Austin Fatal Bicycle Accident Lawyer
The tragic reality of traffic collisions is that far too often, the negligence of one person affects someone else who was doing absolutely nothing wrong at the time but suffered life-altering harm. When a negligent driver’s misconduct leads to them striking a bicyclist who was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, the result may involve permanent and potentially fatal injuries to that cyclist.
If you recently lost someone close to you because a reckless or careless driver struck them on a bike ride, you should strongly consider reaching out to an Austin fatal bicycle accident lawyer to discuss your legal options. You can demand comprehensive compensation for the losses that you and your family experience due to your loved one’s wrongful death. The support of a compassionate bicycle accident attorney from Felix Gonzalez Law can be key to achieving the best possible case result.
Filing and Recovering Through a Wrongful Death Claim
In this state, the right to file suit over a personal injury caused by another person’s misconduct survives the injured person even if they pass away prematurely as a direct result of their injuries. This means someone else can file suit in that deceased person’s name after their death.
More specifically, a deceased person’s spouse, children, or parents all have standing to sue for their loved one’s wrongful death either solely on their own behalf or on behalf of all eligible family members. The decedent’s personal representative or executor can also file this sort of claim if no immediate family member has begun the legal process or specifically objected to it within three months of the decedent’s death.
In a comprehensive lawsuit or settlement demand over a fatal bicycle crash in Austin, an attorney can include both economic and non-economic forms of harm, such as:
- Lost future financial support or value of inheritance
- Lost household services and assistance
- Lost love, companionship, and guidance
- Emotional anguish
An experienced attorney can discuss what damages should be factored into a particular claim during a private initial meeting.
Do Criminal Charges Affect Fatal Bicycle Accident Lawsuits?
Importantly, an individual and their lawyer can file civil suit over a fatal bicycle accident in Austin regardless of whether the prospective defendant in that lawsuit has been criminally charged for their loved one’s death. Likewise, someone can proceed with—and still achieve a favorable outcome from—a lawsuit of this nature while criminal proceedings against the defendant are ongoing, or even if they have already been acquitted of criminal wrongdoing.
This is possible because of the different standards of proof applicable to criminal and civil cases. As a knowledgeable lawyer can further explain, prosecutors must prove guilt of criminal offenses beyond a reasonable doubt to obtain a conviction, but civil plaintiffs only need to establish liability based on a preponderance of the evidence to obtain compensation.
Speak With an Attorney About a Fatal Bike Crash in Austin
Anyone who has lost a family member to a sudden accident knows that no financial payout may be large enough to make up for a life being unfairly taken. However, civil restitution can still be key to protecting your family’s long-term best interests after this kind of a tragic loss, as it can help both stabilize your finances and give you the ability to grieve on your own time.
You have support available from an Austin fatal bicycle accident lawyer at Felix Gonzalez Law with whatever legal action you wish to pursue against the person at fault for your family member’s death. Call today to schedule a confidential consultation.
