Some car accidents can have deadly consequences. After a fatal crash, the at-fault driver may be charged vehicular homicide. Motorists who commit vehicular homicides may face severe criminal penalties, including jail time.
Furthermore, victims’ families can sue at-fault drivers for vehicular homicides they commit in Illinois. There are several types of economic and non-economic damages that may be pursued through survival actions and wrongful death lawsuits. Our attorneys can help potential plaintiffs evaluate the legal options available to them.
If your loved one was killed because of a car accident in Illinois, get help recovering the financial compensation you deserve. Get in touch with our experienced Illinois personal injury lawyers by calling the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502. Our attorneys can review your case for free.
Suing for a Vehicular Homicide in Illinois
There are many different types of negligent behavior that can lead to fatal accidents. For example, a deadly crash may occur because a driver was speeding or driving drunk. After such accidents, at-fault motorists can be charged with vehicular homicide. The criminal penalty for vehicular homicide can involve from two to five years of jail time.
Additionally, drivers who commit vehicular homicides may be sued by victims’ families. There are multiple categories of monetary damages that may be recovered. Our Naperville wrongful death lawyers can provide guidance and support to potential plaintiffs in either of the following types of cases:
Wrongful Death Lawsuits
According to 740 I.L.C.S. 180/1, a wrongful death is one that occurs because of another party’s wrongful act, neglect, or default. Simply put, wrongful deaths are deaths that result from peoples’ negligent or intentional behavior. After a vehicular homicide, the victim’s family may pursue compensation by bringing a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
There are multiple categories of monetary damages that may be recovered in wrongful death claims. Any of the following may be sought:
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of society and companionship
- Loss of education and instruction
- Emotional anguish
However, while multiple family members may be compensated for wrongful deaths, cases must be filed by the appropriate parties. In Illinois, wrongful death lawsuits must be filed by victims’ personal representatives. If your loved one suffered a fatal car crash, you should contact our Illinois wrongful death lawyers right away. Our attorneys can help find the right person to file your case.
Survival Actions
Additionally, after a vehicular homicide, the victim’s family may recover compensation by filing a survival action against the at-fault motorist. A survival action may provide payment for damages a victim suffered between the time of their injury and their time of death. For example, the following damages may be compensated in a survival action:
- The victim’s person’s medical bills
- The victim’s person’s lost income
- Pain and suffering endured by the victim
- Property damage suffered by the victim
Like wrongful death cases, survival actions must be filed by victims’ personal representatives. After a vehicular homicide, the family of the deceased can reach out to our Joilet, IL wrongful death lawyers for help filing a survival action.
Common Causes of Vehicular Homicides in Illinois
There are many forms of negligent behavior that can lead to deadly car accidents. The cause of your loved one’s crash can influence the path to compensation in your case. Our Illinois wrongful death lawyers can help recover monetary damages after accidents stemming from any of the following sources:
Drunk Driving
Drunk driving is a common cause of vehicular homicides in Illinois. Drunk drivers will exhibit blurry vision, poor motor skills, and reckless decision-making abilities when behind the wheel. Accordingly, drunk drivers have a high propensity to cause fatal collisions with pedestrians and other motorists. After such accidents, our attorneys can help hold drunk drivers accountable for the severe harm they caused.
Speeding
Speeding is another common cause of vehicular homicides. Speeding drivers will have difficulty controlling their vehicles and reacting to hazards on roadways. Additionally, collisions that occur at high speeds are more likely to result in fatal harm. Our Chicago wrongful death lawyers can help victims’ families build their cases against speeding drivers.
Running Red Lights
Running red lights is also a common source of vehicular homicides in Illinois. When drivers run red lights, they can cause deadly crashes with other vehicles traveling through intersections. Fortunately, there are several forms of evidence that can be used to prove fault for such accidents. Our attorneys can help gather and preserve the information needed to prove that a driver who ran a red light is at fault.
Distracted Driving
Furthermore, distracted driving is a common cause of vehicular homicides. Drivers can become distracted when they take their eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or their attention off the task of driving. The following are examples of activities that frequently distract motorists:
- Talking on the phone
- Talking with passengers
- Texting
- Drinking or eating
- Choosing music for the stereo
- Entering information into a GPS
- Viewing social media on a mobile device
Some activities can involve all three forms of distraction. After a vehicular homicide, our Illinois wrongful death lawyers can help the victim’s family investigate whether the crash occurred because of distracted driver.
Illegal Lane Changes
Illegal lane changes are another common cause of vehicular homicides in Illinois. Illegal lane changes can occur when drivers change lanes in illegal zones or attempt to change lanes without using their turn signals. Such accidents often occur on highways and in crowded urban areas. Unfortunately, accidents caused by illegal lane changes can produce deadly consequences.
Improper Left Turns
Lastly, a great number of vehicular homicides occur because drivers make improper left turns. When motorists fail to yield the right-of-way, serious harm can occur. Our Rockford wrongful death lawyers can also help plaintiffs build their cases against drivers who committed improper left turns.
If Your Family Member Suffered a Vehicular Homicide in Illinois, Our Lawyers Can Help
If your loved one suffered a fatal car accident, seek assistance from our experienced Aurora personal injury lawyers by calling the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502 for a free review of your case.
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