Georgia State Patrol (GSP) reported that a Wilcox County Sheriff has died in a single-vehicle car accident.
The crash occurred in the afternoon on Georgia State Road 233. According to GSP, the sheriff lost control of his vehicle when responding to a call. His vehicle exited the roadway and hit a tree. It is unknown why the sheriff lost control of the car.
A major for the GSP said: “He gave his life while protecting the citizens of Wilcox County, which is what he loved best.”
Can You File a Claim if a Loved One Lost Control of the Car and Crashed?
When a driver loses control of the car and crashes, can the driver’s family file an accident claim for recovery?
The answer largely depends on the details of the accident. Another party needs to be somehow responsible. If the driver accidentally lost control of the car and crashed, or if road conditions were bad and the driver was not exercising caution, then there may not be legal options for recovery outside of their insurance policy.
However, if an investigation reveals that other factors played a role in the accident, then the family members could have options for a wrongful death lawsuit.
Who Could Be Liable for Your Loved One’s Car Accident?
Even in cases of a driver losing control of a car and crashing into something, parties beyond the driver may bear responsibility for a wrongful death car accident. Some of these parties include:
- Manufacturers of defective auto components that played a role in the accident, such as faulty brakes or steering components
- Repair shops that failed to do an adequate job replacing or fixing parts that malfunctioned and caused a crash
- Municipal organizations that were negligent when designing or building the road, i.e. making the turn too sharp, cutting corners during construction, or failing to install guardrails along dangerous stretches
- Bartenders or shop owners who overserved an intoxicated driver (in the case of a drunk-driving single-vehicle accident)
In the first instance, you could bring a product liability claim against the auto manufacturer. An attorney will need to launch an investigation. In the past, such investigations have revealed that auto manufacturers knew that they were creating safety risks either in the physical design of the vehicle or the choice of materials to build it with. Still, they chose to proceed anyway in the interest of saving money. When companies prioritize profits over the safety of their customers, they can be held responsible for their negligence.
The best way to find out if you have legal options to file a wrongful death claim is to consult an attorney. Under Georgia law, the victim’s spouse, child, or parent has standing to file a wrongful death claim.
Contact the Georgia Wrongful Death Attorneys at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC
Are you curious about your legal options following a Georgia car accident? Our attorneys are happy to meet with you and discuss your case. There is no charge for the consultation, and we can inform you upfront about your best legal options for recovery. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
