At Car Accident Compensation Advice, our experienced panel of road traffic accident solicitors understands how overwhelming it can feel to cope with the loss of a loved one, especially when someone else was at fault. However, you don’t have to make a fatal car accident claim on your own. Our panel of solicitors can help you navigate the claims process and secure the compensation you may be entitled to, offering clear advice every step of the way.
With decades of experience in road traffic accident claims, our panel are committed to supporting you through this difficult time. If you decide to seek compensation and your claim is taken on, your solicitor will manage the legal process on your behalf from start to finish.
If you’d like to learn more about your options, keep reading for further information. Also, you can call the number above to speak to our advisors directly, or complete our ‘contact us‘ form to arrange a call back at a time that suits you.
When Are Fatal Car Accident Claims Possible?
Fatal car accident claims become possible when another road user negligently caused the injury that resulted in your loved one’s death. Eligible claimants typically include:
- Financial dependants: Individuals who relied on the deceased’s income, such as spouses, children, or civil partners.
- Close relatives: Family members impacted emotionally or financially, like parents or siblings.
- Those with dependency losses: People who suffered a loss of emotional or practical support.
Typically, you can seek compensation for funeral costs, financial losses, and the emotional impact resulting from a fatal car accident.
A fatal accident claim is generally brought by the deceased’s personal representative on behalf of the estate under the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1934. They can also seek compensation for eligible dependants. If no claim is started for them within six months of the death, an eligible dependant may be able to bring proceedings themselves in line with the Fatal Accidents Act 1976.
During the claims process, your solicitor will help you understand your eligibility, gather necessary evidence like police reports and medical records, and manage your claim efficiently. They address complex issues, such as establishing fault or negotiating with insurance companies, making the process clearer for you.
If you’d like to confirm whether you’re able to start a fatal car accident claim, please don’t hesitate to call our advisors.
How Our Panel Of Solicitors Can Help With The Claims Process
Our panel of solicitors brings decades of road traffic accident claim experience to support your case and can reduce the uncertainty in complex legal procedures. If you agree to work with them, you’ll receive tailored advice on eligibility and help gathering detailed evidence, such as accident reports, witness statements, and financial documentation.
You’ll receive ongoing updates and have someone negotiating directly with the legal representatives of those involved in the claim. You’ll also benefit from the solicitor’s specialist knowledge in establishing liability, using legal frameworks like the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 to build a well-supported case for compensation.
If your claim involves multiple dependants or disputed fault, you can rely on their expertise to handle these complexities.
You access:
- Clear advice on compensation entitlements and claim timeframes
- Comprehensive evidence collection
- Direct handling of communications and negotiations
- Regular updates on claim progress
Thinking of starting a fatal car accident claim? If so, please reach out today and see if one of the specialist solicitors belonging to our panel can help manage your claim.
What Does Fatal Car Accident Compensation Cover?
Fatal car accident compensation covers a range of losses for those affected when a loved one dies because of another road user’s negligent conduct. If you’re claiming on behalf of the deceased’s estate, compensation may be available for losses they suffered before their death, including any pain and suffering caused by their injuries.
Eligible dependants may also claim for lost financial support, while certain relatives can receive a statutory bereavement award. Reasonable funeral expenses may also be recoverable.
Dependency Claims
Dependency claims provide compensation for those who relied on the deceased’s income or services before the fatal car accident. If you were financially dependent, such as for household bills or ongoing personal care, you might be entitled to claim for the financial support and practical assistance your loved one would have continued providing.
Our panel of solicitors collect detailed evidence of dependency, calculate future needs and present these effectively to the defendant’s legal representatives, easing the burden of documentation for you.
Bereavement Awards
Bereavement awards offer a fixed statutory sum to specific relatives of the deceased, including spouses and, in certain situations, parents of a child under the age of 18. In England and Wales, the award is £15,120 for deaths occurring on or after 1 May 2020, which may be shared between eligible claimants.
