Fatal accident claims

This is not an issue anyone likes to think about but the fact is that many people die in fatal accidents each year in the UK and abroad.

This is a traumatic experience for the family and relatives who have the tragedy of the bereavement to deal with plus other related issues. Understandably this causes a great of stress and anxiety for all concerned.

If a member of your family or a close relative has died in a road accident then you may be able to claim compensation for the loss and subsequent bereavement.

We understand that no amount of money can restore your loved one to you but it may go some way to lessening the impact of the accident upon your quality of life.

Effects of a fatal accident

There is the emotional impact of a death caused by a road accident. This requires time to come to terms with and is a difficult time for you and the rest of your family.

On a practical level there are financial issues to deal with. The loss of a member of your family, particularly your partner can impact upon the cost of your day to day living. This is especially the case if he/she was the main breadwinner.

There may be legal issues such as the reading of the will, probate etc.

All of this will be taken into account when making a claim for compensation.

Making a claim for compensation for a fatal accident

If the fatality occurred due to a lack of care or negligence by another person then consider making a claim for compensation.

Find a personal injury lawyer or solicitor who has many years of experience and understanding in these matters. They will have dealt with these types of claims on many occasions and will be able to advise you about the process.

They can also advise you about the likely outcome, especially if your claim will be accompanied by criminal proceedings. The lawyer or solicitor will discuss this with you and how this may affect your compensation claim.

Due to the sensitive nature of these claims the lawyer or solicitor will deal with your case with tact and discretion. They will be aware that this is a difficult time for you and the rest of your family and act accordingly.

They will intercede on your behalf with all related bodies such as the coroner, police etc and will also advise you about probate.

The claims process is discussed in more detail within this guide. Find out more in our making a claim for compensation section.

Time limit for claiming compensation for a fatal accident

Claims for personal injury compensation have a 3 year deadline. This deadline starts from the date of the accident.

But this does not apply to all types of claims and may differ in fatal accident type claims. Your lawyer or solicitor will explain about the time limit to you and if you are able to make a claim, will encourage you to do within the time limit.