The trucking industry is vital to our modern way of life. Unfortunately, accidents involving large trucks often cause catastrophic and even fatal injuries. If your loved one was killed in a truck accident, it is important to know your legal options. Legal action cannot bring back your loved one. However, a wrongful death lawsuit against the liable party may benefit you and your family in several ways.
Holding the At-Fault Party Answerable for Your Tragedy
The loss of a loved one is devastating regardless of the circumstances. Losing a loved one in a preventable auto collision is especially tragic. Human error is the most common contributor to large truck crashes. Distracted driving, fatigued driving, speeding, and unsafe lane changes are just some of the issues that can lead to a fatal truck accident. Trucking company negligence in the form of negligent hiring practices or insufficient truck maintenance may also cause truck crashes.
A wrongful death lawsuit allows you to hold the liable party accountable for the devastation your family is suffering. A wrongful death case is sometimes brought in conjunction with a criminal case, but criminal charges are not a prerequisite to a successful wrongful death action.
Recovering Financial Compensation in the Form of Damages
The consequences of a fatal truck accident can impact nearly every aspect of a surviving family member’s life. If you are like many people dealing with an unexpected death in the family, you may be facing significant financial difficulties in addition to your grief. A wrongful death claim may allow for the recovery of monetary damages. You could be compensated for:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Medical bills incurred between your loved one’s accident and his or her death
- Your loved one’s lost income
- The value of lost benefits such as health insurance
You may also recover compensation for the non-financial losses you and your family suffered. Non-economic damages in a wrongful death case often include:
- The loss of your loved one’s companionship and emotional support
- The loss of parental instruction and guidance suffered by children
- The loss of the marriage relationship sustained by a spouse
- The surviving love ones’ grief and mental anguish
No amount of money could make up for this tragedy. However, compensation through a wrongful death claim may lessen the financial burden created by your loved one’s passing. It may also help you hold the liable party accountable for your loss.
Contact a Joliet Wrongful Death Lawyer
If your loved one was killed in a truck accident, a wrongful death claim may benefit you and your family in several ways. Contact Michael J. Lichner – Will County Personal Injury Lawyer to learn more. Call 815-730-1977 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Source:
https://courts.illinois.gov/CircuitCourt/CivilJuryInstructions/31.00.pdf