Losing a loved one in a car accident is a devastating experience. The sudden and tragic nature of such an event leaves families in Parker County grappling with immense grief and an uncertain future.
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While you are trying to process this profound loss, you may also face mounting financial pressures from medical bills, funeral costs, and the loss of financial support. The thought of navigating a complex legal claim during this time can feel impossible.
At Stephens Law, we understand the immense pain and confusion you are experiencing. We recognize that no amount of money can replace your loved one, but securing financial stability can provide a crucial foundation for your family’s future.
Our compassionate legal team is here to provide the support and guidance you need to hold the responsible parties accountable.
You do not have to face this difficult journey alone. An experienced Weatherford fatal car accident lawyer from our firm can handle every aspect of your wrongful death claim, allowing you to focus on healing with your family.
We invite you to contact us online or at (817) 409-7000 for an immediate case evaluation to learn how we can help.
Key Takeaways About a Weatherford Fatal Car Accidents Lawyer
- Understanding Texas Wrongful Death Claims: Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 71, specific surviving family members may be able to file a wrongful death claim to recover damages for their losses. A wrongful death attorney in Weatherford can help determine your eligibility.
- The Importance of a Survival Action: In addition to a wrongful death claim, the estate of the deceased may pursue a survival action. This type of claim enables the estate to recover damages the deceased experienced prior to their death.
- Navigating Complex Insurance Negotiations: Insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts following a fatal car accident. Having legal representation after a fatal collision is vital to counter these tactics and pursue the full financial recovery your family needs.
- Strict Time Limits Apply: The Texas statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is generally two years from the date of the person’s death. It is essential to contact an attorney promptly to protect your right to file a lawsuit.
- How Stephens Law Can Help: Our firm assists families in navigating the complexities of both wrongful death and survival action claims. We handle the investigation, document all losses, and fight to hold negligent drivers accountable, allowing you to focus on your family.
Why Choose Stephens Law for Your Fatal Car Accident Claim in Weatherford, TX
Stephens Law is committed to providing powerful advocacy for families in Weatherford who have lost a loved one due to another’s negligence.
We have a proven history of standing up to large insurance companies and fighting for the justice our clients seek:
- Compassionate and personalized representation: We understand the profound emotional and financial toll a fatal car accident takes on a family. We take the time to listen to your story, understand your unique needs, and develop a legal strategy tailored to securing your family’s future.
- Thorough case preparation: Our legal team conducts exhaustive investigations to uncover the facts surrounding the fatal crash. We work with accident reconstructionists and other professionals to gather the evidence needed to build a compelling case and establish liability.
- Aggressive advocacy for surviving family members: Whether negotiating with insurance carriers or presenting your case in a courtroom, our attorneys are relentless in pursuing a resolution that addresses the full scope of your losses. We are prepared to take your case to trial if a fair wrongful death settlement cannot be reached.
Choosing Stephens Law means partnering with a dedicated team that will manage every legal detail with the care and determination it requires. Let our Weatherford auto accident fatality attorney provide the legal support you need to move forward.
Call (817) 409-7000 to discuss how we can help your family during this difficult time.
Why Legal Representation Matters in Weatherford Fatal Car Accident Cases
The process of filing a car accident wrongful death claim in Texas is filled with legal complexities that can be difficult for grieving families to manage on their own.
Insurance companies often employ tactics to reduce or deny valid claims, adding more stress to an already painful situation.
Stephens Law is prepared to counter these challenges and provide the legal guidance your family needs:
- Proving fault in a fatal crash: You must prove that the other driver’s negligence directly led to your loved one’s death. We conduct detailed investigations, gathering police reports, witness statements, and electronic data to build a strong foundation of evidence.
- Calculating the full extent of your losses: The damages in a fatal accident case go beyond funeral and burial expenses. We work with financial professionals to accurately calculate losses such as lost earning capacity, loss of companionship, and mental anguish to build a comprehensive claim.
- Dealing with insurance companies: Insurance adjusters may try to pressure you into accepting a quick, low settlement. Our team handles all communications, protecting you from these tactics and negotiating forcefully for a settlement that reflects the true cost of your loss.
- Identifying all liable parties: In some fatal accidents, more than one party may be at fault. We work to identify every liable entity, which could include the driver, their employer, or a vehicle manufacturer, to maximize your family’s potential for financial recovery.
Our legal team is dedicated to holding negligent parties accountable and helping you navigate these legal complexities with confidence.
Eligibility for a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Weatherford, Texas
Determining who can pursue a wrongful death claim is not always straightforward. At Stephens Law, we guide families in Weatherford through this important first step, helping to clarify eligibility and next actions under Texas law:
- Who may file a wrongful death claim: According to the Texas wrongful death statute, the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased are typically the parties who can bring a claim. These family members may choose to file individually or together.
