Fatal Car Accident Attorney In Chalmette

Local Support For Families After A Tragic Loss

Losing a loved one in a car crash is sudden and life-changing. You may be trying to plan a funeral, answer questions from insurance companies, and comfort other family members, all while wondering what your options are. In this difficult moment, you should not have to sort through Louisiana wrongful death law alone.

At Tonry & Giraud, we help families in the Chalmette area after fatal car accidents. Our legal team has spent more than three decades handling serious injury and wrongful death cases, including claims involving deadly crashes. We focus on protecting your rights, pursuing financial recovery, and giving you clear guidance so you can make informed decisions.

Get local, compassionate guidance now. Schedule a free consultation with Tonry & Giraud. Clear answers on Louisiana wrongful death.

Why Families Turn To Our Firm

When a family member dies because of a car crash, you need more than general legal information. You need a team that understands wrongful death law, knows local courts, and is prepared to handle difficult conversations with insurers. That is what we work to provide at Tonry & Giraud.

Our attorneys have more than thirty years of dedicated practice in personal injury and wrongful death representation. During that time, we have guided families through thousands of claims and helped secure millions in compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other losses. This history is important because fatal cases often involve complex questions about liability, long-term financial impact, and the value of a life that was cut short.

We are based in Chalmette and are deeply connected to the community. Our work often involves matters that pass through the 34th Judicial District Court in St. Bernard Parish, and we are familiar with how serious crash cases typically move through this system. That local knowledge gives us practical insight into procedures, expectations, and how insurers usually approach claims from this area.

Attorney Cullen Tonry has received recognition from organizations such as the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys and Martindale-Hubbell®. These acknowledgments reflect the respect our legal team has earned within the profession. For our clients, they are one more sign that their case is being taken seriously and handled by attorneys who are committed to high standards.

We are known for conducting thorough investigations and building strategic cases. In a fatal car accident matter, this can include reviewing available reports, working through timelines, and carefully documenting the financial and personal impact on the family. Throughout the process, we maintain proactive communication so you are not left wondering what is happening or why.

After A Fatal Car Crash In Chalmette

In the days and weeks after a deadly collision, many families feel overwhelmed and unsure what to do first. There is no single right way to grieve or to move forward. However, some practical steps can help protect your family’s rights and make later legal decisions easier.

Your first priority is always safety and urgent medical needs for any survivors. Law enforcement typically responds to serious crashes in St. Bernard Parish, and an official report is usually created. Over time, obtaining a copy of that report can be important, although you do not need to manage this alone if you decide to work with our firm.

Insurance companies may contact you quickly after a fatal crash. You might be asked for recorded statements or offered early settlements. It can be tempting to accept money right away, especially with funeral expenses and immediate bills. However, initial offers often do not account for long-term financial losses or the full value of what your family has lost.

If possible, avoid signing documents or giving detailed statements to insurers before you understand your legal options. There may be information about the crash, such as witness accounts or additional insurance coverage, that is not yet clear. A brief consultation with a fatal car accident lawyer Chalmette can help you understand your rights and the potential impact of any decisions you are being asked to make.

Evidence can become harder to obtain as time passes. Photos from the scene, information about vehicles, or contact details for witnesses may be important later. When families hire our firm, we work to identify and preserve available information, which can support a wrongful death claim or related legal actions.

Wrongful Death Claims After Car Accidents

Many families are not familiar with wrongful death law until they need it. In Louisiana, certain close relatives typically have the right to bring a wrongful death claim when a loved one dies because of someone else’s fault. These rules are laid out in state law, and they control who can file and in what order.

In general terms, a spouse and children are usually first in line to bring a wrongful death claim. If there is no spouse or child, parents or other relatives may have rights. Each situation is different, and the specific family structure can affect who is allowed to file. During a consultation, we can review your circumstances and explain how the law applies to your family.

Louisiana law also allows related claims that may cover the suffering and medical care of your loved one before death. These claims are often called survival actions. While wrongful death focuses on the harm to surviving family members, survival claims address the losses experienced by the person who died between the injury and their passing.

