can determine if you qualify for this kind of claim under Indiana’s laws on death from a wrongful act or omission.
Generally, you have this option if a lawyer can show that someone else owed your loved one a duty of care, failed to uphold that duty, and directly caused the deadly collision.
Wrongful death claims go through the civil court system in Indiana and may allow your family to secure damages to address the financial losses you face due to the loss of a loved one.
Do You Have to File a Lawsuit After a Fatal Truck Accident?
You may need to file a wrongful death lawsuit after a deadly crash involving a tow truck, garbage truck, dump truck, or another large commercial vehicle. However, your lawyer may resolve your claim without the need to go to court.
In many circumstances, attorneys can resolve wrongful death cases through negotiations with the insurance company. However, if the insurance company treats your family unfairly, your lawyer can take your claim to court.
Will the Liable Party Go to Jail if Someone Dies in a Truck Accident?
In some cases, the party responsible for a deadly truck accident will also face criminal charges, and they may go to jail if convicted. The civil and criminal court systems work separately from one another, so your Indianapolis personal injury lawyer will not handle your criminal case.
A wrongful death lawyer can help your family secure a sense of closure through other means after a fatal accident. Holding the liable party responsible through the civil court system can make them take accountability and provide you with the damages you need to move forward.
Your Family May Receive Damages if Someone Dies in a Truck Accident
If a loved one dies in a truck accident in Indiana, your family may qualify for damages to cover the financial pressures you experience. Depending on your circumstances, you may receive funds to pay for your loved one’s medical, burial, and funeral expenses.
Your family may also receive damages for a loved one’s lost future earnings. Additionally, depending on your loved one’s marital status, age, and number of dependents, you may also receive damages for lost:
- Companionship and services
- Training and guidance
- Care, affection, and love
Finally, if you lose a child in a truck accident, the liable party may need to pay for counseling for your family. You can learn more about these damages and what happens when someone dies in a truck accident by contacting a law firm today.
Legal Events Happen Quickly After a Fatal Truck Collision
It’s essential to begin the legal process quickly if you lose a loved one in a truck accident. Indiana typically only gives you two years to file a claim before the wrongful death statute of limitations expires.
If you wait too long, the court system can dismiss your request for damages. Therefore, we recommend that you speak to an attorney quickly about your next steps. Once you begin the legal process, it may take several months to resolve settlement negotiations.
Your wrongful death claim may take longer if you file a lawsuit.
Talk to Us if You Lose a Loved One in a Truck Accident
What happens when someone dies in a truck accident? In this situation, what happens will depend significantly on your choices. You can decide to file a wrongful death claim to bring your family the damages you deserve in this situation.
You can learn more about your options with our team at Vaughan & Vaughan. We’re standing by to help when you call or complete our online contact form.
