Shreveport Injury Lawyer > Blog > Wrongful Death > Common Circumstances Leading to Wrongful Deaths

Common Circumstances Leading to Wrongful Deaths

How do wrongful deaths happen in Shreveport and across Louisiana? In order to understand some of the common causes of wrongful deaths, it is essential to understand what this legal term means. In any situation where someone dies, it might feel wrongful — as if that person should have had more time left. Yet the term “wrongful death” has a specific legal meaning, and it refers to fatal injuries or deaths resulting from another party’s fault, according to Louisiana law. When another party’s fault causes someone else’s death, that party’s fault will typically result from either negligence (a careless act or omission that was not intended to cause harm but did) or an intentionally harmful act (such as an intentional assault).

If another person has caused the death of one of your family members, it is important to know that Louisiana law may permit you to file a civil claim known as a wrongful death lawsuit in order to seek monetary damages from the at-fault party. What are some of the most common circumstances that give rise to wrongful deaths? Our Shreveport wrongful death lawyers can tell you more.

Motor Vehicle Crashes

Large truck crashes and auto collisions are among the most common incidents in which another party’s fault results in the death of someone else. In 2021, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development reported a total of 997 fatalities from motor vehicle crashes. That number has been rising in recent years. Negligent motorists are often at fault due to distracted driving, aggressive driving, intoxicated driving, and drowsy driving. Deadly boating crashes can also occur for the same reasons.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Collisions

Bicycle and pedestrian collisions — often involving negligent motor vehicle drivers — are also common sources of fatalities in Shreveport and throughout Louisiana. Louisiana is often listed among the most dangerous states for cyclists in the nation, and recent statistics suggest that Louisiana has the second-highest rate of bicycle injuries and deaths in the United States.

Dog Bites

While dog bites are not always serious or deadly, they can result in fatalities — especially when children are attacked. According to DogsBite.org, the number of fatal dog bites has risen over the last 15 years, and both children and adults have sustained fatal bites in attacks. When these animal attacks occur, the dog owner may be at fault and may be civilly liable in a wrongful death lawsuit.

Contact a Shreveport Wrongful Death Lawyer Today

Any circumstances that result in a loved one’s injury can be extremely difficult, and incidents where a loved one suffers a fatal injury can be particularly devastating. Although it may feel difficult to think about taking legal action at this difficult time, it is important to remember that there are multiple benefits of wrongful death claims in Louisiana. Not only can a wrongful death case provide family members with financial compensation that can help with funeral expenses and the lost wages of a loved one, but a wrongful death case can also allow family members to hold the wrongdoer civilly accountable.

Do not hesitate to get in touch with one of the Shreveport wrongful death attorneys at Rice & Kendig, LLC to find out more about your options.

Sources:

legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=109371

wwwapps.dotd.la.gov/administration/announcements/announcement.aspx?key=29014

theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/risky-riding-report-says-louisiana-second-most-dangerous-state-for-cyclists/article_96cce980-c334-11e8-bb33-0b2accfc7d93.html

dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics-fatalities.php

By Rice & Kendig, LLC | Posted on October 17, 2023

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