Two 18 year old women have died after a multi-vehicle crash that occurred recently in Missouri. The car accident occurred on a highway north of Pleasant Hill when the Honda carrying the women crossed the median into oncoming traffic. The Honda collided with a 2017 Jeep, and the Jeep swerved into a 2020 Freightliner semi-truck. As a result, the Honda was totaled, and both women were pronounced dead at the accident scene. Let’s learn more about the details of this car accident that resulted to death in the following sections.
Recovering Compensation After a Fatal Car Accident
If your loved one died in a devastating car accident, you might be wondering what to do next. Many of our clients come to us to ask whether they have a valid claim for compensation after their loved ones’ deaths. The answer is, it depends. When another person or company’s negligence caused your loved one’s death, you may have a right to compensation.
However, if your loved one was at fault for the car accident, you will not be able to recover compensation in Missouri. To recover compensation in a civil lawsuit, you will need to prove that your loved one died in a wrongful death accident. According to Missouri’s wrongful death statute, wrongful death is defined as:
“The death of a person resulting from any act, conduct, occurrence, transaction, or circumstance which, if death had not ensued, would have entitled such person to recover damages in respect thereof.”
In other words, you will need to prove in court that a person or a company’s intentional or negligent actions caused the death of your loved one. In the case of a car accident, you will need to show that another driver or multiple drivers’ reckless, negligent, or intentional actions caused the car accident that resulted in your loved one’s death.
Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Claim in Missouri?
Only specific categories of people have a right to bring a wrongful death claim on behalf of their deceased loved one. People closely related to the victim have a right to file a wrongful death claim. For example, the following people may have a right to bring a wrongful death claim in Missouri:
- Spouse
- Children
- Children of any deceased children (grandchildren)
- Parents
- Siblings
- Court-appointed guardian
Damages Available in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Nothing can bring your loved one back, but filing a wrongful death lawsuit can help you and your family recover financially. Successful plaintiffs can recover funeral and burial expenses, their loved one’s medical bills, and the loss of future income and benefits. Additionally, families can recover compensation for the pain and suffering their loved ones endured before they died, their loss of companionship, and the loss of support, training, guidance, counsel, and instruction.
Contact an Experienced Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
If you have lost a loved one in a devastating car accident in Missouri, you may have legal grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Contact the experienced wrongful death lawyers at Griggs injury law today to schedule your free initial consultation and learn more about your potential legal claim.
