When a car accident in Green Bay turns fatal, surviving family members are left to pick up the pieces. The grief of a sudden loss is undoubtedly profound. However, beyond the emotions that such a tragedy unleashes, there are practical concerns, too: the cost of the accident victims’ medical bills, of giving them a fitting and dignified funeral, and of the income they can no longer earn. Survivors should not have to bear the costs of a careless or reckless driver’s actions.
Have you lost someone close to you to a fatal car accident in the Green Bay area? If so, Schwaba Law Firm is here to offer you the help you need. We’re proud to serve the people of this region, including as far north as Marinette, and to do so with compassion and a commitment to results. Contact us now for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Green Bay wrongful death car accident lawyer, and let us fight for the justice and accountability you and your family deserve.
What Is a Wrongful Death Car Accident Claim in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin law defines a death as wrongful when it occurs because of another person’s “wrongful act, neglect, or default.” So, a wrongful death auto accident is a crash that someone causes that results in another person’s death. The accident victim’s close survivors or the personal representative of their estate can pursue a wrongful claim against the person who caused the crash, demanding compensation for certain financial and personal losses they’ve suffered because of the accident.
Common Causes of Fatal Car Accidents in Green Bay
Some of the most common causes of fatal car accidents in Green Bay include the following:
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving
- Reckless driving
- Speeding/driving too fast for conditions
- Crossing the center line of traffic
- Running red lights and traffic signs
- Merging without looking
It doesn’t matter whether a collision happens at high speeds on I-41, I-43, or at the intersection of Walnut and Monroe. If a driver causes an accident that proves fatal, the victim’s loved ones can pursue a claim against them.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Wisconsin?
Only certain parties can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Wisconsin. These include the personal representative of the deceased’s estate (often its executor), as well as the following family members in descending order of priority:
- The deceased’s spouse or domestic partner
- The deceased’s children or grandchildren
- The deceased’s parents
- The deceased’s grandparents
- The deceased’s siblings
Any compensation recovered by the suit may be divided among those parties entitled to bring the Wisconsin wrongful death car accident claim. However, if there is a surviving spouse/domestic partner and surviving minor children, the court must also set aside an appropriate amount for these individuals, regardless of who filed the claim.
Who Can Be Held Liable After a Fatal Car Accident?
The person or people who cause a fatal car accident are liable for a resulting wrongful death claim. While the driver might be most immediately to blame for what happened, other people may also be liable, including some who weren’t even present at the accident, such as the following:
- The driver’s employer, if the driver was on the job at the time
- Other road users who contributed to the crash, such as a driver who cuts another driver off in traffic
- The company that manufactured a defective vehicle or component
- Government entities or contractors responsible for unsafe road conditions
To secure justice and recover maximum compensation, your wrongful death car accident attorney will need to identify everyone who may be liable and include them in your claim.
What Compensation Is Available After a Fatal Car Accident?
A wrongful death lawyer in Green Bay can help you seek fair compensation for your loved one’s passing. This could include money for the following:
- Medical expenses from treating your loved one’s injuries before their passing
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost income that your loved one can no longer earn
- Lost inheritance
You may also be entitled to compensation for the loss of your loved one’s companionship and society. Wisconsin caps this type of compensation at $350,000 for adult decedents and $500,000 for decedents under the age of 18.
How a Green Bay Wrongful Death Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
The aftermath of a fatal car accident is a difficult time, and you shouldn’t try to go through it alone. You deserve to have the space to grieve and spend time with your loved ones. When. you hire a Green Bay wrongful death attorney, they can do the following:
- Investigate the crash to recover and preserve critical evidence
- Work with accident reconstruction experts to understand how the accident happened
- Calculate the full amount of compensation that your family is entitled to
- Negotiate with the at-fault parties’ insurers for a fair wrongful death car accident settlement, protecting you from their attempts to downplay what happened or limit your recovery
- Take your case to trial if that becomes the best way to get you the money and justice you deserve
Your fatal car accident lawyer in Green Bay will most likely work on contingency, which means you will not have to pay upfront for their services. Instead, their fee comes from an agreed-upon percentage of the money they recover on your behalf. That way, there’s no financial risk to pursuing justice for your loved one.
Get a Free Consultation with a Green Bay Wrongful Death Car Accident Lawyer
Have you lost someone you love to a fatal car accident in Northwest Wisconsin? If so, Schwaba Law Firm extends you both our sympathy and our helping hand. We are proud to serve clients throughout the region, from the Green Bay area to as far north as Marinette. Our professional, experienced, and aggressive team is ready to make your recovery our priority, with compassion and understanding befitting your situation.
Contact us today to speak with a Green Bay wrongful death car accident lawyer at a free, no-obligation, fully confidential consultation. We can listen to your story and explain what we can do to pursue justice on your behalf.
