It is always a tragedy when a fatal accident takes someone before their time.

When the person who was killed supported a family, the loss becomes even more complex. Not only must the family grieve their loss, but they also must figure out how to survive without the income their loved one once brought in.

One North Carolina family is struggling with this issue after a fatal car accident claimed the life of a 33 year-old father of three.

The man was a passenger in an SUV that struck an oncoming Mack truck. Authorities say the driver of the SUV was attempting to pass another vehicle. The driver either did not notice the oncoming truck or mistakenly thought he had enough room to pass.

The man, who legally immigrated to the United States from Mexico when he was 16, was described as a hard worker who would do whatever it took to support his family. When work dried up during the recession, he took a job out of state and sent his paycheck back to his family in North Carolina. He had also long dreamed of becoming an American citizen - a dream he would have realized in the coming year, had he not been killed.

Families Can Sue for Wrongful Death

The families of people who are killed as a result of another person's negligence can bring a lawsuit for wrongful death. Although nothing can fully fill the hole created by such a tragic loss, wrongful death lawsuits are designed to repair the financial damage caused when someone is killed in a fatal accident.

Generally, families can recover for the future income their loved one would have earned had he not been killed. They can also recover for their emotional suffering and the loss of their loved one's companionship and advice.

Every wrongful death case is different, and the exact damages available depend on the particular circumstances of the deceased person's life.

Families who have lost a loved one to a fatal accident should contact a North Carolina wrongful death attorney who can help them understand how the law applies to their individual situation.

Source: Salisbury Post, "Man Killed in Crash Dreamed of Becoming a Citizen," Sarah Campbell, Dec. 28, 2011.