Qualified Sacramento Wrongful Death Attorney
There is nothing more painful in life than losing a loved one. If you have lost someone in a fatal auto accident in Sacramento, we deeply sympathize with you and understand your hardship. If your loved one’s death was caused by the negligence or carelessness of someone else, there may be a solution.
You may be able to recover compensation in a wrongful death claim. This type of claim is available to a surviving spouse or family member who can file a claim on behalf of the deceased person and seek justice for their loss. A wrongful death claim can help you recover damages for medical expenses, funeral costs, loss of income, loss of companionship, and more. Learn how a personal injury attorney in Sacramento can help you by calling (916) 926-0036 or visiting our website.
What Is Wrongful Death?
Wrongful death occurs when the intentional, negligent, or reckless actions of another person causes a death. A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit that seeks to hold the responsible party accountable for their negligence that caused the death of your loved one. It is separate from a criminal case and does not result in jail time or punishment for the defendant. The goal of a wrongful death case is to compensate the surviving family members for the losses they have suffered as a result of the death of their loved one.
Some of the most common causes of wrongful death in California are:
- Car Accidents
- Medical Malpractice
- Workplace Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Slip and fall Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Defective Products
Filing a wrongful death lawsuit is not an easy task. You need to prove that the other party was at fault for the accident and that their actions directly caused your loved one's death. You also need to comply with the statute of limitations, which is two years from the date of death in California. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to sue.
Why You Need a Wrongful Death Lawyer
Hiring a wrongful death attorney in Sacramento can be a difficult and emotional decision, but it can also help you get justice and seek compensation for your loss. A wrongful death lawyer can help you prove the liability of the defendant, calculate the damages you are entitled to, and negotiate a fair settlement or take your case to trial if necessary.
With a lawyer on your side, you may be able to recover damages for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost income, loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and more. These damages can help you ease the financial burden and provide some closure for your loss.
At Alpha Accident Lawyers, we have the experience, skills, and resources to handle any type of wrongful death case. We have helped many families like yours get the answers they deserve after losing a loved one due to someone else's negligence or wrongdoing. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don't pay us anything unless we win your case. Schedule a free consultation and let us fight for your rights.
START YOUR FREE CONSULTATIONExpertise in Wrongful Death Law
If you are considering filing a wrongful death claim, you must act quickly, as there are strict deadlines and statutes of limitations in California. With our team of experienced Sacramento wrongful death lawyers on your side, you can rest assured that all deadlines will be met and you will be informed every step of the way.
Our law firm deals with California-specific wrongful death laws and regulations on a daily basis. We know how to investigate the cause of the accident, gather evidence, identify the liable parties, negotiate with insurance companies, and litigate in court if necessary. We also know how to calculate the full value of your damages and seek the maximum compensation you are entitled to under the law.
Our lawyers are not afraid to take on complex and challenging cases that other firms may shy away from. We can handle any wrongful death case, no matter how big or small.
Investigating Wrongful Death Claims
One of the most important aspects of a wrongful death case is the investigation. At Alpha Accident Lawyers, we have a proven approach to investigating wrongful death claims and building strong cases for our clients. Here is how our Sacramento wrongful death lawyers do it:
- Review police reports, medical records, and other official documents related to the accident and the death of your loved one
- Interview witnesses who saw or heard the accident, as well as the family members, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances of the deceased person
- Consult with experts in various fields, such as accident reconstruction, engineering, biomechanics, medicine, economics, and psychology
- Collect and preserve any physical evidence that could support your case, such as photographs and videos
- Provide sufficient proof of negligence and the burden of proof
- Communicate with the insurance company and negotiate a full settlement
Proving Negligence and Seeking Compensation
In order to bring a wrongful death action, you must be able to show that the other party was negligent, which ultimately led to your loved one’s death. In California, there are four elements in proving negligence.
- The defendant owed your loved one a duty of care. For example, a vehicle driver has a duty to follow traffic laws and not cause harm to others on the road.
- They breached their duty of care.
- The defendant’s negligent or careless actions caused the deceased’s death.
- The accident caused the survivors to suffer damages.
Compensation in a Wrongful Death Claim
Compensation for wrongful death depends on several factors, including the age, health, and income of the deceased, their life expectancy, the nature of the plaintiff’s relation with the deceased, and more. The damages that are recoverable in a wrongful death claim are:
- Hospital and medical bills
- Lost income of the deceased
- Loss of services from the deceased
- Loss of inheritance
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of care, companionship, or consortium
In some cases, the plaintiff may be able to claim punitive damages, which are meant to punish the defendant and discourage future similar behavior.
Dealing with Insurance Companies and Other Parties
Insurance companies will not give you the compassionate service you need during this time. Instead, they are focused on denying liability on behalf of their client and offering you a lowball settlement. They are only concerned with their bottom line. Here are some of the common tactics used by insurance adjusters and how we can protect your interests:
- Delaying or stalling the claim process. Insurance adjusters often drag out the claim process as long as possible, hoping the person filing will give up or miss the statute of limitations. Our Sacramento wrongful death lawyer will help you avoid these delays and keep your claim moving forward. We will make sure that you submit all the required and relevant documents, information, and evidence in a timely manner. We will also monitor the progress of your claim and follow up with the insurance company regularly.
