Losing a loved one in a tragic accident can devastate your family. You and the rest of the survivors wish there was something that you could have done to prevent the loss. You also harbor anger and frustration at the person who caused the accident.

While there is nothing that you can do to bring the lost loved one back, you can take actions to hold the responsible party accountable for your loss. You can start by hiring an experienced wrongful death attorney to represent you and your family.

Establishing Wrongful Actions

The responsible party will likely do everything in his or her power to deflect blame and avoid legal and financial liability. This deflection can even go so far as to blame the accident victim or even their family for what happened.

However, your wrongful death attorney can uncover evidence to the contrary and safeguard that proof in case you and your family decide to take your case to court. He or she has the legal reach to subpoena proof like eyewitness statements and surveillance video. Your lawyer can also get any accident reports from investigating parties like the police or OSHA.

Filing a Suit

Your wrongful death attorney can also take action like filing a lawsuit on behalf of your family. It may be the only way to compel the responsible party to admit their guilt and accept liability for what happened. It also gives this person a chance to defend himself or herself in court and admit what happened before a judge or jury.

The lawsuit also gives the court the opportunity to give you a judgment and legal leeway to levy this responsible party's assets, such as his or her income and the property that this person owns. It paves the way for you to begin recouping financial compensation for your pain and suffering, as well as punitive damages.

Finally, your wrongful death attorney can act as an advocate in any settlement negotiations. The responsible person may want to settle out of court to get you to dismiss the lawsuit. Your lawyer can decide what amount fairly compensates you and your family that also takes into consideration future losses, like the absence of your loved one's income. 

A wrongful death attorney can offer valuable services after you and your family lose a loved one in an accident. He or she can preserve and subpoena crucial evidence, file a lawsuit and negotiate a fair settlement. 

To learn more, contact a wrongful death attorney.