Practice Areas
Charleston Accidental Death Attorney
Accidental death insurance – or accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance – is a kind of life insurance that pays out death benefits when the insured dies as a result of a covered accident or suffers a very serious injury as a result of a covered accident. If you have questions or concerns about an accidental death claim, seek the focused legal guidance of an experienced Charleston, SC, accidental death attorney.
Accidental Death Coverage
Accidental death and dismemberment coverage addresses the losses the beneficiary of the policy experiences as a result of their loved one’s accidental death. These policies cover deaths caused by accidents as well as dismemberments caused by accidents, which refer to the loss of an entire body part – like a limb – or loss of the use of a body part and its function, such as vision, hearing, or speech. AD&D policies do not cover deaths caused by any of the following:
- Natural causes
- Illness
- Self-inflicted injury
Depending on the policy in question, there are specific requirements that guide how and if your loved one’s fatal accident is covered. If the fatal accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, however, the victim’s survivors can seek more comprehensive compensation through a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party. Common examples include deadly car accidents, such as those caused by drunk driving or speeding drivers, and medical malpractice.
Compensation Sought
The compensation sought in an accidental death and dismemberment claim can include cash benefits that are designed to help survivors address everyday needs, such as those affected by the victim’s lost income. One of the benefits of AD&D insurance is that it generally pays out more quickly than some other forms of coverage might.
The Insurance Company
If you lost a loved one in an accident and they had AD&D coverage, it is a policy that they purchased or paid into to help you in exactly this situation. This does not, however, mean that the insurance company is simply going to hand over a check that fully compensates you for everything you are entitled to. Fortunately, a dedicated accidental death attorney can help in all the following ways:
- Clarifying the coverage you are entitled to
- Establishing the amount you are entitled to
- Negotiating with the insurance company for a settlement that fairly addresses your covered losses
- Being well prepared to address the matter in court if the insurance company is not interested in resolving the matter fairly
Seek the Skilled Legal Counsel of an Experienced Charleston Accidental Death Attorney for the Help You Need
The practiced Charleston, South Carolina, accidental death attorneys at Parham Smith & Archenhold LLC have an impressive track record of helping clients like you recover compensation for their accidental death and dismemberment claims, and we’ll leave no stone unturned in our efforts to also help you. For more information about how we can help, please don’t put off reaching out and contact us online or call 864-301-8767 today.