King and Queen County wrongful death attorneys

Providing legal support to families in need in King and Queen County

The sudden death of a loved one can leave you devastated, emotionally and financially. If the death was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be angry, confused, and not sure what to do next. How do you get justice? Well, while nothing can bring your loved one back, you do have legal options for financial recovery.

We at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys have long helped people in King and Queen County recover from difficult accidents. Sadly, more than 10 people died in car accidents alone over the past four years in King and Queen County, according to Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).

Few accidents are as difficult to recover from as those resulting in the death of a loved one. At GibsonSingleton, we consider it a calling to help those who are hurting with outstanding legal expertise and real compassion. Diligence and empathy are hallmarks of everything we do, and if we take your case, we will not rest until your family is fully compensated for your loss.

If someone else’s mistake caused you to lose a loved one, call us at (804) 413-6777 today.

Back to Top

How is wrongful death defined in Virginia?

A “wrongful death” is caused by an act of negligence. It never should have happened, and wouldn’t have happened if proper oversight and precautions had been taken. Some of the most common accidents that cause wrongful deaths in King and Queen County include:

• Car accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Truck crashes
• Motorcycle collisions
• Bike accidents
• Animal attacks
• Construction site accidents
• Swimming pool drownings
• Defective products
• Slip-and-falls

Car accidents are the leading cause of wrongful death in Virginia. In fact, car crashes caused 827 fatalities, or two per day, in a recent year in Virginia, according to VDOT. On top of that, drunk drivers caused 264 of those fatalities, while speeders caused 349. So, more than half of all fatal auto accidents in Virginia were the result of negligence, making them wrongful deaths.

Back to Top

Which family members can file a claim?

No matter how you lost your loved one, you may be suffering emotionally and financially. Losing a member of the family, especially one who provided income, can leave you in a difficult place. And that’s why Virginia has wrongful death claims – they allow families to receive compensation to cover the loss of their loved one.

But wrongful death claims, like most civil claims, have a statute of limitations, or a time limit. In Virginia, the time limit is two years. While that may sound like a long time, when you are dealing with the loss of a loved one, it can pass in a blur. We recommend that you file your claim as soon as possible.

That being said, not just anyone can file a wrongful death claim. These claims are meant to benefit the deceased’s family, so only select family members can file. You can file a wrongful death claim if you are:

• The deceased’s spouse
• The deceased’s child
• The deceased’s grandchild (if the children have already passed)
• The deceased’s parent or sibling (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

Back to Top

What compensation can you seek for wrongful death?

Losing a loved one can be expensive, especially if the deceased left behind medical bills or was a breadwinner for the family. You can file a claim against the at-fault party and their insurance provider to recover damages for:

• Medical bills
• Funeral expenses
• Burial costs
• Loss of benefits, such as retirement funds and health insurance
• Loss of income
• Loss of services, such as childcare, auto maintenance, and house cleaning
• Emotional trauma
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of companionship
• Punitive damages may be recovered for willful conduct, or a conscious disregard for the safety of others.

But filing a claim does not mean that you will get compensated. You will not just be negotiating with the at-fault party, but with their insurance provider as well. Many insurance companies care more about profits than fulfilling their obligations. They may fight to avoid paying you and your family what is owed to you. But don’t give up. With a skilled King and Queen County personal injury lawyer by your side, you may be able to get the full compensation your family deserves.

Back to Top

Call GibsonSingleton for the legal help you deserve

Nothing can erase your family’s pain following a wrongful death. But you don’t need the added burden of financial difficulties as well. GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys will work with insurance companies, taking your case to trial if necessary, to get you full compensation. As former members of the U.S. Marine Corps, Ken Gibson and John Singleton know how to prepare a plan and execute on it successfully for you.

Call us at GibsonSingleton, and let us shoulder the full burden for you. To speak with a member of our outstanding, compassionate team, call us at (804) 413-6777 today.

Back to Top