It’s something no one wants to think about. But sometimes a car accident can lead to a fatality. And unfortunately, these types of accidents are rising instead of decreasing.
According to the 2015 data complied by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, traffic fatalities have increased drastically since 2014. In 2015, there was a 7.2 percent rise in fatal car accidents across the nation, from 32,744 to 35,092. This is the first increase in traffic fatalities in five decades; the last time there was such an increase was in 1966.
Why such a spike? According to the NHTSA, job growth and low fuel prices led to an increase in driving, which leads to an increase in higher fatality rates. In fact, in 2015 the number miles traveled by vehicles increased by 3.5 percent over 2014, the largest increase in nearly 25 years.
Losing a loved one in a fatal auto accident is never an easy situation. And when it happens, you may be questioning what your next steps should be. But if you follow these steps, then process may be a little easier for you and your family:
- Make final arrangements for your loved one. This may be the hardest part and you may need a close friend or relative to lean on during this time. You will need arrange the funeral and burial plans for your loved one.
- Notify the insurance company as soon as possible.
- And remember to watch out for the other party’s insurance adjuster. The adjuster will try anything to settle the claim. But don’t even answer the phone until you have proper legal representation.
- Give us a call. We can help determine whether your loved one’s accident was the cause of someone else’s negligence.
We understand how hard it is after losing a loved one in a fatal auto accident. But the more you wait, the harder it will be to recover damages. Contact the Houston car accident lawyers at de Lachica Law Firm, PLLC, today for a free consultation.