Lake City Wrongful Death Lawyer
Has someone you love recently been killed in a fatal accident in Lake City, FL? If so, you may be able to fight for compensation with the help of a skilled Lake City wrongful death lawyer at Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers.
For nearly three decades, our lawyers have dedicated our practice to helping accident victims and their families get justice. Our hard work has paid off–and we’ve already helped thousands of clients recover millions in compensation to hold negligent parties accountable for their actions.
Our lawyers know that you’re going through a difficult time. However, you only have a limited amount of time to act. Call our lawyers in Lake City, Florida, today to schedule a free consultation.
How Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers Can Help After the Death of a Loved One in Lake City, FL
Taking legal action might not seem like a priority if you’ve recently lost a loved one. An unexpected accident can change your family’s life forever. It can also create a financial burden that you shouldn’t have to face alone.
If someone else caused your loved one’s death, you could be entitled to substantial compensation. However, getting the compensation you deserve isn’t as easy as filing an insurance claim and waiting for the check to arrive.
An experienced Lake City personal injury lawyer at Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers can fight for the money your family needs by:
- Collecting evidence to back up your claim
- Fighting back when the insurance company tries to blame your loved one for the accident
- Hiring experts and specialists to assess the value of your case fairly
- Handling all negotiations with the insurance company so you can focus on your family
For nearly 30 years, our Lake City personal injury lawyers have been a strong advocate for victims’ rights. We have a proven track record of helping families recover the financial compensation they need. If you’ve unexpectedly lost a loved one, reach out to our lawyers to learn more about how we can help your family get the money you need to move forward.
How Common Are Fatal Accidents in Lake City?
Thousands of lives are lost in fatal accidents across Florida every year. Falls and motor vehicle accidents are by far the most common cause of unintentional death in Florida. Over 3,350 people died because of fall-related injuries across Florida in 2019.
In 2020 alone, 3,303 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents statewide. Over 70 of those fatalities occurred in Columbia County and nearby Alachua County.
Another 332 workers died in fatal occupational accidents across Florida in a single year.
What is Wrongful Death?
Wrongful death happens when someone loses their life because of another person’s negligent or reckless behavior. It’s not necessary to show that the responsible party’s actions were intentional to recover compensation for wrongful death.
Wrongful death cases are handled in civil court. They give grieving families a way to hold negligent parties financially accountable for their actions. However, if a criminal action is pending against the responsible party, you may still have the right to recover damages for wrongful death.
What is My Lake City Wrongful Death Case Worth?
Wrongful death is the most severe loss an accident can cause. Families of the victim may be entitled to significant damages. However, a number of factors come into play when arriving at the fair value of your wrongful death claim.
Some of those factors include:
- Your loved one’s pain and suffering
- The value of your loved one’s future lost earnings
- The cost of replacing any household services performed by the victim
- The age and life expectancy of the beneficiaries, including minor children
Generally speaking, survivors will receive higher settlements if they are relatively young and have young families. That’s because the law recognizes the family would have relied upon the victim’s support, company, and protection for decades to come.
At Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers we know you can never put a price tag on your loss. We’ll fight to get justice for your family in the only way we can–by recovering the maximum financial compensation to protect your family’s future.
Who is Entitled to File an Action for Wrongful Death in Florida?
The value of a wrongful death case depends upon who is claiming damages. Only certain surviving family members are entitled to sue for wrongful death in Florida. They include:
- A surviving spouse
- Children
- Parents
- Other blood relatives and adoptive relatives who depend upon the deceased person for support or services
Legally, the personal representative of your loved one’s estate must file a formal lawsuit. The claim is brought on behalf of the victim’s estate and surviving family.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Wrongful Death Victims?
Damages available in wrongful death actions are slightly different than those available in personal injury cases.
At Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers we’ll fight to recover damages for:
- Your loved one’s medical bills
- Loss of your loved one’s support and services, beginning from the date of injury or death
- Loss of companionship and protection for the victim’s surviving spouse
- Lost parental companionship, support, and guidance
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Loss of prospective inheritance
- Funeral expenses and burial costs
Losing a loved one impacts every aspect of your life. Surviving family members are often entitled to damages that aren’t available in non-fatal accident cases–even though they weren’t physically hurt themselves.
Our accident attorneys will do everything we can to get the fair compensation your family deserves. Give us a call today for the legal advice you deserve.
Can I Recover Damages If My Loved One is Being Blamed for a Fatal Accident in Florida?
Your settlement or verdict can be reduced under the modified comparative fault laws in Florida if your loved one is partly to blame for the accident. While it may seem wrong, insurance companies often try to blame victims for their own death. After all, your loved one isn’t around to tell their side of the story.
If successful, your compensation award can be reduced in proportion to your loved one’s share of the blame. However, even if the insurance company can prove the victim was partly responsible, you don’t necessarily lose your right to compensation entirely. Florida has a 51% bar to recovery in place, so you only lose that right if your loved one was mostly at fault. You can still hold the negligent party accountable for their share of the damage.
A personal injury lawyer can help if your loved one is being blamed for an accident. Our lawyers will work to dispute the insurance company’s allegations of your loved one’s blame for the accident.
What Causes Most Fatal Accidents in Lake City, Florida?
Far too many people lose their lives in unnecessary accidents every year. As a survivor, you deserve to hold the responsible parties accountable. We’re here to help make sure that happens.
At Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, we represent families who have lost loved ones in cases involving:
- Car accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bus accidents
- Uber or Lyft accidents
- Boating accidents
- Construction accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Defective products
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse and neglect
- Assault and violence
Whether your loved one was killed in a car accident or other traumatic event, you can count on our Lake City wrongful death attorneys to fight for full compensation.
How Do I Prove Negligence in a Florida Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Surviving family members are entitled to file a wrongful death suit if the victim could have filed a personal injury lawsuit. In other words, accident victims don’t lose their right to compensation if they don’t survive their injuries.
However, survivors still have to prove that someone else caused their loved one’s death. That usually means proving negligence. Negligence happens when someone fails to behave as a reasonable person would have behaved under the circumstances.
In legal terms, proving negligence means establishing:
- The responsible party owed your loved one a duty of care
- The party breached that duty
- The breach caused your loved one’s death
- The amount of damages you suffered as a result
Contact our law offices today to learn more about how we can help you prove that someone else caused your loved one’s death.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit for Wrongful Death in Florida?
In Florida, you have two years to file a lawsuit for wrongful death. The two-year statute of limitations begins running on the date of your loved one’s death. Once two years have passed, you lose your right to compensation.
Give us a call today if you’re interested in learning more about how we can help you file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires.
Contact a Lake City Wrongful Death Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Your life can easily become overwhelming when you lose a loved one in an unexpected accident. Getting fair compensation can help you overcome any financial challenges you’re facing. When you’re ready to learn more about how our lawyers can help, call an experienced Lake City wrongful death lawyer at Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
If you’re outside of Lake City – we also have wrongful death attorneys in Gainesville, Palatka, Ocala, and near you.