A truck accident fatality is a tragic event with profound emotional, financial, and practical consequences for the victim’s family. Unfortunately, these kinds of accidents occur far too frequently in Minnesota. In 2021 there were 4,120 crashes involving commercial trucks, leading to 72 deaths and 1,248 injuries.
When such an accident occurs due to another party’s negligence or wrongful actions, the surviving family members may be entitled to seek compensation for the damages they have suffered.
You deserve justice for your horrible loss. A wrongful death attorney with Sand Law will help you get that justice. We’ll investigate the accident to determine all the parties that played a role in causing the tragedy. Then, we’ll help ensure all those responsible pay dearly for their carelessness. Schedule a free consultation by calling 651-291-7263 or contacting us online.
Damages Experienced by Your Loved One
Your loved one likely experienced damages before they passed away. Here are some types of damages commonly experienced by truck accident victims.
Medical Bills
If the deceased individual survived for a period after the truck accident, their medical expenses could be significant. These expenses encompass a wide range of costs related to their treatment and care. They can include:
- Ambulance services: The cost of emergency medical transportation from the accident scene to the hospital.
- Hospitalization: Expenses for the time spent in the hospital, including room charges, medical procedures, tests, and monitoring.
- Surgeries: The cost of any surgical procedures medical personnel performed to treat injuries sustained in the accident.
- Medications: Expenses for prescription medications and medical supplies.
- Medical interventions: Costs associated with specialized medical treatments, therapies, rehabilitation, and medical equipment.
Lost Wages
The financial impact of a fatality extends to the earnings the deceased would have contributed to their family’s finances. If the deceased was the primary income earner, your family can claim compensation for current lost wages or the income the victim would have earned from the time of the accident until their passing.
You may also be able to pursue future lost wages. These are the projected earnings the deceased would have generated over their working lifetime had the accident not occurred. This can involve calculations based on age, occupation, earning capacity, and life expectancy.
Pain and Suffering
If the deceased experienced physical pain, emotional distress, or mental anguish due to the accident’s injuries before their passing, the family might be able to seek compensation for these intangible damages. Pain and suffering can be challenging to quantify. However, a skilled truck accident attorney will know how to calculate their value. They can pursue a wrongful death claim to acknowledge the deceased’s suffering.
Damages Experienced by Surviving Family
You and your other family members can also claim damages through a wrongful death lawsuit. These are a few examples.
Funeral and Burial Costs
Arranging a funeral, burial, or cremation can be a considerable financial burden for the surviving family. Compensable costs include:
- Casket: The expense of purchasing a casket for the deceased.
- Funeral home services: Costs associated with embalming, preparing the body, and coordinating the funeral service.
- Transportation: Expenses related to transporting the deceased, family members, and guests to the funeral service and burial site.
- Memorial services: The costs of holding memorial events or gatherings to honor the deceased.
Loss of Emotional Support
The deceased’s emotional support, companionship, and guidance are intangible but precious aspects of a family dynamic. Surviving family members may be able to pursue compensation for the emotional distress and sense of loss due to the absence of their loved one’s presence.
Loss of Financial Support
If the deceased significantly contributed to the family’s financial stability, their passing can create economic hardship for the surviving family members. You could pursue compensation to help alleviate the financial strain caused by the loss of the deceased’s financial contributions.
Lost Inheritance
If the victim had assets or an estate, the survivors would have inherited, a wrongful death claim can seek compensation for the loss of those assets. These assets include properties, investments, savings, and other valuable items the deceased would have passed down.
Loss of Guidance for Children
The loss of a parent in a truck accident can be especially devastating for children. The deceased parent’s guidance, support, and care are crucial in a child’s upbringing. You may be able to obtain compensation to address the emotional, psychological, and practical impact of losing that support and guidance.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit After a Truck Accident Fatality in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, the state’s wrongful death statute specifies who can file a wrongful death lawsuit after a truck accident fatality. Eligible parties include:
- Surviving spouse: The deceased person’s husband or wife.
- Children: Both minor and adult children of the deceased.
- Parents: If the deceased was a minor child, their parents could file a wrongful death lawsuit. Additionally, parents can file if the deceased was an adult child and they have no spouse or children.
- Next of kin: If there are no surviving spouses, children, or parents, the next of kin can bring forth a wrongful death claim.
A lawyer can help you understand the legal details and requirements for filing a lawsuit in your jurisdiction. They’ll also protect your rights during this challenging time.
Contact Sand Law to Speak with an Experienced Wrongful Death Attorney
According to one estimate, the average fatal truck accident costs the trucking company involved in the wreck about $7 million. No reputable law firm would ever promise your family would obtain that amount of money. However, the wrongful death attorneys with Sand Law will promise to do everything possible to help you obtain maximum compensation.
We can provide expert guidance and legal representation to help your family navigate the complex process of seeking compensation for the damages you’ve endured. We can assess the circumstances of the accident, gather evidence, build a strong case to protect your rights, and work to obtain the compensation you deserve.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch to learn more about what we can do for you. Use our online form or call 651-291-7263 for a free review of your case.