Need an Injury Lawyer for a Georgia Wrongful Death Case?
In 2017, 1,550 people lost their lives on the roadways in Georgia, and the state is doing whatever it takes to change these numbers. Georgia has set a target alongside GDOT to reduce road fatalities in their state by 41 or more every year. The unfortunate truth is that lives are taken every year in Georgia for a variety of reasons, like drunk driving, distracted driving, speeding, and many other aspects that break the rules of our road and put people at risk. Nobody ever expects to lose a loved one in a traffic accident that easily could have been prevented, but this is an unfortunate truth that happens often every year in Georgia.
When you have lost your loved one, what actions can you take? Many people believe that they would not be successful in a claim, but this is far from the truth. We want to help you in your time of need and stand by your side as you litigate your case and move forward during this difficult time.
Proving Your Claim: The Many Elements
When you choose to move forward with your wrongful death claim, you must be able to show 4 elements to prove that a party acted negligently. Here are these elements, further explained:
- Negligence: Negligence is shown by proving that the driver owed a duty of care to your loved one, such as abiding by all the rules of the road, but failed to do so. An example of this is when somebody is going 100 over the speed limit. They have acted with negligence and disregard to others.
- Breach of Duty: If the driver breached their duty of care and your loved one was killed, this element is proven.
- Causation: You must be able to show that the negligence that caused your loved one’s death was negligence on behalf of the party you are accusing.
- Damages: Have economic or non-economic damages resulted from your loved one’s accident? You could be compensated if you choose to bring a claim for damages.
Who is Permitted to Bring a Claim?
Not every party is going to be permitted to file one of these unique claims. When it comes to a wrongful death claim, only those who are closest to the loved one will be able to file for damages. This includes those who are very closely related such as children, parents and a spouse of a loved one. It can also include a designated beneficiary, especially if the person is leaving a will behind. If you speak to an attorney, you can find out if you qualify. There are many people who are permitted to file, such as domestic partners and more.
Receiving Damages in Your Claim
When you have lost somebody close to you, thinking about applying a dollar amount to their death seems like something you could never conceive. However, the point of damages is to make your family as close to whole as possible after a horrific death has occurred within the family. Nobody wants to lose a loved one through a traffic accident, so we want to help. You could be eligible to receive compensation for aspects like medical bills, lost wages, funeral expenses, and so much more. Have you lost someone close to you in an accident and you and your family want justice? Let us help you with your Georgia wrongful death claim.