Getting the news of a loved one’s death in a fatal car accident puts families in immediate turmoil. Though the accident may present grounds for filing a claim for compensation, families may not know how to start the process as they grieve, let alone see it through to the end. A Leander car accident lawyer from The Texas Law Dog can provide much-needed help.
Our team has earned over 600 five-star Google reviews because we pour our collective energy, experience, and skill into every case. We know what it takes to get justice, and a fatal car accident lawyer in Leander will work relentlessly to deliver it.
You Deserve Justice After a Fatal Car Accident Affects Your Family
A loved one’s death is always traumatic for families. When that death is avoidable, and only the result of someone else’s negligence, the sense of injustice and the sudden financial instability can leave you feeling paralyzed and terrified.
You can ease the injustice and restore some financial security by filing a wrongful death action. When the negligence, recklessness, or intentional act of another causes the death of your loved one, you may have grounds to hold that party accountable for paying compensation.
In Texas, the wrongful death statute of limitations is typically two years from the victim’s date of death. Connecting with a Leander personal injury lawyer soon after the accident ensures you file within that deadline. Missing it could take away your chance to get justice. Still, deadline extensions may apply to your claim, so never assume it’s too late to file without speaking to an attorney.
Why Identifying the Cause of the Crash Matters
In its Fatality Facts Yearly Snapshot, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reported 39,254 people died in fatal car crashes over a recent year. Speeding led to 11,288 of these fatalities, and 3,026 resulted from driver distraction. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 11,904 deaths from drunk driving accidents.
Avoidable behaviors caused these deaths. The Texas Law Dog can investigate your loved one’s crash to identify and find evidence of the specific at-fault party, so you can file against them and demand justice for the life they stole and the losses that death visited on you and your family.
Comparative Negligence and Wrongful Death
Texas operates under a modified comparative negligence law for personal injuries, as established in
Chapter 33 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code. Injury victims can file for compensation only if they are 50% or less responsible for the accident leading to their injuries. The same system applies to wrongful death claims.
Your family can only file for damages if your loved one meets this standard of fault. If they were partially to blame, but still under 51%, you can file. Your compensation will be reduced by your loved one’s smaller percentage of blame.
Leander Fatal Car Accident Lawyer Near Me (817) 775-5364
We Will Work to Build a Strong Claim
A fatal car accident attorney in Leander knows the importance of collecting evidence after a car accident. We know the kinds of evidence needed to demonstrate the at-fault party’s negligence and to keep your compensation as high as possible.
When you partner with us quickly, we can gather evidence before it gets lost. We can also acquire video footage before it’s erased and talk to witnesses while their memories remain fresh. Police reports, physical evidence from the vehicles, and toxicology results from DUI tests can all provide valuable insight into the accident.
Our team has connections to expert witnesses for car accidents. Accident reconstruction engineers can conduct a thorough analysis and produce a digital re-creation of the accident. Vehicle experts may have input on the role of vehicle malfunctions. Your medical team can provide a medical perspective on how the crash impact led to your loved one’s death. We will leave no source of evidence untapped.
Who Can File
Per Chapter 71 of the Texas Code, the deceased’s surviving spouse, children, and parents can file a wrongful death claim. One entity can file for the benefit of all, or parties can file jointly. If no eligible parties initiate the action within three months of the death, the decedent’s executor or administrator can do so, unless those eligible ask the executor not to proceed.
A Fatal Car Accident Attorney in Leander Can Fight to Maximize Your Compensation
The damages available after a fatal car accident can include economic and non-economic losses. In some situations, punitive damages may apply.
Economic Damages
The purpose of economic damages is to recover your financial losses. The deceased’s income may have supported the family. A Leander fatal car accident attorney can calculate your loved one’s lost potential earnings. Other contributions to the household also have value, and an attorney can fight to value those contributions accurately.
Economic damages can cover funeral and other end-of-life costs. If the car accident did not cause your loved one’s immediate death, medical costs warrant compensation. An experienced attorney will assess your situation and the extent of your losses with care, demanding an amount to cover them.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages acknowledge the emotional losses incurred by your loved one’s death. The loss of affection and companionship has value. Your family’s mental anguish matters. As the other side works to minimize your family’s pain, our team will present evidence to challenge their efforts.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages don’t compensate you for your losses. Instead, they punish the at-fault party by imposing a monetary penalty to pay on top of your economic and non-economic damages.
Punitive damages only apply when there is evidence showing the at-fault party’s behavior was intentional or showed extreme negligence. For example, if a repeat DUI offender or a person driving at excessive speeds caused the fatal crash, you may be eligible for punitive damages.
We’re Here to Lead Your Recovery Effort
There is so much to recover from after losing a loved one in a car crash. You sustain deep emotional wounds and serious financial injury.
The Texas Law Dog is here to lead your legal recovery effort. Connect with a Leander fatal car accident lawyer for a free case consultation. We’re here to help you through the healing process.
