This is a tragic scenario that, unfortunately, many California residents encounter. In fact, over three thousand people were killed in traffic-related accidents in 2014. Thousands of other people die in preventable accidents related to medical malpractice, exposure to toxic chemicals in the workplace, crossing the street as pedestrians, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, boat accidents, etc.

If you lost a loved one in a preventable accident caused by the negligence of an individual or company, speak to a Vacaville wrongful death lawyer to discuss your legal options. Call our legal team at (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400 for a free case evaluation. We can advise whether taking legal action against the negligent party makes sense.

This is an important question many clients ask when first meeting with an attorney. If you decide to move forward with a wrongful death claim, you have the right to pursue the following economic and non-economic damages:

• Loss of your deceased loved one’s earnings, including future earnings
• Your loss of a partner and companion in life
• The loss of guidance and mentorship provided by the decedent to your children
• Burial expenses
• Funeral expenses
• Any medical bills incurred due to the accident (e.g., emergency room bill, ambulance bill, etc.)
• Emotional trauma and stress associated with a sudden loss (i.e., pain and suffering)

It is recommended that, at the very least, you speak to a wrongful death lawyer to get an idea of what legal options are available. Vacaville’s vast majority of personal injury and wrongful death lawyers offer free initial consultations, so there is no financial cost to you to meet with an attorney.

Hiring an attorney makes sense when considering all factors to obtain financial recovery from the negligent party’s insurance policy. You must contact the insurance company, submit paperwork, including itemized bills, negotiate with a claims adjuster, etc. The process can be overwhelming, especially if you are also grieving the loss of your loved one.

A Vacaville wrongful death attorney can take this burden off of you. Your lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation of the incident and all available forms of insurance coverage. After contacting the insurance company, your attorney will negotiate to achieve a favorable settlement or initiate a lawsuit if necessary.

Watch the following YouTube video to learn more about wrongful death claims.

The lawyer you choose can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. If you retain an attorney with extensive experience and a reputation as a top-notch litigator, there is a greater percentage chance of achieving a satisfactory settlement. If you hire an attorney with little experience and no trial experience, there is a greater chance the insurance company will make lowball settlement offers. Below are some essential traits you should look for in your hiring decision:

• the lawyer is compassionate and sensitive to your situation
• the lawyer takes the time to explain all of the available legal options to you
• the lawyer has a reputation as a quality litigator (you can verify this on third-party websites like Avvo)
• the lawyer has actually taken a wrongful death case to trial and achieved success

Unfortunately, this question has no definitive answer since each case is different. I can tell you that the overwhelming majority of personal injury and wrongful death cases settle without the need to impanel a jury (we’re talking well over 90 percent of claims settled). Nevertheless, a trial may be necessary, especially if liability is contested or the insurance company offers a lowball settlement. In this situation, your attorney proves invaluable since they file a lawsuit, draft necessary pleadings, take depositions, etc.

Losing a loved one is always gut-wrenching, but the pain worsens when the loss is sudden and unexpected.

Since 1982, the wrongful death lawyers at AutoAccident.com have helped many California families from communities across Solano County, including Vacaville, who have lost loved ones in accidents. If your family has been the wrongful death victim, call our Vacaville injury lawyers at (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice. Our Vacaville Wrongful Death Lawyers represent clients throughout the greater Bay Area, including St. Helena and Napa.

^{Editor’s Note: updated 11.8.23 sb [cs 753] Photo by Pixabay}