Losing a loved one in an accident is tragic. Survivors are often denied the opportunity to say goodbye. When someone else’s careless actions causes the death of a loved one, take action and call a lawyer for help.
What Are The Common Types Of Accidents That Lead To A Wrongful Death?
- Car Accidents
Car accidents are one of the most common types of fatal accidents that result in a wrongful death. This is simply due to the vast number of people who drive and how often they drive.
According to the Houston Chronicle, on average, there are 11 fatal wrecks and 12 deaths in a week on Houston roadways. Many fatal car accidents are caused by the negligence of one or more drivers, such as:
- Distracted (texting) driving
- Reckless driving
- Construction activity
- Speeding
- Driving while drowsy
- Drunk driving
- Roadway issues
- Trucking Accidents
Although accidents involving commercial trucks, such as 18-wheelers, are technically considered to be car accidents, they are different from passenger cars. Commercial trucks are much larger and heavier; therefore, they are more likely to be involved in accidents causing death.
There are numerous ways commercial trucks can cause wrongful deaths, including:
- Improper training
- Distracted driving
- Oversized loads
- Improperly secured loads
- Mechanical defects and failures
- Improper maintenance
- Driver error
- Aggressive driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Motorcycle, Bicycle And Pedestrian Accidents
Motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians are more likely to be killed in vehicle accidents because they lack the protection that motorists have during a collision. In many cases, pedestrians, motorcyclists and bicyclists were killed in accidents caused by driver negligence. Drivers involved in these accidents often fail to notice these individuals.
- Workplace Deaths
Employers have the responsibility to keep their employees safe. They do this by providing proper training, proper tools and safety equipment, and proper supervision and oversight. Workers in certain occupations are at a greater risk of death because of the dangerous nature of the job. Even so, a fatal work-related accident can occur in any work environment where employees are required to work under dangerous conditions. Examples of workplace wrongful death claims can include:
- Falls
- Being crushed between machinery, structures or materials
- Being struck by objects
- Electrocutions
- Repetitive Motion and strain injuries
- Workplace violence
- Fatigue
- Explosions
- Lack of proper safety equipment
- Lack of proper training
In most cases, the family will be entitled to death benefits through their state’s workers’ comp system, but in some narrow circumstances, the family may be able to sue for negligence.
- Defective Products
A defective product is something that is inherently defective or dangerous to its user when used correctly. In certain cases, using a defective product can be fatal. Examples of defective products causing wrongful death involve a variety of defects, including:
- Defective drugs
- Defective vehicles and their components
- Defective children’s products
- Toxic food and containers
- Defective equipment
Contact A Houston Wrongful Death Lawyer For Help
If you have suffered the loss of a loved one as a result of someone else’s fault, contact Hernandez Sunosky, LLP at 713.981.4100 for a free, no-obligation consultation with our Houston, TX wrongful death lawyers. We will help you understand which legal options may be available to help you obtain the justice and compensation you deserve.