Wrongful death cases arising from fatal car crashes commonly seek several categories of damages. These may include funeral and burial expenses, the income your loved one would likely have earned, and the loss of household services they provided. Families may also pursue compensation for the loss of companionship, guidance, and emotional support that the person offered.

There are legal time limits on filing these claims in Louisiana. If a case is not filed in time, the court can bar recovery, even when the underlying facts are strong. The exact deadline depends on the type of claim and other factors. This is one reason we encourage families to speak with our attorneys as soon as they feel able, so we can help protect their rights within the required timeframe.

Our legal team has devoted decades to personal injury and wrongful death work under Louisiana law. We use that experience to explain your options in plain language, outline what a claim might involve, and discuss realistic expectations given the facts of your case.

How Our Attorneys Build Your Case

When you choose Tonry & Giraud, our goal is to shoulder as much of the legal burden as we can, so you can focus on your family. Fatal car accident cases require careful attention to detail. We approach each matter with the seriousness it deserves.

A typical case begins with a full review of the information that is already available. This can include crash reports from St. Bernard Parish authorities, photographs, and other documents. We also talk with you about your loved one, the circumstances of the crash as you understand them, and how the loss has affected your life. These early steps help us understand the story behind the case.

Liability is a key issue in any wrongful death claim. Our attorneys look at who may have played a role in the crash. This might include another driver who was speeding or distracted, an employer responsible for someone driving in the course of work, or other parties linked to vehicle safety. Identifying all potentially responsible parties helps support a fuller recovery when the law allows.

We then work to document the financial and personal impact on your family. This process can involve reviewing employment information, gathering records related to benefits, and understanding the services your loved one provided in your home. We use this information to calculate damages in a way that reflects both current needs and future losses as accurately as possible.

Once we have a strong understanding of the case, we prepare to present your claim to insurers and, if needed, to a court. Our firm has a long history of negotiating with well funded insurance companies and other defendants. We are known for being thorough and persistent, and we work to secure fair settlements whenever possible while keeping litigation options in view when that is appropriate.

Throughout the process, communication remains a priority. We keep you updated as your case moves forward, explain important developments, and answer questions as they arise. Our experience handling thousands of cases and recovering millions for clients guides how we plan each step, but your family’s needs and concerns shape how we carry that plan out.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to hire your firm?

We typically handle wrongful death and fatal accident cases on a contingency fee basis. That means our fee is usually a percentage of any recovery, and you do not pay that fee if there is no recovery. We explain the exact terms clearly before you decide to hire us.

Who can file a wrongful death claim in Louisiana?

Louisiana law sets out which relatives can file, and in what order. Spouses and children are usually first, followed by parents and other family members if there is no spouse or child. During a consultation, we review your family situation and explain how these rules apply to you.

How long do fatal car accident cases usually take?

The length of a case depends on factors such as liability disputes, insurance coverage issues, and whether a lawsuit is filed. Some claims resolve in months, while others take longer. We discuss likely timelines once we understand your specific facts and keep you updated as the case progresses.

Will I have to deal with the insurance company myself?

Once you hire our firm, we typically handle communications with insurance companies related to the wrongful death claim. You may still receive some routine notices, but we respond to adjusters, manage negotiations, and advise you before any important decisions about offers or documents.

What will happen during my first meeting with your attorneys?

During the first meeting, we listen to what happened, ask questions to understand your family’s situation, and review any information you already have. We then explain how Louisiana wrongful death claims work and outline possible next steps. There is no obligation, and our goal is to give you clarity.

Your family’s next step after a fatal crash in Chalmette

Time matters after a wrongful death. Evidence fades, insurers press for statements, and Louisiana deadlines can limit your options. Tonry & Giraud can help you move quickly to secure proof, value your losses, and provide clear answers so you can focus on healing. 

Call (504) 470-0738 or start your free case check now to uncover what your claim could be worth.