Losing a loved one is never easy but can be made all the more difficult due to the sudden nature of a car crash. After a fatal vehicle accident, a family is left with much grief and many questions are left unanswered. Families often face unexpected financial struggles after a fatal car crash relating to funeral expenses, lost earnings, hospital bills and other economic damages. To help families with these burdens and also find closure, negligent parities may be held accountable through a wrongful death claim or lawsuit. The experienced Washington wrongful death lawyer at Pendergast Law are here to help.
Do I Have A Wrongful Death Case In Renton?
Washington law allows any person injured by another’s negligence to seek compensation for expenses like medical bills and lost wages, as well as for pain and suffering and other losses. When injuries prove fatal, the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate can also bring a claim, seeking the same sorts of compensation the injured person could have fought for if he or she had lived.
Wrongful death cases are intended to compensate the spouse, children, parents, or siblings who relied on a deceased person for support. They may include compensation for all the same types of losses covered in an injury case, as well as losses specifically related to the untimely death. These include losses like:
- Medical costs, including emergency transportation, surgery, and similar costs
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost wages, including wages the deceased person would likely have earned if he or she had lived
- The value of the deceased person’s contributions to the upkeep of the home, raising children and other tasks
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of guidance, love and care
While no wrongful death case can replace a lost loved one, the compensation involved in these cases provides a family with the financial security it needs to move forward after a loss.
How Soon Should I File A Claim In Renton?
It’s important to talk to a knowledgeable lawyer as soon as you can after death. Washington law gives three years to file a wrongful death case in most situations. However, because many factors can change how the three years are counted, only an attorney can help you understand exactly when the deadline will fall in your own case.
If you miss the three-year deadline in a wrongful death claim, the court may refuse ever to hear your case. This deprives you of a valuable chance to seek the compensation your family needs and deserves.
Experienced And Compassionate Representation From Our Renton Attorneys
Few things in life are more difficult than the untimely death of a loved one, especially when that death resulted from another’s negligence. After a collision claims a life, a family needs space to grieve – not the burden of medical bills, lost income and other problems.
At Pendergast Law, our compassionate Renton personal injury lawyers are dedicated to helping you get the compensation you need, so you can focus on your first priority – the care of your family. Contact us today at 888-539-9211 for a free, confidential case evaluation.