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James City County wrongful death attorneys


Helping those who have lost loved ones in James City County

Losing a loved one is never easy. Death leaves a hole in a family -- emotionally, physically, and financially. Losing someone you love because someone else didn’t act responsibly is even worse. While nothing can bring back your loved one, recovering compensation from the at-fault party can help relieve some of the financial pressures you may be facing.

We at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys have worked with numerous families, including many in James City County, who have been left reeling after the tragic loss of a loved one. Sadly, 22 people in James City County died in a car wreck over the past four years alone, according to Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), although not all were wrongful deaths.

We understand emotional and financial fallout of a wrongful death. That’s why we work so hard to help families in this time of serious need. In fact, we consider it a calling to help our neighbors in James City by providing excellent legal counsel and genuine concern. To speak to an outstanding, compassionate local attorney, call us at (804) 413-6777 today.

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What is wrongful death?

A wrongful death should never have happened. Typically, a person (or company) acted negligently in a situation that should have been prevented with proper care. So, the resulting death was wrongful.

Many types of accidents can cause a wrongful death, but some of the most common include:

Auto accidents, whether with a truck, motorcycle, or car, are a common cause of wrongful death. Auto accidents caused more than 800 fatalities in Virginia in a recent year, according to VDOT. Of that, drunk drivers caused 264, and speeding drivers caused 349. That means that negligent drivers caused more than 50% of these fatalities, making them wrongful deaths.

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Who is eligible to file wrongful death claims?

The family of the deceased can file a claim against the at-fault party. This lets families recover from financial losses following the death of their loved ones, as well as compensation for emotional trauma. But not just anyone can file a wrongful death claim in James City County.

You may file a wrongful death claim if you are:

  • The deceased’s spouse
  • The deceased’s child
  • The deceased’s grandchild, but only if the children have already passed
  • The deceased’s parent or sibling, but only if the spouse, children, and grandchildren have already passed or are not applicable
  • The deceased’s beneficiary if none of the family members listed above are alive

If you are on the list above, act quickly because Virginia has a time limit on wrongful death claims. The time limit, or statute of limitations, is two years. While that may sound like a long time, dealing with the unexpected death of a family member can make the time pass quickly. Considering how important these claims are to the financial recovery of your family, filing before the deadline is critical.

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What damages can you recover in a wrongful death claim?

Wrongful death can put a family in debt, on top of leaving them with less income than they had before. If you have recently lost your loved one, you know the difficulties of this situation. A successful claim can alleviate the burden.

When you file a wrongful death claim, you can ask that certain damages you have suffered be compensated, including:

  • Medical bills
  • Funeral expenses
  • Burial costs
  • Emotional trauma
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of benefits (such as retirement funds and health insurance)
  • Loss of services (such as childcare, auto maintenance, and house cleaning)
  • Loss of income
  • Loss of companionship

The point of a wrongful death claim is to ensure that the family of the deceased is not financially harmed by a death that should have been prevented. The claim lets you demand proper compensation from the at-fault party and their insurance providers.

But you will only receive this compensation if you file a successful claim. The insurance companies you are approaching are unlikely to offer you a high settlement willingly. Thankfully, you don’t have to go into your claim alone.

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Who can help me after a wrongful death in James City County?

After losing someone you love, a wrongful death claim may be the last thing on your mind. But not filing a claim can harm your family financially.

We GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys understand the intense pain you’re feeling, and that’s why we offer you legal support you trust. When you call us, you will find local James City County personal injury attorneys who are ready and waiting to help you. Let us shoulder your burden, so that you and your family can focus on healing without worrying about money. We will always treat you as our neighbors, never as a number. To find out your legal options in James City County and how we can help, call us at (804) 413-6777. We have a “Zero Fee Guarantee,” which means you don’t pay us unless we win money for you.

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Call our Eastern Virginia office today for a free consultation
at (804) 413-6777 or toll free (855) 781-6777.

Zero Fee Guarantee

It costs you nothing for our firm to represent you. We only get paid when you do. Learn more

Community Service

Prevention, empathy, and diligence are hallmarks of everything we do at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys. Our community can see these ideals lived out in our work to prevent personal injuries from happening.

  • Safety Education
    GibsonSingleton launches “Texts=Wrecks” campaign to reduce the number of people injured or killed by distracted drivers.
  • Annual Coat Drive
    During the fall, our team works to distribute coats to people in need in our community.
  • Hands-on Service
    John and Ken join the Gloucester Point Rotary Club in cleaning up the community.
  • Supporting Local Schools
    The Gibson family participates in Gloucester’s Botetourt Elementary Shuffle fundraiser.