Are You in Need of a Wrongful Death Lawyer?
The Dallas Police Department says that in 2020, there were 123 wrongful deaths in Dallas that were caused by someone’s mistake. This is less than the number of deaths in the year before, which was 137. Most of these deaths happened because of car accidents, then murders, and then people taking their own lives. If you lost someone you love because of someone else’s carelessness, our lawyers in Dallas specialize in wrongful death cases. They might be able to help you.
The total number of wrongful deaths from mistakes has gone down. But, the number from car accidents has gone up a bit. This might be because more people are driving on the roads in Dallas as the city keeps getting bigger. When there are more cars on the road, the chances of an accident happening are higher.
But it’s important to remember that there aren’t as many deaths from car accidents compared to other causes like murder and suicide. So even though drivers should be careful on Dallas roads, they don’t need to be overly concerned about getting into a car accident.
It’s hard for a family to bury a loved one. And, figure out how to move on. This is especially true if the loved one’s death was due to someone else’s carelessness or lack of forethought. Many things cause accidents. They hurt people. For example, car crashes, truck crashes, and motorcycle accidents. There are also construction accidents, slipping and falling, and getting hit as a pedestrian. If you lost someone you love in one of these accidents, our lawyers in Dallas who work with wrongful death cases might be able to support you.
Our Lawyers Can Help with Your Dallas Wrongful Death Claim
Losing someone you love is always tough. It’s even harder when their death is because someone else didn’t take care or did something on purpose. You and your family are going through sadness. You are also trying to continue with your lives. But, it’s important to think about the legal and money-related things from your loved one’s wrongful death.
If you have lost a loved one due to another party’s negligence, you can contact our Dallas wrongful death lawyers. They specialize in wrongful death cases. They offer a free meeting to discuss your situation.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Texas?
In Texas, only specific people are allowed to ask for compensation through wrongful death claims. The laws say that children, parents, or the husband or wife of the person who passed away can file a wrongful death lawsuit. They can do this against any person or company that caused the death of their loved one, with the support of a wrongful death lawyer. In some situations, they can even bring a case against the government.
To make a wrongful death claim in Texas, you need to be one of the following:
- The spouse who is still alive.
- A child who survived (whether they are an adult or a minor).
- The parent(s) who are still living.
- A child who was legally adopted by the person who passed away.
- The adoptive parent(s) who are still alive.
- The executor of the deceased person’s estate.
In most cases, many people ask for compensation in wrongful death lawsuits. The lawsuits also consider the connection to the person who passed away. Usually, the surviving spouse and the children get more money. They get more than more distant relatives, like the parents of an adult child. But if the husband or wife and the person who passed away were not getting along. Or if they were not legally married. The law considers that when dividing the money from a wrongful death settlement.
What is Required to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Texas?
To successfully file a wrongful death lawsuit in Texas against someone or a company, you need to have the following elements:
- The death of your loved one happened because someone else was careless or wanted to harm them on purpose.
- Some family members can make a wrongful death claim. They are facing financial and other damages due to the death of the person who passed away.
If you have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another party, you can contact our Dallas wrongful death attorneys. They offer a free consultation to discuss your situation.
Leading Causes of Wrongful Death in Texas
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Boating accidents
- Aviation accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Premises liability accidents
- Medical malpractice
The most frequent type of wrongful death claims in Texas are related to car accidents. Our Dallas wrongful death lawyers specialize in wrongful death cases. They collected data from crash reports from the Dallas Police Department. They analyzed information about fatal car accidents that happened in 2021. According to these reports, the following details were found:
Deadly Car Crashes in the Dallas Region
- Dallas, TX: 206 crashes fatally injuring 227 people
- Dallas County: 324 crashes fatally injure 352 people
Deadly Car Accidents Involving DUI (Alcohol-Related) in the Dallas Region
- Dallas, TX: 53 crashes fatally injuring 64 people
- Dallas County, TX: 81 crashes fatally injuring 97 people
Types of Damages Available in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Damage is a legal term that refers to the money that a court awards to compensate someone for a loss or injury they have suffered. In Texas, wrongful death laws permit victims to seek various types of damages, which include:
Economic Factors in Wrongful Death Claims
Medical expenses: The costs of medical treatment before the person passes away because of the accident can be included. In many cases of wrongful death, these medical bills can be very high.
