If your family member suffered fatal car accident injuries in Shreveport, Louisiana law may allow you to hold the at-fault motorist responsible. If you qualify, you can seek compensation to cover the losses you and your family are facing. A Shreveport fatal accident lawyer from the Morris Bart law firm could represent you through this process and secure a reasonable payout.
To learn more and discuss your family’s case with a member of our team, call to reach the Morris Bart law office in Shreveport. Our personal injury attorneys provide complimentary consultations and case evaluations for the survivors of accident victims in Shreveport and throughout Louisiana.
How We Can Help With a Wrongful Death Claim for a Fatal Car Accident in Shreveport
When our Shreveport injury law firm represents a family who has lost a loved one, we provide our services based on a contingency fee. This means we do not collect any money from our clients upfront. Instead, we receive our payment from the settlement or award we secure on their behalf through an insurance claim or court case.
Our fatal accident lawyers in Shreveport can:
- Investigate the accident to determine what happened
- Identify potentially liable parties, even those not at the accident scene
- Interview witnesses and consult with expert witnesses
- Handle all communications with the liable party’s insurer and legal representatives
- Seek fair compensation via an insurance settlement
- File your lawsuit and represent you in court if we cannot resolve your case
- Update you on your case’s status and answering your questions
Two Kinds of Awards Could Be Recovered After a Fatal Accident in Shreveport
When we build a case for compensation based on a wrongful death that occurred in Shreveport, we generally seek two types of financial recovery for our clients. This includes compensation for qualifying family members due to the loss of a loved one and damages the victim could have recovered through a personal injury claim if they had survived.
While the first type of compensation goes straight to the survivors, the second goes to the person’s estate. These funds are distributed along with any other assets they had according to their will, estate plan, and other financial documents.
For a free legal consultation with a Fatal Accident lawyer serving Shreveport, call 800-537-8185
Recoverable Damages in a Shreveport Fatal Accident Case
As we mentioned previously, two types of damages may be possible following a fatal car wreck in Shreveport. This includes a payout to the estate for the decedent’s damages and a payout to qualifying family members for their losses.
The types of compensation our Shreveport fatal accident lawyer can pursue in your case will depend on the evidence available.
Damages the Victim Suffered
Recoverable damages that could benefit the decedent’s estate include the following:
- Expenses related to their treatment and medical care
- Other support and care costs
- Lost income while they received treatment
- Property damages, such as car repairs
- Related, documented out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering damages they consciously experienced before they passed away
Wrongful Death Damages for Surviving Family Members
Recoverable wrongful death damages depend greatly on the relationship between the decedent and the family member. For example, a spouse and children will receive different types of compensation based on their relationship with the decedent. The spouse will be eligible for a loss of consortium claim, while the child may recover for loss of parental guidance.
Some types of wrongful death damages include:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of financial support previously provided by the decedent
- Loss of services the family will now need to pay for, previously performed by the decedent
How Louisiana’s Wrongful Death Statutes Apply to a Shreveport Fatal Car Accident Case
If a member of your immediate family passed away after suffering injuries in Bossier Parish or Caddo Parish, La. Civ. Code Art. 2315.2 may allow you to hold the negligent driver financially responsible. The state’s wrongful death statute provides a way for qualifying family members to take legal action against the party who caused their spouse, parent, or child to pass away.
The order in which immediate family members may qualify to file a wrongful death action and pursue compensation is as follows:
- The victim’s spouse and children get the first opportunity to seek compensation.
- If the victim was unmarried and there are no children, the victim’s parents could file for compensation.
- If there is no surviving parent, spouse, or child, siblings can seek compensation in a wrongful death claim.
- In the absence of immediate surviving family members, grandparents or another relative may take action.
- With no known surviving family, an administrator or representative of the victim’s estate may be able to file suit.
In most cases, the same rules apply as they would if your loved one had survived their injuries. If they had been able to file a personal injury claim, you can likely file a wrongful death action. To do so, you must prove the other party acted negligently and caused the accident.
Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations in Louisiana
There is a time limit for filing a civil suit in a Shreveport fatal car accident case, no matter if it is a personal injury suit or a wrongful death action. Per La. Civ. Code Art. 3492, most people generally have one year to file the paperwork and officially begin a lawsuit against the defendant, usually the at-fault driver.
You can speak with the Morris Bart law office team in Shreveport today to learn more about the statute of limitations for your case. Call to get started with a free initial case consultation.
Click to contact our Shreveport Car Accident Attorney today
What to Do After Losing a Loved One Injured in a Fatal Shreveport Accident
It is never easy to lose a beloved family member, especially when they leave suddenly. Grieving for a loved one is only part of the process. Another part is determining what steps to take next if you and your family want to pursue legal action against the party responsible for your family member’s death.
Here are a few things you can do to prepare for taking legal action:
Track All Expenses Related to Your Loved One’s Fatal Car Accident in Shreveport
Keep all information that shows your losses after the car accident. Documentation includes receipts, invoices, billing statements, invoices, and earning statements. This can help our Shreveport car accident lawyers as they negotiate a fair settlement from the liable party’s insurance company.
Allow a Fatal Car Accident Attorney to Handle Your Shreveport Injury Case
The liable party’s insurer could contact you to ask you questions about your car accident claim and possibly offer you a settlement lower than it is worth. They understand that you may be in a vulnerable position after losing your relative, a position that could undercut the financial award you should receive. Our Shreveport fatal accident lawyers will protect your rights and interests while managing your entire case. You and your family can focus on taking care of one another while we focus on the most favorable outcome for you.
Avoid Talking About the Shreveport Fatal Car Accident Online
You should limit the information you share about the fatal accident or your damages case on your social media accounts if you must share anything at all. This will help you avoid the possibility that an insurer sees your posts and uses them against you later to undervalue or deny your compensation claim.
Talk to a Team Member Serving Shreveport Today for Free
A Shreveport fatal accident lawyer from the Morris Bart law firm can likely represent you in your case if there is enough supporting evidence. You can speak with a team member from our office about your case today by calling.
The Morris Bart law firm has 15 offices that serve all areas of the Gulf South. If you lost a loved one in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, or Arkansas, we are here to help. Contact us today.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
