2020 U.S. Auto Accident Fatalities Up from 2019 | What You Should Know

man driving car

As you know, the coronavirus pandemic has kept many of us indoors for the majority of last year, and as a result, traffic levels were at record lows. However, despite having fewer people on the road, there was still an increase in auto accident fatalities. In fact, in 2019, there were roughly 39,000 auto accident fatalities, while in 2020, there were over 42,000 auto accident fatalities, which is about an 8% increase. This is a jarring statistic, and in many ways, it doesn’t quite make sense, however, upon further investigation, the reasons behind it are quite clear. One can infer that though there were fewer motorists on the road, there was a marked increase in driver negligence, such as speeding, driving while intoxicated, texting while driving, and more, thereby leading to a significantly larger number of auto accident fatalities. Read on and reach out to our Jacksonville personal injury lawyers if your loved one lost his or her life in an auto accident to learn more about how we can assist you through every step of the claims process ahead. Here are some of the questions you may have:

Who is entitled to bring a wrongful death claim in Florida?

Not everybody can file a wrongful death claim on behalf of a decedent in Florida. To do so, you must be the personal representative of the estate. Only spouses, children, parents, or other blood relatives/adoptive siblings who were financially dependent on the decedent may bring wrongful death claims.

What damages are recoverable in a wrongful death claim?

If you win your wrongful death claim, you may recover compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Compensation for economic damages may cover the cost of funeral expenses, medical care your loved one received prior to passing away, lost wages your family incurred as a result of the death of your loved one, and more. You may also recover compensation for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, loss of companionship, emotional distress, and more.

What is the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims in Florida?

While the statute of limitations for most other personal injury claims in Florida is, generally, four years, this is not the case for wrongful death lawsuits. In most cases, you will only have two years from the date of death to bring a wrongful death claim in Florida. If you wait any longer than two years, you may permanently lose your right to sue. Our firm is ready to help you today.

Contact our experienced Florida firm

Ansbacher Law is composed of knowledgeable attorneys who are ready to assist clients with various legal matters throughout North Florida. We understand the urgency of your personal injury claim and additional legal matters, which is why we provide each of our clients with compassionate and efficient legal assistance, every step of the way. Please contact our office for an initial consultation today.