Posted on Wednesday, August 13th, 2025 at 10:19 am
Losing someone unexpectedly is one of the hardest things a family can experience. When that loss is caused by someone else’s carelessness or misconduct, the grief can be compounded by confusion and anger. In Georgia, wrongful death laws give families the right to seek accountability. To understand how these claims arise, it helps to look at the types of events that most often lead to them.
Motor Vehicle Crashes Are a Leading Factor
Traffic accidents are among the most frequent causes of wrongful death claims in the state. Georgia has a high number of serious collisions each year. These crashes involve everything from distracted drivers and speeding to impaired driving and failure to follow traffic laws.
Interstate highways like I-75 and I-285 see a high volume of traffic and are common sites for fatal crashes. But deadly accidents also happen on rural roads where lighting is poor, lanes are narrow, and emergency response is slower.
Commercial trucks are also part of the picture. A collision with a tractor-trailer often leads to fatal injuries due to the size and weight of these vehicles. In many truck accident cases, the fault may lie with the company responsible for training, hiring, or maintaining vehicles, not just the driver.
Workplace Accidents Sometimes Turn Tragic
Some jobs carry more risk than others, and certain industries in Georgia—like construction, manufacturing, and agriculture—report higher numbers of fatal workplace incidents. Falls from heights, equipment malfunctions, and exposure to toxic substances are just a few examples of what can go wrong.
When an employee dies on the job, families can file for workers’ compensation death benefits. But if someone outside the employer’s company played a role—for example, a subcontractor or equipment manufacturer—then a separate wrongful death claim may be possible.
Medical Mistakes Can Have Fatal Consequences
Medical professionals are trusted to provide care that meets accepted standards. Unfortunately, preventable mistakes still happen in Georgia hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes.
Errors in diagnosis, surgical procedures, anesthesia, or medication can all lead to avoidable deaths. In other cases, a failure to monitor a patient or respond to complications may be at the root of the issue. Proving wrongful death in a medical setting typically requires expert testimony to show how the mistake departed from accepted practices.
Medical malpractice cases are some of the most complex wrongful death claims and often involve institutions as well as individual providers.
Criminal Acts That Result in Death
Not every wrongful death stems from an accident. In some cases, a person dies because of an intentional act. That could include assault, robbery, or even reckless behavior like illegal street racing or drunk driving.
Even if the state brings criminal charges against the person responsible, the victim’s family may still be able to file a civil lawsuit. A wrongful death claim doesn’t depend on a criminal conviction. The burden of proof in civil court is different, and the goal is to secure compensation for the loss, not to impose criminal penalties.
Unsafe Properties Can Be Dangerous
Property owners in Georgia are expected to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors. When they fail to do so, the results can be deadly.
This applies to places like apartment complexes, shopping centers, parking lots, and even private homes. If someone dies due to a fall, exposure to hazardous conditions, lack of security, or any other danger the owner knew about—or should have known about—a wrongful death claim may be possible under premises liability laws.
A common example includes fatal injuries caused by broken staircases or unsecured balconies. Inadequate lighting or lack of security in areas with a known risk of crime can also form the basis of these claims.
Defective Products Sometimes Cause Death
Manufacturers and distributors have a responsibility to ensure that the products they sell are safe when used as intended. Unfortunately, defective products can still reach the market and cause serious harm.
In Georgia, wrongful death claims have been brought against companies that sold faulty medical devices, dangerous tools, contaminated food, and even unsafe vehicles. If a product design is flawed, or if the company failed to warn users about known dangers, liability may apply.
These cases usually involve investigating how the product was designed, manufactured, tested, and marketed.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Incidents Are Increasing
More people are walking and biking across Georgia, particularly in growing urban areas like Atlanta, Savannah, and Athens. But roads are not always built with their safety in mind.
When a car strikes a pedestrian or cyclist, the outcome is often fatal. Many of these deaths happen in crosswalks, near schools, or on roads where no sidewalks or bike lanes are available. Speeding, failure to yield, and distracted driving are common factors in these types of incidents.
The increase in traffic and the lack of infrastructure in some communities have made pedestrian and bicycle deaths more frequent, which is drawing more attention to the need for accountability.
Why Identifying the Cause Is So Important
Understanding what caused a wrongful death helps families know who may be responsible. In Georgia, the law allows the spouse, children, or parents of the deceased to bring a claim. The damages can cover both the full value of the life lost and the financial impact on the family.
These claims can also push for changes that make others safer—by improving workplace standards, encouraging better road safety, or holding manufacturers to account.
Wrongful death cases aren’t just about compensation. They’re about seeking truth, enforcing responsibility, and giving families some measure of justice.
Conclusion
Wrongful death can happen in many different settings, but the common thread is that someone’s preventable action—or inaction—led to a loss that never should have happened.
If you’ve lost a loved one and believe someone else is to blame, speaking with a Georgia wrongful death attorney can help you understand your rights. It’s not just about a lawsuit—it’s about honoring your loved one by making sure their story is heard.