Draper City Personal Injury Attorneys
CASE STUDY: Survivors of Deadly Car Accident Settle Wrongful Death Claim in Draper, Utah
Summary
On April 20, 2009, Cliff R. was driving northbound on I-15near 11400 South in Draper, Utah. Due to heavy traffic on the freeway, Cliff brought his Honda Civic to a stop. Shortly thereafter, a Grey Dodge Ram 2500 Mega Cab truck ran over the top of driver’s side of Cliff’s car. Client died at the scene from the traumatic head injuries he suffered in the car accident.
Cliff was a loving father to his children. He was the primary breadwinner for his family and he was referred as the emotional rock for his adolescent and young kids. Cliff had been married and divorced multiple times. He had several biological children with his previous spouses and he had some stepchildren with his current wife. This non-traditional family unit which made the legal issues in his wrongful death case convoluted.
Things can go from bad to worse
Martha, mother to one of Cliff’s biological children, received a phone call one day from an attorney, stating her child would get a small sum for their loss. Martha did not feel that the amount was fair and she did some research on her own. She realized that her daughter and Cliff’s other biological and stepchildren were entitled to additional benefits. A friend advised Martha to call The Christensen Law Firm. Attorney Ken Christensen was able to obtain a settlement from American Family Insurance Company that was more than three times the amount the previous attorney had told her to accept.
Martha was merely protecting her children’s interests. They lost a father who had been an integral part of their lives. Through this settlement the children have substantial assets left to them for their future wellbeing. If she had not called the Christensen Law Firm, and a wrongful death claim was not made in behalf of all legal heirs, her young daughter would have suffered immeasurable pain with no recourse. As a parent myself, my final wish would be to know that I had left my children provided for.
Statute of Limitations
While the statute of limitations for most Utah personal Injury cases can be as long as four years, in a wrongful death case, the timeframe is reduced to two years. The timeframe may vary depending on the details of the accident. If a government entity is involved, that statute of limitations can be as short as one year from the date of the fatal car accident. It is wise to discuss the specifics of your situation with an experienced personal injury lawyer to ensure that you and your family do not lose legal options available to you now.
Legal Heirs
In many wrongful death accidents, the surviving family of the victims pursues legal action against the responsible party to bring justice and closure. At the Christensen Law Firm, we’re ready to assist people in the daunting process of navigating their way through the often confusing maze of Utah personal injury law. We understand that the complexities surrounding a wrongful death are no easy matter for the families of the victims. While you are coping with the emotional trauma of losing a loved one in a fatal car accident, you are also presented with complicated legal situations that will directly affect the designated heirs of the decedent. This is an important responsibility and you deserve to be fully informed before making these decisions. Some frequently asked questions include: