While car crashes can often lead to injuries and property damage, victims typically do survive. However, statistics now suggest that auto accident deaths are on the rise. Worse yet, the rate of accident fatality has reached a nine-year high. If someone you love has been killed in a crash, the following information can help you understand what rights you may have, including the right to pursue full and fair compensation. You shall also learn how an experienced attorney can help. Deadly Crashes Hit a Nine-Year High
Data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that auto accident deaths rose by 5.6 percent over the past year. With 37,461 people killed during 2106, that places traffic fatalities at a nine-year high (in 2007, there were 41,259 killed). NHTSA says there are many contributing factors, including distracted driving, which has been a continuous problem over the last several years. However, it appears that pedestrian deaths, which rose by 9 percent, and drunk driving deaths, which rose by 1.7 percent, were also confounding factors.
Understanding Your Rights
If someone you loved was killed in an automobile crash, pedestrian accident, drunk driving crash, or some other type of traffic accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Sadly, the claims process to obtain that compensation is riddled with obstacles. When you are trying to recover from the loss of a family member, that is the last thing you need. To make matters even worse, insurance companies often delay or reduce payouts to try and get victims to settle for less. Some will even attempt to shift as much of the blame as possible over to the victim. If successful enough in doing this, they may even be able to outright deny a valid claim, leaving the family of the victim responsible for any final costs and expenses. Do not let this happen to you! Instead, employ the assistance of an experienced attorney.
Contact Our Rolling Meadows Wrongful Death Lawyers
At Drost, Gilbert, Andrew & Apicella, LLC, we aggressively protect the rights of victims, including their right to pursue full and fair compensation for any losses they may have experienced. Committed to your best interest, our Rolling Meadows wrongful death lawyers will stand by your side, every step of the way, and pursue the most favorable outcome possible. Get started by scheduling a personalized consultation. Call 847-934-6000 today.
About the Author: Attorney Ken Apicella is a founding partner of DGAA focusing in the areas of personal injury, employment, insurance coverage disputes, and civil litigation. Ken earned his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law in 1999. He has been named a SuperLawyers Rising Star and a Forty Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch. Ken has written and lectured for the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education and regularly serves as a moderator at Northwest Suburban Bar Association's Continuing Legal Education seminars.