Though most people rarely consider it, getting into a motor vehicle to drive is one of the most dangerous acts the average individual does each day. According to statistics cited by the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS), 1,504 people lost their lives in traffic accidents in Georgia in 2018 alone.
If your loved one suffered a fatal collision in Albany or another Georgia city, an Albany fatal accident lawyer from Bader Law Injury Lawyers can help you understand your legal options. You may be able to take legal action against the responsible party and recover financial compensation for your losses. Compensation cannot bring back your loved one, but it can help lessen the financial hardship you experience because of your tragic loss.
Call (404) 888-8888 today for a free case evaluation.
Liable Parties in a Fatal Car Accident
The party who is legally responsible for damages in a car accident claim is the liable party. In some cases, there is more than one liable party for a deadly auto accident. Determining who is liable for your loved one’s accident and proving their liability is a crucial element of a wrongful death claim.
When Another Driver Causes a Collision
Often, fault for an accident lies with another motorist. Distracted driving is common in Georgia and throughout the United States.
However, the available statistics tend to represent the number of individuals who received charges and convictions for violating a distracted driving statute. It is likely that the true frequency of distracted driving is much higher. Drunk driving, drugged driving, reckless driving, and other forms of negligent driving also lead to fatal accidents.
An Employer or Manufacturer May Be Responsible for an Accident
A truck driver or the trucking company that employs them may be liable for an accident involving a commercial truck. Since semi-trucks are so large, accidents involving them are often fatal. A commercial company employing drivers of delivery vans, taxis, limousines, moving vans, or other commercial vehicles may also be liable for accidents that occur.
Similarly, if your loved one’s accident happened because of a mechanical failure, the liable party may be the company that designed or manufactured the defective part. Mechanic failures can include defective brakes, tires, steering mechanisms, or other vehicle parts.
A Government Entity May Contribute to a Collision
It is also possible that a government entity such as a city may be liable for your loved one’s fatal accident. For example, if a government entity failed to properly maintain the road or install adequate traffic signals, the entity may be liable for injuries and deaths caused by the oversight.
A government entity may also be responsible for an accident involving a city bus or another government vehicle. Suing a government entity is typically much more complicated than suing an individual or a company, so help from a lawyer is often beneficial.
When a Bar or Restaurant is Liable for an Accident
Under Georgia’s Dram Shop Act, OCGA §51-1-40, the party that provided a drunk driver with alcohol may be liable for injuries or deaths the driver causes in their intoxicated state. The party may be an individual, or it may be a restaurant, bar, or another establishment that serves alcohol.
For a free legal consultation with a fatal accidents lawyer serving Albany, call (404) 888-8888
Comparative Negligence Laws in Georgia
If your loved one was speeding or otherwise acted negligently at the time of their fatal car accident, they may be considered partially responsible for the collision. However, Georgia is a modified comparative negligence state regarding shared liability for auto accidents.
This means that you may still have a valid wrongful death claim even if your loved one was partially at fault for the accident. As long as your loved one is not equally or more at-fault than the other liable party or parties, you may still be able to recover compensation.
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Damages in a Fatal Auto Accident Case
The term “damages” refers to the monetary compensation provided to the decedent’s surviving family for their various hardships. At Bader Law Injury Lawyers, we understand that money could never make up for your loss.
However, compensation from a wrongful death claim may provide you and your family financial relief from the costs you incurred from the death. These damages may fall into two different categories: economic and noneconomic.
Economic Damages
Georgia law states that when an individual is killed due to the fault of another, the surviving family can receive compensation for the decedent’s “full value of life.” Economic damages are the financial costs you incurred because of your loved one’s passing. These damages may include compensation for the loss of your loved one’s income and employment benefits, the medical expenses resulting from their final injury, and funeral costs.
Non-Economic Damages
The non-economic damages are those that are not financial in nature. You may be entitled to compensation for the pain and suffering your loved one experienced before they passed away. You may also receive compensation for the loss of the companionship, care, and emotional support your loved one provided you and your family.
Call (404) 888-8888 for a free case assessment with a member of our team today.
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An Albany Fatal Accident Lawyer Can Help
Grieving the loss of a family member is already difficult enough. Let a fatal accident lawyer from Bader Law Injury Lawyers handle your wrongful death claim on your loved one’s behalf.
Our team can identify the liable parties, gather evidence to support your claim, calculate your damages, and pursue a settlement that covers your economic and noneconomic losses. We are also able to represent you in court if an out-of-court settlement is not possible.
We may use several different types of evidence in your case. We often work with accident reconstructionists, engineers, highway safety specialists, medical professionals, and other experts to ensure that your case is as robust as possible.
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Contact Bader Law Injury Lawyers
If you have lost a loved one in a fatal auto accident, an Albany fatal accident lawyer from Bader Law Injury Lawyers may be able to help. We will investigate your case and discuss your legal options. If your loved one suffered a wrongful death, we will fight to get you the compensation you need.
Call our office today at (404) 888-8888 for your free case evaluation.
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