The untimely death of a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences a person can have in life. Going through such a loss is a deeply profound experience. If you have lost someone because of another person’s negligence, our Bellevue wrongful death lawyer can hold the liable party accountable so you can begin to heal.
Premier Law Group has helped thousands recover from their losses. Collectively, our legal team has more than 55 years of combined experience. Our Bellevue personal injury lawyers know how to file a winning claim. Call today for a FREE case review.
How Our Bellevue Wrongful Death Accident Lawyers Can Help Your Case
Losing a loved one is hard. While you focus on grieving and handling personal matters, our Bellevue wrongful death attorneys will lead your case. When you come to us, you will receive compassionate support during a difficult time. We care about you and your family and will work hard to secure a financial future after the loss of your loved one. When we represent you, we will:
- Provide legal guidance and explain your rights
- Investigate the circumstances of the death
- Identify all liable parties responsible for your loved one’s untimely death
- Advise you on the value of your claim
- Negotiate with the responsible party or their insurance company
- Take your case to court, if necessary
- Handle all paperwork and meet filing deadlines
We can manage your case on a contingency fee basis, which means we won’t charge you fees to work on it. We get paid only if we recover financial compensation for you. You can review our case results and client reviews to learn what others say about working with us.
Causes of Fatal Accidents
There is never a time when the loss of someone’s life comes without pain and heartbreak, but not every death is the result of negligence. As your attorney, we will work to best understand the underlying cause of what happened by fully investigating the case. We want to pinpoint every party at fault and all evidence to showcase what happened. Common causes of deadly accidents in Bellevue include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Other motor vehicle accidents
- Acts of medical malpractice
- Defective products
- Workplace accidents
- Premises liability accident
We can guide you through the legal process, regardless of the cause of a fatal accident. Filing a wrongful death lawsuit can seem challenging, even if it’s something you simply do not want to do. Before you make that decision, we encourage you to speak to us first. Let us explore your rights.
What Constitutes Negligent Death in Washington State?
Under RCW 4.20.010, wrongful or negligent death occurs when someone’s life is taken due to the wrongful acts, negligence, or failure of another. Negligence happens when someone fails to exercise reasonable care to prevent harm to others, resulting in injuries or fatalities.
These cases frequently stem from careless or reckless actions. However, it is a civil matter, not a criminal offense. Even if the party responsible is facing criminal charges, you can pursue a case in civil court. You can pursue a civil claim even if the accused does not get convicted in a criminal case. In a criminal trial, a lawyer must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
By contrast, civil cases determine liability by a preponderance of the evidence. The burden of proof is lower in a civil case. The plaintiff only needs to show that it is more likely than not that the defendant wrongfully caused the death.
Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Claim in Washington?
In Washington, only the personal representative of a deceased victim’s estate can file this type of lawsuit. This representative acts on behalf of the estate and seeks compensation for the benefit of the deceased’s surviving family members.
The estate representative is usually named in the will. If there is no will or if the chosen representative is unable or unwilling to serve, the court will appoint someone. That person is typically a close family member such as a spouse, registered domestic partner, adult child, or parent.
In most cases, the personal representative must file a wrongful death lawsuit. However, under Washington law, a parent or legal guardian can file a claim for a deceased child if the child has no surviving spouse, domestic partner, or children.
For a FREE legal consultation with a wrongful death lawyer serving Bellevue, call (206) 285-1743
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What Compensation is Available to Victims and the Estate
If someone else’s negligence claimed your family member’s life, you have the right to recover your losses. The compensation you get can help you build a financially secure future for yourself and your family by helping you secure economic and non-economic damages. Your damages in Washington include:
- Medical expenses and hospital bills related to the injury or illness that caused the death
- Funeral expenses and burial costs
- Loss of income, including future income and benefits
- Pain and suffering experienced by the surviving family members
- Loss of care or loss of companionship and guidance for surviving family members
- Loss of household services that the deceased person provided, such as childcare, maintenance, or other contributions to the home
- Emotional distress or mental anguish experienced by surviving family members
- Loss of inheritance that would have been received had the person lived
You can turn to us to learn how to obtain funds to cover your loved one’s burial expenses and other losses. We encourage you not to just agree to the funds the insurer wants to provide to you. It is rare that they will be open with you about all of the losses you have. Instead, let our team take action after investigating the case.
