FATAL CAR ACCIDENTS
Houston Fatal Car Accident Lawyer
Texas Motorcycle Truck Collision Death Attorney
Car accidents often lead to tragedy. Roughly 4,500 people pass away from car accidents in Texas every year. These car accident fatalities are often the cause of high-speed collisions with reckless or inattentive drivers who can and should be held accountable for the loss they have inflicted.
If you have suffered the loss of a loved one in a Houston car accident, you have the right to file a fatal accident claim for wrongful death. The Woods Law Firm is here to help. Your loved one deserves justice, and you can find it with the help of a Houston car accident attorney.
Common Causes of Fatal Car Accidents in Houston
Not all accidents result in fatalities. However, any accident at a sufficient speed or transverse velocity has a higher chance of causing death when the accident occurs. Among the most common causes of fatal car accidents in Houston include:
- Drunk and intoxicated driving
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Road rage
- Distracted or drowsy driving
- Running lights and stop sights
- Improper turning
- Swerving and overcorrecting
- Road hazards
- Unsafe vehicles
What Is My Fatal Car Accident Lawsuit Worth?
Every wrongful death settlement is unique. Often, a fatal car accident lawsuit involves more than just the value of human life but also includes the loss suffered by the surviving family members. The lawsuit may include the cost of injuries to others in the accident, loss of companionship and comfort, funeral costs, and loss of supporting income from the deceased family member.
Other factors that affect the wrongful death settlement include the age, occupation, and future earning potential of the deceased.
Can Texas' Comparative Fault Rules Impact My Lawsuit?
Texas car accident compensation is ruled on a comparative fault basis. Each driver is assigned a percentage of fault for the accident based on police and insurance company investigations. If the deceased was a passenger and the claimant was not driving either vehicle, it is possible to file a wrongful death suit without consideration for comparative fault. However, if the deceased or claimant were one of the involved drivers, the comparative fault may affect your case.
It is possible to file a wrongful death claim with the help of a fatal car crash attorney as long as 50% or less of the fault lies with you or the deceased.
The compensation available will also be reduced by the percentage of fault that is assigned to your side of the case. For example, if the deceased or claimant were driving and assigned 30% fault, you would be eligible for only 70% of the total possible compensation.
How Long Do I Have to File for Compensation After a Fatal Wreck?
In Texas, the statute of limitations for a wrongful death lawsuit is two years. This means you have 730 days from the date of the accident to prepare and file your case. This is intended to give grieving family members time to emotionally recover from the loss and prepare their case. The date limits only how soon you need to file the wrongful death case. The court case itself can extend beyond the statute of limitations without losing your right to fatal accident claims.
Contact Our Houston Fatal Auto Accident Lawyers for a Free Case Evaluation
If you have lost a loved one to a fatal car accident in Houston, The Woods Law Firm can help you evaluate and prepare an appropriate wrongful death case. We are here to support your quest for justice and rightful compensation from those who caused the death of your loved one. Contact us today for an initial consultation to review your case.
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