Colleyville Wrongful Death Attorney

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Losing someone you love because of another person’s negligence is one of the most devastating experiences a family can face. When that loss happens near Colleyville, whether on busy State Highway 26, along Glade Road, or anywhere in the surrounding Tarrant County area, your family deserves real answers and real legal support. At Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, we understand what families go through after a fatal accident, and we are here to help you hold the responsible party accountable under Texas law.

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What Texas Law Says About Wrongful Death Claims in Colleyville

A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit that allows surviving family members to seek compensation when someone dies because of another person’s negligence, carelessness, or wrongful act. In Texas, this right comes directly from Chapter 71 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code (CPRC), which is the state’s Wrongful Death Act.

Under CPRC § 71.002, a person is liable for damages when their wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, unskillfulness, or default causes another individual’s death. That standard covers a wide range of situations, from a distracted driver running a red light on Colleyville Boulevard to a negligent property owner near Colleyville Town Center whose unsafe conditions lead to a fatal fall.

The law does not require that the at-fault party intended to cause harm. Negligence is enough. If a truck driver fell asleep on Highway 121 near Colleyville and killed your spouse, that is the kind of wrongful act CPRC § 71.002 addresses. The same applies to drunk driving crashes, workplace accidents, nursing home abuse, and other situations where someone’s failure to act with reasonable care costs a life.

Texas also recognizes what is called a survival action under CPRC § 71.021. This is a separate but related legal claim. A survival action allows the deceased person’s estate to pursue compensation for the pain, suffering, and losses the victim experienced before death. A wrongful death claim compensates the surviving family members for their own losses. Both claims can often be filed together, and doing so can significantly strengthen your family’s overall recovery.

One important protection under Texas law is found in CPRC § 71.011: damages recovered in a wrongful death action are not subject to the debts of the deceased. That means the money your family recovers goes to you, not to creditors of the estate.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Texas

Texas law is specific about who has the legal right to file a wrongful death claim. Under CPRC § 71.004, only the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased person may bring or benefit from a wrongful death action. Siblings, cousins, and other relatives do not have standing to sue under the Texas Wrongful Death Act.

This matters because families are often unsure who should take the lead in filing. The law allows these eligible family members to file together or separately. If none of them file within three months of the death, the executor or administrator of the deceased’s estate may bring the claim on the family’s behalf.

Natural and adoptive parents can recover for the wrongful death of their child. Adoptive children can file for the wrongful death of their adoptive parents. Stepparents, however, do not have standing unless a legal adoption was completed. A surviving spouse retains the right to file even if they have remarried since the death.

Families in Colleyville, Grapevine, Keller, and the broader Tarrant County area sometimes face confusion about these rules, especially when multiple family members want to pursue separate claims. Working with experienced personal injury lawyers at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys can help your family sort through these issues early, before a procedural mistake costs you the right to recover.

If the at-fault party dies before or during the lawsuit, the case does not end. Under CPRC § 71.008, the executor or administrator of the defendant’s estate can be made a party, and the action continues as if the defendant were still alive.

The Deadline to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Colleyville, Texas

Texas gives surviving family members two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This deadline comes from Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, and it is strict. Miss it, and a court will almost certainly dismiss your case, regardless of how strong the facts are in your favor.

The two-year clock starts on the date your loved one died, not the date of the accident or incident that caused the injuries. For example, if a family member was struck by a commercial truck on SH-26 near Colleyville on March 1 but passed away from those injuries on April 15, the statute of limitations begins on April 15.

There are limited exceptions that can pause (or “toll”) the deadline. If a surviving beneficiary is a minor child, the clock does not start running until they turn 18. If the wrongful act was concealed and the family had no reasonable way to discover it, the period may not begin until the family knew or should have known about the cause of death. Fraudulent concealment by the defendant can also toll the deadline.

Two years can feel like a long time when you are grieving. In reality, it passes quickly, and building a strong wrongful death case takes time. Evidence disappears. Witnesses move or forget. Accident reconstruction requires early access to the scene and vehicle data. The sooner your family contacts Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500, the better your chances of preserving the evidence needed to support your claim.

What Damages Can a Colleyville Wrongful Death Claim Recover

Wrongful death damages in Texas are meant to compensate surviving family members for the real losses they suffer because of their loved one’s death. These damages fall into several categories, and the jury has the authority to award amounts proportionate to the harm caused, as stated in CPRC § 71.010.

