Waco Wrongful Death Attorney

A Compassionate Legal Team You Can Trust

Our Waco wrongful death attorneys know that losing a loved one is painful and overwhelming. Often, the surviving family members find themselves in circumstances that seem to get worse and worse. We understand this is never more true than in a case of wrongful death. The completely unexpected loss of a loved one affords no time for mental or financial preparation. And if your family member’s death was caused by someone else’s negligence or carelessness, that only compounds your grief.

If you are ready to start pursuing justice for the emotional and financial damages you are experiencing, call our Waco wrongful death lawyers today for a FREE CONSULTATION. Our law firm knows the financial stress that comes with the loss of a loved one, so we charge NO FEE unless we are able to recover a settlement for your loss.

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What is Wrongful Death in Texas?

In Texas, wrongful death is when someone’s neglect, carelessness, default, or unskillfulness results in someone’s death. Wrongful death in Texas is a civil action, and a Waco wrongful death attorney can help you understand your rights based on the unique factors in your case.

If you believe you may have a valid legal cause of action for filing a wrongful death claim, call our Waco wrongful death lawyers for a FREE CASE EVALUATION. We can listen to the facts of your case, provide guidance, and let you know if we might be able to help. If we believe you have basis for a wrongful death claim, we can get you signed up with our firm over the phone or in-person and begin working on your accidental death claim today.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Waco?

Thompson Law has proudly represented many families through one of the most challenging seasons of their lives. In the process, we hold individuals and corporations accountable for their negligent or reckless behavior and for failing to uphold a duty of care. Our Waco wrongful death attorneys work tirelessly to advocate for grieving families and send a strong message that helps prevent losses for other families.

In Texas, the following parties could file a wrongful death claim:

  • Surviving spouse
  • Children of the decedent
  • Parents of the decedent
  • An adopted child (in some instances)
  • Adopted parents of the decedent (in some cases)

Can a sibling file a wrongful death lawsuit?

Unfortunately, siblings are not able to file wrongful death lawsuits in Texas. If a claim involves multiple surviving family members like the decedent’s parents, children, and spouse, siblings cannot be included in the group. If you think you might be eligible to file a wrongful death claim for the loss of a loved one, contact our Waco wrongful death attorneys for a FREE CASE REVIEW today.

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Determining Fault in Wrongful Death Accidents

In some cases, the loved one you lost might have been partly responsible for the accident that took their life. Texas is a modified comparative fault state, meaning you could still be entitled to compensation if they were less than 51% at fault.

Determining fault and percentages can be challenging, but an experienced Waco wrongful death attorney can help. Though multiple parties could be negligent, and the award may be reduced, your family could still recover damages after the accident. Both monetary claims and non-monetary claims will be taken into consideration.

If you are mourning the loss of a family member due to the negligent actions of someone else, do not try to handle your case alone. Wrongful death claims are typically complex, and often involve multiple layers of insurance policies. Our Waco wrongful death lawyers have the expertise to investigate and recover every penny your wrongful death claim is worth. Call Thompson Law today for a FREE CONSULTATION.

At Thompson Law

We provide wrongful death victims with dedicated and tenacious legal representation, ensuring you get fair value for your claim. A Waco wrongful death lawyer at Thompson Law will build a strong case with supporting evidence so you can recover the money you deserve.

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What Can Your Lawyer Prove in a Wrongful Death Case?

Your wrongful death attorney will work diligently to prove liability and determine what damages you might be entitled to after the accident. As part of their service to you, they will offer consultation, gather information, and investigate to build a solid wrongful death case. Experienced lawyers from a reputable law firm have dealt with insurance companies and know how to navigate the complexities of your case.

Here are some terms you might hear regarding your case:

  • Liability:  Legal responsibility for accident or injury sustained
  • Joint Liability:  Each of the multiple defendants shares full responsibility
  • Several Liability:  Numerous defendants are responsible for their burden percentage
  • Damages:  The actual injury or loss caused to a person or property
  • Compensatory Damages:  Quantifiable damages such as monies owed for rectifying the personal injury event, including medical bills, repairs, and replacement of property, payment covering loss or lost income
  • General Damages:  Harder to quantify losses such as pain and suffering as well as future earnings
  • Punitive Damages:  Damages to punish a defendant for particularly inexcusable conduct

Your attorney will put their experience and skills to work to prove that you deserve compensation for mental anguish, lost earning capacity, lost love or companionship, lost inheritance, and more. They also assist with recovering expenses related to the deceased, such as funeral expenses and medical costs related to injuries sustained before death.

