Has a spouse, child, or parent recently died in a fatal accident in Solana Beach, California? You do not have to navigate this difficult time in your life on your own. Call the Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers for help. Our award-winning Solana Beach wrongful death lawyers can help you understand your rights and pursue maximum compensation from those responsible for your loved one’s death.
Since 2012, Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers has successfully helped family members stand up to insurance companies, hospitals, corporations, and other powerful adversaries after fatal accidents turned their worlds upside down. Putting 20+ years of experience behind every case, we’ve obtained over $40 million in settlements and verdicts for clients like you.
Take a stand and make sure that you get justice for your loved one. Contact our law office serving Solana Beach, CA, to set up a free consultation now at (619) 344-0360.
How Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help Your Family After a Fatal Accident in Solana Beach, CA
Losing a family member unexpectedly can be incredibly traumatic. It can also create a huge financial burden for you and your close loved ones. The person responsible for your loved one’s avoidable death must be held accountable.
Our Solana Beach personal injury lawyers are here to make that happen.
When you choose Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers, you’ll benefit from a team of compassionate legal professionals who understand that this is your one shot at getting the financial justice – and closure – you deserve. You’ll also make it clear to the defendant that you’re not giving up without a fight.
Take this opportunity to focus on grieving your loss and moving forward, and we’ll handle everything else:
- Conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s fatal accident
- Gathering critical pieces of evidence that can be used to build a strong claim and defend against allegations of shared responsibility
- Relying on guidance and insight from some of the most respected experts and specialists in Southern California
- Aggressively pursuing a maximum settlement offer during negotiations with the insurance company and other parties
- Filing a lawsuit and bringing your wrongful death lawsuit to trial in North County San Diego, if necessary
Our wrongful death attorneys in Solana Beach will be there for you every step of the way. We will do everything in our power to get you the closure and justice you deserve. Call our law office serving Solana Beach to schedule a free case assessment to learn more.
How Does California Define Wrongful Death?
Wrongful death is defined under California Code of Civil Procedure 377.60 to mean the death of a person caused by the “wrongful act or neglect” of another.
In other words, a wrongful death occurs when a person is killed because of another person’s intentionally harmful or negligent actions.
In the event of a wrongful death, the right to seek monetary damages from a liable party shifts from the victim to their surviving beneficiaries and/or estate.
Family members can seek damages for the costs and suffering they experience as a direct result of the wrongful death.
The estate can seek damages for the costs and suffering the victim experienced if they survived their injuries before death.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Solana Beach
Almost any accident or act of violence can result in death.
At the Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers, we have extensive experience representing clients who have suffered the death of a family member as a result of:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Uber and Lyft accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Boating accidents
- Dog bites
- Slip and fall accidents
- Matters of premises liability
- Birth injury
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse
- Workplace accidents
- Construction accidents
- Accidents involving defective products
- Catastrophic injuries, including spinal cord injury, burns, amputation, and brain injury
- Assault
Put our experience to work for you. Call our legal team in Solana Beach to arrange a time to discuss the details of your wrongful death case today.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Solana Beach?
Not just anyone can file a wrongful death lawsuit after a fatal accident in Solana Beach, California.
Under state law, this right is reserved for the surviving:
- Spouse
- Domestic partner
- Child(ren)
- Grandchild(ren)
- Parent(s)
If none of these beneficiaries survived the victim, then any beneficiary may pursue a claim.
What Types of Damages Can Be Awarded in a California Wrongful Death Case?
There are many ways in which wrongful death claims differ from other types of personal injury cases. One prime example involves damages.
In a wrongful death lawsuit, beneficiaries are entitled to a limited range of damages. Nonetheless, under California law, this can include awards for both economic and non-economic losses.
Economic damages are awarded to offset the financial burden and losses associated with a victim’s wrongful death, including:
- Financial support that the victim would have contributed during their life expectancy if they survived
- Loss of gifts or benefits
- Funeral and burial costs, and
- The value of household services that the victims would have provided.
The value of household services is particularly helpful in situations where a stay-at-home parent is killed in a Solana Beach accident. This acknowledges that their contributions, while not monetary, had a substantial impact on the family.
Non-economic damages are intended to compensate the beneficiaries or plaintiffs for the losses they’ve personally experienced in the wake of their loved one’s death.
Examples include:
- Loss of the victim’s love, companionship, comfort, assistance, society, protection, moral support, and care
- Loss of enjoyment of a spouse’s sexual relations
- Loss of a parent’s guidance and training
Damages for the family’s pain and suffering, however, cannot be awarded in a California wrongful death case.
If a wrongful death lawsuit proceeds to trial, a jury could determine that punitive damages should be awarded, too. However, under California state law, there must be a clear finding of malice, oppression, or fraud for this to happen.
How Much Is My Wrongful Death Lawsuit Worth?
Every case is different.
Important considerations will include:
- The victim’s age at the time of their death
- The victim’s life expectancy before their fatal accident
- The victim’s earning capacity and contributions to their family
- The relationships between the victim and their surviving family members
- Shared responsibility for the victim’s fatal accident
Learn more about what your wrongful death case might be worth by reaching out to our experienced personal injury attorneys near you in Solana Beach. A member of our staff is always available to help – 24/7/365.
How Can the Decedent’s Shared Fault Impact a Wrongful Death Case?
California operates under a system of pure comparative negligence. After an accident, all parties contributing to an injury or death are held legally accountable for the consequences. Shared fault doesn’t disappear just because a victim dies in an accident. Instead, the victim’s contributory negligence shifts to surviving family members.
So, if your loved one contributed to their fatal accident in some way, their negligence will impact your ability to recover compensation in a related wrongful death lawsuit. Your damages will be reduced in direct proportion to your family member’s degree of fault.
If they’re assigned 10 percent blame for their fatal accident, your damages will be reduced by 10 percent.
The insurance company won’t hesitate to blame your loved one for their accident and tragic death. After all, they’re not around to tell their side of the story or fight back.
Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers will be there to fight back for you. Our wrongful death attorneys in Solana Beach will work hard to defend your loved one’s good name and reputation and limit the impact of any claims of shared fault.
What’s the Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Lawsuits in California?
You will have two years from the date of your family member’s wrongful death to file a lawsuit and demand compensation.
Once the statute of limitations expires, you give up the ability to assert your legal rights and demand the justice you deserve.
Increase the odds of success and a maximum financial payout by calling the Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers for help right away. We can begin to build your wrongful death case as soon as you ask for our help.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Solana Beach Wrongful Death Lawyer
You’ve suffered the devastating loss of a family member because someone else was reckless. That person must be held fully accountable for the harm, suffering, and financial burdens they’ve inflicted.
Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help you take a stand and fight to not only win your wrongful death case but maximize your recovery.
Our Solana Beach wrongful death lawyers have 20+ years of experience and a proven ability to win tough cases like yours. Since our founding, we’ve won over $40 million in life-changing financial awards for our clients.
Contact us at our law office serving Solana Beach, CA, to get started. Your first consultation is free, and there’s no cost to hire our law firm unless we win or settle your case.