Fatal Accident Claims

What is a Fatal Accident Claim?

A fatal accident is an accident that results in a person’s death. If someone dies in an accident caused by another person’s carelessness, the victim’s family can make a claim.

We call this a fatal accident claim. This will help a family get compensation for losing a loved one. It will also hold those responsible accountable for their carelessness.

A fatal accident claim will aim to:

• Identify who is responsible for the accident.
• Claim for financial losses from the fatal accident. This includes lost earnings, funeral costs, and support for those who depended on the deceased.
• Compensate the family for the trauma suffered because of the fatal accident.

If you believe you have a claim, we want to hear from you. You can fill out an assessment form or call us at 0114 2496 611. Book your free appointment today.

What Are the Types of Fatal Accident Claims?

Fatal accident claims can happen from various situations. Such as:

• Fatal car accident claims.
• Traffic accident deaths.
• Accidental death at work claims.
• Fatal accidents in a public place.
• Fatal injuries caused by medical negligence.

We can also help families with inquest hearings when someone else’s negligence caused a death.

No Win No Fee Injury Claim

We believe that everyone deserves access to justice, regardless of their financial circumstances. Our no win no fee agreement, also known as a conditional fee agreement (CFA), helps you take legal action. You don’t have to worry about upfront costs.*

In most cases, if accepted on a no win, no fee basis, you won’t pay a penny upfront for our legal services*. The basis of a CFA is that you will not be required to pay our legal fees if the compensation claim is unsuccessful. Meaning, you will not pay any fees to us unless we win your case for you*.

You can find more information on our no win no fee personal injury claim page. It includes a full list of terms and conditions.

*There are circumstances where you would be asked to pay any outstanding costs even if you don’t win your case.

You may need to pay for services from Howells Solicitors in certain situations. These include being dishonest, not giving your solicitor instructions, or rejecting an offer against their advice. Other examples are the death of the claimant, cancelling your claim, and moving without telling your solicitor.

In these cases, you might also have to cover the defendant’s costs. Client’s may be asked to pay disbursements up front or must stand to the cost of a medical report if a second opinion is obtained. In some instances, you may need to pay for medical reports or other third-party payments upfront. We would discuss this with you before making any decision.

Free Fatal Accident Initial Appointment – Step by Step

Step 1 – Book Your Free Consultation
Contact our personal injury claims team by completing our online form or by calling 0114 2496 611. We’ll arrange a free appointment at a time that suits you, including during lunch breaks or after work.

Step 2 – Share Your Story
During your initial telephone appointment, our friendly solicitors will listen to your concerns with care and compassion. We’ll ask for some basic details about what happened and how you’ve been affected.

Step 3 – Get an Initial Assessment
We’ll let you know quickly whether we can help with your injury claim. Our team handles all types of cases, whether large or small.

Step 4 – Understand the Process
Your solicitor will explain the injury claims process in simple terms, guiding you step by step at your own pace.

Step 5 – Case Investigation
If we believe your claim requires further investigation, we’ll open a case and discuss your next steps, including funding options and legal costs.

Step 6 – Ongoing Support
From your first appointment onwards, our personal injury solicitors will provide expert advice, compassionate support, and clear guidance to help you secure the compensation and rehabilitation you deserve.

How to Make an Fatal Accident Injury Claim – Step by Step

Step 1 – Free Consultation
Contact Howells Solicitors on 0114 2496 611 or complete our online form. During your free consultation, we’ll ask for some basic details about what happened and how you were affected.

Step 2 – Initial Assessment
Our specialist personal injury solicitors will review your case and let you know if further investigation is needed. We’ll explain your funding options, including No Win, No Fee agreements*.

Step 3 – Case Investigation
If your claim proceeds, we’ll collect and review any statements, evidence and medical records. We may also consult independent, 3^rd party professionals to help your case.

Step 4 – Letter of Claim
Once evidence is gathered, we will formally start legal proceedings by sending a Letter of Claim to the Defendant.

