Losing somebody that you love and care about is a devastating experience. This is particularly true if the loss of life occurred in a vehicle accident caused by the careless or negligent actions of another driver. At Solomon, Sherman & Gabay, our dedicated and compassionate team is here to help if you need a Philadelphia fatal accident attorney. We have the resources necessary to fully investigate these cases and help families recover the compensation they need through a car accident or wrongful death claim.
Data available from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation shows that out of the more than 125,000 total collisions during the latest reporting year, there were 1,059 total accident fatalities. The vast majority of vehicle accidents occur because the driver of one or more vehicles was careless or negligent in their actions on the roadway.
In some situations, these incidents will result in law enforcement officials filing criminal charges against the at-fault driver. This could include vehicular manslaughter. It is not uncommon for drivers to face charges after a fatal accident caused by driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, racing vehicles, or reckless driving. However, the decision about whether or not to charge someone criminally falls with law enforcement officials and prosecutors.
If you have lost a loved one due to the actions of another driver, you do not have to rely on others when deciding whether or not to file a civil wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault driver. In fact, you can file a wrongful death claim against a negligent driver regardless of whether or not criminal charges are filed.
When we turn to Title 42, Chapter 83 of the Pennsylvania General Statutes, Section 8301, we can see that wrongful death cases in Pennsylvania can be filed by the personal representative of the deceased’s estate. Although a wrongful death claim will be filed by the personal representative of the estate, the claim is brought to the court on behalf of the beneficiaries of the deceased.
If the personal representative of the deceased fails to file a wrongful death claim within six months from the date of death, any beneficiaries will be allowed to file the wrongful death claim on behalf of all of the other beneficiaries.
In these cases, there may be various types of compensation available. This can include, but is not limited to, the following:
If you have lost somebody that you care about due to the careless or negligent actions of another driver in or around the Philadelphia area, reach out to the team at Solomon, Sherman & Gabay for help today. Our compassionate attorneys have extensive experience handling personal injury and wrongful death claims throughout Pennsylvania, and we are ready to help you recover the closure and compensation you deserve. When you need a Philadelphia fatal accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 215-665-1100.