Funeral and Related Expenses
Funeral and related expenses may cover reasonable costs incurred following a fatal road accident, including burial or cremation fees. Certain additional expenses may also be recoverable, depending on the circumstances.
If you’d like a more personalised breakdown of the compensation you could claim, please feel free to call today. You’re under no obligation to take action, so why not call for a free assessment of your case?
What Time Limits Apply?
Strict time limits apply to fatal car accident claims in England and Wales. You generally have a three-year period to start your claim, counted from the date of your loved one’s death or from when you first became aware their death resulted from the negligent actions of another road user. This time limit is set by the Limitation Act 1980.
Key points regarding fatal car accident claim time limits:
- Standard three-year deadline: Claims must be started within three years of the date of death.
- Date of knowledge: The three-year limit may instead start from the date you became aware of the facts linking your loved one’s death to another party’s negligent actions.
- Existing claims: If your loved one had already started a personal injury claim before their death, different rules may apply to continuing that claim and pursuing compensation for eligible dependants.
Our specialist panel of solicitors help you track these dates to reduce the risk of missing strict deadlines. They will guide you through collecting death certificates, medical evidence, and accident details, and handle communications from the start.
The easiest way to confirm how long you have to start your claim is to call our advice centre today.
Evidence Needed To Support Fatal Car Accident Claims
Collecting clear evidence is essential when building a strong fatal car accident claim. You’ll need to show who caused the accident and how the loss affected you and other dependants. Our panel of solicitors identify, gather and organise the vital documents for your case, streamlining this process at every step.
Key types of evidence include:
- Police reports: These may include observations made by attending officers and details of any investigation.
- Medical records and death certificate: Your claim benefits from clear medical documentation, linking injuries to the collision and confirming the cause of death.
- Witness statements: Reliable witness accounts, whether from passers-by or others involved, boost your case. Your solicitor can contact witnesses if you have their details and take precise statements.
- Photos, videos, and CCTV footage: Visual documentation, such as dashcam footage and roadside photographs, helps establish the environment and how events happened.
- Employment and financial records: Details of the deceased’s earnings or financial support provide critical backing for dependency claims.
- Coroner’s and accident book reports: In cases involving inquests or workplace incidents, coroners’ findings and work accident log records add essential facts.
Our advisors are ready to discuss your fatal car accident claim, even if you don’t have the evidence readily available. If a solicitor from our panel offers to represent you, they can collect evidence to strengthen your case as part of their service. Please don’t hesitate to call if you have any questions.
How Do No Win No Fee Claims Work?
No Win No Fee services, which our panel of solicitors provide under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), let you pursue a fatal car accident claim without upfront service fees. You do not pay these fees for the solicitor’s work throughout the claim, nor if compensation is not awarded. If compensation is secured, then the solicitor receives a success fee as a legally capped percentage of it.
Our panel manage all steps of the process: assessment, evidence gathering and negotiation. With decades of experience in fatal accident compensation, they:
- Review your claim details to confirm eligibility
- Agree on a clear fee structure before starting, so there are no hidden surprises
- Collect and organise documents such as police reports, medical records, and witness statements
- Communicate directly with insurers and other parties to achieve a fair settlement
Your solicitor will leverage a “No Win No Fee” arrangement, so you can focus on recovery. For further advice on how our panel of solicitors can help, please reach out today.
Contact Our Advisors For Support Today
If you’re dealing with the loss of a loved one after a fatal car accident, you don’t have to face the claims process alone. The right guidance can make a real difference in protecting your rights and helping you secure the compensation you deserve.
Our advisors offer free and compassionate support so that your options are explained in plain English. To discuss your options, you can call the number above to speak to them directly, or complete our ‘contact us‘ form so that they can call you back.
Reach out to Car Accident Compensation Advice for a confidential discussion about your circumstances. Our experienced panel of solicitors is ready to offer the guidance and support you need at every stage. Get in touch today to take the first step towards peace of mind for your family.