$1.025 Million Recovery for Family After Fatal Intersection Collision
By Michael M. Clawson, Colorado Personal Injury Lawyer
A family suffered a devastating loss when their loved one was killed in a violent intersection collision caused by a speeding driver who ran a red light.
The man was making a left-hand turn at an intersection when another vehicle approached from the opposite direction at an excessive speed. The oncoming driver failed to stop for a red light and crashed into the side of the man’s vehicle. The force of the T-bone collision caused fatal injuries.
Our firm represented the man’s family and pursued a wrongful death claim against both the at-fault driver and the driver’s employer.
Establishing Responsibility for the Fatal Crash
Wrongful death cases involving intersection collisions require a careful investigation of how the crash occurred and who may be legally responsible. Although the other driver caused the collision, our investigation did not end with the driver.
Because the at-fault driver was working at the time of the crash, we also pursued the driver’s employer. Holding all responsible parties accountable was essential to securing the full amount of compensation available to the family.
Building the case required establishing that the other driver was speeding, entered the intersection against a red light, and caused the fatal collision. We developed the evidence necessary to demonstrate that our client’s loved one was not responsible for the crash and that the opposing parties bore full responsibility for his death.
Maximum Available Insurance Coverage Recovered
After building a strong case and establishing liability, we recovered the maximum amount available under the applicable insurance policies. The total recovery for the family and estate was $1,025,000.
No amount of money can replace a loved one or erase the grief caused by a preventable death. A wrongful death recovery can, however, provide financial security and help address the losses created by the tragedy.
Depending on the circumstances, those losses may include:
- Funeral and burial expenses;
- Lost income and financial support;
- Loss of companionship;
- Loss of care, guidance, and affection;
- Emotional grief and suffering; and
- Other financial and personal losses resulting from the death.
Why Employer Responsibility Matters
When a driver causes a collision while performing work-related duties, the driver’s employer may also bear legal responsibility. This can be especially important when the injuries are catastrophic or fatal, and the individual driver’s insurance coverage is insufficient to compensate the surviving family.
An experienced wrongful death attorney should investigate the driver’s employment status, the purpose of the trip, the employer’s insurance coverage, and whether any other individuals or businesses contributed to the collision.
Identifying every responsible party and all available sources of insurance coverage can make a substantial difference in the outcome of a wrongful death claim.
Helping Colorado Families After Fatal Collisions
Families facing the unexpected death of a loved one should not have to confront insurance companies and complicated legal issues alone. These cases require a prompt investigation, careful preservation of evidence, and a complete understanding of the financial and personal losses suffered by the surviving family members.
Clawson & Clawson, LLP represents families in wrongful death claims arising from car crashes, commercial-vehicle collisions, trucking accidents, and other acts of negligence throughout Colorado.
If your family has lost a loved one because of another person’s careless or reckless conduct, contact our office to discuss your legal rights and options.
Speak With Colorado Personal Injury Attorney Michael Clawson
Choosing the right medical treatment after a car accident is one of the most important decisions you can make. Prompt medical care not only helps protect your health but also provides valuable documentation that may strengthen your personal injury claim.
At Clawson & Clawson, LLP, Michael Clawson has represented Colorado injury victims for more than three decades. We understand how insurance companies evaluate injury claims, and we work closely with our clients to ensure they receive the medical care and legal guidance they need throughout the recovery process.
If you have been injured in a car accident, truck accident, motorcycle accident, or another incident caused by someone else's negligence, we are here to help. We proudly serve clients throughout Colorado Springs, Woodland Park, Falcon, Monument, Fountain, Pueblo, Pueblo West, Denver, and communities across Colorado's Front Range.
Contact Clawson & Clawson, LLP today for a free consultation. We will answer your questions, explain your legal options, and help you pursue the full and fair compensation you deserve.