Losing someone in a car crash is a different kind of devastating. There’s no time to process the grief before you’re also expected to make decisions about funeral arrangements, medical bills, and a police report full of details you don’t understand. A fatal car accident lawyer in Frisco can take some of that weight off your shoulders while you focus on your family.
Founded by Matt Aulsbrook in 2018, The Texas Law Dog works on a contingency basis. That means your family pays nothing upfront to bring in a Frisco car accident lawyer, and there’s no fee at all unless the firm recovers compensation on your behalf.
What a Wrongful Death Claim Can Cover
Texas law does not put a dollar figure on the loss of a family member, but it does allow surviving loved ones to seek compensation for the ways that loss affects their lives going forward. Under Texas’s Wrongful Death Act, a claim may include:
- Loss of the financial support your loved one would have provided
- Loss of companionship, guidance, and care
- Mental anguish suffered by surviving family members
- Loss of inheritance the family would reasonably have expected
- Funeral and burial expenses
Separately, the estate may also bring a survival claim for what your loved one personally endured between the crash and their death, including pain, suffering, and medical costs. These two claims work together, and missing one means leaving money on the table that your family is legally entitled to.
Who Can File a Claim Under Texas Law
Not everyone who loved the person can bring a wrongful death claim. Texas limits the right to file to a specific group of people:
- The surviving spouse
- Surviving children
- Surviving parents
If none of these family members file suit within three months of the death, the estate’s representative can file on their behalf, unless all of the eligible family members request that they not.
Siblings, grandparents, and extended family generally cannot file a wrongful death claim on their own, even though their grief is just as real. This is a common source of confusion for families, and it’s one of the first things worth confirming with a Frisco personal injury lawyer.
Frisco Fatal Car Accident Lawyer Near Me (817) 775-5364
How We Build a Fatal Car Accident Case
Proving fault in a fatal crash requires more than a police report. The Texas Law Dog builds each case methodically, starting with an independent investigation rather than relying solely on the initial findings of law enforcement.
That means identifying every party who may share responsibility, whether it’s a distracted driver, a trucking company that pushed a driver past legal hours, or a municipality that failed to maintain a dangerous stretch of road.
Evidence We Will Look for
- Crash scene photos, video, and measurements
- The vehicles’ event data recorders, which capture speed and braking just before impact
- Cell phone records to check for distracted driving
- Toxicology and blood alcohol reports
- Witness statements taken close to the time of the crash
- Maintenance and inspection records for commercial vehicles, if applicable
Evidence like this can disappear within days. Vehicles get sold for salvage, skid marks fade, and data recorders can be overwritten. Getting a Frisco fatal car accident lawyer involved quickly is often the difference between a case built on solid proof and one built on guesswork.
Dealing With Insurance Companies After a Deadly Crash
Insurance adjusters are trained to reduce what a company pays out, and fatal crash claims are no exception. Common tactics families run into include offering a quick settlement before the full financial impact is known, requesting a recorded statement that can later be used against the claim, or arguing that the deceased shares some of the fault for the crash.
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule, so if an insurer succeeds in shifting blame onto the deceased driver, any recovery gets reduced by that percentage, and the claim is barred entirely if fault crosses 50%.
A fatal car accident attorney in Frisco pushes back on these tactics directly, handling every conversation with the insurance company so your family isn’t pressured into a decision before you’re ready to make one.
Deadlines You Need to Know About
Texas generally gives families two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit, under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. That deadline can shift in specific situations, such as claims involving a government entity, which come with much shorter notice requirements, sometimes as little as 45 days.
Two years may sound generous, but a proper investigation, expert review, and negotiation with insurers all take time. Waiting even a few months to speak with a Frisco fatal car accident lawyer can shrink the window to build the case properly.
Speak With a Fatal Car Accident Lawyer in Frisco
No amount of money replaces the person you lost, but a fair settlement can ease the financial pressure your family shouldn’t have to carry on top of your grief. The Texas Law Dog works on contingency, meaning your family pays nothing upfront, and there’s no fee unless the firm recovers compensation on your behalf.
If your family is dealing with the aftermath of a deadly crash, reach out for a free consultation. A fatal car accident lawyer in Frisco can walk you through your legal options and start protecting your family’s rights right away.
