Does Your Family Have a Claim? Find Out from an Experienced Columbus Wrongful Death Lawyer

No one expects to lose a loved one in a fatal accident. Yet, each year, far too many families lose loved ones in accidents that could—and should—have been avoided. In these cases, filing a wrongful death claim is important for surviving family members’ financial and emotional well-being, and hiring an experienced Columbus wrongful death attorney is the first step in the process.

How do you know if you should contact a wrongful death lawyer? As a grieving spouse, parent or child, understanding your legal rights is not easy. In fact, it is often extremely complicated. With this in mind, you do not need to have a clear understanding of your legal rights to hire a lawyer. At Malek & Malek Law Firm, we encourage grieving family members to contact us if they have any questions about their legal rights, and we are more than happy to help you understand what you need to know in order to make informed decisions about your next steps.

When Can Family Members File a Wrongful Death Claim in Ohio?

In Ohio, several types of fatal accidents can provide grounds for grieving family members to file wrongful death claims. For example, at Malek & Malek Law Firm, we represent family members in cases including (but not limited to):

Car Accidents

Car accidents are among the leading causes of untimely death in Ohio; and, sadly, in most cases, deaths resulting from car accidents are entirely preventable. Fatal car accidents usually result from negligent or reckless driving—and it only takes one split-second mistake to cause life-threatening consequences.

Speeding excessively, weaving through traffic, driving while distracted, driving while drunk or high, running red lights and stop signs, and falling asleep behind the wheel are all common causes of wrongful death in Ohio. If you have lost a loved one in a fatal car accident and you have any reason to suspect that the accident may have been someone else’s fault, you should talk to a Columbus wrongful death lawyer about your family’s legal rights.

Truck Accidents

While collisions involving commercial trucks are less common than collisions between passenger vehicles, truck accidents have a much higher fatality rate. This is due to the extreme forces involved, which are due to the enormous size and weight of 18-wheelers and other commercial trucks. Truck accidents often have tragic consequences—and, here too, negligent or reckless driving is usually to blame.

When truck drivers are negligent or reckless behind the wheel, their employers can be held fully accountable for the consequences of their mistakes. As a result, when you hire a Columbus wrongful death attorney after a fatal truck accident, your attorney will most likely file a claim against the truck driver’s employer. But, victims’ families can have other types of claims after fatal truck accidents as well, and it takes an experienced attorney to hold all responsible parties duly accountable.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents have a high fatality rate as well. While helmets and riding gear can help mitigate riders’ risk in some cases, oftentimes no amount of protection can save a rider from the consequences of someone else’s careless or reckless mistake. Despite common misconceptions, riding a motorcycle can be relatively safe, and most riders put their safety first. The greatest risk riders face is the one risk they cannot control—and that is the conduct of other people.

Filing a wrongful death claim after a fatal motorcycle accident is similar to filing a claim after a fatal car or truck accident. Seeking financial compensation requires proof of what happened and who is responsible—and this makes it important to conduct an investigation as soon as possible. With this in mind, if you have lost a loved one in a fatal motorcycle accident in Ohio, we strongly encourage you to speak with one of our attorneys right away.

Construction Accidents

Fatal construction accidents are also common. Working in construction is one of the most dangerous jobs you can have. Here, too, the greatest risks construction workers face are the risks that are beyond their control.

Construction workers are often forced to work on dangerous job sites where safety is not a priority. Other workers often don’t have adequate training or clear instructions, tools and equipment are often poorly maintained, and safety equipment often isn’t available. Falls, electrocutions, collisions and other types of accidents are common; and, far too often, they result in fatal injuries that could (and should) have been prevented.

Premises-Related Accidents

Premises-related accidents are a common cause of wrongful death in Ohio as well. These accidents range from falls and electrocutions to fatal accidents involving elevators, swimming pools and other potential hazards. Just like the other types of accidents discussed above, these accidents can happen in the blink of an eye; and, if a property owner neglects the need for maintenance or repairs, it can quickly become too late to prevent a fatal accident.

After any type of fatal accident in Ohio, taking legal action as soon as possible is one of the keys to securing the financial compensation your family deserves. While no amount of financial compensation can ever replace what you have lost, it is important to ensure that you and your loved ones have the financial resources you need for the future. Our attorneys are here to help; and, if you have any questions about your family’s legal rights, we invite you to speak with a Columbus wrongful death attorney at Malek & Malek Law Firm in confidence.

Speak with a Columbus Wrongful Death Attorney for Free

To speak with a Columbus wrongful death attorney at Malek & Malek Law Firm, please call 888-444-7440 or tell us how we can reach you online. Your initial consultation is completely free; and, if your family has a wrongful death claim, you will pay nothing unless we help your family recover just compensation.