Highland Park Wrongful Death Lawyers

Seeking Justice for Family Members of Wrongful Death Victims in Highland Park

The term “wrongful death” denotes a civil action in which damages are sought against a party for causing the death of a person. A wrongful death claim is brought by surviving family members of the deceased when the death of a loved one has been caused by negligence or wrongdoing.

If you have lost a loved one in an accident that was someone else’s fault, speak with an experienced Highland Park wrongful death attorney about holding responsible parties accountable. Call The Lenahan Law Firm at (214) 295-1008 to learn more.

What Types of Accidents Can Result in Wrongful Death?

Most types of accidents have the potential to cause fatal injuries. Common causes of wrongful death in Highland Park include:

• Car accidents: An estimated 42,795 people were killed in traffic crashes in 2022, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Motor vehicle accidents continue to be a leading cause of injury and death in the U.S.
• Truck accidents: When a fully loaded 18-wheeler weighing 80,000 lbs. or more collides with a passenger vehicle, occupants of the smaller vehicle are likely to suffer catastrophic or fatal injuries. In 2021, 5,700 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes, as stated by the National Safety Council (NSC).
• Pedestrian accidents: When a pedestrian is struck by a 4,000 lb. motor vehicle, it can cause a range of potentially life-threatening injuries. In the most recent year for which statistics are available, Texas ranked 13th in the nation, with 687 pedestrian fatalities, at a fatality rate of 2.34 per 100,000 population.
• Motorcycle crashes: Motorcyclists lack the protection of an enclosed vehicle and are vulnerable to severe injuries in a crash. Although motorcycles make up only 3% of all registered vehicles, riders account for 14% of all traffic fatalities, according to NSC.
• Workplace accidents: When employers fail to follow safety regulations, workers can be fatally injured. Since 2011, preventable work-related deaths have increased by more than 14%, as stated by NSC.
• Slip-and-falls: The second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death is falls, according to NSC. In 2020, more than 42,000 people in the U.S. died due to falls at home and work.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim and When?

Certain surviving family members of the deceased, such as a spouse, children, and parents, are entitled to file a wrongful death claim in Texas. One or more of these individuals may bring a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of all of them. The personal representative of the estate of the deceased is also eligible to file if family members have not filed within three months of the death.

The statute of limitations (time limit imposed by law) for wrongful death is two years from the date the cause of action arises or the date of death. Once that time has passed, your claim is forever barred, and you can no longer seek compensation for your loss.

What Forms of Compensation May Be Available for Wrongful Death?

Families of wrongful death victims in Highland Park are entitled to recover economic and non-economic damages, which may include:

• Loss of past and future income
• Loss of past and future household services and assistance
• Loss of inheritance
• Loss of society, companionship, and consortium
• Pre-death pain and suffering of the deceased
• Emotional distress and mental anguish suffered by family members

Reach Out to an Experienced Highland Park Personal Injury Law Firm

The Lenahan Law Firm legal team in Highland Park has the knowledge, skills, and resources to accurately calculate your damages and effectively pursue compensation for your loss. Our Highland Park personal injury lawyers have extensive experience and are prepared to offer the compassionate and trusted legal assistance you need.

We appreciate the difficulty of this time and are here to help. If you have lost a loved one due to the carelessness or wrongdoing of another, call us at (214) 295-1008 to schedule a free consultation. Let us navigate the legal system while you focus on healing.