If you lost a family member in a tragic accident due to negligence, you may be feeling a lot of confusion and grief. Our Riverside wrongful death lawyers can help navigate this complex legal matter to obtain justice for your loved one. 

 
A wrongful death claim arises when a person dies from the negligence or intentional act of another person or entity. When this happens, the surviving family members may file a wrongful death lawsuit to seek compensation for the losses and damages they suffered. A wrongful death claim is a civil claim and is separate from a criminal case. 

Filing a successful wrongful death claim requires knowledge of both personal injury law and wrongful death law. Given the severity of these types of claims, insurance companies may drag their feet to avoid paying out a large settlement. A Riverside wrongful death lawyer can expedite the process and ensure you receive financial compensation as quickly as possible.

 
At Sycamore Accident Lawyers, our legal team maintains a 99% success rate among all cases, and we have recovered millions of dollars in settlements. We take a client-forward approach and are here for you 24/7. Here are more reasons why you can benefit from hiring a wrongful death attorney for your case:

 
Conduct a thorough investigation – Riverside wrongful death lawyers will conduct a detailed investigation into the cause of the accident, gather critical evidence, and interview witnesses and experts to build a successful case. 

 
Offer compassionate legal representation – Our attorneys will give you the space and time to grieve. We will work diligently to ensure the best possible outcome for you and your family. 

 
Negotiate with insurance companies – Insurance companies are notoriously difficult to deal with. They may try to place some of the blame on your loved one, or they may not compensate you for the entirety of your losses. An experienced lawyer will know exactly how much you deserve. 

 
Maximize a settlement – Having legal representation sends an immediate and clear message to the insurance company and the other party. It also gives them more of an incentive to offer a favorable settlement to avoid a lengthy and costly court trial.

Wrongful death cases typically arise from auto accidents if the at-fault party was speeding, driving while intoxicated, or otherwise acting recklessly. Some of the most common cases of wrongful death in California include: 

Car accidents

Car accidents are the leading cause of wrongful death claims in California. California has the highest number of licensed drivers in the country, with over 27 million. Dozens of serious car accidents happen everyday, especially on busy highways. Higher speeds almost always indicate serious and fatal injuries for drivers or passengers in the car. 

Truck accidents

Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. If a truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the aftermath can be devastating. Either the truck driver or the trucking company can be held responsible. Consult with a truck accident lawyer to learn more. 

Motorcycle accidents

Riding a motorcycle comes with many inherent risks, even for the most experienced riders. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents result in serious or fatal injuries. Like with car accidents, speed is a major factor, whether in single-vehicle collisions or multi-vehicle collisions. 

Workplace accidents

Construction workers, loggers, and transportation workers face constant dangers while on the job. If your loved one died in a work-related accident, consider filing a wrongful death claim alongside a workers’ compensation claim. 

Defective products

A defective product that causes a death is both a product liability and a wrongful death suit. The deceased person’s family members will need to prove the death was caused by a defective product, either in its marketing, design, or manufacturing. 

The main objective of wrongful death claims is to recover compensation that the surviving family members have suffered due to the loss. Like personal injury claims, wrongful death damages can be divided into two categories: economic and non-economic. 

Economic Damages

These damages represent actual monetary losses and can be calculated using bills, invoice statements, and receipts. These losses include:

Funeral and burial expenses – Expenses associated with the deceased person’s funeral burial or cremation. 

Medical expenses – Medical bills related to the fatal injury that led to the victim’s death. 

Lost income – If the deceased person was the primary breadwinner of the family, a wrongful death claim can include the loss of financial support now and in the future. 

Loss of benefits – These include benefits like health insurance, 401k, or pension that the deceased would have received. 

Non-Economic Damages

Damages that do not have a specific monetary value are considered non-economic. These losses include: 

Loss of consortium – The loss of the deceased person’s love, affection, attention, companionship, guidance, and moral support. 

Pain and suffering – The emotional distress and mental trauma suffered by the surviving family members because of the loss. 

Unlike for serious criminal cases that do not have a time limit, civil cases, including wrongful death lawsuits, have a tight deadline to file. This means that surviving family members of the victim must act quickly before time runs out. 

 
The deadline for filing is known as the statute of limitations. In California, wrongful death victims have two years from the deceased’s date of death to file a claim. In a medical malpractice suit, the statute of limitations is three years from the deceased’s death. 

What Is a Survival Action?

A survival action can be filed in conjunction with a wrongful death claim. It is essentially the claim the deceased victim would have been able to file if he or she had survived their injury. A survival action can be filed only if the victim did not die immediately from their accident, but survived for a time after. 

 
The main difference between a survival action and a wrongful death suit is the damages awarded. A survival action would provide compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other related expenses. 

How Long Will My Case Take?

A wrongful death case involves several steps, including gathering and reviewing all evidence, filing an insurance claim, conducting discovery, and negotiating a settlement. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, a court trial may follow. Wrongful death claims can take anywhere from months to years to settle.

 
However, do not let this discourage you. Our Riverside wrongful death attorneys will keep you informed on every step of the process. We will not stop fighting until we obtain justice for your loved one’s death.