Can You Sue for Wrongful Death in a Motorcycle Accident Claim?
Did you lose a loved one in a motorcycle accident in Dallas? You may feel lost and unsure what to do next in this situation. You may want to spend time with your family. You likely have many arrangements to make. Some of those arrangements may be legal in nature.
You may even sue for a wrongful death in a Texas motorcycle accident case. Find out how to file a wrongful death claim in Dallas with this article. You can also speak with a lawyer by calling us today at (469) 998-4069.
Dallas Motorcycle Accidents May Lead to a Wrongful Death
Motorcycle accidents in Dallas may be very dangerous. The Texas Department of Transportation (DOT) tracks the number of people hurt or killed in motorcycle accidents. The DOT tells us that there were 418 motorcycle fatalities in 2018.
Not all motorcycle fatalities are wrongful deaths. You can only file a wrongful death claim in some cases. Someone else must cause the accident for it to be a wrongful death. Other drivers may cause motorcycle accidents if they:
- Speed or operate their vehicle in a reckless way
- Run a red light or a stop sign
- Do not look for motorcycles before changing lanes
- Operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
A Dallas wrongful death lawyer may investigate the causes of your family member’s accident. A lawyer may help you file a claim if they believe the other driver caused the collision. Find out more by speaking to a legal team right now.
You May Only File a Wrongful Death Claim for a Family Member
The state of Texas does not allow everyone to file a wrongful death claim. You may only use a wrongful death claim if you lost a close family member. Texas only permits you to file this claim if you lost a:
- Spouse
- Parent
- Child
You may file a wrongful death claim if you lost an adopted child or your adoptive parent. However, you cannot file a claim if you lost a sibling. Aunts, uncles, and grandparents cannot file a wrongful death claim in Texas. The executor of an individual’s estate may file a wrongful death claim in some cases. Executors may only file a claim if no members of the family wish to do so.
Compensation in a Dallas Wrongful Death Claim
You could get compensation after the loss of a loved one in Dallas. A wrongful death claim could help you secure damages. This compensation does not make up for the loss of your loved one. However, it could help you move forward financially. You could be awarded:
Economic Damages for a Wrongful Death
Economic damages cover some losses caused by a wrongful death. Economic damages are tied to expenses associated with the accident. You could get economic damages to cover:
- Your loved one’s medical expenses
- Lost income from your loved one
- Lost family services or inheritance
Economic damages could also help if you needed therapy after the loss of a loved one. You could get compensation to cover the costs of therapy.
Non-Economic Damages for a Wrongful Death
You could also get non-economic damages if you lost a family member. Non-economic damages may cover your mental anguish. It also covers:
- Loss of counsel
- Loss of advice
- Loss of companionship
Speak to a lawyer about the non-economic damages you could receive with a wrongful death claim. Your lawyer may help you learn more about these damages.
Methods to Resolve a Wrongful Death Claim for a Motorcycle Accident
You may be able to sue for a wrongful death after a motorcycle accident. Suing the driver who caused your accident could bring you compensation. You might go to court if you sue another driver. This could lead to court fees. It may take a long time to resolve a lawsuit for a wrongful death.
You may also resolve a wrongful death claim outside of court. You could settle with the other driver’s insurance company. A motorcycle accident lawyer could help settle your claim. Settling your claim allows you to get compensation in many cases.
Talk to a Lawyer About Suing for a Wrongful Death in a Motorcycle Accident
You can sue for a wrongful death in a motorcycle accident in Dallas. You may want to settle your claim out of court instead. Find out more about the best way to resolve a claim now. Start getting answers from a Dallas car accident lawyer. Reach out to us to get a free consultation.
Call us at (469) 998-4069. Fill out our online contact form to learn more. We are ready to help you.