Hiring a Rancho Mirage Fatal Accident Lawyer

Losing a family member in a fatal accident can cause tremendous pain and anger. Beyond the emotional toll, you could also face unexpected financial burdens. There may be emergency medical bills and funeral expenses, or the loss of the decedent’s income. The weight of these challenges may feel overwhelming.

During such a difficult time, you deserve support, guidance, and a clear path forward. An experienced and compassionate wrongful death attorney could provide that sense of direction, helping you hold the negligent party accountable. By hiring a Rancho Mirage fatal accident lawyer at Walter Clark Legal Group, you can focus on grieving and rebuilding your life while a trusted advocate investigates the circumstances, pursues liability, and handles the legal process on your behalf.

What Are Some Common Causes of Fatal Accidents?

Fatal accidents may occur in a variety of circumstances. Understanding why a loved one died is an important part of pursuing justice. Hiring a lawyer who is knowledgeable about fatal accidents in Rancho Mirage could help you determine whether a loved one’s death resulted from the negligence of another person or business. Fatal accidents can arise from a wide range of circumstances, including:

• Motor vehicle crashes involving cars, trucks, bicycles, or motorcycles
• Unsafe premises leading to falls or other hazards
• Catastrophic injuries caused by defective products
• Negligence in medical care or other professional settings
• Dangerous drugs

Identifying the underlying cause is important to proving liability and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.

Wrongful Death Eligibility

An individual could typically pursue a fatal accident case under California’s wrongful death statute, California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60. This law allows certain family members or the decedent’s personal representative to bring a claim for the losses they have suffered. State law prioritizes who is eligible to bring a wrongful death claim. In the first priority group, eligible parties include:

•  A surviving spouse
•  A surviving domestic partner
•  Children of the deceased
•  Grandchildren of the deceased

Hiring a wrongful death attorney in Rancho Mirage may help determine who is in this first priority group.

If there are no survivors in the highest priority group, someone who would inherit the deceased person’s property in the absence of a will could file the claim. This would include the deceased person’s parents, siblings, or other relatives entitled to inherit according to intestate succession laws.

Lastly, if a person can show they were financially dependent on the deceased person, they may file a wrongful death claim, such as stepchildren or someone who believed they were married to the deceased person (but the marriage was actually invalid). Having legal support could give survivors the direction they need to help them navigate the eligibility requirements.

Contact a Compassionate Fatal Accident Attorney in Rancho Mirage

No family should have to navigate the aftermath of a fatal accident without help. Legal guidance could make it possible to hold negligent parties accountable and secure the resources needed to move forward.

To learn more about how hiring a Rancho Mirage fatal accident lawyer could help you and your loved ones, reach out to Walter Clark Legal Group today. A consultation could be the first step toward finding justice and reducing your financial burden.