Has someone you love been killed in a fatal accident in Evans, GA? Filing a wrongful death claim can help secure your family’s future. An experienced Evans wrongful death lawyer at Hawk Law Group can fight to recover compensation for medical bills, lost income, and your pain and suffering.
We’ve offered high-quality legal representation to clients in the CSRA for over three decades. We’ve recovered tens of millions of dollars in compensation for accident victims and their families.
We know you’re struggling. However, you only have a limited amount of time to act. Call (706)-863-6500 or contact our law offices in Evans, Georgia, to schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal options today.
How Hawk Law Group Can Help With a Wrongful Death Claim in Evans
You’ve suffered a devastating loss. It’s possible that you’ve barely had time to pick up the pieces–but you might already be experiencing financial problems. You deserve justice. Our Evans personal injury lawyers can fight for that justice–which may come in the form of financial compensation.
Insurance companies can be cold and impersonal. Even if they seem to care, they’re really only concerned about the bottom line. You deserve an advocate in your corner to fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Hiring Hawk Law Group means that you’ll have a respected advocate to:
- Determine what caused your loved one’s death
- Identify all responsible parties
- Demand fair compensation from everyone involved
- Hire experts and specialists to support your wrongful death claim
- Negotiate with the insurance companies and defense lawyers
When every day is a struggle, you can trust our Evans personal injury attorneys to fight for every available dollar. Collectively, we have over 71 years of experience and a proven track record of success. In fact, we’ve recovered some of the largest verdicts in the CSRA.
Ready to learn more about our law firm? Call for a free case evaluation today.
How Common Are Fatal Accidents in Evans, GA?
According to CDC estimates, about 4,300 people in Georgia die because of unintentional injuries every year.
These injuries can happen in any number of ways. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 207 Georgia workers died in fatal work accidents in 2019.
Around 1,600 people died in fatal motor vehicle accidents statewide in 2020, setting a new record. In Columbia County alone, there were 83 fatal auto accidents between 2014 and 2019.
What is Wrongful Death?
A wrongful death happens when a person’s negligent, careless, wrongful, or intentional act causes someone else’s death. You may be entitled to sue for a wrongful death even if the responsible party is also facing criminal charges.
A wrongful death lawsuit is filed in civil court. While criminal courts may punish the defendant, the civil court system holds at-fault parties liable for financial compensation.
Survivors can file a wrongful death lawsuit against someone accused of homicide or manslaughter. However, you can also seek compensation from negligent parties whose careless acts contributed to your loved one’s death.
Only certain people can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Georgia. Those individuals include:
- Surviving spouses
- Children
- Surviving parents, if no surviving spouse or children exist
The personal representative can file a wrongful death action on behalf of the decedent’s estate in other cases.
What is My Evans Wrongful Death Case Worth?
You may be wondering how it’s possible to put a price tag on your loved one’s life. Truthfully, money will never make up for your loss. However, fighting for fair compensation can be one of the most important things you’ll ever do.
You’ll only have one chance to get the full amount you deserve. Insurance companies know this. They might try to pressure you into accepting a settlement before you can speak to a lawyer.
If you accept without seeking legal advice, you could end up with less than you deserve.
Calculating the value of a wrongful death claim requires knowledge of the facts. Our lawyers will examine all relevant factors, including:
- The cost and duration of your loved one’s medical treatment prior to death
- Your loved one’s age, life expectancy, and future earning potential
- How the loss has impacted your family
- The age and life expectancy of any dependants and children
- Your loved one’s pain and suffering prior to death
At Hawk Law Group, we’ll work closely with your doctors and specialists when we evaluate your wrongful death claim. With these experts’ help, our lawyers will be able to assess the value of your case accurately.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Victims of Wrongful Death?
Under Georgia’s wrongful death laws, there are two different types of wrongful death lawsuits. One provides compensation to the victim’s surviving family members. The other is filed by the victim’s personal representative to recover damages on behalf of the estate.
In the first type of wrongful death action, survivors are entitled to seek compensation that represents “the full value of the life of the decedent.”
That includes compensation for:
- Lost wages and income (past and future)
- Loss of companionship
- Lost parental support and guidance
Damages are divided among the surviving family members. Surviving parents are only entitled to damages if there is no surviving spouse or children.
The victim’s personal representative is also entitled to recover compensation to reimburse the estate for any costs associated with the accident, injury, and death.
These damages provide compensation for:
- The deceased person’s medical bills from the date of injury to the date of death
- Funeral expenses and burial costs
- The pain and suffering the injury caused the victim prior to death
- Any other expenses incurred because of the decedent’s injury
Punitive damages are rare in Georgia wrongful death cases. These damages are typically only available in cases involving intentional wrongdoing or malicious acts. For example, if your loved one’s death was caused by homicide, you may be entitled to punitive damages to punish the defendant.
Can I Recover Damages If My Loved One is Being Blamed for a Fatal Accident in Georgia?
Insurance companies often blame accident victims for their own deaths. That might seem unimaginable. However, it’s important to take these tactics seriously. If successful, the insurance company can pay you less–or nothing at all.
Georgia has a modified comparative negligence law. Victims are barred from recovering damages if they’re more than 49% responsible for their injuries. If the victim is less than 50% liable, damages are reduced in proportion to the victim’s percentage of fault.
So, when shared fault is an issue, the rules are:
- If your loved one was only partly responsible for the accident, you can recover part of your settlement
- If your loved one was mostly responsible for the accident, you can’t recover damages
Insurance companies are good at manipulating the facts. They might show you evidence that seems legitimate. Typically, that means they’re trying to scare you into accepting a lowball settlement.
Our lawyers can fight to stop that from happening. We’ll carefully investigate your loved one’s accident. Once we determine the cause and identify all responsible parties, we can work to minimize your loved one’s role in the event.
What Causes Most Wrongful Deaths in Evans, Georgia?
At Hawk Law Group, we handle all types of wrongful death cases in Evans, including:
- Car accidents, including drunk driving accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Construction site accidents
- Homicide
- Medical malpractice
- Defective products
- Slip and fall accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bus accidents
- Boating accidents
- Dog bites
- Nursing home abuse
- Negligent security
- Premises liability, including drowning accidents
Anytime your loved one was killed because of someone else’s actions, you may have grounds to pursue compensation–even if the death was entirely accidental.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Fatal Accident in Georgia?
Most wrongful death cases are based on negligence. You can hold the at-fault parties liable for damages if you can prove that:
- The responsible party had a legal duty of care
- They breached their duty
- The breach caused your loved one’s death
Anyone who contributed to the death can be held accountable for your losses. Responsible parties may include:
- Negligent drivers
- Property owners
- Business owners
- Government entities
- Employers of negligent parties
- Manufacturers of defective products
- Someone who intentionally hurt your loved one
Would you like to speak with an experienced Evans wrongful death attorney about your options? Call our highly recommended legal team at Hawk Law Group for a free case review today. We’d be happy to provide more information about our experience and legal services.
How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Georgia?
Georgia has a two-year statute of limitations in wrongful death cases. If you don’t file a lawsuit within two years of your loved one’s death, you’ll lose your right to compensation.
Contact an Evans Wrongful Death Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Losing a loved one is always a painful experience. Our lawyers have handled cases like yours before and know how to help. Call or use our contact form to speak with an experienced Evans wrongful death lawyer at Hawk Law Group today.
Our Evans, GA personal injury law office also provides:
- Evans, GA Car Accident Lawyers
- Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Evans, GA
- Evans, GA Brain Injury Lawyers
- Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Evans, GA
