Sadly, hundreds of lives are taken each year due to car accidents on Georgia roads. According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, there were 1,664 traffic fatalities statewide in 2020 alone.
Yet another life was lost in late February when a Lanier High School student died in a tragic car accident in Gwinnett County. According to WSB-TV, Landon Hardie was driving along Moore Road at the time of the accident. His vehicle collided with another headed in the opposite direction as he drove around a curve. He passed away after being taken to the hospital from the scene of the accident. The other driver was not injured.
Just 17 years old, Landon was a senior approaching graduation and a member of the school’s golf team, the Lanier Longhorns. Surviving friends and fellow students described him as a beloved member of the team. “Landon made us better people and we will miss him more than words can express,” they explain on the team’s Twitter page.
What Is a Wrongful Death in Georgia?
In Georgia, wrongful death is legally defined as any homicide that “results from a crime, from criminal or other negligence, or from property which has been defectively manufactured, whether or not as the result of negligence.” A wrongful death creates legal grounds to file a lawsuit seeking compensation from the person responsible for the death.
Of course, no amount of money can truly make up for the death of a loved one. That said, if you lost a family member in a car accident at little to no fault of their own, you and your loved ones could be entitled to compensation for the “full value of the life” of the deceased person measured from their own perspective. Brock v. Wedincamp, 253 Ga. App. 275, 281-82 (2002). Reflecting the difficulty of ascertaining this value, the final calculation is left to the “enlightened conscience” of the jury. Chrysler Group, LLC v. Walden, 339 Ga. App. 733, 750 (2016).
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Georgia?
Under Georgia law, only certain family members of a wrongful-death victim qualify to file this kind of claim. In order of priority, eligible parties include the surviving spouse, children, and parents. If none of these parties are available to file a claim, the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate may do so instead.
How a Duluth Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Help
After losing a loved one to an accident, a lawsuit may be the last thing your family wants to deal with. At Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC, we understand how difficult this kind of loss can be. While you and your family grieve, our compassionate legal team can help by:
- Identifying the responsible parties
- Collecting evidence to support your claim
- Preparing documents for your case
- Corresponding with the at-fault party and their insurers
- Filing your wrongful death lawsuit in court
- Negotiating on your behalf in out-of-court settlement talks
- Arguing on your behalf in court
- Making sure you know your full rights and options
Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC, is ready to evaluate and handle your case from start to finish. Contact us today to learn more in a free, no-obligation consultation. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
