If you’ve lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligent actions, you’re likely struggling with unexpected financial pressures on top of grieving. Our Tolleson wrongful death lawyers can help hold at-fault parties financially accountable.
At Suzuki Law Offices, we offer compassionate and dedicated legal services. We’re available 24/7, which means you’ll never feel left in the dark about the progress of your case.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our Tolleson personal injury lawyers. We are your voice in action.
How Can a Wrongful Death Attorney in Tolleson Help With Your Case?
Dealing with insurance companies and complicated wrongful death claims is stressful at a time when you should be able to focus on the grieving process instead. Our legal team steps in to handle every step of the legal process for you.
We can:
- Investigate to determine all liable parties involved.
- File all necessary paperwork, ensuring it is accurate and filed on time.
- Handle all communications with the insurance adjuster and other involved parties.
- Negotiate on your behalf.
- Offer advice on settlement offers you receive.
- Represent your case in court when necessary.
At Suzuki Law Offices, we truly believe in providing reliable and caring support for you and your family. These excerpts from our client reviews and testimonials speak to our dedication:
- “There is a running theme about ‘caring’ with all these reviews if you read through them all, you can believe it about this firm; they are worth it.” – D
- “They fought for what I deserve to get considering all factors of life. They were honest, to the point, and were very considerate.” – Kelly
What Types of Wrongful Death Cases Can We Help With?
If negligence was involved, we are here to help. Cases we can take on include:
- Car accidents.
- Truck accidents.
- Motorcycle accidents.
- Bicycle accidents.
- Pedestrian accidents.
- Bus accidents.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Case in Arizona?
Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit? In Arizona, wrongful death cases generally must be brought by an immediate family member. This can include:
- A surviving spouse.
- Surviving children (if there is no surviving spouse).
- Parents or legal guardians (if there is no surviving spouse or children).
If there is no spouse, children, or parents, then a personal representative can also file. The personal representative files on behalf of the decedent’s estate. It’s important to note that only one wrongful death claim can be filed. When multiple parties are eligible to file, they generally must do so together in one claim.
Your lawyer can help you determine who qualifies to file a wrongful death case.
What Compensation Is Recoverable in Tolleson Wrongful Death Cases?
Compensation in wrongful death cases is intended to cover both the financial expenses due to your losses, as well as the non-economic impacts. You may be able to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses related to emergency medical care and end-of-life care.
- The loss of the decedent’s financial support.
- The loss of the decedent’s emotional support and parental guidance (if there are children).
- Funeral costs.
- Burial or cremation costs.
- The decedent’s pain and suffering due to their injuries.
In cases where gross negligence or malice were involved, punitive damages may also apply. We know how overwhelming this difficult time is. We will seek the maximum compensation that you are eligible for, and we won’t settle for an insurer’s lowball offer.
When Must You File a Wrongful Death Case in Arizona?
Under Arizona’s statute of limitations, A.R.S. § 12-542, you generally have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. There may be exceptions, so it’s important to talk to your attorney about the expected timeline of your case. Failing to file on time may bar you from recovering compensation.
In addition to the statute of limitations, moving quickly on your case can also be helpful with evidence preservation.
How Is Fault Determined in Tolleson Wrongful Death Cases?
To recover compensation, you must be able to prove that someone else’s negligence was the cause of your loved one’s death. To do so, your Tolleson wrongful death attorney will thoroughly investigate what happened and gather evidence to support your case.
Helpful evidence can include:
- Video footage.
- Witness statements.
- Documentation, including police reports, phone records, and Blood Alcohol Concentration results.
- Black box data, if a commercial vehicle was involved.
- Physical evidence, such as skid marks.
- Expert testimony, such as from an accident reconstructionist.
What Needs to Be Proven?
To prove negligence, your lawyer must show that four key elements were present. These elements are:
- Duty of care: The at-fault party had a responsibility to keep your loved one safe. For example, truck drivers must follow federal hours-of-service regulations, so they stay awake and focused while driving.
- Breach of duty of care: The at-fault party failed to uphold that responsibility through a careless or reckless action. For example, a driver chose to speed or drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Causation: The breach directly led to an accident. For example, a driver was texting and ran a red light, which caused a crash.
- Damages: The breach also directly led to losses. For example, medical bills and funeral costs.
Contact a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Tolleson Today
If you’ve lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, we are deeply sorry for your loss. Our Tolleson wrongful death attorneys are here to stand by your side to hold at-fault parties financially accountable during this difficult time.
At Suzuki Law Offices, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means that there are no upfront costs when we take on your case. Instead, you only pay our fees if we are able to recover compensation for you. Otherwise, you owe us nothing.
Contact us today to get started with a free consultation. We will listen to your story and explain your legal options for pursuing compensation.
Call or text (602) 682-5270 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form