Filing a Wrongful Death Claim After a Fatal Car Accident on I-240 in Jackson, Tennessee

Unfortunately, many families lose their loved ones in fatal car accidents each year. The grief, trauma, and devastation that they must feel when going through these unexpected situations is completely unimaginable. Most families become lost and confused about what they can do to help them pay for their loved one’s medical bills, cover their funeral and burial costs, and get back on their feet again.

While nothing you do will ever be able to bring back your loved one, you do have legal options that you can pursue, such as filing a wrongful death claim to help you hold the at-fault party accountable for their actions, recover compensation for your accumulating bills and expenses, and take some of the overwhelming financial burden off your shoulders.

Brief details about two severe crashes that occurred on I-240 near Jackson, TN

According to News Channel 3, two very serious car accidents occurred on I-240 in January 2024. One of the crashes occurred close to Union Avenue and caused severe traffic delays for several hours. In this crash, one individual was pronounced dead by responding officers at the accident scene.

The other accident that happened that same day on I-240 took place near Jackson Avenue and involved four different vehicles. The vehicles were involved in a multi-vehicle pileup, which resulted in one person suffering life-threatening injuries. They were quickly transported to Regional One Hospital, but it is unknown if they survived.

What is a wrongful death claim?

A wrongful death claim is a type of legal action initiated by family members against parties who have killed or caused the death of their loved ones. This type of claim gives spouses, children, and other dependents the opportunity to seek financial recovery for their losses due to the decedent’s fatal accident. If you are a survivor of a deceased individual killed in a car wreck, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim and seek compensation for the damages you and the decedent have suffered. In Jackson, TN, you must be one of the following to bring forth a wrongful death claim:

• A surviving spouse of the decedent
• The decedent’s child
• The decedent’s parent
• The decedent’s sibling or next of kin
• The personal representative of the estate
• A beneficiary

Common causes of wrongful death car accidents

There are different causes behind wrongful death car accidents. Most of the time, these accidents occur because of another person’s negligent behavior, careless actions, or wrongdoings. Here are a few of the most common causes of wrongful death car accidents:

• Drunk driving: When individuals make the decision to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol, they can cause a tragic accident. Operating a vehicle after consuming alcohol leads to decreased reaction times, impaired judgment, coordination problems, and lack of alertness. If a drunk driver kills your family member, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim against that driver.
• Distracted driving: Unfortunately, distracted driving is a big issue on the roadways. Many drivers are texting, eating, changing the radio station, talking on the phone, and scrolling social media, which causes them to take their focus off the road. If your family member is fatally injured by a distracted driver, you may have grounds for a wrongful death suit.
• Speeding: Drivers who choose to violate speed limits are careless and reckless, which puts other drivers in danger. The speed limits are posted at various points on the roadway to make sure that every driver obeys and follows them. However, when a driver fails to do this, they put themselves and other nearby drivers at risk of a fatal accident. If your loved one passes away due to a speeding driver, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death case.
• Aggressive driving: Most people have encountered an aggressive driver on their daily commute before. Aggressive drivers become easily angered, annoyed, and frustrated while behind the wheel. This can lead to continuous screaming, shouting, and honking the horn, which can be frightening. However, when things take a turn for the worse and an aggressive driver decides to try to run another driver off the road or commit another harmful action, this can lead to catastrophic injuries. If your family member succumbs to their injuries after an aggressive driver crashes into them, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

What losses can I claim in a wrongful death case?

After losing a loved one, it is important to keep track of your losses. Your losses are the negative effects you and your deceased loved one have experienced, which you may be able to claim and recover compensation for. These are some of the losses you can claim in a wrongful death case:

• Your deceased loved one’s medical bills
• Your deceased loved one’s funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of income or financial support that you would normally receive from the deceased loved one
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of emotional support

How long do I have to file a wrongful death claim in Jackson, TN?

You have one year to file a wrongful death claim in Jackson, TN. If you have recently lost a family member in a car crash, it is crucial that you keep up with the amount of time that has passed. If you do not take legal action within the provided time frame, you will give up your right to ever file a claim against the at-fault party, hold them accountable for the harm they have caused, and obtain the compensation you need and deserve to rebuild your life again.

Keep in mind that this one-year deadline is from the date of the death and not the date of the accident. If you believe that the one-year deadline should be extended due to a delayed discovery, you should speak with a wrongful death lawyer right away. They will go over your situation and determine whether you have a reasonable reason for why the cause of your loved one’s death was not discovered sooner.

The wrongful death attorneys at Bailey & Greer are committed to fighting for families who have lost loved ones in fatal car accidents. Our team understands that it can be overwhelming, stressful, and gut-wrenching when dealing with the aftermath of your loved one’s deadly crash, which is why we want you to know that you do not have to face these challenges alone. We will guide, support, and represent you every step of the way. Please call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation case review at our Jackson office today.