Interstate 65 is a major north-south thoroughfare connecting the Midwest to the South, and it sees plenty of fatal crashes each year. The section through Indiana is no exception. As the primary route from the Chicago area to Indianapolis and on to Louisville and Nashville, it sees its fair share of highway pile-ups, semi-truck crashes, and drunk driving accidents, resulting in dozens of fatalities in Indiana each year.
Losing a loved one in a fatal car accident is devastating. Learning that another driver’s negligence caused the crash can make it even worse. If your loved one was killed in a crash on I-65 in Indiana, you might have grounds to file a wrongful death claim against the negligent driver. Although no amount of money will bring your loved one back, filing a wrongful death claim is one way to recover some of the financial losses you face and hold the driver accountable for their actions.
The wrongful death attorneys at Keller & Keller handle these cases with the utmost compassion and discretion. We understand that you are going through a difficult time, and we are here to lift the burden of seeking compensation from your shoulders. One call to us is all it takes to get the ball rolling on a potential wrongful death claim.
What to Do After a Loved One’s Death in a Traffic Collision
It’s important to understand that you don’t have to do anything right away. Getting the tragic news that a loved one has been killed is shocking, and you will need time to process the information, contact other family members, and handle funeral arrangements.
If you believe that the crash was caused by a negligent, careless, or drunk driver, you should take the following steps as soon as you are able:
- Talk to the police. Given the tragedy of the situation, it is unlikely that the law enforcement officials who informed you of the crash provided many details at the time. When you feel ready, you should follow up with the agency that responded to the crash and ask about the circumstances. You could also ask a friend or other representative to do this for you if it is too difficult. If the police tell you that another driver was involved and either suggest or directly state that the other driver’s action contributed to the cause of the crash, you should contact a wrongful death lawyer.
- In Indiana, contact Keller & Keller. Your next call should be 800-253-5537 or visit our website and fill out our contact form. We will ask a few questions, and if we believe you have cause for a wrongful death lawsuit, we will take it from there. Our team will investigate the circumstances of the crash and begin negotiations with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, leaving you free to be with your family and mourn your loved one. We offer free consultations, so there is nothing to lose by calling us to evaluate your situation and tell you whether we think you have a claim.
In order for a fatal car accident to be considered for a wrongful death claim, the at-fault driver must have acted in a negligent, careless, or intentional way, and those actions resulted in the fatal crash. There are a number of actions that could qualify for this standard.
Common Causes of Fatal Accidents on I-65 in Indiana
Negligence in a wrongful death auto accident simply means that a driver failed in their duty to the safety of other drivers on the road. They do not have to have intentionally set out to cause a fatal accident to be found accountable for causing the death of your loved one. In Indiana, potential causes of fatal highway crashes may include:
- Exceeding posted speed limits or driving too fast for road conditions
- Use of mobile phones, eating, or other distractions while driving
- Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications
- Reckless behaviors such as tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, or road rage incidents
- Tired or drowsy driving, which can impair reaction times and decision-making
- Failing to adjust for adverse weather like heavy rain, snow, ice, or fog that reduces visibility and road traction
- Disregarding stop signs, traffic lights, or other road signs
- Lack of experience or unfamiliarity with roadways and traffic rules
- Objects falling off vehicles and causing accidents
- Ignoring increased risk due to narrowed lanes, reduced speed limits, and changes in traffic patterns
If the other driver was ticketed by responding officers for any of these infractions, that will help us build our case, but it’s not necessary in a civil suit for damages that there also be a traffic violation conviction. Allow us to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident that killed your loved one.
