An accident on the road can result in the loss of life, your or a loved one. Motorcycle accidents, in particular, have a higher chance of resulting in death due to less protection for the rider.
If you have lost a family member or other loved one in a motorcycle accident in Richland, you can pursue legal action against the person responsible for the loss of life. Our experienced motorcycle crash attorneys at Telaré Law stand ready to help you bring a wrongful death action and related injury claims on behalf of a loved one who has passed.
We understand the tragedy of losing someone in an accident and believe you should allow yourself time to grieve with your family. In the immediate aftermath of a Richland motorbike wreck, you will want to prioritize taking care of the affairs of someone who has passed away. When you are ready, reach out to an attorney to help you hold the reckless driver financially liable for your loved one’s death.
You can pursue damages against the liable party through a wrongful death action—a lawsuit brought on the deceased person’s behalf to get compensation.
Revised Code of Washington § 4.20.020 provides that the only a handful of the deceased person’s relatives, also known as beneficiaries, can pursue this type of lawsuit on their behalf. The beneficiaries may include the person’s spouse, partner, or children; a parent or sibling could also step in if the deceased did not have other relatives.
The deceased’s personal representative physically brings the case, which can seek compensation for the beneficiaries’ damages, both economic and noneconomic in nature.
The damages could include:
Someone could also pursue a personal injury claim alongside a wrongful death claim under RCW § 4.20.060, widening the range of damages available to beneficiaries.
If you can bring a claim after a motorcycle crash that resulted in a death, you will need to show who caused the accident and prove they acted negligently. A Richland lawyer can help you gather evidence to prove negligence, file the claim on time, and show that your relative did not cause their own injuries.
Negligence is the legal concept that holds people responsible for their unreasonable behavior and requires proof of several elements: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages. We can help you gather evidence to show the other party’s duty of care and that they violated that duty to the deceased person by acting unreasonably. We will also show how that behavior caused the accident and the resulting damage.
One of our attorneys will also ensure you file your claim within the statute of limitations. Under RCW § 4.16.080, you have three years from the time of death to bring a suit, though adding personal injury claims may create a shorter time frame and a need to speak to legal counsel even sooner.
Also, you may need to show that the deceased person did not partially cause the accident. If they did, then the total damages could decrease in proportion to that partial fault under RCW § 4.22.005, though you can still recover something as long as the deceased was not 100 percent at fault.
Working through the specifics of your motorcycle crash claim is where a Richland lawyer can come in and lend a hand. We can help you gather the right evidence, file the claim in time, and prove your wrongful death claim.
Losing someone is never easy, and we know that nothing can replace that person in your life. But we stand ready to support you and your compensation efforts after an accident.
At Telaré Law, we focus on fighting for those affected by fatal motorcycle accidents in Richland. By using a close and consultative process with our clients based in communication and trust, we can fight on your behalf and win compensation for you and your family. Call our office as soon as possible to learn more.