Fatal Car Accident in St. Louis
St. Louis Car Accident Wrongful Death Claim - Call 314.448.0934
When a victim is fatally injured in a car accident, the surviving family members may file a Missouri wrongful death claim and seek compensation. Fatal
car accidents in St. Louis happen each week, and are often the result of a drunk driver or head-on collision. No amount of money can ever bring back a lost loved one. However, that should not prejudice the right of a victim's surviving family to file a claim against the negligent or reckless driver that caused the fatal crash.
St. Louis wrongful death claims are complicated causes of action involving Missouri Revised Statute 537.080. Any wrongful death settlement must be approved by a judge prior to funds being exchanged. A judge must approve the allocation of compensation to family members in accordance with the terms set forth in the Missouri wrongful death statute. The primary level of persons entitled to compensation for the death of a loved one are the surviving spouse, children, and parents.
Wrongful Death Claim for Compensation
Compensation in a wrongful death claim arising out of a fatal car accident is limited to the recovery set forth in section 537.080. Economic damages that are recoverable in a death claim include financial aid that would have been earned by the decedent and provided to the surviving claimant. This can include wages that the the lost loved one would have earned in the remainder of his or her lifetime, which would have then supported the plaintiff who is making the claim. Economic losses in these types of cases can be exponential.
Rarely does a negligent driver carry enough liability insurance to adequately compensate for the loss of a family member. In these situations, a lawyer has to be creative and search alternative avenues of compensation that may be available. If a driver was working at the time of the crash, then the employer may be vicariously liable for the fatal injury. If the driver was drinking at a local bar prior to the crash, the owners of the bar may be legally liable under
Missouri Dram Shop Law. If there are insurance policies for multiple vehicles owned by the driver, a wrongful death lawyer may be able to 'stack' all policies for maximum compensation.
St. Louis Fatal Car Accident Lawyers
The
St. Louis fatal car accident lawyers at Schultz & Myers are sensitive to the nature of a wrongful death claim. These types of cases are emotional for the family, and are often emotional for the lawyers as well. Often times our lawyers become very close with the client, sharing meals together and creating a life-long bond. Having a close relationship with our clients makes us very effective at conveying the devastating losses of a family member. Conveying the extent of the loss to the jury is critical in obtaining fair compensation and bringing a reckless driver to justice.
Never let an insurance company claims adjuster convince you that a wrongful death claim can be settled without court approval. The system is in place to protect the victim's surviving family members. If a court does not approve a death settlement and funds are distributed anyway, family members may be able to sue each other and things can become messy very quick.
Contact a St. Louis fatal car accident lawyer by calling (314) 448-0934. You will have the opportunity to discuss your injury case with an attorney immediately, free of charge.