According to News Channel 10, two people died earlier this month in a collision near the intersection of Sycamore Street and 21st Street in Clovis. Local police responded to the incident shortly after 12 p.m. on a Saturday.

The accident involved a Ford F-150 and a Volkswagen Beetle. Responders pronounced two people who had been riding in the Beetle dead at the scene.

The driver of the pickup truck went to Plains Regional Medical Center for evaluation. Doctors released him later that day. The wreck remains under investigation.

If you lost a loved one in a motor vehicle collision with a drunk, distracted, or reckless driver, your family may be entitled to compensation for lost income and benefits, pain and suffering, and other damages. To determine if you have grounds for a claim, turn to The Law Office of Brian K. Branch, PC.

A compassionate attorney on our team will review the case and help you determine the most strategic way to proceed. Call 505-207-4401 to schedule a free consultation with a wrongful death lawyer in Albuquerque.

Who Could Be Liable for a Car Accident Fatality?

Fatal motor vehicle collisions are far more common than they should be. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there were nearly 35,000 fatal auto wrecks in the United States in 2016, resulting in nearly 37,500 deaths.

When it comes to fatal crashes, at least one motorist involved is usually liable; however, there are scenarios in which other parties may be at fault. This includes:

  • The manufacturer of the vehicle;
  • The mechanic who worked on the vehicle; and
  • The municipality responsible for maintaining the roads.

In fatal accidents involving large trucks, additionally parties who may be liable include:

  • The cargo loading company;
  • The motor carrier; and
  • The company responsible for maintaining the fleet.

What Kinds of Damages Can You Recover from the Liable Party?

If you lost a loved one in a preventable collision, your family has the right to sue the liable party. Once you determine who may be fault, you can pursue compensation for all damages associated with the loss. This includes:

  • Medical bills and home care expenses;
  • Funeral and burial expenses;
  • Lost income;
  • Lost benefits;
  • Pain and suffering; and
  • Loss of consortium.

Calculating costs like medical bills may be fairly straightforward, but quantifying non-economic damages like loss of consortium can be challenging. Although no amount of money will bring your family member back, securing a sizable settlement that includes all potential damages will eliminate a considerable amount of stress and protect your financial security for years come.

If you want to file a wrongful death claim against a reckless motorist or one of the parties mentioned above, contact The Law Office of Brian K. Branch, PC  today. Our primary areas of focus include serious personal injury, premises liability, products liability, wrongful death, and insurance bad faith.

Call 505-207-4401 to schedule a free case evaluation with a wrongful death attorney in Albuquerque. You can learn more about wrongful death claims in New Mexico by visiting wrongful-death-lawyers.usattorneys.com/new-mexico.