Phoenix Car Accident Wrongful Death Lawyers
Attorney Representation in Phoenix, Arizona Since 1996
Wrongful Death
Losing a loved one suddenly and unexpectedly can be a tremendous blow to any family. Not only does the family suffer emotionally, but also financially during such a time. Medical expenses, lost wages and funeral costs can really weigh down on the deceased victim's family. Wrongful death law is an area of law that seeks to provide financial compensation to the family members of a person whose death was caused by the negligence, wrongdoing, carelessness or recklessness of another individual.
A wrongful death could occur in different situations such as auto accidents, medical malpractice, nursing home negligence or abuse, or during a workplace accident. If you believe you have lost a loved one as a result of someone else's negligence, it would be in your best interest to contact an experienced Phoenix wrongful death lawyer who can better explain your legal rights and options.
Actions That May Make A Driver Responsible For A Wrongful Death
Driving under the influence of alcohol, excessively speeding, driving recklessly, running a red light or driving the wrong way down a road are all forms of reckless driving. A driver does not, however, have to be cited for a crash to be held liable for a fatal car accident. A citation or a criminal prosecution could, however, help bolster a civil case. Criminal cases require the prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed a crime. A wrongful death claim is not a criminal lawsuit. It is a civil lawsuit. A civil case can result in compensation for the victim’s family if it is proven that the actions of the defendant caused or contributed to the fatal Arizona auto accident.
Statistics Related to Arizona Negligent Driving
- Drunk Driving: Even though only 5.48 percent of all crashes involved alcohol, 34.41 percent of all fatal crashes involved a drunk driver. This means that alcohol-related crashes tend to be devastating accidents, which have the potential to cause fatalities. A drunk driver can be held liable for a fatal car accident with a wrongful death claim.
- Speeding: According to statistics, 51 people were killed in Arizona car accidents involving a driver exceeding the legal speed limit. During the same year, 158 fatal crashes involved a driver, who was traveling at an unsafe rate of speed given the conditions.
- Failure to yield right-of-way: Also, 58 fatal crashes in 2009 resulted from a failure to properly yield right-of-way to oncoming vehicles or pedestrians.
Additional acts of driver negligence that could result in a wrongful death claim include running a stop sign, making an illegal turn, following too closely and making an unsafe lane change.
Wrongful death claims can be filed by immediate family members or those family members who were financially dependent on the deceased victim such as siblings or parents. Families of deceased victims in such cases can seek compensation for medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, lost future income and benefits (pension, insurance), loss of love and companionship and other damages.
The knowledgeable Phoenix wrongful death attorneys at The Breyer Law Offices, P.C. help the families of deceased car accident victims pursue compensation for their losses. If you have lost a loved one in an Arizona car accident, please contact our law offices for a no-cost consultation and comprehensive case evaluation. We are here to help you.
