Chattanooga Fatal Car Accidents
Motor Vehicle Wreck Lawyers Serving Chattanooga and Surrounding Areas
Over 1,000 people lost their lives in auto accidents in Tennessee in 2016. Over 990 people died in car crashes in Tennessee in 2015. Despite increased safety mechanisms in vehicles, auto accidents continue to be one of the leading causes of death across Tennessee and the South. Sadly, most fatal car accidents are caused by a negligent or careless driver. If you have lost a loved one in a fatal crash, you should consult with an experienced Chattanooga car accident attorney who can discuss your legal options with you during this difficult time. The law firm of Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz has been handling personal injury cases for more than 30 years, and we serve injured parties across the State of Tennessee.
Bringing a Wrongful Death Suit for a Deceased Accident Victim in Tennessee
Under Tennessee law, a wrongful death occurs when a person’s death is caused by “injuries received from another” or by “the wrongful act, omission, or killing by another.” If your loved one was fatally injured in a car accident due to the other driver’s speed, distracted driving , carelessness, or disobedience of traffic laws, his or her death will likely be considered a wrongful one and you may be able to seek recovery on his or her behalf. In Tennessee, only certain people are allowed to bring a wrongful death claim, and their order of preference is typically as follows:
- The deceased’s surviving spouse
- The deceased’s surviving children or next of kin
- The personal representative of the estate of the deceased
- The deceased’s surviving parent or parents, if he or she was dependent on his or her parent at the time of death, and
- The administrator of the estate of the deceased, if he or she was a dependent at the time of death.
Following a fatal car accident, the appropriate party must properly file a wrongful death lawsuit with the appropriate court within one year of the date of the accident, or the claim will be barred by the lapse of time. This means beneficiaries may not be allowed to recover any damages for their loved one’s wrongful death. If you are one of the persons listed above and believe you may be able to assert a wrongful death claim on behalf of someone who was killed in a car crash in Chattanooga or Hamilton County, you should contact our office to speak with one of our experienced attorneys immediately. Our team will discuss with you whether you have legal standing to bring a wrongful death claim on behalf of the accident victim.
A skilled auto accident attorney in the Chattanooga area can also discuss with you the types of monetary damages to which you and other beneficiaries may be entitled. Typical damages sought and allowed in a wrongful death claim include reasonable funeral and burial costs, lost wages and future income of the deceased, physical and mental pain and suffering, and loss of consortium, love, society, and companionship. Many insurance adjusters will attempt to lessen your damages and not explain to you all that you may be entitled to recover under Tennessee law. This is why you should discuss the fatal car accident case with your own attorney before giving any recorded statement or interview to any insurance adjuster or attorney for the defendant.
Consult with a Knowledgeable Chattanooga Lawyer
If your family member passed away as a result of a fatal car accident in Chattanooga or elsewhere, call our office today so that one of our injury attorneys can discuss a wrongful death claim with you. We have a skillful and compassionate team of 33 lawyers and more than 120 staff members to assist you when you call, and we have recovered more than $1.5 billion in monetary compensation for our clients for more than 30 years. Call us toll-free at 800-529-4004 or complete our online form to set up a free consultation with an auto accident attorney today. NST is the way to go.