Funeral and burial expenses: Families must pay for the funeral and burial of their loved one. This can be a heavy burden, especially when they are already dealing with the loss.
Lost income: The person who died was the main earner in the household. Losing their support and income can be a big problem.. The surviving family members may end up with very little or no income at all.
Lost services: The reimbursement is for the future services the deceased would have provided. It goes to the survivors. For example, a working father with kids files a wrongful death claim for his deceased wife. He may need help with childcare if his wife used to do that.
Non-Economic Factors in Wrongful Death Claims
Pain and suffering: The pain and suffering of the deceased can be taken into account. This is especially true if they lived for a while after the accident.
Mental anguish: The surviving family members feel emotional pain and suffering. We can also consider it.
Loss of companionship: You can claim the loss of time spent with the loved one. This includes the loss of companionship. This is especially true for married spouses. It can also be claimed by children and parents who have lost the opportunity to have a future with their loved ones.
Loss of consortium: Spouses of the deceased victims can claim loss of consortium. Loss of consortium means the loss of affection, companionship, and the sex life they had with their deceased spouse.
Loss of parenting and guidance from the victim: Children can claim for the loss of advice and guidance. Their parents died early.
The amount of damages you may be able to receive will depend on different details of your case. It’s really important to talk to our skilled Dallas wrongful death lawyers, who specialize in wrongful death cases, as soon as you can. They will help you understand the types of damages that you might be able to get in your lawsuit. We are here to assist you during this difficult time.
If you have a wrongful death claim, you can contact our Dallas wrongful death attorneys, who specialize in wrongful death cases. They offer a free review of your case. They can answer your questions, explain how the process of wrongful death claims works, and help you get started with our law firm right away.
What is a Typical Wrongful Death Claim Settlement?
The value of a wrongful death lawsuit in Texas can vary a lot, and there is no typical amount. Some wrongful death claims settle for as low as $30,000, while others can settle for $1,000,000 or even more. The value of a wrongful death claim depends on different factors, such as:
Medical bills before death: In a wrongful death claim, the person or company at fault must cover the costs of medical bills. They must cover those bills even if the person passed away. This includes expenses like hospital bills and other medical expenses directly related to the harm caused.
Type of accident and cause of death: You can seek compensation for their pain and suffering. This is true if the person who died endured prolonged suffering. Settlements are smaller for quick, painless deaths than for painful ones. Also, if any family members saw the death, they may have the option to make a bystander claim. They can seek compensation for the emotional pain they felt.
The age and health of the victim: When it comes to wrongful death claims, the age of the victim plays a role in determining the compensation. Younger victims who have lost their lives are considered to have lost more years of potential earnings and the enjoyment of life. This is taken into account when calculating damages for the claim. However, in the case of very young victims, they may not have had the opportunity to reach their maximum earning potential yet. This factor can sometimes work against the wrongful death claim made by the surviving family members.
The income of the victim earned and how close they were to retirement:
All else equal, a wrongful death settlement awards more money if the person who passed away had a higher income and more time until retirement.
The insurance policy or policies carried by the defendant: If a loved one dies in a car crash and the at-fault driver has only minimum insurance, the situation is limited. Without underinsured motorist coverage, you can only claim up to $30,000 per person or $60,000 per incident. However, if a commercial truck, like an 18-wheeler, is involved, you can likely seek higher insurance payouts.
How the accident occurred: Texas is among the few US states that allow punitive damages in wrongful death cases. These damages are extra payments. They apply when a defendant’s actions are extremely reckless or negligent, as with a drunk driver. These damages are intended to punish the defendant for their behavior.
The number of dependents supported by the decedent: In a wrongful death case, the number of dependents the deceased supported matters. It affects the fair settlement amount.
If you’ve lost a loved one due to the negligence of another party, call our Dallas wrongful death lawyers, who specialize in wrongful death cases. They offer a free consultation where you can discuss your situation. They can help you understand the potential value of your claim and answer any questions you may have.
Are Wrongful Death Settlements Taxable in Texas?
In Texas, wrongful death settlements are compensatory damages. According to Texas law, they are not taxed. If the settlement is given as a single payment, families of wrongful death victims do not need to pay taxes on that lump sum. However, if the lump sum is put into an annuity and paid out over time, any profit from those annuity payments may be taxable. This is similar to the income from any regular investment.
If you have a wrongful death claim, call our Dallas wrongful death lawyers for a free consultation. We will discuss if your settlement might be subject to taxes.
