Wrongful death cases in Arizona arise anytime a person loses their life due to the careless, negligent, or intentional actions of other parties. These cases arise in a variety of ways, and no two wrongful death claims in Arizona are exactly alike. However, when examining wrongful death claims, there are common causes that arise more frequently than others. Here, we want to examine the most common ways that wrongful death cases arise in Arizona. Please understand that this is not an all-inclusive list, and you should speak to a skilled Phoenix wrongful death lawyer about your case if you have lost a loved one due to the actions of somebody else.
According to data available from the Arizona Department of Transportation, there were 982 fatalities caused by auto accidents during the latest reporting year across the state. Vehicle accidents are often caused by the careless or negligent actions of other drivers on the roadway. This can include drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs, drivers distracted by phones or other devices, drivers who blatantly ignore traffic laws, and more.
Data available from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) shows that a fully loaded semi-truck can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. The size and weight of these trucks are significantly more than a traditional passenger vehicle on the roadway. Collisions between trucks and traditional passenger vehicles often result in severe injuries. Often, the careless or negligent actions of a truck driver or trucking company are responsible for these incidents, including a failure to inspect and maintain the truck, a failure to follow federal hours of service regulations, operating the vehicle while impaired or distracted, overloading cargo, etc.
According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University, medical mistakes are the third leading cause of death in the US. Researchers say that as many as 250,000 people lose their lives each year due to preventable medical errors. There are various types of mistakes that can occur in the medical environment, including prescription medication errors, misdiagnosis, surgical mistakes, delayed diagnosis, medical equipment malfunction, healthcare-acquired infections, and more.
Companies and manufacturers have a responsibility to ensure that their products are safe when they are distributed to the public. However, death caused by faulty products are often due to defective designs, manufacturing errors, or a failure to warn consumers of the possibility of dangers concerning the product.
Data provided by the Occupational Health And Safety Administration (OSHA) shows that more than 5,000 workers lost their lives on the job during the latest reporting year across the US. Workplace fatalities are often caused by preventable mistakes, including falls from varying heights, vehicle accidents, getting caught in between objects, electrocutions, exposure to hazardous chemicals or conditions, and more.
Criminal cases and civil wrongful death cases in Arizona often go hand in hand. While there does not have to be any criminal charges filed against a person in order for a wrongful death case to move forward, it is often the case that various criminal actions cause the death of another person. This includes deaths that occur during an assault or robbery, crimes of passion, intentional homicides, etc.
