The unexpected death of a family member is a tragic experience, but when their death resulted from another party’s negligence or misconduct, it’s reasonable to have many legal questions about how you can hold the at-fault party accountable. Whether they died in a crash on I-215 or from a preventable slip and fall on private property, a Moreno Valley wrongful death lawyer will be a crucial asset for proving liability and recovering compensation for your family’s loss.
Compassionate Legal Counsel for Wrongful Death Cases in Moreno Valley, CA
The team at Gonzales Law Offices has years of proven experience handling a wide range of personal injury cases for clients in Moreno Valley and the surrounding communities of California. Wrongful death claims fall within the purview of personal injury law, but there are special rules that apply to these cases that you must understand if you intend to file such a claim. We are confident we can help you reach a favorable outcome in your wrongful death case.
A wrongful death claim effectively replaces the personal injury case the victim could have filed if they had survived. In a standard personal injury case, the victim seeks compensation for the economic and non-economic damages they suffered because of the defendant’s actions. In a wrongful death suit, the family of the victim seeks compensation for their losses. However the death occurred, your attorney can help you pursue accountability for the fatal injury.
Car, bicycle, motorcycle, bus, truck, and pedestrian accidents are among the leading causes of wrongful deaths in Moreno Valley and throughout California each year. The California Office of Traffic Safety reported 1,069 injuries and deaths from vehicle crashes in Moreno Valley in 2022. Fatal injuries may include severe internal trauma, crushing injuries, or traumatic brain damage.
The International Brain Injury Association estimates that motor vehicle crashes account for about 50% of all brain injuries, and these injuries are a leading cause of accidental death worldwide. A skilled Moreno Valley wrongful death lawyer can help you prove the exact cause of the fatal injury in question, uncover the full scope of the damages you are eligible to claim, and help you resolve your wrongful death claim as efficiently as possible.
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In California, the closest surviving family members of the deceased are first with the right to file a wrongful death suit, such as a surviving spouse, child, or parent. If the deceased had an estate plan and named a personal representative, this individual will likely act as the plaintiff in the wrongful death suit. Success with this type of case requires identifying the defendant who caused the fatal injury and proving they are directly responsible for the victim’s death.
A wrongful death case shares many procedural similarities with a standard personal injury case. However, the plaintiff seeks compensation on behalf of the victim’s family. Your Moreno Valley wrongful death lawyer can calculate the total economic damages you are eligible to claim from the defendant, and they will also help you seek compensation for pain and suffering.
These are some of the most challenging civil claims anyone can face in California. If you believe you have grounds to file a wrongful death suit in Moreno Valley, it’s crucial to hire a wrongful death lawyer who has proven experience handling cases like yours. The team at Gonzales Law Offices is ready to help with every step of your case. Reach out to our firm at your first opportunity to learn more about our legal services for Moreno Valley wrongful death cases.
Meet Attorney Mark Gonzales, Esq.
Lead Counsel, Gonzales Law Offices
Since 2007, Mark has represented injured clients across Southern California in car, motorcycle, and truck accidents, traumatic brain injuries, wrongful death, and premises liability. His time in insurance defense gives him inside perspective he uses to help clients take on powerful carriers. He has recovered over a million dollars for clients in difficult cases.
Bar: State Bar of California
Affiliations: CAALA, LACBA
Education: University of La Verne College of Law
Offices: Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino, Ontario
Free Consultation No Fees Unless We Win Se Habla Español
How Can I Prove Fault for Wrongful Death in Moreno Valley?
You can prove fault for wrongful death in Moreno Valley with various types of evidence that a skilled attorney can secure on your behalf. The evidence required will depend on the nature of the fatal incident in question. For example, if the victim died in a car accident, you may need traffic camera footage, vehicle computer data, cell phone records, and testimony from eyewitnesses.
What Happens if the Victim Was Partially Liable for Their Fatal Injury?
If the victim was partially liable for their fatal injury, California’s pure comparative fault rule comes into play, and they will be assigned a percentage of fault for the fatal injury. Whatever percentage of fault is assigned to the victim is subtracted from the final case award or settlement. Your attorney can explain whether this is a concern for your wrongful death case in Moreno Valley.
Will the Defendant Go to Jail for Causing a Wrongful Death?
