According to Journal-Eureka, an Anamosa police officer died after sustaining injuries in a tragic head-on collision earlier this month. The 40-year-old man was riding as the passenger in an SUV that his wife, also 40, was driving.
The SUV was traveling south on Iowa Highway 62 when a van that was heading north crossed over the centerline and struck it. Responders transported the driver of the van, a 60-year-old woman, and the driver of the SUV to the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics in Iowa City by helicopter.
They brought the man to UnityPoint Health St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, where the Iowa State Medical Examiner pronounced him dead. Police are still investigating the cause of the crash, and they have not released any additional details.
If your family lost a loved one because of someone else’s reckless or negligent actions, an accident attorney can help you file a wrongful death claim to hold the liable party accountable. Contact Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, PLC to discuss your case and determine the best way to proceed.
A Cedar Rapids personal injury lawyer on our team will provide invaluable legal guidance during every step of the claims process. Call 319-393-1020 to schedule a free case evaluation.
How Long Do Families Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Iowa?
Each state has its own deadlines for filing various kinds of injury and accident claims. These deadlines are called statutes of limitations, and they are ultimately in place to protect defendants and facilitate the resolution of a claim within a reasonable period of time.
In the state of Iowa, for example, family members usually have two years from the date of their loved one’s death to file a claim against the allegedly liable party. Although there are exceptions to this statute, most individuals who wish to file a claim must do so before the deadline has passed.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Iowa?
Suing the party that is liable for the accident will not alleviate your family’s grief, but it may prevent the loss from hurting your financial security. In general, individuals who may file a wrongful death claim are those who relied on the deceased for financial support or sustained damages as a direct result of the death. This includes:
- A spouse;
- Any dependent or adult children; and
- Biological or adoptive parents.
The administrator of the estate may also file a claim, but any settlement that results will go toward the estate, not the personal representative.
What Kinds of Damages Can You Recover by Filing a Wrongful Death Claim?
The kinds of damages that a family can recover by filing a lawsuit after losing a loved one are similar to those that the deceased would have been able to recover in a personal injury claim had he or she survived. This includes:
- Lost wages;
- Lost benefits;
- Medical expenses;
- Pain and suffering; and
- Funeral expenses.
If your spouse, child, or parent died in a preventable accident and you want to file a wrongful death claim against the liable party, contact Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, PLC. Call 319-393-1020 to schedule a free consultation with an accident attorney in Cedar Rapids. You can learn more about wrongful death claims Iowa by visiting USAttorneys.com.
