Maison Law helps families and victims of fatal car accidents in Santa Monica. These accidents can deeply affect families and the community. During such a challenging time, it’s important to understand your legal options. We’re here to help you explore these options and offer the support you need. Contact us for a free consultation to learn more about the legal options in place.
Do You Even Need a Lawyer After a Fatal Car Accident in Santa Monica?
You don’t have to hire a lawyer after a fatal car accident in Santa Monica, but it can be very helpful. Losing a loved one in an accident is incredibly difficult, and having good legal support can make a big difference.
Even if you weren’t directly involved, our team can:
- Create a plan just for your case.
- Gather important evidence.
- Explain your legal options clearly.
- Support you through the legal process if you decide to proceed.
Our goal is to make the legal process easier for you and your family. We offer free initial consultations and there’s no upfront cost to work with us because we work on contingency, meaning we take our fee from whatever result we get for your claim.
What Are Your Legal Options After a Fatal Car Accident in Santa Monica?
Legally speaking, a fatal car accident is different from a normal car accident in a few ways. First and foremost, you don’t file a typical injury claim like you would in a regular car accident. Rather, you (or your surviving family members) will file what’s known as a “wrongful death” claim.
A wrongful death claim is a type of injury claim that focuses on the losses of the deceased rather than the injuries and damage that comes from a typical car accident. It still involves filing either an insurance claim out of court or a full lawsuit in civil court, but the “damages” that are available in a wrongful death claim include:
- Funeral expenses – These cover the costs of the funeral, burial, or cremation, including related services and fees.
- Loss of financial support – These damages are built around the income the deceased would have provided to their family.
- Loss of companionship – These cover the emotional and social impact of losing the deceased’s presence and support.
- Emotional distress – This covers the pain and sadness experienced by the surviving family members.
Handling a fatal car accident is never easy, and it affects more than just you. It’s important to act quickly because you have only two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. From there, though, the process is similar to other car accidents. Namely, you have to figure out who pays for the damages and what can be done to strengthen a claim.
Who Pays For Your Damages After a Fatal Car Accident in Santa Monica?
A fatal car accident in Santa Monica is a tragic event, and understanding who is legally responsible is crucial for any claim. Liability in these cases works like any other car accident: the person or entity who acted negligently is responsible for paying for the damages.
To establish liability, you need to prove the following:
- The other driver should have driven safely and avoided risking others.
- They failed to do this, leading directly to the accident.
- The accident caused you injuries and other losses.
- Liability can be complex and depends on the specifics of the accident and who was involved.
Generally, responsibility may lie with:
- Another driver
- The owner of the vehicle
- The maker of the car or its parts
- The Santa Monica government, if road conditions or malfunctioning signs contributed to the accident
Because the stakes are so much higher in a wrongful death claim, figuring out liability is even more important. But like any other claim, this sets the course for who you’ll file against and what needs to be done.
Can You Strengthen a Claim After a Fatal Car Accident?
The tragic nature of a fatal car accident in Santa Monica doesn’t change the fact that you or your surviving family members have legal options. To strengthen a wrongful death claim, it’s important to follow specific steps to gather crucial information and evidence. Here’s why these steps matter:
- Call for help – Contact the Santa Monica Police Department and ambulance services as soon as you can get to safety. An ambulance and EMTs can take care of any injuries and provide on-site medical care for any survivors.
- Collect evidence and other pertinent information – Similarly, get information from other people involved, as well as witness statements, medical records, incident reports, and photos or videos of the accident scene if you’re able. This evidence is crucial for proving the details and circumstances of what happened.
- Keep records – Keep a detailed list of expenses related to the accident, such as medical bills and funeral costs. This helps show the financial impact and supports the claim for damages.
- Preserve any evidence and keep track of information – It’s very important to preserve evidence by keeping the vehicle and any damaged property in the same condition as after the accident. This helps maintain the integrity of the evidence for the claim.
The aftermath of a fatal car accident is incredibly challenging and confusing. If you’re injured or otherwise unable to take these steps yourself, it’s important to make sure they are completed to build a strong foundation for your claim.
Why Are Some Car Accidents Fatal in Santa Monica?
Unfortunately, car accidents in Santa Monica can sometimes be fatal. Fatal accidents are different because they involve life-threatening injuries. While any car accident can be deadly, there’s a few things that are common in these types of car accidents–most notably, the injuries that result:
- Head injuries – Severe trauma to the head can lead to irreversible damage or can lead to death due to the loss of bodily functions.
- Spinal injuries – Similarly, damage to the spinal cord can disrupt or totally shut down bodily functions, leading to death.
- Chest injuries – Impact or trauma to the chest or abdominal region can cause internal bleeding or rupture major arteries, which can cause fatal internal bleeding.
- Internal injuries – Serious injuries to organs like the liver or spleen can result in massive internal bleeding and death.
- Severe fractures or bone breaks – Major bone breaks can cause severe internal bleeding or life-threatening complications.
- Burns – Burns from fires or explosions in the accident itself can lead to organ failure or infections that end up being fatal.
Facing a fatal car accident is always difficult, and the situation is even more challenging when dealing with severe injuries. It’s important to act quickly and understand your legal options. Our experienced team can help you through the legal process.
Contact Maison Law After a Fatal Car Accident in Santa Monica
Handling a fatal car accident in Santa Monica is almost too much to think about, but when it does happen, you don’t have to face it alone. At Maison Law, our experienced lawyers are here to help you through the claims process and provide the support you or your family need. If you’ve lost a loved one in an accident, contact us today for a free consultation.
