What should I do if I lost a loved one in a car accident?
Fatal car accidents in Florida are a serious problem. Over 3,000 people have died on Florida roadways each year from 2016-2018, according to car accident statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In 2018 alone:
- 1,582 deaths involved passengers
- 574 involved motorcyclists
- 704 involved pedestrians (up from 654 in 2017)
- 161 involved bicyclists (up from 125 in 2017)
Sadly, these fatalities all have one thing in common: they could have been prevented. Each day in Florida, families lose loved ones due to speeding, drunk driving, distracted driving, and other types of reckless and negligent behavior.
What are my legal options after losing a loved one in a car accident?
Losing a loved one in a car accident is an emotionally devastating experience. Understanding your legal options and figuring out what you should do can be overwhelming, especially when you're grieving the loss of a loved one.
The dedicated legal team at Pajcic & Pajcic has more than 350 years of combined experience helping families pursue wrongful death lawsuits.
In one case, our Jacksonville wrongful death lawyers represented the family of a man killed by a truck driver. While stopped in traffic, the father of two was struck by a large truck traveling 65 mph. The truck driver ignored several signs and traffic signals. The trucker made no attempt to apply the brakes or change lanes before the fatal collision.
Pajcic & Pajcic aggressively investigated the fatal truck accident and helped the family of the deceased driver obtain $5.25 million in compensation, an award that included punitive damages due to the truck driver's gross negligence.
Some of our other notable case results involving fatal accidents include:
- $9.65 million to the family of a man killed in a truck accident
- $10.2 million to the husband of a woman killed in a Ford Explorer roof collapse caused by a rollover
- $2.2 million to the family of a man crushed between a truck and warehouse dock
What can I expect if I file a wrongful death lawsuit?
There is no amount of money that can replace your loved one or take away the pain of your loss, but a wrongful death claim can help you get the compensation your family needs to ensure your financial needs are met not just now, but in the years to come.
Under Florida Statute 768.21, you may be able to recover financial compensation for:
- Your loved one's medical expenses
- Funeral and burial costs
- Your loved one's expected income
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship, guidance, and protection
Under Florida Statute 95.11, the deadline to file a wrongful death claim is two years from the date of your loved one's death. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations.
What are punitive damages?
If your loved one's death was caused by gross negligence, the attorneys at Pajcic & Pajcic can pursue punitive damages in court. The purpose of punitive damages is to punish the negligent party and send a strong message to society that this behavior won't be tolerated in the future.
Scenarios where you may be able to recover punitive damages include:
- The driver who caused your loved one's death was drunk, impaired by drugs, engaging in reckless behavior, or driving distracted (e.g., texting while driving).
- A trucking company knowingly failed to maintain their fleet, resulting in a fatal crash.
These are just a few examples of punitive damages. Our attorneys know how to effectively investigate these allegations and build strong cases the prove gross negligence resulted in someone else's death.
Our attorneys fight for families in Florida and Georgia
Learn more about your rights after losing a loved one in a fatal car accident. Discuss your legal options with an attorney you can count on after your crash. Contact Pajic & Pajic. We are caring and compassionate attorneys who can help you pursue a wrongful death claim.
We offer free and confidential case evaluations to families throughout Florida and Georgia. Contact us online or call (904)-358-8881 to find out how we can help you. Our wrongful death lawyers can fight to deliver justice for you and your family.