The defendant could go to jail and face other criminal penalties for causing a wrongful death, depending on how they caused it. If they broke the law in any way that resulted in a fatal injury, they face civil liability for wrongful death as well as criminal prosecution from the state. Penalties for criminal offenses in California increase significantly if the defendant caused fatal harm.
What Damages Can I Claim in a Wrongful Death Case?
The damages you could claim in a wrongful death case may include damages to the estate of the deceased, the cost of their final medical treatment, lost financial support they can no longer provide to you and your family, and all funeral and burial expenses. Additionally, the surviving family of the victim can receive compensation for their pain and suffering.
What Does it Cost to Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Moreno Valley?
The cost to hire a wrongful death lawyer in Moreno Valley depends on the lawyer’s billing policy. At Gonzales Law Offices, we take personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront fees, and we will only charge a percentage of the final case award or settlement as our contingency fee if we win. However, if we are unable to obtain a case award for any reason, you pay nothing.
Losing a loved one unexpectedly is never easy, but when a specific party is directly responsible for causing their death, it is crucial that you consult an experienced Moreno Valley wrongful death lawyer at your first opportunity. The team at Gonzales Law Offices is ready to provide compassionate, results-driven legal representation through every stage of this case, so contact us today and schedule a free consultation with a Moreno Valley wrongful death lawyer.
Moreno Valley Wrongful Death Lawyer Reviews
★★★★★
“On April 9th 2024, I was in a very severe accident caused by a reckless driver. I had contacted Gonzalez law firm in which Mrs. Marilyn explain the procedures, and helped me through process. They were very responsive and answered any questions that arose. They were very attentive and if I needed any additional help, they were willing to get me the necessary help I needed. They were very helpful and would highly recommend this law firm.” – Carmen Villalobos
★★★★★
“I am extremely pleased with Gonzalez law. Mr. Mark Gonzalez himself is a very well rounded and educated lawyer in his field. He was communicative, concise, and efficient with handling my personal injury case. I am grateful to have him as my lawyer. His staff was informative and helpful with getting through my process and the he decision to choose this firm was the best decision I could have made. Thank you Mr. Gonzalez and your team! Continue to serve the community well. It is very much appreciated!” – Roza Keflom
★★★★★
“Great Experience. Once I entered you can feel they care. They talk with Experience and knowledge. Thankful to be represented by this law firm! Will recommend.” – Edward SerranoWB
I could not be more happy with the help Mark Gonzales provided. He was there for me every step of the way. He explained each step in a way that was easy for me to understand. He was available to me when ever I had a concern. His staff made me feel like I was family. I highly recommend Mark to anyone who needs legal help!
Robert R.
Mark helped me recover all my expenses due to my car accident. The insurance company tried to slow the process and doubted that I was even injured. Mark fought for me and gave me peace of mind. I felt like I had an army on my side since his staff worked tirelessly for me. They got the insurance company off my back and helped me get back on my feet faster than I expected.
April F.
Mark did a fantastic job for me when I slipped in a restaurant. I owner had the nerve to claim it was my heels, when clearly the floor was damaged and caused me to fall. He tried to make himself look like the victim of a scam. Mark put an end to that real fast. He took control of everything for me. He helped me get my medical costs paid as well as compensation for the lost time at work.
Dottie F.
The Law Office of Mark Gonzales was a smooth experience people were great and professional !! I would recommend them to anyone and if I ever need an injury attorney again I will definitely come back. THANK YOU.
Vanessa M.
The people working here are very nice and helped make a bad experience better. They made the process go smoothly and were always willing to help and answer my questions. The attorney was very personable and willing to help. The office makes sure you are comfortable and that you understand the process. I highly recommend them.
Elizabeth R.
I would like to thank the attorney Mark Gonzalez and his staff for the prompt results representing my family with our case, I would highly recommend his office, thank you in advance.
Jose G.
I want to highly recommend the lawyer Mark Gonzalez due to his great work. He took my case and won it even though another lawyer had said it was a lost case. Very friendly environment especially with the secretary at the front desk. Thank you!
Marelena R.
Mr. Gonzales did an amazing job in solving my case. I was feeling helpless and all hope lost, but him and his staff got me through it. I wouldn’t consider any other attorney than Mr. Gonzales himself. 100% recommended!
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