- Role of the estate in legal action: If qualifying family members do not file within three months, the personal representative or executor of the estate may be able to take action on their behalf.
- Survival actions and other beneficiaries: While siblings and extended relatives are generally not eligible to file their own wrongful death lawsuit, they may have interests in a survival action pursued by the estate. This legal tool allows recovery for damages the loved one could have claimed.
Our firm evaluates the details of your situation, identifies all potential legal claims, and explains the steps available to your family.
Types of Fatal Car Accident Cases We Handle in Weatherford, TX
Fatal car accidents caused by negligence can happen in many ways. At Stephens Law, we handle a wide range of cases involving deadly collisions in the Weatherford area:
- Fatal drunk driving accidents: Collisions caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs are particularly tragic because they are entirely preventable. We work to hold intoxicated drivers accountable for the devastating harm they cause.
- Fatal distracted driving accidents: Texting, talking on the phone, or engaging in other distracting behaviors behind the wheel can have fatal consequences. We investigate these cases to prove that a driver’s inattention led to the loss of your loved one.
- Fatal speeding and reckless driving accidents: Drivers who travel at excessive speeds or operate their vehicles with a disregard for the safety of others put everyone on the road at risk. We use evidence like skid marks and vehicle damage to demonstrate how reckless behavior caused a fatal crash.
- Fatal commercial and delivery truck accidents: Accidents involving large trucks often result in catastrophic outcomes. These cases can be complex, involving the driver, the trucking company, and their insurers. We have the resources to handle these challenging claims.
- Fatal motorcycle and pedestrian accidents: Motorcyclists and pedestrians are vulnerable road users who often suffer fatal injuries in collisions. We fight for the rights of families who have lost loved ones in these types of accidents.
We are prepared to carefully evaluate the details of your accident, demonstrate the cause, and work to hold all negligent parties accountable for their actions.
Compensation for Fatal Car Accidents We Fight For at Stephens Law
While no financial award can undo the pain of losing a family member, pursuing a legal claim can help secure your family’s financial future and provide a sense of justice.
The types of compensation for fatal car accidents available through a wrongful death lawsuit are intended to address the economic and non-economic losses suffered by the surviving family members.
Damages after a fatal car accident in Texas may include:
- Loss of earning capacity: Compensation for the income the deceased would have been expected to earn and contribute to the family over their lifetime.
- Loss of companionship and society: This addresses the loss of the unique love, comfort, and companionship the deceased provided to their family. This is often referred to as loss of consortium.
- Mental anguish: Compensation for the emotional pain and suffering experienced by the surviving family members due to the loss.
- Loss of inheritance: The value of assets the deceased would have likely accumulated and left to their family had they lived a full life.
In addition to these wrongful death damages, a survival action may allow the estate to recover for:
- Medical bills: Reimbursement for the medical expenses incurred between the time of the accident and the person’s death.
- Funeral and burial expenses: The costs associated with the deceased’s funeral and burial services.
- Pain and suffering of the deceased: Compensation for the conscious physical pain and emotional distress the deceased endured before their death.
An experienced injury lawyer for the family of the deceased can evaluate all potential avenues for financial recovery.
Weatherford Fatal Car Accidents Lawyer FAQs
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a fatal car accident in Texas?
In Texas, the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is generally two years from the date of the person’s death. Some exceptions can change this deadline, so it is important to speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to understand the time limits that apply to your case.
What is the difference between a wrongful death claim and a survival action?
A wrongful death claim is filed by surviving family members to compensate them for their own losses, such as loss of companionship and financial support. A survival action is filed on behalf of the deceased’s estate to recover damages the deceased themselves could have claimed if they had survived, like their pain and suffering.
Can I still sue for wrongful death if the other driver was not charged with a crime?
A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil matter, which is separate from any criminal proceedings. The standard of proof is lower in a civil case, meaning you can still hold a driver financially responsible for negligence even if they were not convicted of a crime like vehicular manslaughter.
How much does it cost to hire a Weatherford fatal car accident lawyer?
At Stephens Law, we handle fatal car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay any upfront costs or attorney’s fees. We only receive a fee if we successfully recover compensation for your family.
Contact a Weatherford Fatal Car Accidents Lawyer From Stephens Law For a Free Case Evaluation
Stephens Law is dedicated to providing the strong advocacy and personal support your family needs to navigate this challenging time and pursue the financial stability that can help you move forward.
From conducting a thorough case analysis and handling all communications with insurance companies to fighting for your family in court, we will manage every aspect of your claim with the utmost care.
Call (817) 409-7000 or message our Weatherford fatal car accident attorneys online for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help you take the first step toward rebuilding your future.