Losing someone you care about is never easy. When the death results from another party’s negligence, however, it can be even more to bear. If your loved one was killed due to someone else’s carelessness, you may want to consult an Athens, GA wrongful death lawyer. Your family may be entitled to compensation.

Here are the most common causes of wrongful death that you should know about.

Car Accidents

Many people in the U.S. rely on their cars to get them to work, doctor’s appointments, the grocery store and other places. Unfortunately, not everyone drives responsibly, which increases the number of car accidents. For example, if a driver is talking on a cellphone, he or she may not be focused on the road and cause an accident. Likewise, if a driver is speeding, he or she may have lower reaction times to hazards and get into a crash. Sometimes car accidents can result in fatal injuries.

Medical Malpractice

People go to the hospital or doctor’s office to feel better. However, it does not always happen this way. If doctors and other medical professionals are negligent when treating patients, they can cause fatal injuries. For instance, a doctor may misdiagnose a condition in a patient. Then, the patient’s actual condition may worsen and not respond to treatment anymore. In this instance, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the doctor who treated your family member.

Truck Accidents

Commercial trucks are frequently on the roads nowadays to transport various goods around the country. These trucks are much larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, so they have a higher chance of causing fatal injuries in an accident. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include distracted driving, speeding, drowsy driving, inexperience and drunk driving. If your loved one was killed in a truck accident, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against the truck driver and trucking company.

Product Liability

Product manufacturers have a duty to ensure that their products are safe for the public. If they fail to do this, consumers may suffer various injuries, and some of them may be fatal. As the legal professionals Norris Injury Law can confirm, products can be defective from poor design, incorrect manufacturing or malfunctioning safety features. Common defective products include vehicles, home appliances, children’s toys and medications. If a defective product kills a person, it can result in a wrongful death lawsuit.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists are much more vulnerable to fatal injuries in accidents. Motorcyclists do not have the protection of a vehicle, so they have a higher chance of sustaining traumatic brain injuries and other life-threatening injuries. Common causes of motorcycle accidents include distracted driving, lane splitting, speeding, drunk driving and running red lights. If your family member was killed in a motorcycle accident caused by another driver, you may be eligible for compensation.

Schedule a consultation with a wrongful death lawyer today to discuss your case in detail.