Hired a lawyer to handle mom's car accident, she passed away, when we contacted the lawyer

You should get a second opinion. If the death of mom was caused partially or wholly by the car accident, then the car accident claim for personal injury would be replaced by a claim for wrongful death. If the passing of your mother had nothing to do with the car accident, then you still could pursue the claim but the estate of your mom would have to be the plaintiff, and the estate would be able to sue for her pain and suffering and medical bills between the time of the accident and the time of her death. Again you should get a second opinion, and protect yourself from the statute of limitation is running if a lawsuit has not already been filed.