Fatal Car Accidents in Pittsburgh
A fatal car accident is every family’s worst nightmare. If you lose someone close to you in a tragic car crash in Pittsburgh, seeking justice against the at-fault driver or party can help you gain closure and financial compensation that can be important for moving forward.
Hiring an experienced wrongful death lawyer in Pittsburgh can make it easier to navigate this complex legal process, especially while you are grieving your loved one.
Causes of Fatal Car Crashes in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
In 2024, 1,127 people died in Pennsylvania car crashes. This equates to one fatality every eight hours. Deadly car accidents often stem from careless, reckless and dangerous driver behaviors. Motorists can put others at risk of severe injuries when they violate Pennsylvania’s traffic laws and fail to drive with proper care (negligence).
Pittsburgh lawyers for injury lawsuits have seen common causes of fatal motor vehicle collisions in including:
- Speeding and reckless driving
- Drunk driving or drugged driving
- Distracted driving (particularly cellphone use)
- Driving while fatigued
- Following too closely
- Failing to stop or yield at red lights
Dangerous and illegal driver behaviors can lead to catastrophic car accidents with one or more fatalities, including head-on collisions, high-speed rear-end collisions, T-bone accidents, pedestrian or bicycle accidents, and vehicle rollover accidents.
A Family’s Rights After a Deadly Car Accident in Pittsburgh
When someone dies in a fatal car accident in Pittsburgh, grieving family members are left to pick up the pieces. While nothing can ever make up for the unimaginable pain of losing someone you love, taking legal action against the at-fault party/ies can bring a measure of justice and closure to your family.
Wrongful Death Claim vs. Survival Action
Family members who survive a deceased individual – such as a spouse or child – may be able to recover financial compensation to cover losses they suffered because of the decedent’s death.
There are two main legal options for recovering damages:
- Wrongful death claim: a civil lawsuit filed against one or more parties for causing the death of an individual through negligent or wrongful acts. The compensation awarded in a wrongful death claim can be distributed to the decedent’s heirs or beneficiaries for their own losses.
- Survival action: a lawsuit brought on behalf of the deceased person by a personal representative of the decedent’s estate. This type of case seeks compensation specifically for the decedent’s losses, such as the victim’s pain and suffering and medical bills.
By filing one or both types of claims after a fatal car accident in Pittsburgh, your family could receive compensation for reasonable funeral and burial expenses, medical costs, lost wages, future lost earnings and inheritance, loss of the victim’s love and companionship, grief and mourning, and more.
How a Lawyer in Pittsburgh Can Help Get Justice for Your Loved One
You have the right to hold someone accountable when their actions result in the loss of your loved one’s life due to a fatal car accident in Pittsburgh. Your family can pass the legal burden onto a qualified and experienced Pittsburgh attorney specializing in car accidents to maximize your case results while minimizing stress during this difficult time.
A lawyer can investigate the deadly crash, explore your legal options, determine who is at fault and can be held liable, collect evidence to support and prove your claim, and make sure your family has everything it needs. To request a free consultation to learn more about what to do after a fatal car accident in Pittsburgh, contact Dallas W. Hartman P.C.