A wrongful death claim can be brought against someone who causes the death of another person through their negligence or intentional actions. There are different types of wrongful death in personal injury law, for which you can seek compensation as the deceased’s dependent, loved one, family member, or representative. Ultimately, the purpose of wrongful death cases is to compensate you for losses suffered as a result of losing your loved one.
Consult a Union City Personal Injury Attorney today to learn about your rights suppose you have lost a loved one through another individual’s negligent actions,
Car Accident Deaths
Unsurprisingly, the most common cause of wrongful death cases in the United States is car accidents. The NHTSA reports that, in 2016, over 7 million traffic crashes were reported to the police, with over 37,461 deaths being reported. These numbers are alarming, especially considering that a good number of these accidents are caused by driver negligence.
Driving safely involves many factors that must all be observed. When even one of these is not followed, for instance when a driver texts while driving, the consequences can be fatal. A personal injury attorney can help you seek justice on behalf of your loved one who has lost their life.
Other Auto Accidents
Compared to other auto accidents, car accidents actually have a low fatality rate. 5,286 motorcyclists, 5,987 pedestrians, and 840 cyclists were killed in traffic accidents in 2016 alone. This is because cars are built to protect their occupants during impact, unlike bicycles and motorcycles, which do not benefit from the same protection.
During an accident, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians are more likely to suffer severe or fatal injuries, making these accidents a significant cause of wrongful deaths.
Medical Malpractice
Medical professionals have a duty to provide their patients with standard medical care. Despite this, medical negligence is the third leading cause of death in the United States, behind heart disease and cancer. In 2012 alone, over $3 billion were paid out in compensation for medical malpractice.
Medical negligence may present in several forms, including:
- Misdiagnosis
- Birth injury
- Surgical errors
- Medication errors
- Failing to diagnose
Defective Products
Product liability laws dictate that manufacturers and distributors can be held liable for producing or distributing defective products or failing to properly warn consumers. Despite this, defective products are also responsible for a number of wrongful death claims in the country. Common culprits include defective vehicle parts, drugs, electronics, and toxic foods.
Talk to a Union City Personal Injury Attorney
As you can see, there are many types of wrongful death in personal injury law, under which you can file a legal claim. If you have lost a loved one or are representing a deceased victim’s estate and are unsure of where your case falls, an expert attorney can help you seek compensation through the right channels.
Attorney Carbone is an experienced Union City Personal Injury Attorney who has been representing the rights of injured victims in New Jersey for over 30 years. Contact the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone at 201-829-3829 to discuss your case if have been injured through someone’s negligence