If someone in your family died in a car accident that was caused by the negligent actions of another person, you may be experiencing many feelings right now. For example, sadness is a natural reaction to the loss of a close friend or family member. Anger is also a common feeling that many people experience when someone that they love dies, especially when their death is sudden and unanticipated. Confusion is another common feeling for people who are experiencing a loss. Altogether, mixed emotions are normal during the grieving process, and it can be some time before those who have suffered a loss are able to work through their feelings surrounding the loss and take any actions that they are able to take to move forward in their own lives.
If you have experienced a loss because of the negligence of someone else, you may be able to file a wrongful death action against the party whose negligence caused your loved one to die. A wrongful death action can serve the dual purpose of holding a negligent person responsible for the devastation that they have caused and providing compensation to the family of the deceased. In Mississippi, the persons who can file a wrongful death claim on the behalf of someone who has died include their full-blooded and half-blooded family members, and their statutory beneficiaries.
When a family member or group of family members brings a wrongful death action, their claim can address a few different types of damages. For example, funeral expenses and any expenses associated with the decedent’s medical care are often sought in wrongful death cases, as are damages related to the pain and suffering that the decedent experienced. A wrongful death action can also ask for an award of the money that the deceased would likely have gone on to earn had he or she had the chance to fulfill an average life expectancy. Damages for the loss of companionship of the deceased may also be pursued as part of a wrongful death lawsuit in Mississippi. There is even the possibility of an award of punitive damages, if it can be proven that the defendant was grossly negligence or engaged in willful misconduct.
Barrett Law PLLC: Superior Legal Representation for Families of Mississippi Accident Victims
When an automobile accident that is caused by negligence results in the death of one or more people, the family of the deceased may be able to bring a wrongful death action on their behalf. If a negligent driver has caused a loss in your family, the Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC want to help you get through this difficult time in your life. You are experiencing a tragic loss because of another person’s actions, and you deserve to have only the best in legal representation. Our team of experienced attorneys is dedicated to helping you. Call Barrett Law PLLC today, at 1 (800) 707-9577, to schedule a free consultation.