Everyone knows that life is unpredictable, but that doesn’t make it any easier to cope with an unanticipated loss. Losing a loved one in a preventable accident is one of the most traumatic experiences that anyone can have.
Sadly, fatal accidents are far more common than most people realize. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 42.6 unintentional injury deaths per 100,000 people in 2014.
The most common causes of unintentional injury deaths include falls, poisoning, and motor vehicle collisions, all three of which are entirely preventable. If you lost a loved one in an avoidable accident that was the direct result of someone else’s negligence or recklessness, turn to Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, PLC.
A compassionate accident lawyer on our team will assess the circumstances surrounding your relative’s death to determine if you have grounds for a claim. Call 319-393-1020 to schedule a free case evaluation with a Cedar Rapids personal injury attorney.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Wrongful Death Claim in Iowa?
When you are grieving the loss of a loved one, you should not have to worry about a pending lawsuit. If you relied on the deceased for financial support, though, it may be in your family’s best interest to file a wrongful death claim as soon as possible.
Everyone grieves at their own pace, but the truth is you can never truly overcome the emotional burden of losing a loved one; you can merely learn to cope with the pain in such a way that you are able to continue with your everyday life.
In that sense, there will never be a good time to file a wrongful death claim. If you are waiting until you feel better before facing the death head-on, you will likely be waiting a while.
There is, however, a bad time to file a lawsuit, and that is after the statue of limitations has passed. If you wait too long to file a claim, you may never get the chance to hold the liable party financially accountable for your loved one’s death.
In the state of Iowa, family members typically have two years to file a claim against the party they believe is responsible for the accident or circumstances that ultimately resulted in their relative’s death. This deadline applies regardless if:
- There are criminal charges pending against the potential defendants for the incident in question;
- You were unaware of the deadline at the time of your loved one’s passing; or
- You have been trying to reach a settlement with an insurance company.
If you recently lost a family member and you think someone was either directly or indirectly responsible for his or her death, contact Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, PLC. If you are entitled to compensation to pay for medical bills and lost income, we will help you get it.
Call 319-393-1020 to schedule a free consultation with an accident lawyer in Cedar Rapids. If you want to learn more about wrongful death claims in Iowa, visit USAttorneys.com.
