Cornelius Wrongful Death Lawyer

Experienced Wrongful Death Attorney in Cornelius

If your family member passes away unexpectedly, it can leave the surviving family members with more questions than answers. If you find that someone was irresponsible or negligent, and it caused the preventable death of a loved one, it can leave you angry and unsure where to turn. A Cornelius wrongful death lawyer can provide answers and pursue the justice your family member deserves.

The Law Office of William T. Corbett, Jr., P.L.L.C., can assert your rights with a wrongful death claim. While we cannot bring back a family member, we can seek compensation for what happened. We can hold the at-fault party responsible for their actions that led to the death of your loved one. Our dedicated legal team can investigate their death and pursue a fair recovery.

North Carolina Wrongful Deaths

Wrongful deaths in Cornelius and throughout the state frequently involve:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Work-related incidents
• Pedestrian collisions

Car accidents cause many wrongful deaths in Cornelius, North Carolina. These incidents can happen along I-77, near the intersection of West Catawba Avenue and Westmoreland Lake Drive, and at Statesville Road and Mayes Road. In 2024, there were 37,228 crashes in Mecklenburg County, 141 of which were fatal.

Work-related accidents are also concerning. In 2024, North Carolina recorded 196 work-related fatalities, which impacted local communities and families.

For pedestrian collisions, pedestrians remain vulnerable to accidents involving cars, as they have significantly less protection than a standard vehicle affords. North Carolina has seen a significant increase in the number of pedestrian vs. vehicle fatal accidents.

In 2023 alone, about 250 pedestrian fatalities were recorded across North Carolina due to vehicle-involved accidents. 2024 started with a 28% rise in pedestrian fatalities, which reflected 137 lives lost. A tragic local example is a pedestrian vs. vehicle fatality accident on I-77.

With a wrongful death, families are left with many sudden burdens after an unexpected loss caused by someone else. You may need help with mounting medical costs, lost wages your family member normally receives, and more. If someone else caused your family member’s death due to a car accident, work-related incident, pedestrian collision, or another reason, you may pursue compensation for related expenses.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in North Carolina?

Only one person can file a wrongful death claim in North Carolina under NCGS 28A-18-2, and it’s the decedent’s estate’s personal representative. That person can use the estate’s assets to pay for necessary litigation expenses. If the case is successful, they then distribute the settlement to the decedent’s beneficiaries. The family members cannot directly file a wrongful death claim.

Compensation For a Cornelius Wrongful Death

Local families in Cornelius who experience the unexpected loss of a family member may recover for both economic and non-economic damages. You may be able to recover economic damages such as burial and funeral costs, the loss of future wages, accident-related medical care costs, and more.

For non-economic damages, you may seek damages for immeasurable emotional pain, mental anguish, pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and other losses. Car and pedestrian collisions along I-77 and North Carolina Highway 115, along with worksite accidents throughout Iredell County, can lead to wrongful death claims.

Each wrongful death claim is unique, and an attorney can work diligently to tell the story of your loved one’s life. They can investigate how they died, seek compensation to ease your financial burden, and pursue full and fair justice under North Carolina law.

Filing Deadlines for Wrongful Death Claims

You must file a wrongful death claim within two years of the victim’s death under NCGS 1-53. However, you should not wait until that deadline is approaching to begin a claim. Instead, file a claim as soon as possible after the person’s death to make sure that evidence is still available to your lawyer and everyone’s recollections of the events are as clear as possible.

How the Claims Process Works

A wrongful death attorney can manage every aspect of filing a claim. This can involve:

1. Determining liability for the death. Your attorney must start by investigating the cause of the person’s death. To be actionable, your claim must prove that another person caused the death due to their negligence or intentional malfeasance.
2. Identify possible sources of compensation. Next, your lawyer must determine what insurance remedies are available for recovering compensation. This may depend on the cause of the person’s death. Hospitals carry medical malpractice insurance to cover wrongful death claims related to medical negligence. Drivers have liability policies to cover wrongful deaths that occur during accidents. Business owners have general liability policies in place.
3. Identify the personal representative and beneficiaries. Since only the deceased’s estate’s personal representative can file a wrongful death claim, that person must be identified, as must any potential beneficiaries of the wrongful death settlement.
4. File a claim with the insurance company. The personal representative can file a claim with the liable party’s insurance company. Our team can handle this process.
5. Prepare to litigate. In some cases, insurance companies refuse to pay out fair compensation to the family members of those killed. Should this happen, you must be prepared to litigate the case in court. We can gather evidence, interview witnesses, and establish a strong case. In many cases, a fair settlement agreement can be reached during negotiations, especially if the insurance company knows that you are prepared to go to court if it becomes necessary.

You shouldn’t have to focus on evidence collection and preparing a claim after a loved one dies. We can work with the deceased’s estate’s personal representative to file the claim. Our firm can also develop a strong case to support it so that you can focus on what’s important: grieving for your loved one and supporting your family during this difficult time.

Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer Who Is Experienced in Wrongful Death Cases

The legal representation you choose for your wrongful death claim matters. It’s important to hire a wrongful death lawyer who tailors their strategy to each case, understands North Carolina wrongful death laws, and can resolve complex liability issues.

Without help from an attorney, families could potentially miss important court deadlines or undervalue their legal claim. An attorney can rely on years of experience to gather evidence, calculate the value of your claim, and include all responsible parties in your case. They can also answer your important questions and explain each stage of your wrongful death claim.

FAQs

Are Most Wrongful Death Claims Difficult to Successfully File in Cornelius, NC?

Many wrongful death claims in Cornelius are difficult to successfully file without the help of an attorney. An experienced wrongful death lawyer can establish legal fault, especially when the liability is unclear. An attorney can gather evidence to build a compelling damages case and tailor their approach to your unique claim. With an exceptional attorney, you can increase the chances of having a successful wrongful death claim.

How Much Do North Carolinians Usually Get From Their Wrongful Death Settlements?

The amount that most North Carolinians usually get from their wrongful death settlements depends on case-specific factors. These include the decedent’s age, wages, and general life expectancy. When a younger, higher-earning, healthy individual passes away due to negligence, the at-fault party usually pays more in legal damages. Each case is different, which is why it’s worth discussing your specific circumstances with a knowledgeable North Carolina attorney. They can build a strong case to seek a full settlement award.

What Evidence Does an Attorney Use to Support Their Case for a Wrongful Death Claim?

For a wrongful death claim, an attorney typically gathers documents such as relevant accident reports, professional opinions, medical documents, financial statements, and more. A wrongful death attorney aims to show the pre-death health and financial condition of your family member to support their negligence and damages arguments. When an attorney can directly establish how the at-fault party’s actions contributed to the cause of your loved one’s death, it’s usually a stronger case.

What Does a Cornelius Wrongful Death Attorney Cost?

What a Cornelius wrongful death attorney costs varies. Every attorney in Cornelius sets their own fee structure, which is usually based on their level of experience, the complexity of the case, and other case-specific and attorney-specific factors. More experienced attorneys handling more complex cases tend to cost more. If you’re considering an attorney, it’s important to ask about their written fee agreement. Many firms, including ours, offer a no-cost initial meeting to evaluate your case.

Contact an Experienced Cornelius Wrongful Death Lawyer

At The Law Office of William T. Corbett, Jr., P.L.L.C., our compassionate legal team knows how to seek justice for the loss of your loved one through financial recovery. We can manage every step in the process of pursuing compensation for your family, from investigating the incident, gathering evidence to support your case, and persuasively advocating for all that your family deserves.

Contact us right away to schedule an initial consultation with a trusted local wrongful death attorney.