A fatal crash can leave a family making decisions before they know what those decisions could mean. A fatal car accident lawyer in Pembroke Pines can step in early, protect the claim, and start finding answers about what caused the collision.
At The Schiller Kessler Group, we have recovered over $250 million for our clients. That experience helps us recognize when an insurance company may try to limit responsibility or move the claim toward a quick resolution.
A Pembroke Pines car accident lawyer can deal directly with insurers, collect records, and explain what Florida law allows your family to pursue. Call us for a free consultation.
What Can a Family Hand Off After a Fatal Crash?
After a fatal crash, one relative may be talking to the insurer while another is handling the vehicle, bills, or paperwork. A Pembroke Pines personal injury lawyer can bring those claim-related pieces into one place.
Once we step in, the insurance company has one place to send its questions and requests. Your family does not have to keep figuring out who should answer what.
There is no need to build a complete file before reaching out. We can start with what your family already knows and identify what needs attention next.
More people choose The Schiller Kessler Group because they know that we're a cut above other personal injury law firms.
Who Has the Right to Bring a Wrongful Death Claim in Florida?
Florida Statutes § 768.20 requires the personal representative to bring the wrongful death action. That person pursues the claim for the estate and the survivors recognized under Florida law rather than having each family member file a separate lawsuit.
A will may nominate someone to serve as personal representative. The probate court formally appoints the personal representative, and if no one is nominated, Florida law provides an order of preference for appointment. We can explain what that role involves and how decisions made through the estate connect with the wrongful death case.
Florida Statutes § 95.11(5)(e) generally gives the personal representative two years to file a wrongful death action. That deadline can become easy to lose track of when the family is also handling probate questions, bills, and other responsibilities after the death.
No matter what time of day it is, you can contact The Schiller Kessler Group to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
What the Crash Location Can Tell Us in Pembroke Pines
A family may know the crash happened on Pines Boulevard or Flamingo Road without knowing what happened in the seconds before impact. The location can point us toward nearby businesses, traffic cameras, drivers, or other sources that may help explain the collision.
People can remember the same crash in very different ways. We look at what the scene itself can tell us, then compare that with witness accounts and any nearby footage that may help explain how the collision unfolded.
Those differences can affect how an insurer assigns fault. We compare the accounts with the available records before accepting a version of the crash simply because someone reported it first.
How Shared Fault Affects a Pembroke Pines Fatal Car Accident Claim
Some fatal crashes involve more than one person or company. One driver may make an unsafe move while another speeds, looks at a phone, or follows too closely. A company may also enter the case if its employee caused the collision while working.
Florida Statutes § 768.81 allows fault to be divided among the people or companies responsible for a crash. Fault assigned to the person who died can reduce the recovery, and a finding of more than 50% fault can bar recovery in a negligence action.
We look at who made each decision that contributed to the collision and what supports the percentage an insurer assigns. If another driver, vehicle owner, or company shares responsibility, that can also affect which insurance policies become part of the claim.
Losses a Family Can Pursue After a Fatal Crash
Florida Statutes § 768.21 allows certain survivors and the estate to seek damages connected to a wrongful death. The available categories depend on the family relationship, the support the person provided, and the expenses or financial losses connected to the death.
A claim may include the following:
- Lost support and services
- Loss of companionship or protection where Florida law permits it
- Mental pain and suffering for survivors who qualify
- Medical expenses connected to the final injury
- Funeral expenses
- Certain lost earnings and estate losses
The person who died may have paid most of the household bills, picked up children from school, helped an aging parent, or handled responsibilities that now fall to someone else. Those contributions can become part of how the claim is valued.
Recorded Statements and Early Offers After a Fatal Crash
An insurance company can ask for a recorded statement before the family knows what the claim may involve. The answers can later become part of a dispute over fault or damages, so we review those requests before anyone responds.
An early settlement offer can also arrive before the family has a clear picture of lost income, household support, or other damages. Accepting an offer usually ends the claim, which makes the timing of that decision important.
We can review what the insurer is asking for, explain what the offer covers, and compare it with the losses the family can document before anyone signs a release.
When a Fatal Crash Claim Does Not Settle
An insurance company may stand by an offer that the family believes does not reflect what happened or what the loss has cost them. At that point, filing a lawsuit may become the next option.
The court process gives both sides a structured way to gather information and test each other’s positions. That can include depositions, document requests, and other pretrial steps before the case ever reaches a jury.
Our Pembroke Pines fatal car accident attorneys can explain what filing suit would involve and what the family can expect at each stage. If the case goes to trial, we can present the evidence and ask a jury to decide responsibility and damages.
Contact The Schiller Kessler Group After a Fatal Crash in Pembroke Pines
You probably know only a few things for certain right now: where the crash happened, who was involved, and that your family needs answers. A fatal car accident lawyer in Pembroke Pines can review what you know so far and explain what Florida law allows.
The Schiller Kessler Group has helped more than 30,000 Florida injury victims pursue compensation. We offer personal attention, prompt communication, and aggressive representation, and we work on a contingency basis. You pay no upfront attorney fees, and we collect only if we recover compensation for you.
Call us today for a free, no-obligation case review. We can meet at your home, office, or hospital if needed. We will explain what we can do next and keep you informed as the claim moves forward.
Injured? Call The Aggressive Attorneys Today