Did your loved one die as a result of a collision caused by another person on the road? This can be a heartbreaking situation to find yourself in, especially if you lost someone due to negligence or recklessness.
At Jones & Swanson, we recognize how life-altering this experience can be, which is why we are ready and willing to serve as your fatal car accident lawyer in Kennesaw. With us as your Kennesaw car accident lawyer, you’ll have attorneys who are familiar with the local community.
As attorneys who have been practicing personal injury law since 1995, we have over 50 years of combined experience. Our law firm has recovered more than $50 million in settlements for our clients. Call us today for compassionate representation.
How Kennesaw Fatal Car Accident Lawyers Can Help
After a fatal accident, families are often approached by insurance companies that may try to resolve claims quickly. While these companies may appear helpful, their priority is protecting their own financial interests.
A fatal car accident lawyer can handle communication with insurance companies, investigate the accident, gather evidence, and negotiate on your behalf. This allows you to focus on your family while your attorney works to protect your rights.
These are examples of ways a fatal car accident attorney in Kennesaw can help you:
- Investigating the cause of the crash and determining who may be responsible
- Reviewing police reports and accident reconstruction evidence
- Looking at witness statements and other documentation
- Calculating the financial and personal losses your family has experienced
- Handling negotiations with insurance companies
- Filing a wrongful death lawsuit when necessary
- Representing your family throughout the legal process
A Kennesaw personal injury lawyer understands that fatal car accident cases often involve more than just proving that a crash occurred. Your lawyer must show how another party’s actions contributed to your loved one’s death and demonstrate the damages your family has suffered.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Georgia?
Georgia law establishes specific rules regarding who may bring a wrongful death claim. In many cases, the surviving spouse has the first right to file a wrongful death claim.
If there is a surviving spouse and children, the spouse represents the interests of all eligible survivors. Meanwhile, if there is no spouse, the deceased person’s children might have the right to pursue the claim.
Furthermore, if there are no surviving spouses or children, other family members may have rights under Georgia law. Because every family situation is different, determining who can file a claim is not always straightforward. Questions often arise involving the following:
- Divorced spouses
- Stepchildren
- Adopted children
- Parents
- Other relatives
A fatal car accident attorney can review your circumstances and explain your legal options. This guidance can be especially important during a time when emotions are high and families are trying to make decisions while coping with grief.
What Compensation Can Families Recover After a Fatal Car Accident?
While no amount of compensation can replace a loved one, a wrongful death claim may provide financial support to help your family move forward. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you might be able to pursue compensation for these damages:
- The full value of the deceased person’s life
- Lost wages and future earning potential
- Loss of companionship and relationships
- Medical expenses related to the accident
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Other financial losses connected to the death
In some cases, additional damages may be available if the person responsible acted with particularly reckless or intentional conduct. A lawyer can evaluate the facts of your case and determine what types of compensation may apply.
Proving Negligence in a Fatal Car Accident Case
Fatal car accident claims require evidence showing that another party was negligent. In Georgia, negligence generally involves showing that someone failed to act with reasonable care and that their actions caused harm.
More specifically, these are examples of negligent driving:
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Failing to obey traffic laws
- Aggressive driving
- Driver fatigue
A lawyer can investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash to determine what evidence supports your claim.
This may involve reviewing traffic camera footage, vehicle data, cell phone records, witness accounts, and accident reports. Insurance companies may dispute fault or attempt to minimize the value of a claim.
Having an attorney who understands how to build a strong case can help protect your family from being pressured into accepting less than you deserve.
Contact Jones & Swanson Today for Help From a Fatal Car Accident Law Firm in Kennesaw
Losing your loved one in a car crash is a horrible experience, and we want you to know that you don’t have to handle any aspect of the legal process on your own. At Jones & Swanson, we recognize how sensitive these matters are, and we’ll keep that in mind every step of the way.
With decades of experience serving the Marietta community, our law firm works to provide the care and compassion that families like yours deserve during such a difficult time. We offer free consultations, and we have the means to travel to you if you’re not local to our office.
We are hometown-grown lawyers who understand the communities we serve throughout Cobb County and the surrounding areas. Our law firm focuses on providing the level of attention that is often missing from larger firms. Call us today for help with your case.