Accidental deaths can happen in traffic crashes, falls, poisonings, fires, drownings, and other events. The leading causes of accidental death in Atlanta, GA, are similar to those seen across Georgia and the United States.
Public health agencies often call these deaths “unintentional injuries.” Some are true accidents, while others happen because a person or company failed to act with proper care.
Unintentional Poisoning and Overdose
Poisoning is a major cause of accidental death in Georgia and across the country. Drug overdoses make up many of these deaths, including overdoses involving opioids and other drugs.
Other accidental poisonings can involve carbon monoxide, household chemicals, and medications. A legal claim may be possible if a defective product, medication error, unsafe property, or another person’s actions caused the death.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Traffic crashes are another major cause of accidental death. Fatal crashes may involve:
- Passenger vehicles
- Commercial trucks
- Motorcycles
- Pedestrians
- Bicyclists
Speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, and failure to yield can all cause deadly crashes. If another driver causes a fatal crash, the victim’s family may have a wrongful death claim.
Falls
Falls are especially dangerous for older adults, but people of any age can suffer fatal injuries in a fall.
Common hazards include wet floors, broken stairs, missing handrails, unsafe walkways, and unprotected heights. Falls can cause brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal injuries, and broken bones.
A property owner may be responsible if an unsafe condition on the property caused a fatal fall.
Drowning
Drowning is another cause of accidental death, especially among children and young people. Fatal drownings can happen in:
- Swimming pools
- Lakes
- Rivers
- Hotels
- Apartment complexes
- Private homes
A property owner or another party may be at fault if poor supervision, missing barriers, unsafe conditions, faulty equipment, or careless boating caused the death.
Fires, Burns, and Smoke Inhalation
Fires can cause deadly burns, smoke inhalation, and carbon monoxide poisoning. Common causes include faulty wiring, defective appliances, unsafe heaters, missing smoke detectors, and poor property upkeep.
An investigation may show whether an unsafe condition or safety code violation caused or contributed to the fire.
Workplace Accidents
Some jobs involve risks from machines, vehicles, falls, electricity, fires, and dangerous materials.
When a worker dies on the job, surviving family members may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. A separate wrongful death claim may also be possible if someone other than the employer or a co-worker caused the accident.
When Can an Accidental Death Lead to a Wrongful Death Claim?
An accidental death may lead to a wrongful death claim when another person’s or a company’s wrongful act caused the death.
Under Georgia’s wrongful death law, certain family members may seek the full value of the person’s life. The estate may also have a separate claim for losses such as medical bills, funeral costs, and pain and suffering before death.
Who can bring the claim depends on which family members survive the person who died.
How Long Do Families Have to File a Claim?
Georgia generally gives families two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit. The deadline can change in some cases, such as when there is a related criminal case. Claims against a government agency may also have much shorter notice deadlines.
Because different rules can apply, families should not assume they will always have a full two years to act.
Contact Malone Law Medical Malpractice and Severe Injury Lawyers To Schedule a Free Consultation With an Atlanta Wrongful Death Attorney
The leading causes of accidental death in Atlanta include poisonings and overdoses, traffic crashes, falls, drownings, fires, and workplace accidents. Some of these deaths may also give rise to a wrongful death claim.
When another person’s or a company’s actions cause a fatal accident, Georgia law may give surviving family members legal options. Finding out how the accident happened and who caused it can help determine whether a claim is possible.
To learn how an attorney can help, contact Malone Law Medical Malpractice and Severe Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with an Atlanta wrongful death lawyer.
We proudly represent injury victims across Fulton County, including Atlanta and surrounding communities in Georgia.
Malone Law Medical Malpractice and Severe Injury Lawyers
2 Ravinia Dr NE Suite 300
Atlanta, GA 30346
(770) 390-7550
Social Media