Riverside Wrongful Death Lawyer

Riverside Wrongful Death Attorney

The unexpected death of a member of your family can be a traumatic experience, and knowing that their death resulted from another party’s negligence or misconduct can make this situation even more difficult to accept. If you lost a loved one due to negligence or misconduct, you need to speak with a Riverside wrongful death lawyer at the Corrales Law Group right away.

Whether your loved one was fatally injured in a highway accident on I-215 or the Riverside Freeway, fatally wounded by a violent act, or suffered a fatal slip and fall on someone else’s property, our team will work diligently to ensure accountability for the party responsible and pursue compensation for your family’s loss. Our goal in every case is to help our personal injury clients secure a sense of closure as efficiently as possible.

Compassionate Wrongful Death Counsel in Riverside, CA

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were more than 227,000 deaths from accidental injuries throughout the United States in 2022. While not all accidental deaths result from the negligence or misconduct of others, those that do can form grounds for wrongful death cases. A wrongful death case is a type of personal injury suit filed by the family of a victim who did not survive their personal injury.

It’s possible for a wrongful death to result from all types of situations, and some of the most common causes of wrongful deaths in Riverside include:

• Motor vehicle accidents. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, a total of 1,764 people were injured or killed in motor vehicle accidents in Riverside in 2022. Most vehicle accidents in Riverside happen because of negligence, such as speeding or distracted driving, but they can also happen due to intentional misconduct behind the wheel, like aggressive or intoxicated driving.
• Slip and fall accidents. While a slip and fall may sound like it would be a minor incident, the reality is that such an incident could result in a fatal head injury, or the victim may not survive if they fall a great distance. It’s possible for a property owner to face liability for wrongful death for a fatal fall on their property.
• Intentional acts, such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, violent assault, or intentional homicide. Those who intentionally cause fatal harm to others face severe penalties in criminal court alongside their civil liability for wrongful death.

These are just a few examples of how wrongful deaths may occur in the Riverside area. If you are unsure whether you have grounds to file a wrongful death suit, you must first determine whether you believe another party is directly responsible for causing the death. If so, your Riverside wrongful death lawyer can gather the evidence and witness testimony you need to hold them accountable.

Building a Wrongful Death Case in Riverside

A wrongful death case is a type of personal injury case, and in every personal injury case, the plaintiff must identify the defendant who caused the injury, prove how the defendant caused the injury, and then the plaintiff must show the full scope of the resulting damages. The forms of evidence the plaintiff will need to establish fault will vary based on the nature of the fatal accident.

Your Riverside wrongful death lawyer at the Corrales Law Group can gather various forms of evidence for you. For example, if your loved one died in a fatal car accident because of a distracted driver, your attorney could gather evidence like cell phone records, vehicle computer data, traffic camera footage, and eyewitness statements to help you establish liability. Once you have proven fault, your attorney can help you claim compensation.

It is important to remember, however, that California enforces a pure comparative negligence statute that can come into play in any personal injury case in which the victim is found partially liable for their damages. If the facts show that the victim contributed to causing the fatal accident, this statute could apply to the case, and the victim’s fault percentage will be deducted from the case award.

Your Riverside wrongful death lawyer can not only gather the evidence needed to build the strongest possible case for you but also help you accurately calculate the full scope of the damages you and your family are eligible to claim.

Recovering Compensation for a Wrongful Death

Losing a member of your family is never easy, and their death not only takes an emotional toll but also a financial one as well. For example, if your family member was the main breadwinner for your household, losing their financial support can put your family in a very difficult economic situation. You are also likely to face various expenses, including funeral and burial costs, because of their death.

Money from a successful wrongful death suit cannot replace your family member, but it can provide a sense of closure and financial relief to you and your loved ones in a very difficult time. The Corrales Law Group can fight for you for maximum compensation and trust our team to negotiate a settlement or represent you in the courtroom if necessary.

The majority of wrongful death cases and other personal injury suits filed throughout the United States each year are resolved in pretrial settlement negotiations, but litigation is sometimes unavoidable. Your Riverside wrongful death lawyer at the Corrales Law Group can develop a comprehensive legal strategy for you and will be ready to respond to any and all unexpected developments that could arise in your case.

Ultimately, a wrongful death in the family can be life-changing in several ways. The aftermath of this incident can be confusing and traumatic, and legal counsel you trust is an invaluable asset in any such situation. The team at the Corrales Law Group is ready to build a comprehensive wrongful death suit for you, so reach out to our firm at your first opportunity to learn how we can assist you.

FAQs About Riverside, CA Wrongful Death Laws

How Do You Prove Liability for a Wrongful Death in Riverside?

To prove liability for a wrongful death in Riverside, you need to identify the party you believe is responsible for causing the wrongful death and present evidence showing they are directly responsible.

It’s possible for a defendant to face liability for wrongful death if their illegal misconduct or negligence resulted in fatal harm to the victim. Your Riverside wrongful death lawyer can gather the evidence you will need to firmly establish fault for your family member’s death.

Will I Need to Go to Trial for a Wrongful Death Case in Riverside?

It is unlikely that you will need to go to trial for wrongful death cases in Riverside. A wrongful death case is a type of personal injury case, and the vast majority of wrongful death cases in Riverside are resolved in a trial. Your Riverside wrongful death lawyer can determine whether any litigation is likely to be necessary for your case and, if so, explain what you can expect. Most wrongful death cases in Riverside are resolved through pretrial settlement.

Will the Defendant Go to Jail for Causing a Wrongful Death in Riverside?

It is possible for a defendant to go to jail for causing a wrongful death in Riverside based on the manner in which they caused the death. If a wrongful death results from an illegal act, like drinking and driving or a violent crime, the defendant faces criminal charges along with civil liability for the wrongful death. Anyone who causes a fatal injury in this way is likely to face felony prosecution.

What Is a Wrongful Death Case Worth in Riverside?

The value of a wrongful death case in Riverside depends on multiple factors. Your attorney can accurately calculate the full scope of the economic damages you and your family are eligible to claim, which can include any direct financial losses your family suffered. Additionally, plaintiffs in wrongful death cases may claim compensation for pain and suffering. Your Riverside wrongful death lawyer can help maximize this aspect of your recovery.

What Does It Cost to Hire a Riverside Wrongful Death Lawyer?

The cost to hire a Riverside wrongful death lawyer will be a percentage of your total case award when you choose the Corrales Law Group to represent you. Our firm accepts these cases on a contingency basis, meaning you will only be charged a contingency fee once we have won your case. Because this fee is a percentage of the total recovery, there is no risk of your legal fees being more than your compensation. If there is no recovery, there is no fee.

The team at the Corrales Law Group knows that you are likely to have many pressing legal questions in the aftermath of a loved one’s death. We know your situation is difficult, and we want to provide the guidance and support you need in this challenging time. Our firm is confident in our ability to deliver a positive outcome in your case, so contact us today and schedule a free consultation with a Riverside wrongful death lawyer you trust.