Step 5 – Interim Payments
Where possible, we will secure interim compensation payments to help cover immediate care, rehabilitation, or financial needs while your case continues.

Step 6 – Settlement or Court
We aim to resolve claims through negotiation or mediation, helping you achieve a faster and less stressful outcome. If necessary, we’ll represent you in court to secure the compensation you deserve.

Flexible Appointments

We understand that dealing with personal injury matters can be stressful, and finding time to attend in-person appointments isn’t always easy. That’s why we offer our full range of personal injury services remotely, offering a more efficient and convenient service. We can offer our personal injury legal support via telephone or secure remote online meetings.

This approach allows you to access expert legal advice from the comfort of your home, without the need to travel or rearrange your schedule. If your case requires a court hearing, many procedural matters are now handled remotely too, ensuring your legal journey is as smooth and accessible as possible.

Our remote services are designed to be just as personal and confidential as in-person consultations, with clear communication and full transparency every step of the way. Remote appointments are offered throughout the case, and most correspondence can be handled by email and Howells secure Client Portal.

Whether you’re dealing with sensitive personal injury matters or simply seeking guidance, we ensure a smooth, stress-free experience that puts your needs first. Whilst we appreciate that remote services offer convenience, they may not be suitable for everyone. If you do wish to meet us face to face, you can book an appointment at one of our offices in Sheffield, Barnsley or Rotherham.

Our Fatal Accident Solicitors

Our personal injury solicitors cover the entirety of England and Wales, and have physical offices in:

– Sheffield, Barnsley and Rotherham

– We also cover other areas of the UK, such as London, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds and Nottingham.

You can arrange appointments face to face, or we offer telephone or video call options available. If you can’t make it to our office, we could arrange for a member of the team to visit you at home. We can also arrange flexible appointments to fit around lunch breaks or work commitments.

Fill out an assessment form or call us on 0114 2496 611 to book your free appointment today.

What is Considered in a Fatal Accident Compensation Claim?

The laws about fatal injury claims are complicated. The amount of compensation for a fatal accident depends on many factors. Working with a solicitor who specialises in fatal accidents will help you get the most compensation possible.

Factors that affect a compensation claim are:

• The type of fatal accident.
• The financial impact the accident has had on your family. This can include expenses.
• The pain and suffering caused.
• The emotional distress caused.

If you believe you have a claim, we want to hear from you. You can fill out an assessment form or call us at 0114 2496 611. Book your free appointment today.

Who Can Make a Fatal Accident Claim?

You will make a fatal accident claim under one of the following two claim types:

Dependant’s claim

The Fatal Accidents Act 1976 allows family members to receive money. This is for cases where someone dies in an accident caused by another person. If the deceased financially supported you, you may be able to make a dependents claim.

Victim’s claim

A family member can also make a compensation claim on behalf of the deceased. A victim can make a claim for any losses they suffered between the accident and their death. This helps you to reclaim costs.

A statutory bereavement award may be available to some families. This award is compensation for losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence.

The statutory bereavement award is available to:

• Spouses or civil partners.
• Cohabiting partners.
• Parents of a child who died under the age of 18.
• Mothers of a child who died under the age of 18.

How Long Do You Have to Make a Fatal Accident Claim?

Claimants must make fatal accident compensation claims within three years. If the person who died was already making a personal injury claim, the three-year limit restarts from the date of death.

Inquests for Fatal Accidents

If someone in a family dies in strange or unclear ways, someone may report their death to a Coroner. The Coroner can then decide to hold an inquest.

At the conclusion of the Inquest, the Coroner will provide a verdict on the cause of death. This conclusion can be important for any later fatal accident claim for compensation. Especially if there are criticisms aimed at the individual or organisation believed to be responsible for the death.

Our inquest solicitors can help you with representation and preparation for an inquest hearing caused by a fatal accident. This can include:

• Deaths due to road traffic accidents.
• Fatal accidents in the workplace accidents.
• Fatal injuries due to medical negligence.
• Deaths in custody.