Personal Injury
Defective ProductsOrange County Wrongful Death Lawyers
When someone has been killed because of a negligent, careless, reckless or criminal act, the family of the victim may file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party. A wrongful death claim can result in financial compensation for many losses including: medical bills, funeral expenses, lost future wages, lost benefits, loss of companionship, emotional distress and loss of inheritance. Unfortunately, determining if you have an Orange County wrongful death lawsuit can be a complicated process. An experienced Orange County wrongful death lawyer can advise a victim's family about their legal rights and options.
Types of Wrongful Death Accidents
There are many potential causes of fatal accidents that could result in a valid wrongful death claim in Orange County. Examples of wrongful death accidents include:
- Car accidents: Was the at-fault driver speeding, distracted, fatigued, careless or even reckless?
- DUI collisions: One of the most common forms of negligent driving involves driving drunk or driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. According to the California Highway Patrol's 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 62 people were killed and 1,340 were injured in Orange County DUI collisions. Drivers who are determined to be under the influence may be held liable for the damages they cause.
- Trip-and-fall accidents: Did the victim suffer injuries on someone else's property? Did the victim trip because of a hazardous condition that the property owner or supervisor failed to prevent?
- Pedestrian accidents: There were 41 fatal pedestrian accidents in Orange County in the year 2009. Anytime there is a fatal pedestrian accident, it must be determined why the driver was unable to avoid the collision. If the driver failed to stop at a crosswalk or yield the right of way at an intersection, the driver may be held liable for the victim's wrongful death.
- Bicycle accidents: In Orange County, 12 people were killed in bicycle accidents in the year 2009. It is common for drivers to fail to notice a bicyclist when entering traffic, changing lanes or making a turn.
- Distracted driving: Using a hand-held cell phone or texting while driving is illegal under California law. If you have lost a loved one because of the actions of a distracted driver, you may have a wrongful death claim.
- Criminal activity: Did the accident occur because of a criminal act such as a robbery or assault? In addition to being held criminally responsible for the act by the authorities, the victim's family may hold the individual civilly liable as well.
- Medical malpractice: Did a medical professional cause the death while acting outside what is considered normal practices? Were mistakes made during surgery or during the course of treatment?
- Nursing home abuse and neglect: Was your loved one given adequate care and attention? Orange County nursing home abuse and negligence cases are underreported and care facilities that foster unsafe conditions should be held accountable for their actions. There have been many cases in Orange County where negligence and abuse in nursing homes have resulted in tragic deaths.
Pursuing a Wrongful Death Claim
If you have lost a beloved family member in an Orange County incident, we offer our deepest sympathies and condolences for your tragic loss. The experienced Orange County wrongful death attorneys at Bisnar | Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP have a successful track record of holding wrongdoers accountable and helping families secure the compensation they rightfully deserve. To most families, wrongful death lawsuits are not about the money. It is about getting justice for what happened to their loved one and more importantly, to make sure that what happened to their loved one does not happen to anyone else. Please contact us to obtain more information about pursuing a wrongful death claim.
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