St. Charles County Wrongful Death Attorneys
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Wrongful Death
When someone is killed in St. Charles County as a result of someone else's negligence, the victim's family may be able to pursue financial compensation for their loss. A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit that may be filed by a fatally injured victim's family. Wrongful death in St. Charles County may be caused by auto accidents, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse or assaults. While an at-fault party may face criminal charges in connection with the death, he or she could also be held civilly liable for the wrongful death of the victim.
Car accidents are one of the major causes of wrongful death in St. Charles County. Not all fatal car accidents, however, result in valid wrongful death claims. It must be proven that the at-fault driver was negligent in some way. For example, when a driver is speeding, drunk, distracted, fatigued or reckless, he or she is driving negligently.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported the following Missouri car crash statistics:
- The number of fatalities suffered in Missouri car accidents has decreased over the last few years. In the year 2005, 1,257 people were killed in Missouri car accidents. This number dropped to 1,096 in 2006, 992 in 2007, 960 in 2008 and 878 fatalities in the year 2009.
- The number of drunk driving fatalities has decreased in recent years as well. According to NHTSA's numbers, 420 people were killed in Missouri DUI car crashes in the year 2005 and 300 were killed in alcohol-related car crashes in the year 2009.
- Speed-related deaths decreased from 529 in the year 2005 to 379 in 2009.
- Pedestrians killed in Missouri car accidents also decreased from 2005 to 2009. In the year 2005, 88 people were killed in St. Charles County pedestrian accidents and 68 pedestrians were killed in the year 2009.
St. Charles County car crashes are not the only type of fatal accidents that may result in a wrongful death. As long as negligence plays a part, a death may be considered wrongful. Other causes of wrongful death include:
- Slip and fall accidents on dangerous properties
- Defective product accidents
- Criminal acts
- Medical malpractice
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Swimming pool accidents
- House fires involving negligent property owners
- Workplace accidents
A sudden death in the family can result in substantial emotional and financial burdens for the surviving family members. If your loved one has been killed by someone else's negligence or wrongdoing, the skilled St. Charles County wrongful death lawyers at Page Law are here to help. Families in such cases can seek compensation for damages included medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income and loss of companionship. Call us today to schedule your free and comprehensive consultation.
St. Charles County Personal Injury Resource Center
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