Do you think you have a right to file a wrongful death claim and want to know more about your legal rights? Call our Waco wrongful death lawyers for a FREE CASE REVIEW. We will answer any questions you have over the phone, and if you have a claim we can help with we can get started working on your case today.

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Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Waco

Wrongful death occurs when a person dies due to the negligence or intentional action of another person or entity for a wide variety of reasons. As a result, surviving family members are left to face unimaginable grief and loss, as well as a number of legal challenges. Some of the most common causes of wrongful death we see include:

In Texas, damages in a wrongful death case can cover a wide range of losses. A Waco wrongful death attorney can help your family get the fair compensation they deserve after a tragic event. If you want to better understand what damages our wrongful death attorneys believe you can pursue, call us today for a FREE CONSULTATION.

Wrongful Deaths from Fatal Auto Accidents in Waco, TX

Some of the most common wrongful death incidents involve motor vehicles. There are many negligent and reckless behaviors motorists can engage in that put the lives of others at risk, including driving while intoxicated, driving under the influence, distracted driving, speeding, and more.

Fatal Auto Accidents in the Waco Area in 2022

  • Waco, TX:  12 crashes fatally injuring 13 people
  • McLennan County:  40 crashes fatally injuring 43 people

Fatal DUI (alcohol-related) Auto Accidents in the Waco Area in 2022

In 2022, 16.7% of fatal auto accidents warranting wrongful death claims in Waco were caused by drunk drivers. In all of McLennan County, 27.5% of fatal auto accidents were caused by drinking and driving.

  • Waco, TX:  2 crashes fatally injuring 2 people
  • McLennan County:  11 crashes fatally injuring 13 people

How Can a Waco Wrongful Death Attorney Help?

Your wrongful death attorney is your legal advocate after a devastating accident. As part of their service to you, they will investigate to gather evidence and build a solid wrongful death case. Along the way, your lawyer will ensure you know your rights under Texas law and provide essential end-to-end support.

Thompson Law firm will work hard to prove:

  • A legal duty of care was owed:  For example, motorists have a duty of care that requires them to operate their vehicle in a sober state
  • A legal duty of care was breached:  For example, a drunk motorist caused car accident that resulted in someone’s death
  • Breaching the duty caused injuries:  With a wrongful death, the injuries themselves resulted in the loss of your loved one
  • Breach of duty caused damages:  In the case of a lost loved one, those damages can be monetary (e.g., medical bills, funeral expenses, lost income or inheritance) and non-monetary (e.g., loss of companionship)

The amount of compensation is determined by evaluating the specific circumstances of the case and the insurance company’s coverage amounts.

While every client is unique, our team of skilled personal injury attorneys has years of experience obtaining excellent results in similar cases. We use our extensive knowledge of wrongful death cases to achieve promising outcomes in even the most catastrophic circumstances.

Call us today for a FREE CONSULTATION. We can help you understand whether you have a wrongful death claim we can pursue, and whether a survival claim is likely to apply in your deceased family member’s case.

What Types of Compensation Can You Receive in a Wrongful Death Case?

Compensation for wrongful death cases varies by state, as laws differ on who can be sued and how much survivors can recover. In some states, government entities may be exempt from such lawsuits, and there may be caps on the compensation awarded. Generally, wrongful death compensation includes both economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages cover measurable losses, such as medical bills, funeral expenses, lost income, and the financial support the deceased provided. Non-economic damages address intangible losses, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of companionship or guidance. An experienced wrongful death lawyer can work with expert economists to estimate lost future earnings and other factors to build a strong claim.

The loss of a loved one is deeply painful, but for families who relied on the deceased for financial stability, it can also mean a dramatic change in their quality of life and future security.

What Factors Determine the Value of a Wrongful Death Claim?

The value of a wrongful death claim depends on several factors unique to each case. Insurance companies and courts consider various elements when determining the compensation a family may receive, including:

  • The type and seriousness of the accident.
  • The deceased’s age, occupation, and lifestyle.
  • The health and life expectancy of the deceased before the incident.
  • The deceased’s past and potential future earnings.
  • The financial support provided to the spouse.
  • Whether the deceased had minor children and the number of dependents.
  • The deceased’s involvement in their community and relationships.

These factors can either increase or decrease the potential settlement amount. For instance, a claim may result in lower compensation if the victim was elderly, had no dependents, and was partially at fault for the accident. Conversely, a claim may be higher in value if the victim was young, fully blameless, and left behind a spouse and minor children who depended on their financial and emotional support.

Thompson Law Guarantee

Thompson Law charges NO FEES unless we obtain a settlement for your case. We have put over $1.9 billion in cash settlements into our clients’ pockets.

Contact us today for a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your accident, get answers to your questions, and understand your legal options. State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an injury accident, so call today.