Were you or someone you know recently hurt in a deadly collision? For those who’ve lost loved ones in a car crash, fatal accidents leave people feeling lost and overwhelmed. Losing someone so suddenly can be unbearable on its own, but legal stress can make a bad time even worse. Our fatal car accident lawyers in Warrensburg are here to lighten your load.
Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers understands that this is an unimaginable experience, and we know you’re in a position you never thought you’d have to face. While we can’t go back in time and stop the accident from happening, we can help you move forward.
Let us represent you as your car accident lawyer in Warrensburg. With 45 years of combined experience, our attorneys have recovered over $1 billion in compensation. We will handle all legal matters on your behalf.
Understanding the Scope of Fatal Collisions
Fatal collisions are distinct from other car accidents in terms of severity, investigation, and legal implications. They often involve multiple vehicles, high speeds, or dangerous roadway conditions.
The presence of impaired or distracted drivers increases the already existing likelihood of deadly crashes. These cases benefit from these forms of documentation:
- Police reports
- Medical examiner findings
- Witness statements
- Vehicle inspection records
Each of these details plays an important part when it comes to understanding how the accident occurred and identifying the responsible parties. For families affected by the loss of someone they loved, consulting a Warrensburg personal injury lawyer can make all the difference.
Common Causes of Fatal Car Accidents
Certain patterns emerge in fatal collisions:
- Speeding: Excessive speed reduces reaction time and magnifies the impact should a crash occur.
- Impaired driving: Alcohol and drugs impair judgment calls, overall coordination, and response times.
- Distracted driving: Texting, making phone calls, and engaging in other distractions can cause drivers to miss signals or avoid other vehicles.
- Weather and road conditions: Rain, ice, fog, or poorly maintained roads contribute to collisions.
- Mechanical failure: Brake issues, tire blowouts, or steering problems can trigger accidents.
Identifying the cause of a fatal collision is part of the process of assigning liability and pursuing claims on behalf of surviving family members.
Contact our Kansas city personal injury lawyers now.
Types of Liability in Fatal Accidents
Missouri operates under a comparative fault system, which means damages can be reduced if the deceased party is partially responsible. However, liability may extend to other parties beyond the driver, such as:
- The at-fault driver: They will be held responsible if it’s proven that their actions—particularly impaired or reckless driving—directly cause harm.
- Employers: If a commercial vehicle is involved in the collision, the company might bear responsibility for the incident.
- Government entities: Poorly maintained roads, missing signage, or unsafe intersections can make municipalities liable for a crash.
- Vehicle manufacturers: Defects or recalls can also play a role if these circumstances are applicable to the incident that resulted in your loved one’s death.
You don’t have to worry about personally figuring out who is responsible for the incident that resulted in a wrongful death. Instead, you can confidently leave that responsibility in the hands of your fatal car accident attorney in Warrensburg.
The Role of Insurance in Fatal Accidents
Insurance claims in fatal accidents can be confusing, especially when they involve multiple policies, such as:
- Liability coverage: This is usually the primary source for compensation when another driver is at fault for the deceased party’s death.
- Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage: This applies when the at-fault driver lacks adequate insurance.
- Commercial coverage: For crashes involving work-related vehicles, employer policies might go into effect.
- Health and life insurance: This covers medical costs or final expenses, though it’s worth noting that it does not compensate surviving family members for lost companionship or future income.
Understanding how these policies interact helps families secure full compensation in the aftermath of their loved one’s death.
Recoverable Damages for Families
Families affected by fatal collisions can seek compensation for a range of losses, including:
- Immediate expenses after a loved one’s passing
- Costs incurred from emergency care prior to death
- Support the family would have received from the deceased
- Emotional trauma endured by surviving relatives
- The impact of losing a spouse, parent, or child
Speaking with a Warrensburg fatal car accident attorney is one way to make sure your family pursues all available avenues for financial recovery.
Understanding Missouri’s Comparative Fault
Missouri applies modified comparative fault laws. As a result, compensation can be reduced if the deceased party is found to be partially responsible for the incident that took their life. For example, let’s say a driver ran a red light, but the victim was speeding at the time of the crash.
Even though the victim is not solely responsible for the collision, damages will likely be adjusted to reflect the degree of fault imposed by driving above the posted limit. Clear evidence and a thorough analysis are used to determine fault percentages.
Call Foster Wallace ASAP to Speak to Our Fatal Car Accident Attorneys in Warrensburg
If you lost someone you love in a fatal car accident in Warrensburg, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. These tragedies leave family members feeling emotionally overwhelmed and financially distressed, all while not knowing what to do next.
Don’t keep everything to yourself. Instead, call Foster Wallace to us about your circumstances and the details of your case. From there, we can start representing you and protecting your rights. You’re not alone. We’re here for you.
