Who Pays For Funeral Costs After A Truck Accident?

Few events in life are as painful and upsetting as the sudden loss of a loved one. The grief and emotional distress can feel overwhelming. And sadly, you and your family are forced to begin making very difficult decisions about the funeral and final arrangements for your lost loved one. During these stressful times, many decisions are made based on emotion and can have significant financial implications for the surviving family members. No one wants to cut corners with a very basic memorial or celebration of life. So you make all the emotional purchases and selections that can create a huge bill the family will struggle to pay.

However, knowing there could be another way to pay for the funeral expenses after a truck accident in California is essential. The legal team at Kenmore Law Group is here 24/7 to help you understand how the party responsible for the fatal truck accident could also be responsible for paying your loved one’s funeral costs. In addition, our truck accident wrongful death lawyers offer free consultations to discuss the details of your loved one’s accident and the potential for a wrongful death claim against the driver of the other vehicle or even the manufacturer of your loved one’s truck. What is most important to remember at this challenging time is that you have options and rights under the law. And the team of truck accident wrongful death lawyers at Kenmore Law Group is here to help you make wise choices to navigate this harrowing time.

Wrongful Death And Truck Accidents
Any vehicle accident is a traumatic and hazardous event. However, when a truck is involved, the sheer size and weight can exponentially increase the violent impact and, sadly, the severity of the injuries. In many cases, the injuries are so devastating that there is a loss of life. And in these tragic times, the victim’s family needs to be aware of their legal right to file a wrongful death claim against the party that is found to be negligent. Another driver or even the manufacturer of your loved one’s truck might be responsible for the loss of life and the funeral costs after a fatal truck accident. When a truck manufacturer is found to be liable for wrongful death, the reason is typically a defect in the vehicle. However, if the negligence falls on another driver, there can be a myriad of reasons for the accident, including:

• Driving over the speed limit
• Driving in excess of a prudent speed based on the weather or other road conditions
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including prescriptions or over-the-counter medication
• Driving aggressively or recklessly, such as road rage
• Driving while distracted
• Ignoring traffic signs, traffic signals, and other safety warnings
• Driving on the wrong side of the road
• Making unsafe lane changes
• Passing illegally
• Following another vehicle too closely
• Driving while too tired

In addition to other drivers and the vehicle manufacturer, the city or municipality maintaining the roadway could also be responsible for the fatal truck accident that claimed the life of your loved one. Excessive potholes or damage to the road could result in a severe truck accident. In addition, the blame could also fall on the municipality if traffic signals were in disrepair or traffic signs were missing or too damaged to read.

It is understandable if all of these possibilities make you more frustrated and confused than ever. You are dealing with a great deal of pain and emotion due to losing your loved one. And all you want to know is who could be responsible for paying the funeral costs after a truck accident.

That question is best left to the truck accident wrongful death lawyers at Kenmore Law Group. Our team offers a free consultation of the loved ones of any fatal truck accident to help them determine if they have grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit to cover funeral expenses and other costs related to the truck accident fatality. So contact our office today to schedule your free meeting and begin to sort out the legal complexities surrounding the loss of your loved one in a truck accident.
What To Expect When Making Funeral Arrangements
We understand that it can be challenging to think about finances after the loss of a loved one in a truck accident. However, it is critical to understand the scope of these bills and the impact the debt can have on your family. The most basic funeral or cremation in California can cost around $7,000 to $10,000. And for a larger celebration of life and memorial service, the price can easily exceed twice that amount. Some of the costs involved include:

• The service to transport the body to the funeral home
• Fees to the funeral home for preparation and embalming of the body
• Payments to the funeral director and other staff
• The casket for your loved one
• Fees for the viewing hours and memorial service at the funeral home
• The use of a hearse to transport the casket to the cemetery
• Purchase of a burial plot
• The cost of the headstone, as well as delivery and installation fees

These are the most basic services needed for a funeral. Other expenses include flowers, publishing an obituary, and customized memorial items. While some of these expenses can be eliminated with cremation, there are still fees for many of these tasks and the cost of an urn for the remains. It is also important to note that many families struggle to make the final choices for a loved one and tend to overspend during their mourning period as they are overcome by grief and guilt.

Establishing Negligence and Suing For Wrongful Death
The critical factor in a successful wrongful death lawsuit is determining negligence on the part of another driver, the vehicle manufacturer, the city responsible for maintaining the roadways, or another person who failed to act responsibly. Proving negligence in a court of law requires four critical components, which include:

1. Duty – we all have legal obligations to act in a safe manner. This statement includes when driving, maintaining roadways, or building a vehicle
2. Breach Of Duty – if someone acts in an unsafe manner while driving, for example, they have breached their duty
3. Causation – The breach of duty must be directly responsible for the injuries
4. Damages – There must be some form of damage. In this case, it is the loss of your loved one

To file a successful negligence claim concerning your loved one’s death in a truck accident, the defendant must meet all the above criteria. When you contact the wrongful death lawyers at Kenmore Law Group, our staff will evaluate the information surrounding your loved one’s truck accident and determine if we believe there was negligence involved. If we determine negligence played a part in the fatal truck accident, we will offer guidance in moving forward with a wrongful death case. In addition, we will work within the two-year time limit to file a claim and seek a settlement to cover funeral expenses and other costs associated with your loved one’s death.
Why You Need Legal Representation
Proving negligence is not always as easy as you might think. And in the case of trying to find a truck manufacturer negligent, there will be a great many lawyers working to protect the company. So you need to have a wrongful death expert to protect your rights and the loved one you lost. Our team will work diligently to ensure justice is served and that you are compensated to the fullest extent allowed under California law.

In addition, you have the Kenmore Law Group No-Fee Guarantee, which promises that we will work on your behalf with no up-front fees required. We trust our legal team to win for each client whose case we agree to litigate. And we know our hard work will pay off for you and us when we secure a settlement. But until then, you will not be faced with growing legal bills and the added stress they can create. Instead, we want you and your family to begin healing from your loss, knowing that your truck accident wrongful death lawyer at Kenmore Law Group is handling everything in your best interest.
Have Other Law Firms Turned You Down?
It can be frustrating to know whom to trust when you need a skilled wrongful death lawyer. Even if you have been turned down by other firms claiming you have no case, please contact Kenmore Law Group for a free second opinion. Our team is here to ensure that every grieving family has trustworthy legal representation during their time of need. We will evaluate your case for free and answer your most challenging questions honestly. Then we will only move forward with a wrongful death lawsuit if we believe you have a solid case to seek payment for your loved one’s funeral costs and other losses.