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Wrongful Death Claims After Car Accidents In Illinois

Written by Jared Staver

Read Jared's Bio

Jared Staver is a Personal Injury Lawyer based in Chicago, Illinois and has been practicing law for over 25 years.

Jared Staver

CATEGORY: Auto Accidents, Wrongful Death


Unfortunately, car accidents are one of the leading causes of death in the United States. This is a sad fact of life in a society that is built around private vehicle transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics reflect that 924 fatalities occurred as a result of car accidents in Illinois in 2014. This was a reduction from 2013 when there were 991 traffic fatalities. Nevertheless, and despite this reduction in traffic fatalities between 2013 and 2014, this equates to 7.17 people killed out of every 100,000 residents of Illinois who were killed in traffic accidents in 2014 alone.

If a loved one was killed in a car accident, contact our wrongful death attorneys in Chicago, IL to discuss your legal options. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis.

Traffic Fatalities and Their Devastating Consequences

Losing a loved one in a traffic accident is an unimaginable tragedy. The emotional toll on surviving family members can be overwhelming — a spouse suddenly left without their partner, children forced to grow up without a parent, and families forever changed.

The Emotional Aftermath of a Fatal Crash

Grief after a fatal accident can be profound and long-lasting. Families may face birthdays, holidays, and milestones without the person they lost, often struggling to process the suddenness and injustice of the event.

Financial Consequences for Surviving Family Members

But beyond the grief, fatal crashes often bring serious financial hardship. If the victim was the family’s primary breadwinner, their loss can leave dependents struggling to stay afloat. A single parent may need to re-enter the workforce or move their children to more affordable schools.

Life Changes After Losing a Provider

Families might be forced to relocate to a smaller home or apartment, unable to afford their previous living expenses. A grieving spouse could be faced with delaying retirement or selling assets just to make ends meet. In short, the effects of a fatal accident are not only emotionally devastating — they can be financially catastrophic.

Damages in Wrongful Death Claims After Car Accidents

To help families recover from the financial impact of a fatal crash, Illinois law allows survivors to pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim. These claims can provide both economic and non-economic damages to the deceased’s spouse and next of kin.

Economic Damages May Include:

  • Funeral and burial costs
  • Medical expenses related to the injury prior to death
  • Loss of the decedent’s future income and financial contributions
  • Other out-of-pocket expenses incurred due to the death
  • Non-Economic Damages May Include:

Under Illinois law, surviving family members may also recover for grief, sorrow, and mental suffering. These non-economic damages are determined by a jury and reflect what’s considered fair and just compensation for the emotional impact of the loss.

Talk to One of Our Compassionate Wrongful Death Attorneys Today

If your spouse, relative or loved one has been killed in a car accident, then please accept the sincere condolences of the experienced car accident attorneys at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C.. This is a terribly difficult time and we understand that your focus may not be on pursuing your legal remedies but we are here to help you handle that part of putting your life back together.

Our car accident attorneys serve clients throughout the Chicago area, including Aurora, Elgin, Hinsdale, Joliet, Naperville, and Waukegan. If a loved one or member of your family has been killed in a car accident, please call the experienced car accident and wrongful death attorneys at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. today for a free consultation with one of our lawyers at (312) 236-2900.

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(312) 236-2900
(312) 236-2900
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