(562) 698-6446
(562) 698-6446
At Hanning & Sacchetto, LLP, our Whittier personal injury attorneys understand that losing a loved one in a wrongful death accident can be devastating.
Wrongful death is a legal term referring to a situation where someone dies as a result of another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional act. Wrongful death claims can arise from various conditions, including auto accidents, workplace accidents, and criminal activities, to name a few.
Unfortunately, the types of incidents that commonly lead to wrongful deaths in California inherently happen more frequently in the summer months. Here, we discuss why that is the case and what financial relief and justice surviving family members may pursue for their losses.
Why Wrongful Deaths Increase During the Summer in California
Wrongful deaths in California and nationwide tend to increase during the summer months for multiple reasons. This trend is primarily due to a rise in traffic accidents, which are more frequent during this period.
Statistics show that traffic fatalities generally peak in the summer, particularly in July and August, as people take advantage of the warm weather for vacations and outdoor activities
The most common factors associated with wrongful death in California include, but are not limited to:
- Increased Outdoor Activities: The warm weather and longer days encourage more outdoor activities such as biking, swimming, hiking, and sports, naturally leading to a higher risk of accidents, injuries, and fatalities
. - More Traffic and Travel: According to the National Safety Council, motor vehicle deaths are generally higher during summer
. Summer is a peak time for travel, with more people taking road trips and vacations. This results in increased traffic congestion and a higher likelihood of car accidents. - Higher Rates of Alcohol Consumption: Social gatherings, barbecues, and holidays like the Fourth of July often involve alcohol consumption, which can lead to impaired driving and a higher incidence of accidents, injuries, and fatalities
. - Teen Drivers: More inexperienced teen drivers are on the road with schools out for summer. Due to their inexperience and sometimes risky driving behaviors, teen drivers are statistically more likely to be involved in car accidents.
- Construction and Road Work: Summer is a common time for construction and maintenance projects. Construction zones can be hazardous, increasing the risk of accidents for workers and drivers
. - Recreational Water Activities: Swimming pools, lakes, and beaches see more visitors in the summer, increasing the risk of drowning, diving, and watercraft accidents, injuries, and fatalities.
- Heat-Related Factors: High temperatures can lead to heat exhaustion or dehydration, impairing physical and cognitive functions and increasing the risk of fatalities, particularly in physically demanding activities
.
The deceased person’s family or estate can seek compensation for their losses by filing a wrongful death claim in California.
When filing a wrongful death claim, families can recover various damages aimed at compensating them for economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages typically include medical expenses incurred before death, funeral and burial costs, and the loss of the deceased person’s expected income and benefits, such as health insurance and pension plans.
Families can also claim compensation for the loss of services the deceased would have provided, like childcare or household management. Non-economic damages address the emotional and psychological impact of the loss, including loss of companionship, love, and guidance, as well as the pain and suffering endured by the survivors. We can help.
If you have lost a loved one to negligence in California, call (562) 698-6446 to schedule a free consultation with our experienced wrongful death attorneys in Whittier today. We can help you understand your legal rights and options to pursue the best outcome for your unique claim.
