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If a loved one or someone you know lost their life in a fatal car accident in Houston, TX, we may be able to help. Backed by years of experience, our Houston car accident lawyers know what it takes to hold the liable parties accountable for your losses. We will fight aggressively and strategically to get you the compensation you deserve after losing a loved one in a car crash.
To learn more about how to proceed after a car accident, call The Queenan Law Firm, P.C. today at (817) 476-1797. Our attorneys are available for a free legal consultation to help you with your potential case.
Common Causes of Car Accident Deaths in Houston
Car accidents happen every day in the U.S. Unfortunately, thousands of people sustain severe, life-altering injuries in many of these crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2018, there were 36,560 deaths related to car accidents in the U.S.
Despite many state and federal laws that work to prevent fatal crashes, car accidents and car accident deaths keep happening by the thousands. Many factors can cause car accidents at any given time, however, some of the most common causes of fatal crashes include the following:
Distracted Driving
Today more than ever, distracted driving has become one of the leading causes of car crashes in the nation. This is mostly due to all of the distractions surrounding a driver; anything and everything happening around a driver could distract them. Electronic devices like cell phones make it easier than ever for drivers to be distracted. In fact, one of the biggest causes of distracted driving is smartphone use.
Many drivers use their smartphones for driving navigation, texting, music, and web browsing while driving. It is extremely dangers when a driver stops looking at the road for several seconds. This may be enough time for a driver to lose control of their car, hit another vehicle in front of them, drive into a stationary object, or hit a pedestrian. Strict laws fight distracted driving, but unfortunately, these types of accidents keep happening. If someone you love was killed in a car accident because of a distracted driver’s negligent actions, we can help.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence (DUI) is another of the primary dangers on the road that regulatory authorities work to fight. Alcohol is at least partly responsible for thousands of crashes, injuries, and wrongful deaths each year. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), during 2016, there were 10,497 deaths due to alcohol-related crashes in the U.S.
These numbers paint a grim picture in today’s modern society where we’d expect people to follow the rules set forth by state and federal law. If a loved one lost their life because of the dangerous decisions a drunk driver made, our Houston car accident death lawyers can help you hold the liable parties accountable for their wrongdoing.
Speeding
Speed is another common factor in crashes and one of the leading causes – If not the leading cause –of car accidents in the nation. According to the NHTSA, 9,378 people lost their lives due to speeding in 2018. Speeding by itself is inherently dangerous, however, when combined with other factors such as drugs and alcohol, speeding can easily become lethal. If a loved one or someone you know was killed in a speed-related car accident in Houston, our fatal car accident attorneys may be able to help.
Liability After a Fatal Car Accident in Houston
After a car accident, it is natural to think about who will be accountable for the losses and damage. This is especially true for people who lose a loved one in a crash and want to hold someone responsible. There are ways you can hold the at-fault parties accountable for your losses, especially in cases where you lose a loved one. While no amount of money will be enough to bring a loved one back, compensation can help you with your first steps towards recovery.
Compensation in such cases can be achieved by filing what is known as a “wrongful death” claim. A representative must submit these claims in the name of the family who survived the deceased victim. Depending on the circumstances of a case, there may be different parties in interest in the deceased’s estate. For instance, a surviving spouse, child, or parent might be able to benefit from this kind of lawsuit.
Most of these cases are based on theories of negligence. Therefore, you will have the burden of proving the at-fault parties were negligent and that such negligence caused your loved one’s death.
Some elements need to be proven in court to obtain compensation. First, you will need to show the liable party owed the victim a duty of care. This can be done by showing the negligent driver owed them a duty to drive safely and reasonably by obeying traffic laws, driving sober, and avoiding speeding. You will also need to prove they breached this duty of care by driving negligently. Once you have established these two elements, you will need to prove that the losses you and your family faced were a direct result of the accident. You must also prove the value of the medical bills, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages. Once you have proven these elements, the court may grant you the compensation you deserve.
There may be cases where the court may grant what is known as punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded in cases where the defendant’s actions prove to be extreme. These damages are awarded as a way of deterring the defendant and others from engaging in similar conduct in the future. Our Houston car accident attorneys can help you throughout the entire claim process.
Car Accident Death Lawyer Offering Free Consultations in Houston, TX
If you or a loved one had a car accident and lost a loved one in Houston, TX, we may be able to assist. At the Queenan Law Firm, P.C., our skilled attorneys understand the difficulties associated with the loss of a loved one. We strive to handle all of our cases strategically and compassionately while defending your rights aggressively. Schedule a free, confidential consultation with our Houston car accident attorneys today. Our phone number is (817) 476-1797.