Lansing, MI Personal Injury Law Firms & Lawyers

These are difficult situations. You should be able to have the insurance company for the drunk who hit your car to repair it and then pay you additional money for the lessened value of your car because of the damage. That additional amount should get you close to the price of the trade-in difference of your damaged car and a new car. It's easier when the car is totaled.

You could sue the estate of the murderer for the death of your son. A case involving a death may have 2 separate claims. First, there is a claim on behalf of the estate. This would include any claim your son would have relating to the incident causing his death such as medical expenses or conscious pain and suffering. This claim would be brought by the Personal Representative of your son's estate. Second, there is a claim for your son's wrongful death, which is a claim that is outside of the estate and is for the benefit of "the widow or widower and next of kin." Next of kin may include children, parents and other relatives. The damages for the wrongful death claim is the "pecuniary loss" suffered by the widow and next of kin or, in the case of minor children, for the parent's loss of society, comfort, and companionship as a result of the death. Generally, the statute of limitations for a wrongful death case is 2 years from the date of the person's death. However, there are some things that could shorten the statute of limitations period. You should consider speaking with an attorney to discuss the case and get more information as to the statute of limitations. DISCLAIMER: This response should be considered general in nature, for information purposes only and should be used only as a starting point for addressing legal questions and issues. It is based on the limited information provided and, in some instances, makes certain assumptions. It is intended only for cases involving Nebraska and Nebraska law and is not applicable to any other state or jurisdiction. The author does not warrant the accuracy or validity of the information contained within this response, and hereby disclaims any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions. In addition, this response is not a substitute for professional legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship, nor should it be considered a solicitation for additional legal advice or legal representation. If you ignore this warning and convey confidential information in a private message or comment, there is no duty to keep that information confidential or forego representation adverse to your interests. You should seek the advice of a licensed attorney in the appropriate jurisdiction to fully discuss your case. You should be aware that there are Statute of Limitations (the deadline imposed by law within which you may bring a lawsuit) as well as other requirements and/or limitations that limit the time you have to file any potential claims you may have. This response may be considered advertising in some jurisdictions under any and all applicable laws and ethical rules. The listing of any area of practice that the author practices in does not indicate any certification or expertise therein, nor does it represent that the quality of legal services to be performed would be greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers. It is merely an indication by the author of areas of law in which he practices. The determination of the need for legal services and the choice of a lawyer are extremely important decisions and should not be based solely upon advertisements or self-proclaimed expertise. Readers are urged to make their own independent investigation and evaluation of any lawyer being considered.