Has someone you love been killed in a fatal accident in Waynesboro, GA? You may be entitled to compensation; our team at Hawk Law Group is here to help. An experienced Waynesboro wrongful death lawyer can help you fight to recover money for medical bills, funeral costs, and your pain and suffering.
We’ve been fighting to help our clients get the money they need and deserve for over three decades. In the process, we’ve recovered millions of dollars to help clients get justice.
We know that you’re grieving. Our lawyers are here to help in any way we can. Call our law offices in Waynesboro, Georgia at (706)-437-9122, to schedule a free consultation today.
How Hawk Law Group Can Help With a Wrongful Death Claim in Waynesboro
Nothing is more painful than losing your loved one. Criminal laws are designed to punish the responsible party for their actions. Wrongful death lawsuits are civil cases and provide survivors with justice in the form of financial compensation.
That’s important after you lose a loved one. You may quickly start to see the bills pile up–especially if your loved one contributed to household finances. A Waynesboro personal injury lawyer can help you recover the compensation you need to protect your family.
Our lawyers have won some of the highest verdicts in the CSRA. We have over 71 years of experience fighting for clients like you.
You can depend on Hawk Law Group to:
- Handle all insurance communications and paperwork
- Thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s death
- Accurately assess the value of your personal injury case
- Hire respected experts and specialists
- Negotiate on your behalf to maximize your settlement award
Our Waynesboro personal injury attorneys are well known throughout the area. Insurance companies and defense lawyers recognize our skills. That can work in your favor–because they won’t want to see us in the courtroom.
Call for a free initial consultation today to learn more about how we can help.
How Common Are Fatal Accidents in Waynesboro, GA?
Sadly, fatal accidents are common in Georgia. In 2020 alone, 1,588 people were killed in fatal motor vehicle accidents statewide. Another 207 people were killed in workplace accidents in 2019.
That’s about five accidental deaths per day–not even considering fall accidents, medical malpractice, and other accidents.
What is Wrongful Death?
Wrongful death occurs when someone is killed because of another party’s careless, reckless, or wrongful acts. Most of the time, a lawsuit for wrongful death is based on accidental death. The defendant didn’t intend to kill anyone but was careless and caused a fatal accident.
If the victim was married, the surviving spouse can file the action for wrongful death. The surviving spouse also represents the decedent’s children in these cases. However, if the decedent was divorced, the children have the right to pursue damages on their own behalf.
The person in charge of administering the decedent’s estate also has the right to file an estate claim for additional damages.
What is My Waynesboro Wrongful Death Case Worth?
Every wrongful death case is different. Our lawyers in Waynesboro will carefully investigate and consult with experts to determine how much your case is worth.
We’ll examine all relevant factors, such as your loved one’s:
- Age, overall health, and life expectancy
- Prior work history, including income and employment benefits
- Future earning potential based on education, experience, and their career path
- Role in the lives of children, family, and dependents
We might also present evidence about household services that your loved one provided prior to the accident.
Putting a dollar value on a life is incredibly difficult. You’ll need an experienced lawyer by your side. Our team is here to help, so give us a call when you’re ready to learn more.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Survivors in Wrongful Death Cases?
Georgia wrongful death laws give victims the right to seek compensation for the “full value of the life of the decedent.” In Georgia, the laws are interpreted to give surviving family members the right to recover both their tangible and intangible losses.
As a survivor, you may be entitled to recover money for:
- The money your loved one would have earned (financial support)
- The value of household services provided by your loved one
- Loss of relationships with family or friends
- Loss of guidance and support
According to Georgia courts, the “full value of a life” is measured from the deceased person’s point of view. However, the estate is also entitled to file an estate claim for additional damages, including:
- Medical bills prior to death
- Funeral expenses
- Pain and suffering
In some cases, the estate may also be entitled to seek punitive damages. Rather than compensate for a specific loss, punitive damages punish the at-fault party for extreme misconduct or intentional wrongdoing.
Can I Recover Damages If My Loved One is Being Blamed for a Fatal Accident in Georgia?
You should prepare yourself for the possibility that your loved one may be blamed for the accident that caused their death. Insurance companies and at-fault parties often try to shift blame to avoid liability. If your loved one was partly responsible, they could be able to limit the amount of money you receive–or avoid paying anything at all.
Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence law. Anyone who contributes to an accident can share fault. That includes the victim.
However, you can still recover damages as long as your loved one was less than 50% responsible. Your compensation award will be reduced to account for your loved one’s percentage of fault.
If the insurance company can prove that your loved one was mostly responsible (at least 50% liable), you’ll be barred from recovering any compensation at all.
What Causes Most Fatal Accidents in Waynesboro, Georgia?
You may have a valid wrongful death case if your loved one was killed in any type of accident. At Hawk Law Group, we represent grieving families in all types of wrongful death claims in Waynesboro.
That includes cases involving:
- Car accidents
- Trucking accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Bus accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Premises liability claims
- Construction accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Dog bites
- Defective products
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse
- Assault and violence
Are you wondering whether you have a case? Call our law firm right away to schedule a free case review. Our Waynesboro wrongful death attorneys will sit down with you and help you understand your legal rights and options.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Fatal Accident in Georgia?
You don’t automatically have the right to recover compensation if your loved one was killed in a fatal accident. First, you’ll have to prove that someone else was liable for your loved one’s death.
That usually means you’ll be required to prove negligence. Negligence is a failure to exercise reasonable caution.
To successfully sue for negligence, your lawyer will work to establish the four elements of a negligence claim, including:
- The responsible party owed your loved one a legal duty of care
- A breach of duty
- The breach caused your loved one’s accident and death
- The damages you’ve suffered as a result
Other legal theories can also be relevant in your case. For example, manufacturers of dangerous products can be held strictly liable if your loved one was killed because of a product defect.
In other cases, several different personal injury laws may come into play. The bottom line is that wrongful death claims can be complex. Our lawyers will conduct a detailed investigation to find out why your loved one’s accident happened.
That investigation might include:
- Examining police and accident reports
- Analyzing medical records
- Speaking to eyewitnesses
- Locating relevant safety records
- Analyzing video surveillance footage and photos
- Examining the accident scene
- Hiring accident reconstruction specialists and experts
Every case is unique. Our experienced attorneys in Waynesboro are committed to putting in the hard work to prove your case. Call our legal team for a free case evaluation today to learn more about our practice areas.
How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Georgia?
Surviving family members have only two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit. The clock starts to run on the date your loved one died. However, if the responsible party is charged with a crime, the two-year statute of limitations can be tolled–or paused–until the criminal case is resolved.
We know that things are difficult right now–and money might be the last thing on your mind. It’s still important to pay close attention to the deadline for taking legal action. Once the two-year period is over, your claim for damages will be barred entirely.
Contact a Waynesboro Wrongful Death Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Has someone you loved died in an accident? Our lawyers have been serving Waynesboro for decades. We can help you fight to hold the responsible parties accountable. Call Hawk Law Group today to schedule a 100% free consultation with an experienced Waynesboro wrongful death lawyer.