Economic damages include the financial support the deceased would have provided over their lifetime. If a parent working in the DFW Metroplex was killed in a crash on SH-121, the family can recover the income they would have received for years to come. Medical and funeral expenses related to the death are also recoverable.

Non-economic damages cover losses that do not come with a price tag. These include mental anguish, loss of companionship, loss of the care and guidance the deceased would have provided, and the grief of surviving family members. For children who lose a parent, or parents who lose a child, these damages can be substantial.

Texas law also allows for exemplary damages (sometimes called punitive damages) in certain cases. Under CPRC § 71.009, when the death is caused by a willful act, omission, or gross negligence, the jury may award exemplary damages on top of actual damages. A drunk driver who kills someone near Colleyville’s Glade Parks area, for example, could face exemplary damages designed to punish that conduct and deter others.

Every wrongful death case is different. The value of your family’s claim depends on many factors, including the deceased’s age, income, health, and the relationship each beneficiary had with them. Past results in other cases do not guarantee the same outcome in yours. What Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys can do is build the strongest possible case on your family’s behalf. Call us at (940) 800-2500 to discuss your situation.

Common Causes of Fatal Accidents in the Colleyville Area

Fatal accidents in Colleyville and the surrounding Tarrant County region happen in many different ways. Understanding the most common causes helps families recognize when a wrongful death claim may apply to their situation.

Car and truck accidents are among the leading causes of wrongful death claims in this area. Colleyville sits at the intersection of major commuter corridors, including SH-26, SH-121, and Precinct Line Road. Heavy traffic from the DFW Airport corridor and commercial truck routes creates real danger for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists every day. According to the Texas Department of Transportation’s crash data system, Texas recorded 4,150 traffic fatalities in 2024, with alcohol-impaired drivers accounting for more than 25 percent of those deaths.

Drunk driving crashes are a significant source of wrongful death cases throughout Tarrant County. When a driver chooses to get behind the wheel impaired and kills someone, the surviving family has both a civil wrongful death claim and potentially a claim for exemplary damages under CPRC § 71.009.

Workplace accidents, nursing home neglect, premises liability incidents at commercial properties near Town Center Drive, and dog attacks are all situations that can give rise to wrongful death claims. Catastrophic injuries from any of these events can prove fatal, even when the victim initially survives. In those cases, a survival action under CPRC § 71.021 may also apply, allowing the estate to recover for the pain and suffering the victim endured before death.

If your loved one died after an incident that you believe was caused by someone else’s negligence, do not assume you have no case. Contact Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500. Our team serves families throughout Colleyville, Denton, Southlake, Grapevine, and the broader North Texas region. We will review your situation at no charge and give you an honest assessment of your options.

FAQs About Colleyville Wrongful Death Attorney

Who qualifies as a beneficiary in a Texas wrongful death case?

Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 71.004, only the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased person may file or benefit from a wrongful death claim. Siblings and other relatives do not have standing under the Texas Wrongful Death Act. If none of the eligible family members file within three months of the death, the estate’s executor or administrator may bring the claim on their behalf.

How long do I have to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Colleyville, Texas?

You have two years from the date of your loved one’s death to file a wrongful death lawsuit, under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003. The clock starts on the date of death, not the date of the accident or injury. Some exceptions apply, such as when a beneficiary is a minor or when the cause of death was concealed, but these situations are limited. Acting quickly protects your family’s rights and preserves critical evidence.

Can I pursue both a wrongful death claim and a survival action at the same time?

Yes. Texas law treats wrongful death claims and survival actions as two separate but related legal claims. A wrongful death claim under CPRC § 71.002 compensates surviving family members for their own losses, such as lost financial support and mental anguish. A survival action under CPRC § 71.021 allows the deceased person’s estate to recover for the pain, suffering, and losses the victim experienced before death. Both can often be filed together in the same lawsuit.

What if the person responsible for my loved one’s death has also died?

The case does not end. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 71.008, if the at-fault party dies before or during the lawsuit, the executor or administrator of their estate can be named as the defendant. The action continues as if the defendant were still alive, and any judgment in favor of your family is paid through the defendant’s estate in the normal course of administration.

Does it cost anything to talk to Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys about a wrongful death case?

No. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys offers free case evaluations for wrongful death claims. You can call us at (940) 800-2500 to speak with our team about your situation at no cost and with no obligation. We handle personal injury and wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for your family. Our firm is responsible for this content, and our principal office is located in Denton, Texas.

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