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✅ Our attorney has over 20 years of experience representing personal injury victims in McAllen and throughout Texas, including wrongful death cases.
✅ The Ryan Solis Law Group has been honored as the “Best Personal Injury Attorney in South Texas” by Stellar Business and received the “CityOf” 2024 Premiere Service Award.
✅ Our law firm has a verified A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and is a proud member of both the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and the Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
✅ When you choose us, you will work directly with Ryan Solis. We don’t pass your case to other attorneys; you will collaborate with our lead personal injury lawyer throughout the process.
✅ We operate on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay no fees unless we win your case.
Helping Families File Wrongful Death Claims in McAllen
Losing a loved one is challenging, especially when their death is unexpected. If that loss results from someone else’s negligence or recklessness, it can intensify the already painful grieving process.
If your loved one died in an accident due to another person’s actions, you might be able to file a wrongful death claim or lawsuit against the responsible party. The McAllen wrongful death lawyer at the Ryan Solis Law Group is here to help you navigate this process, whether you need assistance with filing a claim or taking your case to court. Contact us today to find out how we can support you in filing your wrongful death claim or lawsuit.
Understanding Wrongful Death Under Texas Law
A family member can file a wrongful death claim if a loved one dies due to the negligence, wrongful actions, or incompetence of another person or entity. Common causes of wrongful death cases include drunk driving accidents, distracted driving incidents, and various other forms of misconduct or oversight.
In Texas law, wrongful death is defined as occurring due to any of the following:
✅ The wrongful act of another party
✅ The negligence of another party
✅ The neglect of another party
✅ The default of another party
✅ The incompetence of another party
If you suspect that your loved one’s death was caused by someone else’s actions, it’s important to have a wrongful death lawyer assess your rights promptly. At the Ryan Solis Law Group, our highly rated wrongful death attorney regularly handles cases resulting from various accidents and incidents, including:
✅ Car accidents
✅ Truck accidents
✅ Motorcycle accidents
✅ Pedestrian accidents
✅ Bicycle accidents
✅ Boating accidents
✅ Premises liability incidents
✅ Bus accidents
✅ Assaults
✅ Nursing home neglect or abuse
There are many other circumstances that can lead to wrongful death, and our firm is ready to determine if a specific fatal accident qualifies as wrongful death under Texas law.
There are various types of damages that a wrongful death claimant may be eligible to recover for a deceased loved one. The main aim of these damages is to compensate surviving family members for the losses they suffered due to the untimely death. Claimants may be able to seek financial compensation for mental anguish, loss of inheritance due to the decedent’s shortened life, loss of earning potential, loss of support and companionship, loss of household services, and the loss of guidance and support.
In cases where the circumstances of the fatal accident are particularly severe, such as in instances of drunk driving, claimants may also pursue punitive damages. These damages serve to penalize the at-fault party and deter others from similar negligent behavior in the future.
Texas law also allows for damages related to the decedent’s estate, known as survival damages. These may include compensation for the decedent’s mental suffering and pain endured before death, as well as medical expenses incurred prior to passing and funeral costs.
Caring for someone who has died in an accident doesn’t automatically grant you the right to file a wrongful death claim. In Texas, this right is limited to close family members, including:
✅ Surviving spouse
✅ Children, including adult and adopted children
✅ Parents, including adoptive parents
If none of these individuals initiate the claim process within three months of the death, the personal representative of the deceased’s estate can file a claim, unless instructed not to by immediate family members. This representative is designated in the will or appointed by the probate court if there is no will.
If you think you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim, it’s important to consult a wrongful death lawyer in your area as soon as possible.
The wrongful death claim process resembles the personal injury process and often involves multiple steps and potential challenges. While every claim is unique, here are some common steps that an experienced lawyer will typically follow:
✅ Assessing the validity of your claim and identifying responsible parties.
✅ Calculating the damages you may be entitled to from the wrongful death.
✅ Filing an insurance claim on your behalf.
✅ Negotiating a fair insurance settlement.
✅ Initiating and pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit if a settlement cannot be reached.
Having legal representation during this process is crucial, allowing your family to focus on emotional healing after your tragic loss.
We understand that losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence is an incredibly traumatic experience. This loss not only causes emotional distress but also raises important concerns about how the absence of your loved one’s income will impact your daily life and financial stability.
