Wrongful Death Auto Accidents
On a day-to-day basis, there is nothing the average person does that is more dangerous than getting into his or her car. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that there are more than 32,367 fatalities annually as a result of car crashes. Too often, these collisions are a result of the negligence of another person.
Negligence That Causes or Contributes to Car Accidents
It is a common misconception that car accidents are always “accidental” and are something unfortunate that just happens. The truth is many car crashes are the result of either the carelessness of another driver, the negligence of a company that has hired the driver, or the negligence of the company that manufactured the vehicle or its parts. Some types of negligence that can cause or contribute to car accidents include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Distracted driving, including driving while texting or talking on a cell phone, driving while eating, and being distracted by passengers in the car
- Breaking the law, including speeding, running a stop sign, rushing through a yellow light or running a red light
- Reckless driving and an overall disregard for others on the road
- Driving while drunk or impaired
- Manufacturer defects in the car or its parts, including defective tires, dangerous airbags, or poor design that causes a vehicle to roll after a collision
Common Car Accident Injuries That May Result in Fatalities
The more serious a car accident, the more critical the injuries tend to be and the higher the risk of death is for the victims involved. Some of the most commonly seen injuries in car accident cases that may lead to a fatality include:
- Open head wounds, including penetrating head wounds
- Closed head injuries and brain injuries
- Crush injuries
- Blood loss
- Damage to internal organs
Types of Wrongful Death Car Accidents
Wrongful death can occur in a variety of different car accidents. You may be in a car accident where the liable party is any one of the following:
- Individual Drivers: When another driver acts negligently and causes an accident leading to the death of another driver, to passengers in another car, or even to passengers in their own car, they may be held liable for the damages that resulted in that incident. If their insurance doesn’t cover the cost of the damages, their personal assets may be at stake.
- Commercial Drivers: Commercial drivers including truck drivers, bus drivers, taxi cab drivers, and others may also be held personally liable after a fatal car crash.
- Employers: Generally, if a commercial driver is employed by a company and acting within the scope of employment, their employer is liable for damages associated with the accident.
- Ridesharing Drivers: People who drive for ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft can also be held liable when they cause car accidents.
Ridesharing Services: Typically, ridesharing services only want to claim liability for accidents if the ridesharing driver has a paying passenger in the car. However, these companies have been held liable in cases where the driver was on the way to pick up a fare, even if though they didn’t have a passenger, and some argue that these entities should be liable for any accidents that occur when the driver is logged into the app.
Cases dealing with individual drivers, commercial vehicle operators, and employers tend to be relatively straightforward, but the liability around ridesharing accidents is still being established. To protect your financial interests, you need a quality car accident attorney who understands ridesharing liability issues and will fight for your rights.
When to Contact a Wrongful Death Lawyer
If a loved one has been killed as a result of a car crash, be it as a driver, a passenger, a pedestrian, or a bicyclist, it is important that you contact an attorney to discuss your options. A wrongful death claim as a result of a motor vehicle collision requires in-depth investigation, the knowledge and experience to use the information uncovered, and a zealous advocate to stand up for the rights of your loved one. You deserve an answer to how the collision happened, compensation for your loss, and ideally the knowledge that can help prevent an accident like this from ever happening again.
Investigating a Wrongful Death Caused by a Car Accident
The first step when bringing forward a claim for wrongful death caused by a car accident is to determine how the accident occurred. Gathering evidence from police reports, witnesses, photographs of the scene, and medical records is important when trying to determine who may be at fault.
If, for example, a drunk driver caused the crash that killed your loved one, a case may be brought against the driver and potentially even the bartender who served the driver. If the accident was caused by a tire blowout, a case may be able to be brought against the manufacturer of the tire, or possibly the facility that installed the tires if they knowingly sold defective tires or did not properly install the tires on the vehicle.
A wrongful death car accident lawyer has the skills and experience to investigate every aspect of a motor vehicle collision to determine who may be able to be held legally liable for the damages you and your family have suffered. You can learn even more about what to do if you lose a loved one in a car accident here.
Reach Out to Mazow | McCullough, PC Today
If a loved one has been killed in a motor vehicle collision, contact the offices of Mazow | McCullough, PC, today. Our caring, compassionate wrongful death lawyers understand the challenges you and your family are facing after the loss of your loved ones, and we’re committed to providing you with the comprehensive legal and emotional support you need during this difficult time.
We have decades of experience representing the families of those who have had their lives cut short. We understand the long-term cost and repercussions to those who have to pick up the pieces after their loved one’s wrongful death. We are devoted to seeking justice for our clients in their time of need.
Please contact Mazow | McCullough, PC, today for a free consultation about your case. The right wrongful death lawyer makes all the difference. See our recent case results here.
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