Wouldn’t it be nice if we all could live long, full lives? Wouldn’t you much prefer if you could count on, say, 100 years, before you had to say goodbye to your loved ones?

Unfortunately, life isn’t always so kind. Sometimes a family member dies sooner than expected. Sometimes we lose someone we love so suddenly that we don’t even get a chance to say goodbye. 

When this happens, the grief can be overwhelming. Suddenly you find yourself planning a funeral and dealing with insurance companies. Often, this is when you start looking into the possibility of hiring a Rockford wrongful death lawyer.

An Accident or Negligence?

When a child spills a glass of milk, it’s easy enough to shrug your shoulders and say, “Accidents happen.” It’s not so easy when a drunk driver plows through a red light and kills someone you love.

Should it be? Definitely not! There’s a big difference between an accident and negligence that ends in an Illinois wrongful death. When another driver chooses to do something illegal, such as driving drunk, that person is responsible for his or her actions and the consequences those actions bring.

Auto accidents account for most wrongful death claims in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. While there may be the occasional instance—such as a blinding snowstorm—where you can’t be too angry with the other driver, many accidents are caused by someone’s deliberate negligence. For example:

  • Drunk driving
  • Speeding
  • Distracted driving
  • Cell phone use, especially texting
  • Failure to stop or yield at an intersection

In many situations, the driver made a poor—and deliberate—choice that ultimately ended in your loved one’s death. When that’s the case, you have every right to hold that driver responsible and request compensation to help pay for any medical bills, funeral costs, and more.

If you have lost a family member in a Rockford auto accident, you should talk to a skilled Illinois wrongful death lawyer regarding your rights. To set up a free consultation, or to order your free copy of our book, The Ultimate Guide For Automobile Accident Victims, call Hupy & Abraham today at 866-532-4800.

Jason F. Abraham
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Helping car accident and personal injury victims throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa since 1993.