Ryan Solis, our wrongful death attorney in McAllen, represents clients across Texas in cases where a loved one has been taken from them due to careless or reckless actions. We will guide you through every aspect of the wrongful death claim process, providing trusted counsel at each step of your case.
In some instances, the individual responsible for a wrongful death may face charges such as manslaughter or homicide due to their actions. However, it’s important to understand that a criminal case does not replace a wrongful death claim. Criminal proceedings aim to punish the offender, rather than provide compensation to the victim’s family.
To seek damages for the family, a separate wrongful death claim must be filed in civil court against the liable party. You can pursue a wrongful death claim even if there is no conviction in a criminal case or if no criminal charges are filed.
While Ryan strives to resolve these matters swiftly so you can begin the emotional healing process, he is committed to taking your case as far as necessary to secure the compensation you deserve and hold the negligent party accountable for their significant actions.
If a trial becomes necessary, you can be confident that your case is well-handled. Ryan Solis has a proven courtroom strategy that has led to many successful outcomes, earning him a reputation among opposing lawyers and insurance companies as a formidable advocate whose clients must be taken seriously. When the insurance companies for the negligent party attempt to downplay your loss or shift blame onto your loved one, Ryan will stand up for you and your family, fighting to protect your interests.
In most wrongful death cases, claimants have two years from the date of the loved one’s passing (with very few exceptions) to file a wrongful death claim. Therefore, it’s crucial to have an experienced attorney on your side as early as possible. The legal team at the Ryan Solis Law Group is here to help you pursue a wrongful death claim on behalf of your loved one and hold those responsible for the accident accountable.
If you have lost a loved one in a fatal accident or any situation caused by someone’s negligence, we are ready to provide the representation you need and the answers you deserve.
We will handle your case with compassion and confidentiality at every stage. Call us at 956-275-1237 or complete our online form to schedule a free consultation.
Insurance companies will always try to minimize their wrongful death payouts to you. Below are some common questions from our clients that you might find useful.
Settlement amounts for wrongful death cases in Texas can vary widely based on several factors, including the unique circumstances of each case, the damages suffered by the family, and the quality of legal representation. As a result, “average” figures may not provide meaningful insights into your specific situation.
Each case is different, and there is no fixed formula or guarantee for the compensation you might receive. Partnering with an experienced wrongful death attorney can significantly enhance your chances of obtaining a fair settlement that accurately reflects the value of your loss.
The timeline for a wrongful death lawsuit in Texas can vary greatly based on several factors, such as the complexity of the investigation, any disputes over liability, the number of parties involved, and the court’s schedule.
Typically, these cases can take anywhere from several months to several years to resolve. The legal process requires time for both sides to conduct comprehensive investigations, gather evidence, and engage in negotiations or litigation.
To prove a wrongful death claim in Texas, you must establish four key elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages.
✅ First, you need to show that the responsible party had a legal duty of care to the deceased.
✅ Second, you must demonstrate that this duty was breached, either through negligent or intentional actions.
✅ Next, you need to establish a direct link between the breach of duty and your loved one’s death.
✅ Finally, you must provide evidence of the damages you have incurred due to the wrongful death, which can include financial losses, emotional suffering, and loss of companionship.
In Texas, the main individuals eligible to file a wrongful death claim are the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased.
If the deceased does not have a surviving spouse, children, or parents, other relatives, such as siblings or grandparents, may be able to pursue a claim. It’s essential to consult with an experienced wrongful death attorney to identify who can file on behalf of the deceased and to navigate the legal process effectively.
In Texas, damages in a wrongful death case can encompass both economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages refer to the financial impacts resulting from the death, such as:
✅ Medical expenses
✅ Funeral costs
✅ Loss of financial support
✅ Future earnings the deceased would have contributed
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, cover emotional and intangible losses, including:
✅ Pain and suffering
✅ Mental anguish
✅ Loss of companionship
✅ Loss of consortium
An experienced wrongful death attorney can assist you in accurately assessing and quantifying these damages to seek fair compensation.
Losing a loved one to wrongful death is an incredibly painful and overwhelming experience. During these challenging times, obtaining legal guidance from a trusted wrongful death attorney can provide the support you need to pursue justice and hold the responsible parties accountable.
