An Experienced Wrongful Death Lawyer — Houston, TX
Losing a loved one in a car accident is an unimaginable tragedy that causes lifelong effects, from mental distress to financial loss. If your loved one was killed in a car accident because of someone else's negligence, our wrongful death lawyers in Houston are here to provide the legal and emotional support you need during this trying time.
A Houston wrongful death lawyer can help you recover the compensation you need to move forward. Contact our Houston personal injury lawyer to schedule a free case evaluation and learn more about your legal options for filing a wrongful death claim.
Call for Your Free Consultation
Financial Compensation
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, there were 1.29 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 2018. This equates to 3,652 road deaths or around 10 fatalities every day.
In the state of Texas, surviving family members of a wrongful death victim are entitled to pursue legal action against the individual that caused the victim's death.
While every wrongful death case is different depending on the circumstances, a wrongful death case could range from thousands to millions of dollars. If your family has experienced a traumatic loss of a loved one due to a car accident caused by another person's negligence, you may be entitled to compensation.
Here at Alpha Accident Lawyers, we are the nation's leading accident attorneys, with a track record of helping families receive maximum compensation through wrongful death claims. We will help you hold negligent parties accountable. Schedule a free consultation with our team of attorneys today, so we can begin discussing your case.
What Is a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
A common type of lawsuit is one where an injured party sues a negligent party for damages in order to recoup medical expenses, loss of earnings, and other types of compensation.
However, when an individual is killed as a result of someone's negligence or an outright wrongful act, immediate family members are able to sue the responsible party for damages. This is known as a wrongful death lawsuit.
In the state of Texas, wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within two years of the death. For fatalities related to road traffic accidents, there are a number of potential parties that could have been responsible for the fatal accident. This includes other road users, car manufacturers, and premises such as bars.
If your loved one has died following a road traffic accident, let our Houston wrongful death lawyers in Houston prepare your case and work on behalf of your family to secure the compensation you are owed. We understand the impact of a loved one's death is devastating. We fight tirelessly to obtain justice for accident victims and family members seeking compensation for wrongful death damages. Contact a Houston wrongful death attorney to learn more about your legal options.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Texas
Unfortunately, fatal accidents involving motor vehicles are common in Texas. In 2021, there were 4,489 total motor vehicle traffic fatalities. This was a 15.22% increase from the previous year.
Car Accidents
With over 28 million people living in Texas, it's little surprise that car accidents are a common occurrence. Drunk driving accidents are on the rise. In 2021, there were 1,077 fatal accidents involving at least one drunk driver. This accounts for 24% of the total amount of people killed in Texas traffic accidents in 2021. If you sustained injuries in a Houston car accident, a Houston wrongful death attorney can help you recover wrongful death damages.
Truck Accidents
Large commercial trucks usually cause catastrophic injuries due to the size and weight of these types of vehicles. Big rigs can exert a much large amount of force against a passenger vehicle because of the truck's greater mass. In 2020, there were 513 fatal commercial truck accidents in Texas.
Motorcycle Accidents
There is also a high risk of motorcycle accidents in Texas. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, at least one motorcycle rider dies in a Texas traffic collision each day. In 2021, there were 521 motorcyclist deaths in Texas. If you lost someone you loved by wrongful death it's crucial to consult a Houston wrongful death lawyer to learn more about your legal options.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
According to the Texas wrongful death statute, only certain family members of the deceased individual are legally entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit. The surviving spouse of the deceased, the children of the deceased, and the parents of the deceased are allowed to file an action.
It is worth highlighting that legally adopted children and adoptive parents are allowed to file a claim in this instance, as well. Family members who are eligible may do so jointly or individually.
What Needs to Be Proven in a Wrongful Death Claim?
The family members or surviving spouse that bring the case forward is required to prove damages as a result of their loved ones passing, in addition to proving the other party was at fault.
For example, if the deceased was killed following a collision with another driver, the case may relate to reckless behavior or negligence from the at-fault driver. Drunk driving, speeding, disobeying traffic signs, distracted driving, and driving without a license are all examples of driver negligence in this case.
Motorists owe what is known as "duty of care" to other road users, from other drivers to pedestrians and cyclists. Therefore, if another driver has disobeyed traffic safety laws, they may be liable for the consequences of their actions. At Alpha Accident Lawyers, we have a strong track record in preparing and winning wrongful death cases for our clients.
What Types of Damages Can Be Claimed?
Our wrongful death attorneys in Houston, TX understand that no amount of financial compensation can repair the sudden loss of a family member. Damages received through a wrongful death claim can ensure that you and your family are financially compensated, helping to cover present and future expenses.
Compensation may be sought for a variety of damages. These can include:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost benefits like retirement, pension, and health insurance coverage
- Loss of future projects earnings
- Emotional and mental distress
- Loss of consortium
- Medical bills
A spouse may be entitled to loss of companionship, while dependent children may be entitled to loss of love and care.
Punitive damages, which exceed simple compensation, may also be awarded in order to punish the defendant in cases of gross negligence.
How Do I File a Houston Wrongful Death Claim?
At Alpha Accident Lawyers, our wrongful death lawyers in Houston have the knowledge and resources to recover compensation for your case. We provide a free consultation where we discuss your case and outline your options in a clear and straightforward way.
We encourage families to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to ensure they do not exceed the statute of limitations timeframe to file a claim.
Before filing a claim, we meet with potential clients to discuss the details of their loved ones' accidents. With the information provided, we make the decision of whether or not to accept the case. In some instances, families would not benefit from pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit, which would be a reason for us to advise against seeking legal action.
Throughout the wrongful death claims process, we will take care of all of the legal paperwork and file the wrongful death claim on the family's behalf. We also facilitate communications with the insurance company on our client's behalf. Our team of dedicated attorneys will take the lead on your case and keep you informed every step of the way.
Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers
Alpha Accident Lawyers is proud of our reputation as a legal practice that puts our clients first and ensures that they are properly compensated following a range of accidents, including wrongful death cases.
If you have lost a family member due to negligence caused by a third party in a traffic accident, you could be entitled to compensation. We are one of the top law firms in Houston, Texas. We work tirelessly to obtain justice for wrongful deaths. Schedule a free consultation with a wrongful death attorney today.
START YOUR FREE CONSULTATION
About Texas
Larger than many countries, Texas is uniquely diverse and full of stunning countrysides, lively cities, celebrated landmarks, and historical attractions. Popular destinations to reside in, as well as visit, are Austin, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Fort Worth. The state is known for notable sights such as the River Walk, The Alamo, Houston Zoo, Big Bend National Park, and Space Center Houston.