What You Need to Know About Survival Actions
When someone dies wrongly, their estate can file a survivorship claim. This claim is also known as a survival action. It allows the estate to seek compensation. This includes funeral and medical bills. It also covers the deceased person’s pain and suffering before death.
A survivorship claim is not the same as a wrongful death lawsuit. Our wrongful death lawyer Dallas specializes in wrongful death cases. They can tell you if a survivorship claim applies to your family.
You believe a family member died because of the careless behavior of another person or company. Possibly having a valid wrongful death claim. You can contact our Dallas wrongful death attorneys. They specialize in wrongful death cases. They offer a free consultation where you can discuss your situation and receive guidance.
How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Texas?
The statute of limitations determines the timeframe within which you can file a legal claim for wrongful death in Texas. To be eligible, you must initiate a lawsuit within a specific period. Typically, family members are required to file a wrongful death lawsuit within two years from the date of their loved one’s passing.
For the courts to hear your wrongful death case in Dallas, get in touch with our Dallas wrongful death attorneys as soon as possible. They specialize in such cases and are the best wrongful death lawyers to handle them. They have a lot of knowledge about this area, and they can meet up with you so that they can look into all the necessary things about your case.
You can contact the Dallas wrongful death lawyers at our Law Firm. They will work hard to help you get the money needed to move forward from this tough time in your life.
Our Wrongful Death Case Results Speak for Themselves
In 2021, Our Law Firm achieved one of the top 100 wrongful death settlements in the United States, as well as 15 of the top 50 injury settlements in Texas, including wrongful death claims. We have dealt with various types of wrongful death cases, and you can find all of our results listed here. Although every case is unique, we believe that the following settlements, which represent the actual amounts paid to our clients, demonstrate our proficiency and ability to handle intricate wrongful death claims:
- $11,992,670 – Truck Accident
- $9,515,498 – Chair causing fire
- $8,550,000 – Vehicle crashworthiness
- $8,110,186 – Fuel system failure
- $7,695,750 – Industrial accident
- $5,703,363 – Vehicle transmission defect
- $5,155,600 – Defective lamp/smoke inhalation
- $4,790,687 – Tire failure
- $4,527,945 – Water heater defect
- $4,021,913 – Cement wall failure
- $3,963,372 – Plant Explosion
- $3,833,237 – Construction accident
- $3,516,464 – Commercial vehicle accident
- $3,143,194 – Airplane crash
$3,020,677 – Natural gas leak
- $2,873,499 – Automotive accident
- $2,723,283 – Premises liability accident
- $2,090,071 – Oil field accident
The figures mentioned above are not the total value of the settlements, but rather the actual amount that we successfully obtained for our clients. As you can see, the team at our Law Firm is experienced in handling a diverse range of wrongful death claims across different types of accidents. Our goal is to secure the maximum possible compensation and ensure that our clients receive the funds they deserve.
This list doesn’t include everything our Dallas wrongful death attorneys deal with. It is just an example of the kinds of cases we take. If your family member died in an accident and you want to find out what rights you have, please call us for a free consultation. We’ll talk about your case and let you know if we can help.
Contact Our Dallas Wrongful Death Lawyers for a Free Case Review
Our Dallas Wrongful Death Lawyers Charge NO FEE Unless We Win.
Our Dallas wrongful death attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis, which means that we only receive payment if you do. If we successfully recover financial compensation on your behalf, we will earn a percentage of that amount as our fee. This payment structure ensures that you do not have to worry about upfront fees or expenses. Our interests are aligned with yours in seeking a favorable outcome.
Our team is prepared to assist you and is fluent in both English and Spanish. Our commitment is to assist you in the process of recovery and moving forward. Our Dallas wrongful death lawyers are available round the clock, 24/7, to assist you in initiating your wrongful death claim. We will guide you through the entire process, allowing you to focus on healing and supporting your family.
Under Texas law, the deadline to file a wrongful death claim is two years from the person’s death, not the accident. If someone’s negligence caused your loved one’s death, contact our Dallas wrongful death attorneys now. You can call or fill out a form. We offer free consultations with our Law’s wrongful death lawyers. Plus, there’s no cost or obligation for any future legal steps.
It is crucial to take action to safeguard your entitlement to receive full compensation for the unexpected loss of your loved one. By understanding your options as soon as possible, you and your family can begin the journey towards healing more swiftly.