Allen Wrongful Death Lawyers

Receiving the news that your loved one has died in an accident can be traumatizing. In the aftermath of the incident, you could be left dealing with a loss of household income, medical expenses incurred from the death, and funeral expenses. Texas law allows families to seek compensation from the responsible party in a wrongful death claim, but these claims are governed by strict rules.

At Burress Injury Law, our attorneys have over 200 years of total legal experience, and we know how to handle wrongful death claims. In the years since we first opened our doors to clients, we have earned over $500 million in total compensation, a figure which includes victories for grieving families across Texas.

About Burress Injury Law

A death caused by someone else’s carelessness leaves a family with grief, unanswered questions, and bills that keep arriving. Burress Injury Law has represented Texas families in wrongful death claims since 2008, and our multiple locations allow our attorneys to serve families in Allen and across Collin County.

Families usually come to us in the first weeks after a loss, when funeral arrangements and paperwork are still fresh and an insurance adjuster may already be calling. We take over those conversations, investigate what happened, and build a claim around everything the family has lost. When a company or its insurer refuses to take responsibility, we are ready to file suit and present the case to a jury.

What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?

A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit that allows certain family members to recover compensation when another person’s or company’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional act causes a death. The claim is separate from any criminal case, so a prosecutor’s decision about charges does not decide whether a family can pursue compensation.

Texas law identifies the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the person who died as parties who can bring a wrongful death claim forward. They can file together, or one of them can file for the benefit of all. The claim belongs to those family members rather than to the person who died, and it is meant to address what the family has lost because that person is gone.

Siblings, grandparents, and other relatives are not permitted to file wrongful death claims in Texas, even when the bond was close. That limit surprises many families, and it is one of the reasons to talk with an attorney early.

Investigating Fatal Car Accidents

Fatal car accident claims often begin with very little information. A family may know only that a loved one left home and never returned, and the police report may be incomplete or still pending. A thorough investigation fills in what happened and who was responsible.

Our attorneys look at the crash report, scene photographs, vehicle damage, and any available camera footage from traffic signals, nearby businesses, or other drivers. Witness accounts are gathered while memories are fresh, and phone records or vehicle data may show whether a driver was distracted or speeding. If alcohol was involved, toxicology results and the timeline of the driver’s night can show whether a bar or restaurant also played a part.

Evidence in these cases does not wait. Vehicles get repaired or sent to salvage, businesses overwrite recordings, and roadway marks wear away within days. Acting quickly gives the family the best chance to prove what actually happened on roads like US 75 and State Highway 121.

Seeking Compensation for a Truck Accident Resulting in Death

A fatal truck accident usually involves more parties and more records than a collision between two passenger vehicles. The driver may be at fault, but the trucking company, a cargo loader, a maintenance shop, or a parts manufacturer may also share responsibility for the death.

Federal regulations give these cases a distinct framework. They limit how many hours a driver can work, require vehicle inspections and maintenance records, and set standards for securing cargo. A violation of those rules can help show negligence, especially when company records contradict what a driver or carrier says happened.

The trucking company may hold much of the key evidence, including electronic logging data, dispatch messages, inspection files, and the truck’s event data recorder. A written preservation demand sent early tells the company it must keep those materials. Families should not wait to take that step, since companies can overwrite data on a routine schedule.

Are Property Owners Liable When Someone Dies on Their Property?

A property owner can be held liable for a death when a dangerous condition on the property causes the fatal injury and the owner knew about the danger, or should have discovered it, but failed to correct it or warn visitors. The duty owed depends on the visitor’s status, and customers, tenants, and invited guests are generally owed the highest level of care.

Fatal premises liability cases arise in many settings. A tenant may die when a gate, railing, or balcony fails after months of ignored repair requests. A visitor may be killed in a parking garage with no security and a history of violent incidents. A worker or customer may be struck by falling merchandise or equipment that was stored unsafely. A swimming pool without proper fencing or safety equipment can become the setting for a child’s drowning.

Maintenance records, prior complaints, security logs, and inspection reports can show what the owner knew. Because owners often repair hazards soon after an accident, photographs and video taken right away may be the only record of the original condition.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wrongful Death Claims in Allen, Texas