Statistics from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NTHSA) show that over 30,000 people die in motor vehicle crashes each year. And although the number of fatalities has dropped in recent years, this still amounts to over 80 people per day killed on the nation’s roads and interstates. Far too many of these accidents are due to driver or product manufacturer negligence.
When a person dies in an accident due to another party’s negligence, the family has the right to file a wrongful death claim. If someone close to you has been killed in an accident that another party is responsible for, it is important to seek the counsel of an experienced Chicago fatal accidents attorney with the resources and expertise to successfully secure full compensation for your loss.
Common Causes of Fatal Accidents
Fatalities happen in accidents involving all types of vehicles; including automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, buses, taxicabs, trains and airplanes. Children are especially vulnerable because they tend to be unpredictable and are more difficult for drivers to see. Some of the factors that often contribute to fatal accidents include:
Drunk Driving: 32 percent of traffic fatalities on the roads involve drunk drivers.
Speeding: Aggressive driving such as speeding is a factor in 31 percent of traffic fatalities.
Distracted Drivers: 16 percent of the nation’s traffic fatalities involve a driver that is distracted by their cell phone or something else that catches their attention.
Poor Weather: Bad weather plays a role in 11 percent of the fatal accidents on the nation’s roadways.
Not all fatalities involve a negligent driver. For example, there are certain instances when the manufacturer is negligent for producing a faulty product or faulty equipment. This is a frequent issue with rollover accidents involving SUVs with dangerously high ground clearance and bicycle and motorcycle accidents caused by faulty parts.
When families suffer the loss of a loved one due to a fatal accident, it can turn their world upside down. On top of adjusting to the sudden loss of someone close to them, there are funeral arrangements and endless other tasks to organize. In the midst of all this, insurance companies will sometimes make a “lowball” offer in an attempt to settle quickly. Though their representative may be cordial and understanding, it is important to remember that their main objective is to settle the incident and pay out as little in compensation as possible.
If someone you love was killed in a fatal auto accident or any other type of accident, do not deal with the insurance company alone. At Hurley McKenna & Mertz, P.C., we have over two decades of experience representing families of victims killed in fatal accidents in Chicago, Cook County, and throughout the United States. We understand what you are going through and we know the games the other side plays to limit their liability in these kinds of cases. Contact a Chicago fatal accidents lawyer at HM&M today for your free consultation. We will advise you of your rights and the best way forward to obtaining justice for your lost loved one.
For a free consultation, contact Hurley McKenna & Mertz, P.C. today at 312-553-4900 or fill out our online form to have a lawyer contact you.
