Fatal Car Accident Lawyer in Greenville

The unexpected loss of a loved one can create financial strain. A Greenville car accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation.

The team at Whitley Law Firm has over 120 years of combined legal experience. If you lost a loved one in a fatal car crash, a fatal car accident lawyer in Greenville from our team can take on your case and help you obtain a fair settlement.

How a Greenville Fatal Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

A fatal car accident claim is far more complex than a typical injury case. A Greenville fatal car accident lawyer can assist by:

• Investigating the crash: A lawyer can review police reports, accident scene evidence, vehicle damage, and any available traffic camera or dashcam footage to determine exactly what happened.
• Calculating your family’s damages: A lawyer can assess both your economic and non-economic losses to ensure your claim reflects the true impact of your loss.
• Handling insurance companies: Insurers often attempt to push families into accepting unfair settlements. A lawyer can protect your claim.
• Representing your family in court: If a fair settlement is not offered, and you have to go to court, a lawyer can advocate for you there.

What Compensation Is Available After a Fatal Car Accident?

A wrongful death claim is meant to address both the financial damage and the personal loss your family has suffered. In North Carolina, the following types of compensation may be available:

• Medical expenses: You can recover the cost of emergency treatment, hospitalization, and medical care your loved one received before passing away.
• Funeral and burial costs: You can seek compensation for reasonable funeral, cremation, and burial expenses related to your loved one’s death.
• Lost income and benefits: You can pursue damages for the wages, employment benefits, and future earning capacity your loved one would have provided.
• Loss of services: You can recover the value of household work, childcare, transportation, and other services your loved one contributed.
• Pain and suffering of the deceased: You can seek compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress your loved one experienced before their death.
• Loss of companionship: You can recover damages for the loss of love, guidance, comfort, and support your family has suffered as a result of the fatal accident.

A Greenville personal injury lawyer can help make sure all of your family’s losses are included in your claim.

Greenville Fatal Car Accident Lawyer Near Me (800) 785-5000

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in North Carolina?

Under North Carolina law, only the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit. However, compensation is typically distributed to surviving family members, which may include:

• A surviving spouse
• Children of the deceased
• Parents of the deceased
• Other heirs (depending on the circumstances)

A lawyer can assess your situation and explain who will get the money when your case is resolved.

North Carolina’s Statute of Limitations for Fatal Car Accidents

Per North Carolina G.S. 1-53, the statute of limitations for fatal car accident claims in North Carolina is usually two years from the date of death. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your family from seeking compensation, regardless of how strong your case may be.

Proving Fault in a Fatal Car Accident Case

To succeed in a wrongful death claim, you must prove that another party’s negligence directly caused the fatal accident. This typically requires establishing that:

• The defendant owed a duty of care to others on the road.
• The defendant breached that duty through negligent behavior.
• The breach caused the accident.
• The accident resulted in death and measurable damages.

A fatal car accident attorney in Greenville can gather evidence such as accident reports, witness statements, expert testimony, and vehicle data to prove liability.

Dealing With Insurance Companies After a Fatal Crash

Insurance companies often reach out quickly after a fatal accident. While they may appear sympathetic, their goal is to limit their own financial exposure. Recorded statements and quick settlement offers are common tactics used to reduce families’ payouts.

Avoid giving any statements or signing any documents before speaking to an attorney.

Common Causes of Fatal Car Accidents in Greenville

Fatal car accidents are often caused by preventable behavior. Some of the most common causes include:

• Speeding: Excessive speed reduces drivers’ reaction time and increases the severity of injuries in a collision.
• Distracted driving: Texting, phone use, and other distractions take a driver’s attention off the road.
• Drunk or drug–impaired driving: Impaired drivers pose a serious risk to everyone on the road.
• Failure to yield or obey traffic signals: Intersections are a common site of deadly accidents when drivers ignore right-of-way laws.
• Reckless or aggressive driving: Tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and road rage behaviors can lead to fatal crashes.

Consult a Fatal Car Accident Attorney in Greenville Today

No amount of compensation can make up for the loss of a loved one. That said, a wrongful death claim can provide financial stability and a sense of justice during an incredibly difficult time.

A Greenville fatal car accident attorney from Whitley Law Firm can handle every aspect of your case and fight for a fair settlement so you can focus on being with your family.

Schedule a free consultation to get help with your case.