If you lost a loved one in a tragic accident in Nashville, TN, you only have one chance to demand full compensation from those responsible. An experienced Nashville wrongful death lawyer can help you recover every dollar you deserve. Contact Meyers Personal Injury Law at (615) 258-9000 to schedule a free consultation today.
Our top-rated attorney at Meyers Personal Injury Law recovers millions of dollars in compensation awards for our clients each year. You can count on us to help your family fight for justice.
If you’re grieving the loss of a loved one, we’re here to handle the legal issues. Contact our law offices in Nashville, Tennessee.
How Can Meyers Personal Injury Law Help My Family Recover Compensation After a Wrongful Death in Nashville, TN?
You’re already dealing with the most difficult loss imaginable. Why should you be expected to struggle financially on top of everything else? And why should you have to fight with an insurance company to get the money you deserve?
The fact is, even the most sympathetic insurance adjuster is out to maximize profits. Their interests are not aligned with yours. Hiring an experienced Nashville wrongful death attorney is one of the best things you can do for your family.
Meyers Personal Injury Law has been recognized with a perfect-10 Avvo rating and rated by Super Lawyers.
When you hire our team to take on those responsible for your loved one’s death, you can expect us to:
- Conduct a careful investigation into your loved one’s death
- Collect and evaluate all available evidence
- Collaborate with respected experts as needed
- Build the strong, custom-tailored case you deserve
- Negotiate with the other side for the maximum compensation possible
Don’t leave your family’s future to chance. Contact experienced Nashville personal injury lawyers who can help you fight for justice.
What Is a Wrongful Death in Tennessee?
A wrongful death in Tennessee is any death caused by another person. Most wrongful death cases are based on fatal injuries caused by another person. However, a wrongful death suit may be based on “the wrongful act, omission, or killing by another.”
When you suffer injuries, you have the right to seek compensation from the at-fault party. Whether you file an insurance claim or a lawsuit, you have the right to seek compensation for any losses you suffered. A victim’s rights under Tennessee personal injury laws don’t disappear because the victim’s injuries were fatal. When someone has the right to file a personal injury lawsuit, that right survives their death.
Because the victim can’t pursue compensation on their own behalf, the right to pursue compensation transfers to surviving family members.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Tennessee?
Under Tennessee wrongful death laws, the following parties may have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit:
- The victim’s surviving spouse
- The victim’s children, if there is no surviving spouse
- The victim’s next of kin
- Under certain circumstances, the victim’s parents
In most cases, it’s the personal representative who formally files the wrongful death lawsuit. Proceeds are distributed to the surviving family members, or in accordance with the victim’s will or state intestate laws.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Fatal Accidents in Nashville?
At Meyers Personal Injury Law, we handle all types of wrongful death claims, including cases involving:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Uber and Lyft accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Mass transit accidents
- Taxi accidents
- Bus accidents
- Aviation accidents
- Recreational vehicle accidents
- Electric scooter accidents
- Construction accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse
- Premises liability
- Slip and fall accidents
- Dog bites
- Assault
- Negligent security
- Defective products
The untimely loss of a loved one is difficult enough. Regardless of the circumstances, you can count on our attorney in Nashville to pursue the full compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more.
How Much Money Is My Nashville Wrongful Death Case Worth?
In wrongful death cases, all plaintiffs have suffered the same loss: the tragic and untimely loss of a loved one. Still, the value of a wrongful death case can vary significantly depending on the facts.
Some key factors that will influence your case value include:
- The amount spent on medical care prior to the victim’s death
- The victim’s age and life expectancy
- The victim’s lost future earnings, considering their education, work history, and career path
- The age and identity of the victim’s surviving dependent family members
When it comes to paying claims, the insurance company has one primary goal: to limit the amount of money the claimant takes home. That’s true even when the person filing the claim has suffered a devastating loss like yours. Because the other side is looking out for their own interests, it’s important to have an attorney who will protect yours.
What Types of Damages Are Available for Surviving Loved Ones in a Wrongful Death Case?
Damages in a wrongful death case are intended to help survivors cope with the untimely loss of a loved one.
Your family can seek compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages, including:
- Any medical expenses incurred by the victim prior to death
- Loss of the victim’s financial support
- Loss of consortium, or loss of your spouse’s companionship
- The victim’s physical pain and suffering
- Your family’s emotional trauma and distress
- Funeral and burial costs
The damages you recover won’t bring your loved one back. They can, however, provide your family with critical relief during this difficult time. The best way to ensure you’re receiving the full compensation you deserve is to hire an experienced Nashville wrongful death lawyer to negotiate on your behalf.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Tennessee?
Like most law firms, we work on contingency. Rather than paying our attorneys’ fees upfront or based on the number of hours we spend on your case, your fees will depend on our results. You only pay if we recover compensation for you. When we do, you pay a set percentage of your award.
How Will Tennessee’s Shared Fault Laws Impact the Value of My Wrongful Death Case?
If your loved one shared some blame for their own death, it will impact the amount of money your family can take home.
Tennessee follows a modified comparative negligence law with a 50% bar to recovery. If your loved one’s share of fault was more than 50%, your family loses the right to compensation entirely.
As long as your loved one’s comparative fault was less than 51%, you can still recover compensation. However, your compensation award will be limited. If 30% of the blame was attributed to the victim, you can recover 70% of your damages award.
Our attorney knows how wrongful death cases work. Because the victim isn’t here to defend themselves, the insurance company will try to attribute as much blame as possible to them. We know how to stand up and protect you from these painful allegations. If your loved one did share some blame, we know how to limit the impact of the shared fault law.
How Do I Prove My Family Deserves Compensation for Wrongful Death in Tennessee?
The cause of action in a wrongful death case depends on the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s death. In Tennessee, wrongful death claims can be based on negligence, strict liability, or intentional torts. Negligence is the most common legal basis for a wrongful death case.
In negligence cases, the person seeking compensation must be able to prove:
- The defendant had a legal duty of care (for example, to obey traffic laws)
- They breached their duty of care by a failure to use due caution
- The defendant’s breach directly contributed to the victim’s death
- Your family and/or the victim’s estate have suffered damages
The standard of proof in a wrongful death case is a “preponderance of the evidence”. That means it must be “more likely than not true” that the defendant was responsible for your loved one’s death.
Our lawyer knows the best ways to investigate these types of accidents. We’ll put the full weight of our experience to work in locating the most compelling evidence possible to prove your case.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit After a Deadly Accident in Tennessee?
The statute of limitations in Tennessee gives your family one year to file a wrongful death lawsuit. The one-year statute of limitations period starts to run on the date of your decedent’s death.
Extensions are extremely rare, so it’s always best to consult an experienced attorney sooner rather than later. Your attorney can take immediate steps to preserve your cause of action.
Contact a Trusted Nashville Wrongful Death Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Do you have questions about your legal options after the death of a loved one in Nashville? Count on Meyers Personal Injury Law to provide the answers and support you need. Contact us today to arrange a free case review with an experienced Nashville wrongful death attorney who can help.
