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The three most common causes of wrongful death include motor vehicle accidents, work accidents, and pedestrian accidents. It is devastating emotionally to lose a family member in any of these fatal accidents or others.
After such an incident, care for yourself and your loved ones. In addition, review your legal options with a wrongful death attorney. Your Rutherfordton wrongful death lawyer empathizes with you and your family in the aftermath of the loss of your loved one.
They will advise you to focus on you and your loved ones and to do what you feel is appropriate to mourn your loss. Meanwhile, if warranted, your attorney can pursue compensatory damages from anyone liable for your loved one’s death.
The Most Common Cause of Wrongful Death: Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents involving cars, trucks, and motorcycles rank first among the most common causes of wrongful death. These accidents can occur due to distracted driving, speeding, and other forms of negligence. Drivers, truckers, vehicle manufacturers, and other parties can be held responsible for such accidents.
Losing a family member in a fatal motor vehicle collision will impact you and your family long into the future. Thankfully, you don’t have to deal with the ramifications of your loss alone.
Wrongful death attorneys offer legal guidance and support to the families of victims of fatal auto, truck, and motorcycle accidents. They can explain your legal options in depth.
Talk with a wrongful death attorney if you’re considering filing a claim or lawsuit against anyone liable for your family member’s fatal motor vehicle accident. Your lawyer will give your wrongful death case their undivided attention.
They will help you avoid mistakes after a wrongful death and seek compensation that will serve you and your family well moving forward.
The Second Most Common Cause of Wrongful Death: Work Accidents
Workplace accidents represent a leading cause of wrongful deaths. Sadly, workers sometimes suffer fatal injuries due to falls, exposure to harmful substances, contact with dangerous objects and equipment, among many other reasons. These injuries may be preventable, particularly if an employer commits the time and resources required to protect their workers from harm.
If a family member dies because of a work-related injury or illness, you may have grounds for filing a workers’ compensation claim for death benefits. For example, in North Carolina, you can submit a wrongful death workers’ comp claim if you’re a spouse, surviving child, or another dependent survivor of a deceased person (decedent).
Start the process of filing a workers’ comp claim for death benefits in North Carolina by notifying your late family member’s employer about their fatal injury within 30 days of their death.
Next, submit Form 18 to the North Carolina Industrial Commission within two years of the day of your loved one’s death. Also, provide a death certificate and other proof with your claim submission.
Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me (828) 286-3866
The Third Most Common Cause of Wrongful Death: Pedestrian Accidents
Accidents involving pedestrians are among the most common causes of wrongful deaths. If a motorist takes their eyes off the road, drives while intoxicated, or commits other careless or reckless acts, they can cause a fatal crash. After this incident, the motorist can be held responsible for losses relating to the pedestrian’s death.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are two common pedestrian accident injuries that can be fatal. Ultimately, you have no control over whether a family member suffers these or other deadly injuries in a pedestrian accident. However, depending on the specifics of your situation, you could get money from the party responsible for your tragic loss.
Meet with an attorney with relevant pedestrian accident case experience when in doubt about whether to file a wrongful death claim or lawsuit.
Share your legal questions with your pedestrian accident lawyer. From here, your lawyer will let you know if you’re eligible to file a claim or lawsuit. If you decide to take legal action, your lawyer will help you secure damages.
The Bottom Line on the 3 Most Common Causes of Wrongful Death
No one wants to think about a wrongful death and how it will affect them and their loved ones for years. Yet, if you do nothing after losing a family member due to any of the most common causes of a wrongful death, you take responsibility for all associated losses. On the other hand, if you hire a wrongful death lawyer, you could receive money from any liable parties.
Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, has served over 10,000 clients, including many in wrongful death cases. Our goal is to provide excellent legal representation in every case, with every client, and at every stage.
If you’re coping with the loss of a loved one due to someone else’s actions, we’re here to assist you with your legal matters. Contact us today for immediate help.
