Any car accident carries the risk of injury, but there are certain scenarios where the severity of the accident itself is even more problematic. Unfortunately, this usually involves drivers in certain demographics, particularly teenagers and the elderly.
Three people were killed in Casey County on Sunday, March 31, 2024, according to a story from LEX18. Kentucky State Police (KSP) responded to the call of a two-car accident at the intersection of KY-70 and US-127 near Liberty, where they say an 85-year-old man ran a stop sign in his Jeep Liberty and collided with a woman driving a Chevrolet Equinox. The man driving the Jeep Liberty and a passenger in the Equinox, a 67-year-old man, were both pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Equinox, a 56-year-old woman, was transported to Casey County Hospital, where she later died of her injuries.
A 21-year-old passenger in the Equinox was also transported to the University of Kentucky Hospital with serious injuries. KSP is still investigating the crash.
Filing a Claim After a Fatal Car Accident
There’s no denying that any car accident is challenging, but when it results in the death of you or a loved one, it’s even more difficult. As the story above shows, this can happen in virtually any car accident. But you might be wondering about your options. In Kentucky, as in other states, you have legal options after a car accident, but this changes slightly in fatal accidents.
Rather than filing a typical injury claim, you would file a “wrongful death” claim after a fatal car accident. From there, the legal process plays out in much the same way as any other claim–except that only the “personal representative” can file the claim on behalf of surviving family members.
Once the claim is filed, though, potentially recoverable damages include things like:
- Funeral expenses – These cover the costs of arranging the funeral and burial for your loved one who passed away.
- Medical bills – These cover the expenses related to the injury or illness that caused the wrongful death.
- Loss of financial support – This includes the income and financial help the deceased would have provided to their family.
- Emotional distress – This includes the suffering and distress experienced by you and your family because of the loss.
- Loss of companionship – This covers the emotional impact of losing a loved one and how it affects relationships.
- Punitive damages – Sometimes awarded if the responsible party’s actions were extremely reckless or harmful.
When dealing with the aftermath of a wrongful death, it’s important to consider the statute of limitations in Kentucky. Similar to other injury claims, there’s just a one-year time limit for filing a wrongful death claim. This means the personal representative must file the claim within a year from the date of death. Failing to meet this deadline could prevent you and your family from getting essential damages that you’ll need to work through this challenging time.
Kentucky Wrongful Death Lawyers Will Fight For Your Family
Dealing with the loss of a loved one due to wrongful death is incredibly difficult, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Our team of Kentucky wrongful death lawyers at Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC is here to support you. We offer free consultations to discuss your legal options and provide assistance throughout the healing process. Don’t hesitate–contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
