When a loved one dies a wrongful death as a result of someone else’s negligent or reckless actions, family members are often left with unspeakable grief. In addition to the emotional struggles, they may have financial worries. This can include how to pay for their loved one’s final medical expenses and the cost of a funeral, while also worrying about the loss of their loved one’s income, especially if it may have been a significant contribution to the support of the family. Virginia families in this situation may explore the option of filing a wrongful death claim to potentially recover monetary damages from those responsible for the fatal accident.
One recent accident may illustrate how suddenly and tragically a family’s life can change. Just after 9 a.m., a survey crew was working on Interstate 64 when the driver of an eastbound vehicle apparently lost control and went off the roadway. He traveled through the median and overcorrected when he found himself in the westbound lanes of the highway. His overcorrection caused the vehicle to become airborne and strike a member of the survey crew.
Officials say the 23-year-old victim died instantly. Although alcohol was apparently not a factor in the incident, authorities may conclude that the driver was speeding or distracted when he lost control of his vehicle. Virginia authorities have not determined what charges the driver may face.
How can a lawyer help with a wrongful death claim?
However, it is clear what the families of victims of fatal accidents often face. While it may be possible to calculate the cost of the many financial setbacks a family may deal with after such a tragedy, other losses, such as pain and suffering and loss of companionship, can be impossible to measure. Nevertheless, with the guidance of a skilled and compassionate attorney, a wrongful death claim can take these factors into consideration.