- Disputing liability or causation. Disputing liability is one of the most common insurance tactics. The adjustor may try to blame your loved one for contributing to or causing the accident. Our team will help you prove liability and causation by using the evidence we gathered from our investigation. Our investigation will show that the other party was negligent or careless and that their actions directly resulted in your loved one's death. We will also defend you and your loved one from any false or unfair accusations.
- Offering a lowball settlement. The insurance company may offer you a settlement that is far below the true value of your damages. They may also pressure you to accept their offer quickly, before you have a chance to consult with an attorney. Our Sacramento wrongful death attorney can help you negotiate a fair and reasonable settlement that reflects the full extent of your losses. We will also advise you on whether to accept or reject an offer and explain the pros and cons of each option.
- Threatening to take the case to trial. Insurance adjusters may try to intimidate you by saying that they will take the case to trial if you do not accept their offer. They may also try to make you believe that you have a weak case or that you will lose at trial. We will help you prepare for trial if necessary. Our law firm has the experience and the skills to litigate in court and present your case in front of a judge and jury. We will not back down from a fight and we will not settle for less than what you deserve.
Understanding a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Filing a wrongful death lawsuit is a complex and lengthy process that requires the guidance of an experienced Sacramento wrongful death attorney. Here are the steps to filing a wrongful death claim:
- Hire the right lawyer for your case. The first step is finding a lawyer with experience filing wrongful death lawsuits and a proven record of winning claims. Our Sacramento wrongful death lawyer has several years of experience filing wrongful death cases and working with California law.
- Open an investigation into the cause of the accident. Your attorney will conduct a thorough and meticulous investigation into your loved one's death. If your loved one died in a car accident, a lawyer will examine the police report and witness statements to determine the cause of the accident and who is at fault. A lawyer can also obtain surveillance camera or dashcam footage to show how the other driver acted negligently or failed to obey a traffic law.
- Determine the liable party. Once a full investigation is completed, your wrongful death lawyer will determine the at-fault party responsible for your loved one's untimely death. If your relative died in an auto accident caused by negligence, the other driver may be held liable.
- Gather critical evidence. Collecting evidence is a crucial step in filing a wrongful death suit, as it paints a full picture of the accident. Your lawyer will help you obtain medical bills and records, the death certificate, police and autopsy reports, witness statements, and more.
- Begin negotiations. Your lawyer will send a demand letter to the at-fault party's insurance company. This letter details the value of the case and the amount of damages the plaintiff (the surviving family members) are seeking. The insurance company will respond, and negotiations will proceed to reach the highest settlement.
- File a lawsuit if necessary. If a fair settlement is not reached through negotiations, your lawyer will file a lawsuit with the county. While this step is unlikely, it may be necessary if the other party's insurance company refuses to offer fair financial compensation. Our Sacramento wrongful death attorney will represent you in a trial and fight until the very end.
Compassionate Wrongful Death Lawyers
At Alpha Accident Lawyers, we understand that losing a loved one in a wrongful death accident is a devastating and traumatic experience. We know that no amount of money can ever replace the person you lost, but we also believe that you deserve justice and financial compensation for your loss. That's why we are committed to providing compassionate and caring legal support to grieving families in Sacramento and throughout California.
Our Sacramento wrongful death attorneys treat every wrongful death case with the utmost respect and care, and we will work closely with you to understand your needs and goals. Our team will listen to your stories, answer your questions, and guide you through the legal process. Let us handle all the paperwork, negotiations, and litigation on your behalf, so you can focus on healing and coping with your grief.
We have the experience, skills, and resources to handle any type of wrongful death case, whether it involves a car accident, a truck accident, a motorcycle accident, a pedestrian accident, or a bicycle accident. Our law firm has successfully recovered millions of dollars for our clients in wrongful death settlements and verdicts, and we are ready to fight for you too.
Our No-Fee Guarantee
With our personal injury law firm’s contingency fee, you do not have to pay any legal fees upfront or during the case, but only if we win a verdict or a settlement for you. The amount of the fee is usually a percentage of the money that you receive, and is typically between 30 and 33%. Our legal team is happy to explain our free structure in more detail in the free case evaluation.
Contact Our Sacramento Wrongful Death Lawyer
Our personal injury law firm is located at 1201 J St Suite 337, Sacramento, CA 95814.
Request a Free Consultation
If you have lost a loved one in an auto accident, speak with our experienced and compassionate Sacramento wrongful death attorneys.
Alpha Accident Lawyers will help you hold the negligent party accountable for their actions that caused you so much pain. We will explore all possible options in a free, confidential consultation.
You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by calling us or visiting our website. We are here for you 24/7.
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