Roderick C. Lopez | January 10, 2025 | Wrongful Death
In 2022, there were 227,039 unintentional deaths throughout the United States, with car accidents, falls, and poisonings as the most common causes.
Accidental deaths can occur as a result of the deceased’s own actions or because of another party’s negligent or wrongful conduct. After the wrongful death of a loved one, you may have the option to file a claim against the liable party. Contact our Laredo wrongful death lawyers to learn more about the leading causes of accidental deaths and what steps to take after the death of a family member.
The Most Common Causes of Accidental Deaths
Although accidental deaths may occur for a number of reasons, the following causes result in the highest number of unintentional fatalities each year.
Falls
Nationwide, in 2022, 46,630 people died in falls, many of them at home or at work. In many industries, falls are the leading cause of both deaths and nonfatal injuries. Although construction workers are most at risk, anyone can have a serious enough accident that takes their life.
Slip and fall accidents can occur for numerous reasons. Slippery floors, uneven pavement, damaged staircases, and clutter can all lead to fatal head trauma. Falling from great heights is particularly dangerous, and it’s one of the main causes of construction worker deaths.
Vehicular Accidents
Traffic accidents are the second-leading cause of accidental deaths. Accidents that occur at great speeds, as well as those that involve commercial trucks, are often deadly. However, all vehicles on the roads are at risk: T-bone accidents and head-on collisions between two passenger vehicles can result in serious injuries or deaths.
Motorcycle riders are at even higher risk. Because bikers don’t have the same level of protection that car occupants do, even a relatively minor collision could result in catastrophic injuries.
Defective Products and Poisoning
Another cause of accidental deaths is malfunctioning products. A defective appliance can lead to death by electrocution, for example, or it could start a deadly fire.
Finally, poisoning is the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. Many of these deaths are the result of drug overdoses. However, some are due to negligent manufacturing practices. For example, someone might suffer a death by poisoning if they use an unsafe medication or household cleaning product.
What To Do After the Wrongful Death of a Loved One
If a loved one died because of another party’s negligence, you may have the right to file a wrongful death claim. Close family members, including spouses and children, can pursue this type of civil action, in which they can seek economic and non-economic damages such as funeral costs and loss of companionship.
For your claim to succeed, you must be able to show that the other party was negligent. That requires establishing that they owed your loved one a duty of care and that they breached their duty, resulting in the injuries that led to your loved one’s death. This isn’t a simple process, especially while you’re grieving, which is why hiring a Texas wrongful death attorney can help.
Your attorney will investigate the accident that led to the death and gather evidence to show that the other party is liable. With that evidence, they can negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance company, fighting hard for fair compensation in a settlement. In instances when a settlement isn’t possible, an attorney will work to protect your rights in court.
Contact the Laredo Wrongful Death Attorneys at Roderick C. Lopez Personal Injury Lawyers. Call Us at (956) 529-7336
If you were injured in an accident in Laredo, TX, and need legal help, contact our Laredo wrongful death lawyers at Roderick C. Lopez Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free case review today.
We are located in Laredo, TX, proudly serving Webb County and surrounding areas. We are located in Laredo, Texas.
Roderick C. Lopez Personal Injury Lawyers
6557 Metro Court, Suite 1 Laredo, TX 78041
(956) 529-7336