What Should I Do After a Car Wreck Death in Evansville?

According to data from public records, there were twelve fatalities that were associated with automobile collisions in one recent year in Evansville. When a fatal injury is caused by someone’s negligent driving, the at-fault party should be held financially responsible.

Many traffic accidents result from dangerous or careless driving behaviors. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), some driving behaviors are more likely to result in fatal crashes. These behaviors include:

Drowsy Driving

When motorists drive without adequate rest, they are more likely to cause a collision. Driving while fatigued decreases drivers’ response times and impairs their judgment.

Many commercial truck drivers are susceptible to drowsy driving. This is because they are often required to work long hours and drive through the night.

If you have lost a loved one in a commercial truck accident, reach out to the attorneys at Morgan and Morgan. Our team knows what is necessary to hold commercial and private drivers accountable for their negligence. 

Reckless Driving Maneuvers

Reckless driving occurs when motorists show a blatant disregard for safe vehicle operation. This is distinct from careless driving because it does not necessarily involve a lack of attention. 

Some of the most common examples of reckless driving maneuvers include:

• Making unnecessary lane changes
• Swerving erratically
• Passing other cars and trucks at unsafe times
• Tailgating (following too closely)
• Going too fast in inclement weather or road conditions

Reckless driving is a form of vehicular negligence. When someone causes another person’s death, they may be financially liable for the costs and losses the victim’s family experiences. Speak with a wrongful death attorney to explore your legal options in the wake of a loved one’s death.

Speeding

Driving above the speed limit is one of the leading reasons that people are involved in traffic collisions. When motorists drive too fast, their reaction times decrease.

Suppose that you bring your car to a stop because there is an unforeseen obstacle on the road. If the driver behind you is speeding, they may be unable to stop in time and an accident may result.

In severe cases, speeding can cause loss of life. If you have lost someone as the result of another motorist driving too fast, contact one of the wrongful death lawyers at the firm of Morgan and Morgan.

Distracted Driving

The problem of distracted driving is worsening with the increased prevalence of digital devices. When a driver does not give their full attention to the operation of their vehicle, they are much more likely to cause a serious crash.

According to research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are three common types of distracted driving:

• Visual Distractions: The motorist’s eyes are not on the road
• Cognitive Distractions: The driver’s mind is elsewhere
• Manual Distractions: The driver removes their hands from the wheel

Any of these types of distractions can result in devastating consequences. 

There are many possible distractions that motorists experience in and around Evansville. Some of the most common distractions when operating a motor vehicle include:

• Talking on the phone
• Texting or reading on a cell phone
• Eating or drinking
• Grooming, such as applying makeup or flossing
• Adjusting the stereo
• Listening to loud music with headphones or earbuds

Anything that draws the driver’s attention away from the road is dangerous. When a distracted driver causes the death of another person, they can be held financially and legally accountable. 

Driving While Intoxicated

Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol is not only negligent, but it is also a criminal offense. 

In the state of Indiana, a DUI offense is possible if the perpetrator’s blood alcohol content (BAC) is at least .08. Drinking and using drugs decrease your reaction time and ability to make good judgments. 

If a drunk driver caused the death of your loved one in Evansville, IN, you may have the option to pursue a wrongful death claim on their behalf. Speak with one of the attorneys at Morgan & Morgan to review the facts of your case. We are ready to help you pursue justice.

After you have lost someone you love in a car wreck in Evansville, it is critical to take the appropriate steps. Most families do not have experience with the process of seeking financial recovery through a civil claim.

Because of this, many survivors forego the financial recovery that the at-fault party owes. This may cause them to bear the financial burdens left by their loved one’s death.

It is critical to hold negligent drivers responsible for the harm that they cause. A “wrongful death” happens when someone is killed because of the wrongful action or omission of another party.

While wrongful deaths can result from medical malpractice or criminal acts, most happen because of negligence. This type of lawsuit or legal claim functions very similarly to a personal injury case.

However, the claimant is not the victim. Since the victim is deceased, their estate holder or personal representative must seek compensation on their behalf.

Only people with certain relationships with the victim are permitted to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This includes:

• Adult children of the victim
• Parents of the victim
• Spouses and legal partners
• Other immediate family members

If you believe that you have a valid wrongful death lawsuit following a fatal car crash in Evansville, IN, reach out to the skilled legal professionals at Morgan and Morgan. Our firm has represented the families of decedents for more than 35 years.

We have a thorough knowledge of the wrongful death statutes in the state of Indiana. Our team will fight diligently to recover maximum compensation in your wrongful death case.

Every state sets certain legal time limits on various types of civil claims. This required legal timeline is known as the “statute of limitations.”

If you fail to pursue compensation before the statute of limitations expires, you will be unable to secure financial recovery. The accomplished team at Morgan & Morgan will ensure that you are able to meet every legal deadline in your wrongful death case.

In most cases, the time limit is set in relation to the date that the victim was killed. Under Indiana state law, claimants in Indiana wrongful death cases must file suit within two years of the initial incident.

While two years may seem like a long time, it is important to speak with a skilled legal professional as soon as possible. The team at Morgan and Morgan knows what documents must be completed and filed to ensure that all legal deadlines are met.

It is normal for decedents’ survivors to experience significant financial and personal losses due to their loved ones’ deaths. If someone is responsible for fatally injuring someone close to you, speak with an attorney.

Claimants in wrongful death claims in Indiana can pursue both “economic” and “non-economic” damages. In essence, economic damages are designed to compensate victims for the monetary losses that result from the death that the negligent party caused.

Examples of economic damages include:

• The victim’s outstanding medical bills
• Funeral and burial costs
• Lost income from the decedent’s absence

“Non-economic” damages are repayment for the losses that are intangible and personal. These outcomes can be the most devastating consequences of losing someone you love.

Non-economic damages in wrongful death claims may include:

• The victim’s pain and suffering before their death
• The survivor’s emotional grief and suffering
• Loss of care, love, and relationship

It is critical to speak with an accomplished legal professional to calculate the value of your case. In some cases, tightfisted insurance companies will attempt to downplay the losses that grieving families experience.

Do not let a greedy corporation deny you the money that you need to get your life back on track. The team at Morgan & Morgan will not allow an uncooperative party to diminish or deny the value of your case.

No. The caring attorneys at Morgan and Morgan believe that the survivors of decedents should be able to seek justice no matter their economic status. 

That is why our firm operates on a contingency fee payment structure. When you hire our lawyers, you will pay nothing unless we win or successfully settle your case.

When you have lost someone in an Evansville car accident, you may be entitled to significant compensation. It is crucial to discuss the facts of your case with a knowledgeable wrongful death attorney.

Do not allow your family to be stuck with the costs of a collision that another person caused. To schedule a free case evaluation with our premier team, fill out the simple contact form on the Morgan and Morgan website. Our team of attorneys is ready to fight for you.