Fatal Car Wrecks – What To Do After a Deadly Auto Accident

How to Prevent a Deadly Car Wreck from Destroying Your Family

Unfortunately, with the number of vehicles on our roads today, deadly traffic accidents can occur at an alarming rate.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are more than 6 million motor vehicle accidents per year in the U.S. So in 2020, 38,824 lives were lost in traffic crashes nationwide.

In North Carolina, the problem is not gettting any better.

Most recently, according to the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles, the estimated number of police-reported crashes in 2020 decreased by 22% as compared to 2019, and the estimated number of people injured declined by 17%.

But while the number of crashes and traffic injuries has declined overall,  fatal auto crashes increased by 6.8%, the highest since 2007. This means being killed in a car wreck here in North Carolina is not as remote as it might seem.

Car accidents in Asheville are often affected by driver negligence, alcohol impairment and speeding on our winding mountain roads. Not to mention that commerial trucks vs. car accidents can happen because of poor vehicle maintenance or mismanagement.

So, the family of anyone who was killed or who has suffered a fatal injury in an auto accident caused by someone else needs to get as much evidence for their loved one’s case as possible.

Usually this means hiring an experienced Car Accident Lawyer quickly as possible.

Fatal Car Accident Causes

Deadly motor vehicle accidents have a number of common causes.

A car wreck can turn deadly for many reasons including speeding, driving while impaired or crossing lanes, just to name a few. Alarmingly, more and more crashes in North Carolina are caused by distracted driving (texting or talking on a phone while driving as well as eating or searching for directions).

Distracted driving by out-of-towners has always been a problem here in Asheville, NC.

As a result, circumstances here are even more dangerous considering the addition of the winding mountain roads, hidden driveways and reduced reaction times.  When drivers make poor decisions or are negligent, others suffer. Consequently, we think those responsible should be held accountable. Often this means going to court. Which why hiring an team of auto accident trial lawyers is so important.

What Should the Family Do after a Deadly Car Wreck?

Car accidents happen to good people, every day. No one asks to be hit or killed.

So, if a loved one has been involved in a fatal car accident, there are some important considerations to consider to help you move through the process.

Naturally clear thinking after a deadly accident is very difficult.

So often people are unaware that by trying to minimize their pain and grief by rushing through the insurance claim process can have negative long-term effects.

After any car accident, insurance companies are immediately amassing their resources to minimize payments to you or your family.

Collecting Car Crash Evidence

Collecting evidence at the scene of any fatal accident is important, because it can quickly disappear.

So, someone who cares about the person injuried should check the scene of the wreck, gathers as much evidence about the incident as possible and take photos or draw sketches of the scene to document the accident.

Consequently, gathering evidence includes:

• Taking pictures of the accident from multiple angles;
• Gathering address and email of eyewitnesses and those involved in the crash;
• Collecting phone numbers, including cells, from eyewitnesses and those involved in the crash;
• Recording license numbers of vehicles involved in the crash;
• Detailing year, make, and model of vehicles involved in the crash;
• Gathering insurance carriers and policy numbers of those involved in the crash; and
• Getting the police report number from responding officers.

Documenting the accident includes:

• Taking photos of the accident scene, all vehicles, and the people involved;
• Having photos taken of you, if someone is available to take them;
• Reporting the crash to your insurance company; and
• Being truthful and cooperative with the investigating officers.

Getting Help at the Scene of an Fatal Auto Accident

Adrenaline and shock from an accident can mask serious injuries, especially if you think someone else has been fatally injured.

But if you have been involved in an accident that has resulted in a death, don’t be afraid to be transported in an ambulance from the scene so medical professionals can diagnose and treat any potential injuries. Your health and well being are the most important things after a crash.

So, when possible, complying with recommended medical treatments are critical. Therefore, following up with your physician or other healthcare provider as advised is important too.

Receiving the proper treatment and documenting all your injuries is important to any future legal case. And once you are medically stable and it’s safe to do so, you may consider contacting a wrongful death law firm for advice and guidance.

 

Experienced Legal Help in a Deadly Wreck Matters

After a fatal crash, the family of victims are often facing tremendous financial burdens and emotional trauma. So right after a fatal accident, there’s always an insurance company working diligently to take advantage of the situation, as much as they can.

They are counting on your pain and your inexperience in dealing with all the complicated issues that can arise after a deadly crash.

Many families think settling a claim will an easy process. They assume that the insurance company will simply pay what’s fair without putting up a fight.

But most often, nothing could be further from the truth.

The insurance company’s goal is simple … to pay the surviving family as little as possible.  And, because the insurance company’s rep IS experienced, it’s only a fair fight when the family have someone equally experienced on their side.

Asheville Wrongful Death & Auto Accident Attorneys

Don’t rely on the insurance companies to help protect your family’s rights!

If you have lost a loved one due to a car accident, a wrongful death claim may be started against the driver responsible for the fatality. In certain instances, a surviving family member or dependent can seek to start such a claim.

Insurance adjusters may be calling, wanting a statement or talking about resolving your claim quickly. You are not obligated to speak with insurance companies.

In fact, speaking with or giving a recorded statement will likely be used against your case throughout the legal process. And that may not be clear.

Many adjusters are very personable and friendly, but they are NOT your friend and are not there to help you. Again, adjusters share the same goal as the insurance company… paying you as little as possible and closing your file down as soon as possible.

Consequently, we recommend NOT accepting any settlement or resolving any claim without first consulting an experienced wrongful attorney.  Here at Fisher Stark, P.A., we will work hard to help protect families who have lost a loved one due to a fatal car accident.

We invite you to contact Asheville Attorneys, Perry Fisher and Brad Stark,  to assist you with a wrongful death claim or any other car accident-related issues: Telephone: 828-505-4300