Accidents are a leading cause of injury and death in the United States, and many different situations might constitute an accident. For example, it is an accidental injury if someone falls off a ladder while changing a light bulb in their dining room or if someone ends up hurting a crash caused by someone who was drunk at the wheel.
Certain types of accidents are more likely than others to cause severe injury or result in a fatality. The most dangerous accidents that occur may lead to a wrongful death lawsuit, as Texas law allows people to request compensation if someone dies because of the negligence or misconduct of another party.
What kinds of accidents are most likely to lead to wrongful death claims in Texas?
Pedestrian and bicycle collisions
Although any car crash could leave someone hurt, when a vehicle collides with a person who does not have the protection of a motor vehicle, the outcome can be quite tragic. Especially when the vehicle travels at speeds of 40 miles per hour or higher, the risk of the pedestrian or cyclist dying is quite high.
Car-truck collisions
When a commercial vehicle collides with a four-wheel passenger vehicle, the outcome could be tragic. The massive size and incredible weight of a commercial truck often lead to the absolute destruction of the smaller vehicle involved.
Medical malpractice incidents
An accident involving a nurse administering the wrong dosage of pain medication or a surgeon severing an artery can prove fatal for the patient involved. Many wrongful death claims are the result of medical malpractice, which can include accidents as well as mistakes.
Product failures
Equipment that malfunctions and tools that break could lead to someone getting hurt either in their own home or while performing a job. Product failures are often the consequence of a company cutting corners with its manufacturing processes, failing to engage in adequate quality control or not addressing safety concerns in the design stage for a product.
Families who lose a loved one because of some kind of product failure may decide to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit to recover some of their losses. Learning more about wrongful death claims and other forms of Civil Justice can help those who recently lost a loved one in Texas.