Losing a loved one in a car accident throws families into emotional and financial chaos. Along with shock, grief, and anger, families must manage the financial fallout and learn how to survive without their loved one’s contributions to the household. A Slidell car accident attorney can help.
Our team has received over 2,400 5-star reviews from clients. You can expect that 5-star service and skill
when you partner with a fatal car accident lawyer in Slidell from our firm. At Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers, we are on your side.
A Fatal Car Accident Can Present Grounds for a Wrongful Death Claim
A death resulting from someone’s intentional act of violence, or reckless or negligent behavior, is a wrongful death in Louisiana. Families whose loved one dies in these scenarios may seek damages through a wrongful death claim.
An experienced Slidell personal injury lawyer is here to help suffering families find justice and financial relief. Connect with our team right away after your loved one’s death. We can explain who can file a Louisiana wrongful death lawsuit and take your claim through every step.
We know how fault is determined in a car crash in Louisiana, and we can first undertake a thorough investigation of your loved one’s accident. Once we discover who is to blame, we can file a claim for damages with that party’s insurance company.
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(504) 500-1111Compensation for Wrongful Death
There is no typical wrongful death settlement in Louisiana. Every situation is different, and those differences affect the value of each claim. Claim-specific factors affecting compensation amounts include:
- Related medical costs if your loved one initially survives the accident
- Your loved one’s lost income if they missed work because of the accident prior to death
- How much income the deceased would have earned over their lifetime
- The value of the victim’s suffering prior to death
- The surviving family members’ pain, suffering, and loss of companionship
You can trust Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers to value your claim accurately and fight for the highest amount possible. We know how to account for every detail when calculating damages and can challenge attempts by the other side to minimize those losses.
New Comparative Fault Standards Can Affect Your Compensation
Louisiana instituted a new comparative fault system for personal injury claims filed on January 1, 2026, and later in Article 2323 of the State’s laws. Only victims who bear less than 51% of the blame for an accident resulting in injuries can seek damages. For a wrongful death claim, family members can only pursue damages if their loved one’s role in the crash aligns with that eligibility standard.
If you can file, but your loved one was partially responsible for the crash, your compensation will be reduced. The deceased’s percentage of fault determines the amount of the reduction. If they were 20% to blame, you collect 80% of the calculated settlement demand or trial award.
A fatal car accident attorney knows how to anticipate moves the at-fault party’s representatives might make to avoid paying what they owe. We know how to gather and present evidence and arguments to protect your loved one from false blame, so you can get true financial justice.
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(504) 500-1111How a Fatal Car Crash Can Lead to a Wrongful Death Claim
Car accidents rank high among the common causes of wrongful death accidents. According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) Fatalities Facts 2023, there were 40,091 traffic-accident fatalities nationwide over a recent year. Statistics from the Louisiana Traffic Records Data Report 2023 show 755 crashes leading to 811 deaths statewide.
The four main contributing factors were impairment, speeding, aggressive driving, and failure to use a safety belt. Of the 811 fatalities, impaired driving contributed to 199.
IIHS data shows Louisiana has a death rate of 17.7 per 100,000 people. For comparison, Massachusetts has the lowest rate of 4.9, and Mississippi has the highest at 24.9.
Failure to wear a seat belt is one way your loved one could be assigned at least some fault for their own wrongful death. Still, this violation does not mean they caused the accident. Our fatal car accident attorney in Slidell can work to find evidence to keep their fault to a minimum.
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(504) 500-1111A Slidell Fatal Car Accident Attorney Can Handle Your Legal Needs
Forming a swift legal partnership with a fatal auto accidents attorney supports a favorable claim resolution. First, early access to your situation allows our team to collect evidence before time passes, and the evidence gets lost.
For example, there may be camera footage of the crash, and we want to capture it before it goes missing. We also need to speak to witnesses before their memories fade.
Second, Article 2315.2 sets a deadline for eligible family members to file. They have one year from the date of death or two years from the date of the injury ultimately leading to their loved one’s death, whichever period is longer.
Missing this deadline could cost you the opportunity for justice. Still, even if you think you are too late, connect with us for a free claim review. Some wrongful death circumstances warrant deadline extensions. If yours does, a fatal car accident attorney in Slidell can pursue that option.
Paths to Compensation
We can resolve your claim through settlement negotiations, and we will begin by sending the other side’s representative a compensation demand.
Usually, they respond with a lower offer, and the parties continue presenting evidence and adjusting offers until they reach an agreement. Claims are resolved more efficiently and with less stress through negotiation than through trial.
Even so, we will not encourage you to accept a low settlement offer simply to avoid a trial. We will be prepared to fight for you in court if that is the better way to secure justice. Our team is made up of aggressive negotiators and fierce trial attorneys, and we always fight to win.
Wrongful Deaths Demand Justice
A fatal car accident lawyer in Slidell is ready to lead your fight for justice. Wrongful deaths are preventable deaths, and the party whose negligence took your loved one’s life must be held accountable.
Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers is here to help you and your family find some peace and secure your finances, so you can face the future with hope.