Car Accident
At Morgan Law Group, our car accident attorneys in Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi know that across the nation last year, there were over five million police-reported car accidents.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released its early estimate of traffic fatalities for 2021. The NHTSA projects that an estimated 42,915 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes last year, a 10.5% increase from the 38,824 fatalities in 2020.
This is the highest fatality rate in 16 years.
Our dedicated auto accident lawyers believe knowledge is power, and the more drivers know about the causes of fatal vehicle collisions in the U.S., the more prepared they will be to help prevent them.
What are the Most Common Causes of Auto Accident Fatalities in the U.S.?
The NHTSA lists the highest car accident risks that lead to crashes with fatalities include:
- Speeding
- Alcohol or drug-impaired driving
- Distracted driving
- Failure to obey traffic signs and signals
- Drowsy driving
- Reckless driving
- Vehicle defects
- Improper turns
- Unsafe lane changes
- Wrong-way driving
As negligence continues to be a factor on our roadways, people are going to continually lose their lives in collisions that could have been prevented.
These tragedies occur without notice and leave the surviving family members devastated. If you have suffered the tragic loss of a loved one in a car accident in Florida, Mississippi, or Louisiana, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim against the liable party who caused the crash.
Who is Eligible to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Florida, Mississippi, or Louisiana?
Each state has specific wrongful death statutes that allow eligible surviving family members to pursue varying financial recovery options for the damages they have suffered from the loss of their loved one.
The Florida Wrongful Death Statute states the family member who is eligible to pursue a wrongful death claim is often the beneficiary named in the deceased’s will. If a beneficiary does not exist, the court will appoint a representative, which may include the deceased’s spouse, children, or parents.
The Mississippi Wrongful Death Statute states the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate, the surviving spouse, the surviving parents or children of the deceased person, and any surviving siblings of the deceased person. There can be only one wrongful death lawsuit for the death, but all eligible people listed can join in the lawsuit.
The Louisiana Wrongful Death Statute states if the deceased was married or has children, the surviving spouse or children of the deceased person can file the claim. If he or she was not married or has no children, the surviving parent(s) can file the claim. If there is no spouse, children, or parents, the surviving siblings of the deceased person can file the claim. If there is no spouse, children, parents, or siblings, the surviving grandparents of the deceased person can file the claim. If there are no surviving family members, the estate of the deceased person can bring the claim to court.
Contact Our Auto Accident and Wrongful Death Attorneys in Florida, Mississippi, and Louisiana for a Free Consultation Today
If you have lost a loved one in a traffic collision caused by a negligent driver, contact our skilled car accident and wrongful death attorneys at Morgan Law Group to schedule a free consultation today by calling 888-904-2524 to learn how we can help you pursue justice on their behalf.
Please contact our Florida personal injury attorneys for more legal help at Morgan Law Group.
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