Fatal road accident claim lawyers

We’re here to support you

Losing a loved one in a road traffic accident is incredibly distressing, and no amount of compensation will repair the damage caused. No one should be left to deal with the impact of losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligent actions, but we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Who can make a claim for a fatal road accident?

When a death in a road accident has occurred as a result of someone else’s negligence, a fatal road accident compensation claim can be made by a dependant of the deceased, under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976.

A person is defined as a dependant if they are:

• the spouse or civil partner, or former spouse or civil partner, of the deceased;
• someone who has been cohabiting as the spouse or civil partner of the deceased for a minimum of two years before the accident;
• parents or a person who has been legally acting as guardian;
• immediate family, such as siblings, cousins, uncles or aunts; or
• children by blood, marriage or adoption who are legally part of the family.

If you have lost your partner in a road accident and were partially or entirely financially dependent upon them, you may be able to claim. To learn more, you can reach out to our specialist fatal car accident lawyers, who can support you with your personal circumstances. Call 0330 041 5869 or contact us online.

What does the compensation cover in a fatal road accident claim?

Determining the amount of compensation awarded in the case of a fatal car accident is dependent upon several factors, such as the circumstances in which your loved one passed away. Areas that will be considered include:

Dependency losses: This is generally the core part of a fatal car accident claim and considers the impact of the loss of your loved one’s income if you were financially dependent on them. Your lawyer will consider the long-term impacts, covering basic income, bonuses and pensions.

Loss of amenity: In some cases, it may be that your loved one was treated in hospital for some time before passing, during which they'll have suffered a loss of amenity

Financial losses: This should cover the financial cost of caring for your loved one before they passed, such as treatment, travel costs or home adaptations, as well as funeral costs and any legal costs associated with handling their estate. Your fatal car accident lawyer should also consider any loss of earnings for both you and your loved one if you’ve been unable to work.

The Fatal Accidents Act 1976 also allows a spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner – or, in the case where the deceased is a minor, a parent – to claim a statutory award for bereavement. This is a fixed amount of £12,980 and is paid regardless of dependency. The amount has increased to £15,120 for deaths occurring on or after 1 May 2020.

How do I make a claim for a fatal road accident?

Nothing can prepare you for losing a loved one. When you're ready to talk to someone, you can reach out to our team of fatal car accident lawyers by calling 0330 041 5869, or by contacting us online and we’ll arrange a time that works for you.

There’s no pressure to have all the answers to hand right away, and you don’t need to discuss everything in one call if you're not ready. We’re here to support you and will take it step-by-step at a pace you’re comfortable with.

Our team is consistently ranked highly in reputable independent legal directories, such as Chambers and Partners, and the Legal 500, and we have some of the best and most experienced injury lawyers in the UK. We work tirelessly to get the best possible outcome for our clients, handling every case with compassion and understanding.