Fatal Accidents

A fatal accident is an accident that results in the death of one or more individuals. Fatal accidents are classified as a type of preventable death, which exist as anomalies and occur out of the ordinary. Within the United States, the number of fatal accidents and preventable deaths reaches upwards of 105,000 cases on an annual basis.

The Nature of Fatal Accidents

Although all fatal accidents result in death, the expediency of death varies. While some fatal accidents result in sudden death, others result in eventual death. Examples of fatal accidents resulting in sudden death and those that result in eventual death are similar. However, the severity of the injury sustained designates the duration of time prior to death.

The reason(s) for the death of two passengers involved in a fatal car accident can vary in nature, while existing within the scope of a fatal accident. While one passenger may have been killed immediately by blunt-force trauma due to the car accident, the other could have died three days later from a collapsed lung resulting from that same car accident. Regardless of the expediency of the respective fatalities, both of these cases are classified as fatal accidents.

Fatal Accident Liability

The nature of the term “accident” suggests that an event is unplanned, yet there exists a wide range of liability, fault, and analysis upon the investigation of a fatal accident. Fatal accidents resulting from negligence are considered to be involuntary. This means that although the accident occurred due to negligence, the event lacks malice and/or premeditation. In these cases, the individual responsible for the negligent act(s) is considered to be held responsible, and thus liable, for the fatal accident.

The following are some examples of negligent fatal accidents:

Vehicular manslaughter resulting from reckless operation of a motor vehicle, driving under the influence, or driving while intoxicated;

Unlawful operation of equipment, machinery, or specialized tools deemed unsafe in a civilian setting, such as construction accidents and/or death in the workplace, due to negligence;

Unlawful, untrained, careless, and/or impaired operation of a firearm that results in fatality;

Fatal accidents resulting from faulty products and/or defective manufacturing;

The irresponsible and unlawful sale of substances.

Legal Recourse for Fatal Accidents

Fatal accidents resulting from chance occurrences in which no fault is attributed can still retain certain levels of liability, yet the level of liability tends to be far less severe than liability assigned to fatal accident cases resulting from negligence. Individuals involved in fatal accidents, which do not illustrate expressed fault or liability, are encouraged to consult with attorneys specializing in cases involving fatal accidents. The assessment of a fatal accident case by a legal expert can shed light on pertinent, and oftentimes overlooked, details of the case.

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