What To Do If Your Loved One Passes Away From A Car Accident
Losing a loved one can be hard. And on top of that, when insurance companies, corporations, and city entities continually deny responsibility and fail to take responsibility, it can be very difficult.
But when it comes to losing a loved one from a car accident, you need to be aware of the right steps to take. At the same time, there can be a lot going through your head. You might not be able to think straight since you miss your loved one so much.
However, making the wrong decision after going through a loved one’s death can result in consequences that can be worse than you might initially imagine.
So what exactly do you do? Let’s find out.
Seek Emotional Support and Allow Yourself To Grieve
First and foremost, you need to take care of yourself. Period.
Take the time to grieve the loss of your loved one. Don’t underestimate the impact that the loss is having on you. Make sure to feel your emotions and give yourself the time that you need to grieve. If anything, grieving is a natural and normal part of going through the difficult process of losing someone.
Next, you need to seek immediate emotional support. Notify your immediate family, friends, and other acquaintances of the tragic accident. Make sure you can be supported by your loved ones at all times, since no one should go through a tragedy alone.
Take Practical First Steps After The Accident
Immediately after the accident, you need to call 911. If you received the news via phone from a friend or bystander, drive immediately to get to the scene.
Confirm the details of the accident by taking photos of the damage, the damaged cars, and working with police to obtain evidence of the incident. Also be sure to notify your insurance company as well, and exchange information with the other driver, depending on your circumstances.
To go even further, it’s also crucial to get in touch with a funeral home to let them help you in the healing process. Be sure to contact a funeral director as soon as you can to help make funeral arrangements that can be best suited to your family.
If you are considering having a large gathering, you might consider gathering in a large area such as an outdoor venue or a church. On the other hand, if you choose to have your funeral with just family, you could have it at a place such as a cemetery.
Focus on Administrative Responsibilities
Unsurprisingly, there is actually a tremendous amount of work that goes into the administrative work after a loved one passes.
There are a number of tasks that need to be completed such as:
1. Obtaining a death certificate
2. Notifying Your Local DMV Office
3. Canceling Your Driver’s License
4. Addressing Financial Matters and Estate Planning
5. Getting In Touch With Life Insurance
Although all of these tasks may seem daunting at first, it’s important to consider how important completing these in a timely manner is. Furthermore, with the instability of the economy, you need to focus on these tasks to ensure a smooth transition for your family and children as well.
Navigate Grief and Support Services
It is 100% worth the cost to get counseling and support. Period.
There are also numerous grief resources that are available such as support groups, griefshare, and many more. Although going to counseling or a group may seem daunting and uncomfortable at first, you will definitely reap the benefit of your investment by attending specific groups.
If you are also actively employed, there are a number of large employers that offer such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) or counseling that is covered by the employer.
Legal Considerations After The Accident
If you are in a situation where you might be thinking how to hold the negligent driver that hit you accountable, you should call a Westminster wrongful death lawyer from Ciancio Ciancio Brown.
A lawyer who specializes in wrongful death claims can help you ensure that you get the compensation that you deserve, while also helping you fight for justice at the same time. Furthermore, you might be thinking about how you can possibly afford a lawyer after certain expenses add up after someone’s death.
Fortunately, most wrongful death lawyers work on what is called a “contingency fee”. What this means is that a lawyer won’t take any money, unless they win for you. So, in other words, you don’t have to pay a dime out of your pocket to get the compensation you deserve.
Stay Strong After The Tragic Car Accident
To put it in a nutshell, if your loved one dies from a car accident, you need to:
1. Seek Emotional Support
2. Take Practical First Steps
3. Arrange For The Funeral
4. Navigate Grief and Support Services
5. Retain Legal Advice If Necessary
Lastly, the most important step to stay strong is prioritize your self-care. Focus on your wellbeing at all times, and get the help that you need. Remember that grief is a journey that doesn’t go away overnight. It takes time to process through emotions and focus on yourself at the same time.
