When a young person loses their life due to a motor vehicle accident, the outcome is devastating for their surviving loved ones. It can feel like nothing will ever make your family whole again after such a tragic loss. When it comes to the financial toll of the situation, however, you can pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim. This type of lawsuit aims to address the costs that you have had to pay as a result of the accident and provides compensation for the mental and emotional suffering that you will continue to endure. For most families who are grieving a loss, the idea of pursuing compensation can be incredibly overwhelming. Working with a Raleigh car accident lawyer is one way to ensure that you are asserting your legal rights to the fullest extent and getting the justice that your family deserves. Contact Maurer Law now to learn more about whether we can assist you.
Two recent accidents highlight the dangers that young persons face on the road. The first involves a 24-year-old motorcyclist who was killed in an accident in Fayetteville, North Carolina, according to a local report. The accident happened around 9:30 p.m. Police are investigating the crash.
The second accident which occurred in another state, involved the death of a 13-year-old girl in a massive multi-car pileup on a bridge, according to a local report. Fifteen vehicles were involved in the accident. The accident was captured on a traffic camera and shows passenger cars being crushed with 18-wheelers as the vehicles collided. The teenager was trapped inside of a vehicle underneath the big-rig. Bystanders responding to the accident tried to remove the girl from the vehicle while she was still alive but she tragically lost her life at the scene of the accident.
If you decide to bring a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of your lost loved one after a traffic accident, there are a few things to consider. First, North Carolina law states that the personal representative for the decedent’s estate is the party who can bring the claim on the decedent’s behalf. The personal representative will be named as the plaintiff in the lawsuit. If the decedent is a young individual without an estate plan, the court can appoint a personal representative. In any case, the plaintiff will need to show that the defendant acted carelessly and that this carelessness was the ultimate cause of the decedent’s passing. The plaintiff can seek damages on behalf of the estate such as medical expenses related to the accident as well as damages for the surviving family members.
To learn more about bringing a wrongful death claim in North Carolina, contact Maurer Law now. Our Raleigh car accident lawyers aim to provide each client with compassionate, responsive, and diligent legal counsel during this devastating situation. While you and your family focus on healing and coping with the sudden loss, we will make sure that you receive the compensation that you deserve. For a free consultation to discuss your potential case, call 888-258-1087 or contact us online to get started.