Injuries that commonly cause death in car accidents include head injuries, spinal cord injuries, chest injuries, and abdominal injuries. Unfortunately, fatal car accidents can cause a devastating aftermath for the decedent’s loved ones.
If your loved one lost their life because of injuries sustained in a car accident, you could seek compensation for their losses. A car accident attorney could provide representation to you and your family. In addition, they can help you through the difficult time of seeking justice for the wrongful death of your loved one.
Most Common Injuries that Cause Death in Car Accidents
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that almost 43,000 fatalities happened across the United States in 2021. Regrettably, some common car crash injuries are more likely to cause death.
Head Injuries
A head injury (specifically a traumatic brain injury) can significantly affect someone’s ability to function. When the head sustains trauma, torn tissues, bleeding, bruising, or other physical damage could occur. Severe head injuries could cause death almost immediately. However, even if these injuries don’t kill a car accident victim, they could cause long-term complications.
When someone sustains a traumatic brain injury, seeking medical care is crucial. For instance, swelling can begin as soon as the trauma occurs. However, medical professionals could treat patients to stop the swelling, helping them survive their injuries.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Severe spinal cord injuries could inhibit someone’s ability to function independently. For instance, a car accident victim could lose feeling or movement in the arms or legs. However, when spinal cord injuries affect the victim’s ability to breathe, they could die.
Spinal cord injuries can happen in car accidents if a strong enough impact hits the spine or neck. It can cause intense pain or complete loss of feeling due to paralysis. Thus, injury victims must keep their backs stable after sustaining a spinal cord injury to prevent further harm.
Chest Injuries
Chest injuries are serious because of the critical organs in that area, such as the lungs and heart. These injuries can cause death because they might not manifest symptoms immediately. Therefore, the injured party might not understand the threat to their life without immediate medical assistance.
If a blow or jolt happens to the heart, it could disrupt its function. Any disruption to the heart could have fatal consequences. In a car accident, the heart could sustain an impact by colliding with another object, such as the steering wheel or front dashboard.
Abdominal Injuries
A seetbelt, steering wheel, or other object could cause injury to the abdomen. Abdominal injuries could also have fatal consequences because of internal bleeding and the stress it causes to surrounding organs. In addition, internal bleeding might not distress the injured victim immediately. Then, when they realize they have an issue, it could be too late to avoid death.
You Could Seek Compensation for the Wrongful Death of a Loved One
If your loved one sustained a typical car accident injury that led to their death, you have our sincerest condolences as you deal with the devastating effects of this loss.
Although monetary compensation won’t alleviate your pain, it can help you move forward without dealing with financial strain. Instead, you could seek compensation for all damages you incurred because of your loved one’s death.
If you hire a wrongful death lawyer, they could assist you with calculating your recoverable damages. Then, by claiming against the liable party, you could seek compensation, so you don’t pay for these losses on your own. Examples of damages you could recover after your loved one’s death include the following:
- Final medical expenses. Medical professionals could have taken measures to try to save your loved one’s life. Even though their efforts were unsuccessful, you will have to pay the medical bills. Medical treatments they might charge include ambulance rides, emergency room care, ICU care, or hospitalizations.
- Funeral and burial expenses. Unfortunately, providing your loved one with a proper sendoff can cost tens of thousands of dollars. However, you can recoup those costs in your wrongful death claim.
- Lost financial support. You can recover the potential income your family member could have provided. For example, your attorney might consult an actuary to determine how much money your loved one would have earned over the rest of their career.
- Loss of consortium. This category will compensate family members because of the lost emotional support and companionship your loved one gave you. While these damages don’t have a tangible monetary value, your attorney can determine how much to request in your demand letter.
You Must File a Claim Before Your State’s Statute of Limitations Deadline
Wrongful death laws in each state set the deadline for how long surviving family members have to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible party. For example, Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003 provides two years from the accident date to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
It’s essential to understand when the timeline for wrongful death claims starts in your state—in Texas, it starts on the day of the incident. However, many believe they have two years from when their loved one dies. That misconception could prove costly, so consult a lawyer as soon as possible to determine how much time you have left.
Don’t Worry About Out-of-Pocket Fees
We take wrongful death cases on contingency, meaning you pay nothing upfront. You only compensate us for our legal services if you recover compensation. In addition, if we don’t win, you owe us nothing. So, there are no financial risks to working with us.
Contact an Attorney for Help-Seeking Justice Against the Liable Party
You will likely feel devastated after the sudden passing of your loved one. Going through the legal process while dealing with this devastation could prove stressful. However, an attorney can provide support and take care of legal matters, allowing you to focus on grieving your loss.
We can provide that support and compassionate legal representation at Loncar Lyon Jenkins. We understand your turmoil after this loss and can stand up for you. So, when you’re ready, we invite you to contact us to schedule a free consultation and discuss your legal options.