Proving Liability in Injury Cases Involving Wrongful Loss of Life
Liability depends on proving that the responsible party’s negligent actions directly led to or caused your loved one’s death. To establish negligence in these cases, our lawyer must prove the following elements:
- Duty of care: The defendant had a legal obligation to act with reasonable care to prevent harm.
- Breach of duty: The defendant failed to meet this standard of care through their actions or inaction.
- Causation: The defendant’s breach of duty directly caused your loved one’s fatal injuries.
- Damages: The death resulted in financial damages and emotional losses for the surviving family members.
Our Bellevue wrongful death attorney will carefully review your case to determine who can be held accountable for your loss. Premier Law Group will work to build a strong case so your family can get compensation for funeral and burial expenses.
Filing Deadlines for Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Washington State
In Washington State, you have a limited time to sue for damages. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations, and for most of these cases, it is three years from the date of your loved one’s death, per state law.
If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to seek full financial recovery. Our team will explain the deadlines that apply to your case and file your lawsuit on time. Call us now to get started.
A wrongful death lawsuit is not always necessary. There are situations where we can settle your case out of court, which can reduce intrusion into your life while still securing the damages owed. Set up some time to speak with us about what you are facing so we can discuss your rights.
Why You Cannot Trust the Insurance Company with Your Case
After a person loses their life, an investigation typically occurs. Once the insurance company recognizes the fault of its client, such as an employer, another driver, or another party, it works hard to settle the case quickly and for the least amount possible. That puts you, as the family, at risk. If any of the following has occurred, contact our legal team to review your case.
- The insurance company has offered you a settlement. That could be a sizable amount of money, but the first offer is rarely what they actually owe you. They want you to agree to save them money.
- The insurer wants you to believe your loved one caused the accident or played some role in the incident. In Washington state, even if they did contribute to the accident, you still have the right to pursue compensation. The insurer may not tell you that.
- The claim was denied. Insurance companies sometimes deny valid claims for all sorts of reasons, including stating that you did not file a claim in time or that you do not have the right to do so. Do not accept that initial statement. Instead, allow your attorney to investigate.
We believe in holding those who hurt your loved one fully accountable for the losses they caused, even though no amount of money will ever be enough. By allowing our legal team to review your case and gather more information about what is occurring, who is at fault, and what is truly owed, you gain peace of mind. Trust us to advocate for your best possible outcome.
How to Prepare for a Bellevue Wrongful Death Injury Case
Preparing for an injury claim involving a negligent death involves several steps that can help strengthen your case. Here’s how you can get ready:
- Gather important documents such as medical records, accident reports, death certificates, and any communications related to the incident.
- Compile financial records that show the deceased person’s earnings, benefits, and contributions to your household.
- List witnesses or anyone who may have seen the accident or incident that caused the death.
- Document the emotional and financial impact the loss has had on your family, including expenses related to your loved one’s funeral and burial, and the emotional toll.
- Consult our experienced wrongful death lawyers in Bellevue to understand your rights, assess the strength of your case, and ensure you take the proper legal steps.
Whether a car accident or another type of incident, every case deserves careful attention to your individual needs as we fight for justice for your loved one. Our team is dedicated to providing you with exceptional legal insight from the moment we speak to you about your wrongful death claim.
Call Our Compassionate Bellevue Wrongful Death Attorneys
You do not have to take legal action for a wrongful death claim by yourself. Premier Law Group has experienced and compassionate wrongful death attorneys in Bellevue who can file your lawsuit against a negligent party. We understand that losing a loved one due to the negligence of another person is a devastating experience.
We are compassionate professionals who want to help bring closure to you and your family while honoring your loved one. If a loved one has died on account of someone else’s negligence, please call us today about your wrongful death suit. For a FREE case review of your wrongful death claim, you can also contact our law firm online.
Jason at premier law group is truly an outstanding individual. Our particular case was not something that their firm usually sees but they were more than willing to help us and give us all of the information they had available. I can't recommend them enough.