The Need for a Personal Representative after a Wrongful Death Car Accident in the Tampa, Florida Area

After a loved one is suddenly taken away by a car accident, the trauma on family members can cause them to lose focus on important issues that need to be addressed. One of those issues is appointing a personal representative.

In a wrongful death situation, state law in Florida requires that a personal representative be chosen to advocate the interests of the estate and the survivors. The personal representative may be anyone, but is often a family member such as a spouse, child, or parent of the car accident victim. If the deceased person had a will, this document typically names a person to act as the personal representative.

A personal representative carries several responsibilities. For example, the personal representative is responsible for making sure the assets of the deceased are handled properly. The personal representative does not have free reign to divide these assets in any way he or she chooses; rather, the representative must divide the estate according to the will of the person who has passed away.

In cases of wrongful death, the personal representative will also be responsible for choosing a personal injury attorney. This attorney will investigate the circumstances of the car accident and file a wrongful death claim against the liable party or parties. The claim would seek to compensate the survivors financially for the deceased person's medical bills, lost wages, and other losses suffered because of the car accident.

If the car accident victim passed away without a will, the state of Florida has its own rules regarding the appointment of a personal representative and the division of the victim's assets. This often causes a lot of unwanted strife among family members. This also underscores the importance of having a will. Putting together a will is not an expensive process and is well worth the effort, mainly because it helps loved ones endure the difficult circumstances of bereavement.

Another way to ease this stressful situation is to choose a personal injury law firm with experience in wrongful death cases. Tampa car accident attorney Dale Appell, P.A. understands the sensitivities involved in wrongful death as well as wrongful death statutes and insurance law. Our law firm has the resources and abilities to help families deal with catastrophic loss.

To learn more about how our attorneys will strive to maximize potential recovery on behalf of the estate, please contact attorney Dale Appell, P.A. today for a free assessment of your wrongful death car accident case.