The leading causes of death across the U.S. include heart disease and cancer. However, the third-leading cause of death in Missouri results from unintentional injuries. This statistic covers all types of injuries where the fatal injury was accidental. Conversely, it excludes any intentional fatality, such as suicide or homicide.
According to the National Safety Council, the following accidents are the most common causes of unintentional death, calculated using a victim’s lifetime odds:
Opioid Overdose
Opioid overdoses have skyrocketed over the past decade, as synthetic drugs like fentanyl started reaching the illicit markets. Overdoses happen when someone inadvertently takes too much of these drugs, causing their respiration and brain functions to slow to the point that they die.
The legal rights against manufacturers of these drugs have been uncertain. However, in theory, the family of a deceased drug overdose victim might have a product liability claim if the manufacturer hid known risks of addiction and overdose.
Falls
Falls are the second-leading cause of fatal accidents. These accidents include both elevated falls and same-elevation falls. Elevated falls happen when the accident victim falls from one level to a lower level. A fall down the stairs or off a ladder qualifies as an elevated fall.
Same-elevation falls happen when the accident victim slips or trips and falls to the ground. A person who slips on a patch of ice and suffers a fatal head injury would be counted as a fall fatality, even though they did not fall from a height.
The families of fall victims may have a premises liability claim if the party responsible for the property fails to reasonably identify and repair hazardous conditions. Thus, the family might sue a landlord for a fatal fall caused by a staircase railing that they knew to be broken.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents are the third-leading cause of unintentional death. Most accidents result from driving errors, like speeding, distracted driving, and intoxicated driving. However, not all fatal accidents are caused by another driver’s actions. For example, a driver might fall asleep at the wheel and run off the road. The driver may die due to their own careless driving.
When a crash results from another driver’s negligent actions, the family of the fatally injured driver or passengers can seek compensation from the at-fault driver.
Drowning
Drowning is another leading cause of unintentional deaths, although the odds fall far below the odds of dying in a traffic crash. Drowning happens when a victim dies from a lack of oxygen caused by being submerged in water. For example, an infant might drown in a bathtub. Alternatively, a child or an adult might drown in a swimming pool.
Drowning accidents may support a product liability claim. Thus, a manufacturer of a personal flotation device, such as a lifejacket, might be liable if someone drowns due to a defect in their product or its instructions.
Alternatively, the families of drowning victims might have a premises liability claim. For example, a hotel might be liable for a drowning accident that occurred because its pool depth was mislabeled, leading to a diving accident.
Common Attributes of Fatal Accidents
Understanding the causes of accidental death can help you avoid them. Exercising extra caution can often prevent a fatal injury. However, these causes of death share two additional features. First, many of these fatal accidents can result from another party’s negligence.
Second, the survivors’ rights after an accidental death are the same regardless of the cause. Thus, the family members can often pursue a wrongful death claim against the party responsible for causing an accidental death.
A Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
If your family has suffered the loss of a loved one due to an accidental death in Missouri, consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand your options and protect your rights. For more information, contact the best personal injury lawyer in St. Louis, MO at Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers. We proudly serve all throughout Missouri, including St. Louis County, and we have offices in St. Louis, Chesterfield, Clayton, and Creve Coeur.
Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers – St. Louis Office
1010 Market Street, Suite 1605
St. Louis, Missouri
(636) 519-0085
Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers – Chesterfield Office
400 Chesterfield Center Suite 600
Chesterfield, MO 63017
(636) 999-9587
Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers – Creve Coeur Office
11628 Old Ballas Rd, Suite 320
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
(314) 557-2869
Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers – Clayton Office
7733 Forsyth Blvd, Suite 1100
Clayton, MO 63105
(314) 804-4569
