We all know that people die every single day, whether it’s from natural causes or a tragic accident. However, losing someone in a way that could have been prevented, or wrongful death, feels especially hard to grieve.

Unfortunately, wrongful death is something that is all too common, and it can happen in a variety of ways, such as a car accident or medical malpractice.

Keep reading to learn some statistics about wrongful deaths that will likely surprise you. We’ll also share some helpful tips about how to file a wrongful death claim if you think someone you loved might be a victim.

Five Shocking Wrongful Death Stats

If you think wrongful deaths are a rare occurrence, think again. Thousands of tragic accidents happen every year, and many of them didn’t have to happen.

Here are five stats about wrongful death that will surprise you:

1. Unintentional injuries are the third-leading cause of death in the U.S., behind only heart disease and cancer.

2. About 169,936 Americans die from unintentional injuries every year.

3. An average of 30 people die in the U.S. every day from a drunk-driving crash, which is about one every 50 minutes.

4. Around 225,000 people die every year from some type of medical malpractice.

5. 39.5 million people visit a doctor’s office, and 29.4 million people visit the emergency room every year due to an unintentional injury.

Wrongful deaths impact hundreds of thousands of families every year, but there is hope. Depending on the case, you might be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

What to Do If You Think You Have a Wrongful Death Case

After you lose a family member, friend, or other loved one in a wrongful death case, there’s nothing that can bring that person back. However, seeking justice by taking legal action against responsible can make healing a little easier.

Navigating a wrongful death lawsuit can be tricky. Before you start down that path, make sure you do these things:

1. Discuss As a Family

Most states require a wrongful death lawsuit to be filed by immediate family members. Make sure you discuss the case with your family to ensure you’re all on the same page and are ready to take on a potentially lengthy legal battle.

2. File As Soon As You Can

Don’t let the statute of limitations run out on your case. You will likely have at least a year to develop your case but act as quickly as possible.

3. Seek Professional Help

To have the best chance at winning your case, you’ll need a wrongful death expert on your side. Make a call to a wrongful death attorney in your area to discuss the situation before you proceed.

Learn More About Wrongful Deaths in The U.S.

While wrongful deaths are not easy to think about, you must understand that you have options if something were to happen to your friends or family. Accidents occur every day, but sometimes it’s due to negligence that could have been prevented.

If you have more questions about wrongful death or how to start seeking justice for a loved one you’ve lost, make sure you check out the rest of our website.