The loss of a loved one in a fatal car accident is devastating. Beyond the emotional pain, families are often left confused and overwhelmed about what steps to take next. In Atlanta, where roadways are often busy and dangerous, fatal car accidents can happen suddenly and without warning. During such a tragic time, knowing your rights and the legal steps to follow can help protect your family’s future.
1. Immediate Actions After the Fatal Crash
When a fatal accident occurs, the first few hours and days are crucial. Here’s what needs to be done:
Call Emergency Services
Immediately call 911 to report the crash. Paramedics, police, and fire rescue will respond to the accident scene. Even if the accident has already resulted in a fatality, authorities must investigate and document the details of the car accidents properly.
Wait for Law Enforcement
Do not leave the scene unless directed by authorities. Police officers will prepare an accident report that includes critical information for any future legal action.
Identify the Victim (if applicable)
If you are a family member and receive a call about the fatal crash, verify the identity of the deceased through official channels.
2. Notifying the Family and Handling Arrangements
Contacting Next of Kin
Law enforcement or hospital personnel will notify the family. This is a difficult moment no matter where you live , whether in Georgia, South Carolina, or North Carolina , and families should be supported with compassion.
Making Funeral Arrangements
You’ll need to work with a funeral home. Some services even offer packages tailored for clients in South Carolina and North Carolina, especially when the decedent lived or worked across state lines.
3. Request the Police Report and Death Certificate
Obtain the Police Report
The official accident report will contain key details, especially important in car accidents where liability is unclear.
Get the Death Certificate
A certified death certificate is necessary for financial claims and legal filings, including those across South Carolina law jurisdictions.
4. Speak to a Wrongful Death Attorney
Wrongful death claims can be pursued in Georgia and in neighboring South Carolina and North Carolina, depending on where the crash occurred and where the deceased resided. Understanding South Carolina law is vital if fatal car accidents cross into state borders.
If the crash involved a commercial vehicle, like one transporting materials for Carolina Metal, your attorney may need to explore additional liability.
5. Understand Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim
In Georgia and South Carolina law, wrongful death lawsuits may be filed by the spouse, children, or parents of the deceased. In some cases, the executor of the estate may be required to act, especially when the fatality occurred out-of-state, such as in North Carolina.
6. Insurance Companies and Settlement Offers
Whether dealing with insurers based in Georgia, North Carolina, or South Carolina, the objective is the same , to minimize payout. Always speak with an attorney before accepting any settlement after a deadly accident scene.
7. Gather and Preserve Evidence
An experienced attorney can help preserve vital evidence from the accident scene, especially if it involves interstate trucking or entities like Carolina Metal. Quick action can make all the difference in states like South Carolina or North Carolina, where commercial liability rules may vary slightly.
8. File an Estate Claim
In some car accidents, a second legal claim must be filed through the estate for pain and suffering before death. These filings must comply with South Carolina law if the decedent lived or was treated there.
9. Seek Emotional and Mental Health Support
Families in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina all have access to local grief support groups, therapy networks, and crisis counseling programs designed to help survivors recover emotionally.
10. How Long Does a Wrongful Death Case Take?
The timeline may vary across state lines. A case in South Carolina may proceed differently than one in North Carolina. Some involve federal trucking regulations if Carolina Metal or another logistics firm is involved in the crash.
11. Common Causes of Fatal Car Wrecks in Atlanta
Beyond busy city roads, highways shared with North Carolina and South Carolina residents see high traffic and serious car accidents. Common causes include:
- Speeding
- Distracted or drowsy driving
- Alcohol use
- Mechanical failure or poor maintenance , especially in heavy vehicles like those operated by Carolina Metal
12. Financial Compensation You May Be Entitled To
In South Carolina and North Carolina, families may also recover damages for emotional distress and future lost income depending on their state’s statutes.
13. Preventing Future Fatal Wrecks
Wrongful death claims in South Carolina and North Carolina also help spark improvements in public safety , better signage, more enforcement, and more awareness of companies like Carolina Metal that put fleets on the road.
14. Why Legal Help Matters
Whether you live in Georgia, South Carolina, or North Carolina, wrongful death cases are complex. They involve multiple jurisdictions, and sometimes, out-of-state companies like Carolina Metal. Knowing your rights under South Carolina law or North Carolina law is critical.
About Ted Law Firm
At Ted Law Firm, we serve grieving families in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina who have lost loved ones in car accidents. We handle cases with care and commitment. If your family is suffering from a fatal accident scene, and you are unsure where to begin, we are here to help. .Our experienced attorneys fight for your rights securing damages for medical bills, emotional distress, and more. Serving Aiken, Anderson, Myrtle Beach, North Augusta, Orangeburg, Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and Summerville . Contact Ted Law Firm today for a free consultation. We’re here to help you get the justice you deserve.
Attorney Ted Sink, founder of The Ted Law Firm, is a Yale, Stanford Business School, and Charleston School of Law graduate and former marketing executive who built a 7-figure law practice, earning millions for his clients. With experience in both law and advertising, Ted has been recognized in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and the ABA Journal. He speaks at industry conferences on marketing and law firm management, sharing insights from his unique background to help other firms grow. When not working, Ted enjoys traveling, diving, and dog-sitting golden retrievers.
