Common Types of Wrongful Death Claims

Accidents can happen anywhere and often, there is no avoiding them. However, most accidents happen because of the actions or inactions of a negligent person or group of people. Tragically, these accidents can also have serious consequences. In the most severe cases, accidents can lead to a deadly injury. When this happens, it can be difficult for the loved ones of a decedent to accept that their family member or friend has died in an accident that could have been prevented. However, responsible parties can often be held liable for the suffering that families go through after fatal accidents. These cases are referred to as “wrongful death claims.” The following article details some of the most common types of wrongful death claims.

Auto Accident Claims

According to the Department of Transportation, California sees an average of about 3,500 fatal car accidents every year. These accidents are almost always caused by some form of negligence. The most common types of negligence that cause fatal car accidents are familiar to most people. These include driving over the speed limit, using a cell phone behind the wheel, or operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In these cases, the driver who violated a traffic law is considered negligent. In cases of DUI, parties that supplied the driver with access to alcohol or a vehicle may have been negligent as well.

In some accidents, the collision isn’t the fault of any involved drivers. This can happen when a defect in the road or one of the involved vehicles causes the crash. In cases where a road defect such as a large pothole or missing signage causes an accident, the government entity responsible for the roadway can often be held responsible. In cases where a faulty product like a weak tire or roof causes the injury, those responsible for making and/or selling the product are often considered to be at fault.

Product Liability Claims

Just like with vehicle parts, many different products can be dangerous if they don’t work the way they are supposed to. When a faulty or defective product causes a fatal injury, it is most often grounds for a wrongful death case. Products that often cause serious or fatal accidents when they are defective include medicines, medical devices, ladders, insecticides, water heaters, swimming pool filters, and more.

Medical Malpractice

Many people are shocked to learn that medical malpractice is more common than they think. When physicians or hospital staff fail to properly treat people, their negligence can lead to new injuries or injury complications. These issues sometimes have fatal consequences. Some of the common types of medical malpractice include delay or failure in disease diagnosis, surgical or anesthetic mistakes, failure to gain consent before surgery, and misuse of prescription drugs. Physicians and hospitals who make mistakes that cost others their lives can often be held financially liable for their negligence.

Getting Advice about Your Wrongful Death Case

The above are only three of the most common types of fatal accident cases. Other types of wrongful death cases include premises liability cases, workplace accidents, dog bites, and more. If you’ve lost someone you love in an accident, the best thing to do is to contact an experienced Redding wrongful death lawyer. An attorney who has handled cases like yours will be able to give you the information you need to recover payments for hospital bills, lost income, emotional suffering, and other losses. For more information about who can recover wrongful death damages, see the below video:

More Articles from Ed Smith, Redding Wrongful Death Lawyer

Redding Wrongful Death Lawyer

I’m Ed Smith, a Redding wrongful death lawyer. Fatal accidents can have a major impact on families. If someone you love has died due to an accident, call my toll-free number, (800) 404-5400, or my local phone line, (530) 592-9400, for free, friendly legal advice.

My firm has represented Redding residents in wrongful death cases for 37 years. You can see how my clients have recovered their losses on my settlements and verdicts page. I also encourage you to read some of my reviews written on the below websites:

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Common Types of Wrongful Death Claims