Your world most likely collapses when your loved one doesn’t return after heading out for a motorcycle ride. Due to careless driver’s actions, you’re left with a whirlwind of emotions and mounting bills. How will you move forward in life, and how do you seek justice after such a tragedy? Fortunately, the legal system is on your side, and with the guidance of a wrongful death attorney, accountability and compensation can be yours.
To file a wrongful death lawsuit, contact Meldon Law Firm for a free consultation. One of their experienced and compassionate biker-friendly attorneys will walk you through the process while listening to your concerns. With their guidance, you can get closure and ensure justice is sought.
The Consequences of a Florida Wrongful Death Motorcycle Accident Case
A motorcycle fatality is a tragedy that can affect the loved one’s family in myriad unfathomable ways. The pain and hardships can last for a lifetime. However, seeking justice for this horrible event can help ensure that the deceased’s family won’t endure unfair financial burdens. The consequences of a Florida wrongful death motorcycle accident can hit a family in the following ways.
Medical Bills
Although your loved one didn’t survive the accident, any medical expenses related to the life-saving measures taken by medical professionals will, unfortunately, still need to be paid. Depending on the circumstances, these bills could have accumulated quite fast. Emergency care services, surgeries, and other expenses could easily be overwhelming. However, the Florida Wrongful Death Act gives the victim’s family the right to seek compensation for these bills.
Funeral Expenses
An unfortunate part of losing a loved one is handling the funeral arrangements. You’ll want the services done with love and respect, but this added expense can’t be put off until later. Funerals in Florida can cost upwards of $7,000 and, depending on the type of service, can be as much as $12,000.
Loss of Family Income
If the deceased were the main breadwinner for the family, their loss would hit them quite hard. Rents, mortgages, car payments, and all of the other expenses a family faces each month will still be there despite the loss of the main income earner. As a part of the damages for a wrongful death lawsuit, the deceased’s dependents can seek compensation for their loved one’s expected lifetime earnings and benefits.
Loss of Consortium
The spouse, partner, and children will have to somehow move forward without the deceased’s love, care, attention, and support. Although it’s difficult to quantify this lifetime loss of companionship, it should be included as a part of a wrongful death lawsuit. A judge or jury will determine this non-economic loss, usually for a significant amount. This monetary amount isn’t capped in Florida. Although this doesn’t bring back your loved one, it can bring closure and ease your financial worries.
How to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Florida
It’s important to speak with an attorney sooner rather than later. Florida’s statute of limitations for a wrongful death lawsuit is two years from the date of death. If your case isn’t filed within this timeframe, you will lose all rights to seek damages.
Recoverable damages are limited to the following family members:
- Spouse or legal partner of the deceased
- Minor child of the deceased
- The adult child of the deceased if there’s no spouse
- Parent of the adult child if the deceased doesn’t have a spouse or children
The representative of the deceased’s estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit. This individual is typically named in the deceased’s will as their executor. If there’s no legal will and no executor named, a family member can be named as the pers
Legal and Financial Navigation in Florida Wrongful Death Lawsuits: Final Words
Although nothing can bring back a loved one whose life was cut short due to a careless driver, filing a wrongful death lawsuit can serve two purposes. First, you can gain a bit of closure knowing that the law will hold accountable the responsible party for their shameful negligence. Secondly, seeking economic and non-economic damages will meet your financial needs.
To ensure justice is served, retaining a wrongful death attorney experienced in representing motorcyclists is crucial. They will guide you through the process, ensuring that the responsible party is held accountable while making it as pain-free as possible.
