Was your loved one killed in a fatal accident in Greenville, NC? Our team at Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers is here to provide the legal support and guidance you need during this difficult time. An experienced Greenville wrongful death lawyer can help you recover the maximum compensation possible. Contact us today at 800-525-7111 to schedule a free consultation.
With over 190 years of legal experience, we have the tools to help you fight for fair compensation for your losses. In fact, we’ve already recovered over $850 million in settlements and verdicts. Our compassionate, diligent attorneys are here to support you and fight for justice.
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Why Should I Hire Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers After a Fatal Accident in Greenville?
Wrongful death cases are often complex and emotionally difficult types of personal injury cases. North Carolina law limits who can file a wrongful death claim, and these claims allow for other types of compensation, such as lost future income, loss of companionship, and mental anguish.
Trying to navigate these complexities on your own can be intimidating. At Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, our legal team will walk you through every step of the legal process. From helping you determine who can bring a claim to calculating your financial losses and emotional damages, we can ensure that no aspect of your case is overlooked.
Beyond our extensive experience and significant financial recoveries, our attorneys have been recognized by The National Trial Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
How Can Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers Help With a Wrongful Death Claim in Greenville, North Carolina?
Losing a loved one is difficult enough. You shouldn’t have to deal with manipulative insurance tactics and complex legal issues on your own.
An experienced Greenville personal injury lawyer at Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers can help your family by:
- Coordinating a full investigation into the circumstances of your loved one’s death
- Identifying the responsible parties and any source of insurance
- Consulting with respected experts who can testify to strengthen your case
- Defending you against any allegations that your loved one caused their own death
- Taking your case to trial if a fair settlement can’t be reached
Fatal injury cases often involve high-dollar compensation awards. That means the other side will try to minimize its own liability. Fortunately, you can rest assured that our Greenville wrongful death lawyers know how to fight back.
Contact our law office in Greenville, North Carolina, for a free consultation today.
Overview of North Carolina’s Wrongful Death Laws
Under North Carolina law, wrongful death is defined as a death caused by the wrongful act, neglect, or default of another person, such that if the victim had survived, they would have been able to file a personal injury lawsuit.
When someone commits a crime that results in death, they can be punished in criminal court. In wrongful death cases, the goal is to compensate the victim’s survivors. Wrongful death cases are entirely civil matters. Your right to pursue compensation does not depend on whether the defendant is charged with or convicted of a crime–you can still file a wrongful death lawsuit in civil court regardless of the outcome of any criminal proceedings.
How Do I Know Whether I Have a Valid Wrongful Death Case?
Many different sets of circumstances can give rise to a valid wrongful death case. Most wrongful death claims are based on accidents that resulted in fatal injuries.
You may have a valid wrongful death claim, for example, against:
- A negligent driver who caused a fatal car crash
- A doctor who made a deadly error in misdiagnosing a patient
- Someone who intentionally inflicted fatal injuries
- The manufacturer of a defective prescription drug that caused fatal side effects
If the victim could have filed a personal injury lawsuit but never had the chance to act, it’s very likely that a valid wrongful death claim still exists.
How Do Wrongful Death Lawsuits Work in North Carolina?
Wrongful death cases are very similar to personal injury lawsuits. Often, an insurance claim begins the process. Your lawyer will negotiate with the insurance companies to secure a settlement that accounts for your family’s losses. Most of the time, a formal lawsuit only becomes necessary if the insurance deal is unfair.
The victim’s personal representative or estate executor is given the formal power to file a wrongful death lawsuit in North Carolina. The personal representative may be someone named in the victim’s will. If the victim didn’t make their own choice, the court can appoint someone to serve.
When a case is successful, the compensation is distributed to the victim’s surviving heirs.
How Common Are Fatal Accidents in North Carolina?
Unfortunately, thousands of people die every year due to the careless, reckless, and wrongful acts of others.
According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, in 2023, 1,686 people were killed in fatal motor vehicle accidents alone. Another 1,727 people 65 and older died due to unintentional fall injuries in North Carolina that year. 177 fatal workplace injuries were reported to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2023.
What Is My Wrongful Death Case in North Carolina Worth?
The primary factors that will determine how much your case is worth include:
- The circumstances of your loved one’s death
- Your loved one’s financial contributions to the family prior to death
- Your loved one’s age, life expectancy, and earning capacity at the time of death
- The identity of surviving dependents
- The suffering your family has endured due to your loss
- Any medical costs, funeral expenses, and other financial losses you’ve incurred
- The victim’s pain and trauma prior to death
Unfortunately, if you’re not sure what your case is worth, insurance companies and their defense teams will not hesitate to take advantage of you. There is no standard settlement, so consulting with an experienced attorney is the only way to know what you deserve.
What Types of Damages Are Available for a Greenville Wrongful Death Case?
Your family can pursue compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages.
Examples of the types of damages you may have sustained include:
- Medical expenses to treat the victim’s fatal injuries prior to death
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of your loved one’s financial support and job benefits
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
If your case goes to trial, the courts can award punitive damages, but only in rare cases. A punitive damages award requires proof that the defendant’s acts were malicious, fraudulent, willful, or reckless.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer in North Carolina?
You can hire a wrongful death lawyer on a contingency fee basis. Under this arrangement, you only pay attorneys’ fees if your attorney recovers compensation in your case. Those fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement or verdict.
The important thing to remember is that there aren’t any upfront fees to obtain our legal services.
Can North Carolina's Contributory Fault Laws Impact My Family’s Right to Recover Compensation for Wrongful Death?
Yes. If the other side can prove your loved one shared even a small amount of fault, your family will lose your right to recover damages under North Carolina’s strict contributory negligence law.
Don’t be shocked if the defendant and their defense team try to blame you. After all, they can escape liability entirely if you let them get away with it. Our lawyers know how to handle these types of accusations–in fact, we see victim-blaming in most cases we take on.
What Causes Most Fatal Accidents in Greenville?
At Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, we handle all types of fatal injury claims, including those involving:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Truck accidents involving semis and big rigs
- Bus accidents
- Uber or Lyft accidents
- Boating accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Dangerous property conditions
- Swimming pool accidents
- Construction accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Exposure to dangerous substances
- Defective products
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse and neglect
- Assault and intentional violence
Any type of trauma can be fatal if it’s serious enough. If you lost a loved one, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Greenville wrongful death attorneys.
What Do I Have to Prove to Win Compensation for Wrongful Death in North Carolina?
Most fatal injuries are unintentional. They occur because someone was negligent.
As such, most families must prove the following four elements of negligence to receive compensation:
- The defendant owed the victim a duty of care.
- They breached their duty.
- The breach was the direct cause of the fatal injury.
- The plaintiff suffered losses.
Losing a loved one is difficult enough. You shouldn’t have to deal with a complex investigation on top of everything else. Our team is here to provide the quality legal assistance you need, so give us a call today.
How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit After a Fatal Accident in North Carolina?
The statute of limitations in North Carolina is two years in wrongful death cases. The two-year period starts to run on the date of your loved one’s death, not on the date of a fatal accident. Once the deadline passes, your family will lose its right to damages entirely.
Contact an Experienced Greenville Wrongful Death Lawyer for a Free Consultation
You’ve suffered an unthinkable loss because of someone else’s actions. A Greenville wrongful death attorney at Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers can help you seek justice. We have 190+ years of legal experience and have recovered over $850 million for our clients. To learn more about how we can put our legal skills to work for you, call for a free case evaluation today.