Key Takeaways
- Georgia's wrongful-death statute under O.C.G.A. § 51-4-1 authorizes the surviving spouse, children, or parents to recover the "full value of the life of the decedent" — both economic and intangible.
- The statute of limitations is two years from the date of death under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33; if a criminal case is pending against the at-fault party, the civil clock can be tolled.
- Wrongful-death claims are SEPARATE from estate claims for the decedent's pre-death medical bills, funeral costs, and conscious pain and suffering — both can be pursued in the same lawsuit.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unintentional injury (including motor vehicle crashes) is the leading cause of death for Americans aged 1–44.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unintentional injury caused over 224,000 U.S. deaths in 2022 — the 3rd leading cause of death — with motor vehicle crashes contributing roughly 42,500 of those fatalities.
- Georgia wrongful-death claims belong to the highest-priority survivor; a Georgia wrongful death lawyer can identify the proper claimant and coordinate with the estate claim. See our results for similar cases.
Have you lost your loved one because of another person’s negligence? If yes, hire a good wrongful death lawyer for your claim.
In 2020, at least 28,190 Americans died in car accidents. Recklessness was the major cause of the reported traffic fatalities. A wrong lawyer can delay your wrongful death case and prevent your compensation.
A good wrongful death lawyer will ensure that you receive fair compensation. Professional handling of your claim will also help you heal quickly.
There are many options for lawyers, making it hard to find the right wrongful death lawyer. Here is everything to consider when hiring a wrongful death lawyer.
Check the Lawyer’s Specialty
This is where you hire a lawyer that suits your specific needs. You need a lawyer specifically for your wrongful death case.
Make sure that the lawyer you choose only specializes in wrongful death cases. Avoid lawyers that promise you too much. Such lawyers lack the necessary expertise to handle legal cases.
A professional wrongful death attorney will give you the best legal services. You’ll have the assurance that you will win the case and receive good compensation.
Wrongful death claims are also complex. A professional wrongful death lawyer understands all the case details.
The lawyer will guide you step by step throughout the process. Besides winning the wrongful death case, you’ll also save a lot of time.
Research Properly
Lawyers are professionals – you can’t abruptly choose one. You need to take time and do thorough research first.
Good research will give adequate ground information about the wrongful death lawyer. You’ll be able to make up your mind about the best lawyer to choose.
Again, it’ll save you from getting defrauded. Fake wrongful death lawyers want people who don’t know much about them. Research properly and avoid losing your money to cons.
There are ways of getting information about wrongful death lawyers.
One of them is by getting recommendations from others. Ask close friends and family about the best wrongful death attorneys.
Ask people who have hired lawyers before. Ask them about their experience with the lawyers.
You can also check the online references and reviews of the attorney. Reading online reviews will enlighten you about past clients’ experiences.
Don’t be quick to turn down a wrongful death lawyer with negative reviews. Some clients just hate lawyers for no reason.
The behavior patterns of the clients will tell you more about the lawyer. If there are repetitive negative behaviors, you can change your mind.
Choose a wrongful death lawyer with positive reviews and high ratings.
Experience
Always remember that you’re looking for professional legal services. So, you need a competent wrongful death attorney.
Wrongful death experience is an important factor of consideration. An experienced wrongful death lawyer understands all complex details of the law.
If your loved one died from a car accident, we have professional car accident lawyers ready to help you. We have enough experience in auto law to offer you the best legal services.
Experienced wrongful death lawyers also help their clients heal quickly. We will walk with you through your wrongful death claim to give you peace of mind.
Experience also influences the decisions made by these lawyers. For this reason, we make decisions with the best clients’ interests at heart.
Hire our legal services for your wrongful death claim and enjoy competency.
Have Questions About Your Case?
Get a free consultation with an experienced Georgia accident attorney.
Check the Fees
Don’t ignore the fees charged for the legal services. Here, don’t go for cheap – go for quality and affordability.
There are things to do to save you from overspending.
First, ensure that you have a fitting budget. Call several wrongful death lawyers and get price estimates. Comparing lawyer fees is the easiest way of creating a reasonable budget.
Ensure that the lawyer is clear about the legal fees. Don’t sign the agreement until you have a full fee breakdown.
A clear fee breakdown will protect you from unnecessary fee additions. You’ll not incur hidden expenses.
Make sure that the wrongful death lawyer is compatible with your budget. Again, hire a lawyer that has room for negotiations.
Always be comfortable when discussing fees with the attorney.
License and Academic Qualifications
You need proof that you’re not hiring a fraudster. You also need to be sure that you’re hiring a trained and qualified wrongful death attorney.
Lawyer licensing is the only way to prove this. A licensed wrongful death lawyer is legally allowed to practice in your state.
It’s against the law to hire an unlicensed lawyer. A licensed wrongful death lawyer will save you from legal actions.
Ensure that the lawyer has a current and active license. We have an active license from the State Bar of Georgia. So, no need to worry about our training and qualifications.
A good wrongful death lawyer should also have academic qualifications. The lawyer should have successfully completed law school.
If the lawyer belongs to various associations or leadership positions, choose him/her.
Schedule a Consultation
Meet the lawyer in person before making up your mind. A free consultation is good to help you know more about the attorney you’re choosing
A consultation should be free. Avoid lawyers charging you extra fees for consultations.
A consultation will help you know how the lawyer’s office looks. Wrongful death lawyers are professionals. Check how the lawyer dresses and the ambiance of their offices.
Ask any burning questions during consultations. Ask about the legal fees, the payment methods, and the discount.
Every question you have is important. So, don’t feel like you’re bothering the lawyer – they have to answer you!
Avoid a wrongful death lawyer that keeps you in the dark. A good lawyer should be clear and accurate. Don’t leave the attorney’s office until you are satisfied.
You Now Know How to Choose a Wrongful Death Lawyer
The wrongful death of a loved one is physically and emotionally draining. You need a good lawyer to represent you in the wrongful death case.
A professional wrongful death lawyer will meet all your needs. Besides the many options for lawyers, this guide will help you find the best attorney quickly.
Are you looking for a wrongful death lawyer? At Georgia Auto Law, we have professional auto accident lawyers to meet all your needs.
Check out our page for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the estate also bring a claim?
Yes — the estate brings a separate claim for the decedent’s pre-death medical bills, funeral costs, and conscious pain and suffering. The wrongful-death claim (for the value of the life) and the estate claim (for pre-death damages) are filed together and tried together.
Who can file a wrongful-death claim in Georgia?
Under O.C.G.A. § 51-4-1 and § 51-4-2, the surviving spouse files first; if there is no spouse, surviving children file; if neither, the parents; finally, the personal representative of the estate. Only one wrongful-death claim can be brought — it belongs to the highest-priority survivor.
How is the "full value of the life" calculated?
Georgia’s wrongful-death statute authorizes recovery of the "full value of the life of the decedent" — both economic (lost wages, benefits, household services) and intangible (loss of enjoyment, relationships, experiences). Juries are not limited to economic loss; intangible value is often the larger component.
How long do I have to file a wrongful-death claim?
Two years from the date of death under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. If a related criminal case is pending against the at-fault party, the civil statute can be tolled while it resolves. If the claim is against a government entity, ante litem notice may be due in as little as six months under O.C.G.A. § 36-33-5.
