Wrongful Death Lawyer Greensboro, NC
If you lost a loved one because of another person’s negligence, we know that you are facing unimaginable grief. For many families, not only are they grieving, but they’re feeling additional financial burdens, as well, especially if the deceased person was a financial contributor to the household. Medical bills may still be arriving. You may not know who is liable or how to start a claim. And insurance companies may be working to limit what they will pay. Let the legal team at At Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson, Attorneys at Law help you understand your rights and legal options after a negligence-based accident.
Our Greensboro, NC wrongful death lawyer has represented bereaved families across North Carolina for over 50 years combined. We handle wrongful death claims on a contingency basis. That means no fees unless we win. If you lost someone in a car crash, a workplace accident, a premises liability incident, or any other situation caused by someone else’s carelessness, contact us for a free consultation.
Why Choose Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson, Attorneys at Law for Wrongful Death in Greensboro, NC?
Deep Knowledge of Guilford County Courts
Successful wrongful death litigation in North Carolina requires familiarity with how Guilford County courts handle these cases, how local insurance adjusters approach fatal accident claims, and where the legal arguments over causation and damages tend to break down. Our attorneys have worked in these courts for decades.
Brian Walker and Philip Olivier Handle Your Case
Brian Walker and Philip Olivier lead our personal injury and wrongful death practice. Brian is a member of the Greensboro Bar Association, the Guilford County Bar Association, and the North Carolina Bar Association. He has represented individuals and families in serious injury and death cases throughout the state. Philip handles personal injury and workers’ compensation matters and brings focused attention to every case that comes through our door.
Our attorneys participate actively in the legal community in ways that strengthen how we represent clients. For families going through one of the most painful experiences of their lives, having attorneys who are known and respected in local courts is not a small thing.
Millions Recovered for North Carolina Families
Our personal injury lawyer in Greensboro, NC has helped clients across North Carolina recover millions of dollars following serious accidents and wrongful deaths. Every case is different. But we have the experience and the commitment to pursue the full value of a claim, including economic loss, non-economic suffering, and, where the facts support it, punitive damages.
No Fees Unless We Win
Wrongful death cases in Greensboro are handled on a contingency fee basis. You do not pay anything upfront. We absorb the costs of the case and collect a fee only if there is a recovery. If your family is already dealing with financial strain following an unexpected death, this structure means you can pursue justice without adding to that burden.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “My Dad, Mom, and Sister were in a car accident, my mom got hurt real bad. Thankfully she is doing mostly well now. I’m glad it didn’t work out with another lawyer, we were dealing with at first. I think it was just God’s will. Everybody worked to help us get as good as possible settlement. They were easy to work with and very informative. I don’t think anyone could have done any better, we were thankful for their help in a very stressful time for my family. If you need an injury lawyer, I fully recommend them.” – 2jerusalem
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Types of Wrongful Death Cases We Handle in Greensboro
Wrongful death claims arise under very different circumstances. The legal path forward depends on how the death occurred, who is liable, and what evidence exists. Our Greensboro wrongful death attorneys handle the following types of cases.
- Car accidents. Vehicle crashes are among the most common causes of fatal accidents in Guilford County. When a driver’s negligence or recklessness causes a death, surviving family members have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim. We gather police reports, witness statements, and accident reconstruction evidence to build the strongest case possible.
- Truck accidents. Fatal crashes involving commercial trucks are often more complex than standard car accidents. Multiple parties may be liable, including the driver, the trucking company, and maintenance contractors. Federal motor carrier regulations apply, and we know how to use them.
- Motorcycle accidents. Riders have almost no protection in a collision. Wrongful death claims following fatal motorcycle crashes often involve disputes over fault and road hazards. We fight those arguments directly.
- Pedestrian accidents. Pedestrians struck by vehicles in Greensboro crosswalks or on public roads have little chance against a moving car. When a family loses someone in a pedestrian crash, we pursue every avenue of recovery available.
- Premises liability. Deaths caused by unsafe property conditions, including falls, pool accidents, and structural failures, fall under premises liability law. Property owners have a duty of care. When they breach it fatally, families can hold them accountable.
- Workplace fatalities. When a worker dies on the job due to an employer’s negligence or a third party’s failure, families may have options beyond workers’ compensation. Our workers’ compensation attorneys and personal injury team work together on these cases.
- Drunk driving deaths. Families who lose someone to a drunk driver have particularly strong claims. Drunk driving accident cases can support both compensatory and punitive damages, and we pursue the full value of every one.
North Carolina Legal Requirements for Wrongful Death Cases
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim
Under N.C. Gen. Stat. Section 28A-18-2, a wrongful death claim in North Carolina must be filed by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate. This is different from many other states, where family members file directly. The recovery still benefits surviving family members. But the procedural requirement means working with an estate and, often, with the probate court. Our attorneys handle this coordination so families are not navigating two legal processes at once.
Statute of Limitations
North Carolina gives families two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This deadline is set by N.C. Gen. Stat. Section 1-53. It is shorter than the three-year window that applies to standard personal injury claims, and it runs from the date of death, not the date of the accident. Missing this window almost always permanently ends the case. Families should contact a Greensboro wrongful death lawyer as soon as they are ready, even while still grieving.
Contributory Negligence
North Carolina’s strict contributory negligence doctrine applies in wrongful death cases just as it does in personal injury claims. If the deceased person is found to have contributed in any way to the accident, recovery may be barred entirely. Insurance companies use this argument aggressively. Our lawyers know how hard insurers defend these claims. We counter contributory negligence arguments from the very beginning of every case, not as an afterthought at trial.
Damages Available Under the Statute
The same statute that governs who may file, N.C. Gen. Stat. Section 28A-18-2, also defines what families may recover. The list includes medical expenses, funeral costs, lost income, and the present value of the deceased’s companionship and protection to surviving family members. Understanding this statute early shapes how we build and document each claim.
What Damages Are Recoverable in a Greensboro Wrongful Death Case?
North Carolina’s wrongful death statute identifies the categories of damages available to surviving families. These fall into economic losses, non-economic losses, and, in certain cases, punitive damages.
Economic damages include all medical expenses incurred from the accident through the date of death, funeral and burial costs, the value of lost future income and employment benefits, and the household services the deceased would have provided over their lifetime. The CDC injury and violence data documents the significant economic impact that fatal accidents have on surviving families, and those figures inform how we calculate income loss projections in every case.
Non-economic damages include the present monetary value of the deceased’s companionship, comfort, guidance, and protection to their spouse, children, and parents. North Carolina courts allow recovery for the loss of the relationship itself, not just lost wages. These damages are often the largest component of a wrongful death award. They are harder to quantify, and insurance companies use that ambiguity to push settlements down. We push back hard on those lowball offers.
When a drunk driver or otherwise reckless person causes a fatal accident, punitive damages may also be available. The NHTSA drunk driving statistics document how frequently impairment contributes to fatal crashes nationally, and North Carolina is no exception. Punitive damages are not guaranteed, but when the facts support them, our Greensboro wrongful death attorneys will pursue them fully.
One more thing worth knowing: North Carolina’s contributory negligence rule means defense attorneys will look for any evidence that the deceased contributed to the accident. The NC Department of Justice consumer rights resources provide useful context on what families face when dealing with insurance companies in this state. Our job is to anticipate those arguments before they gain traction and dismantle them with the facts.
Contact Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson, Attorneys at Law
Losing someone you love because of another person’s negligence is one of the hardest things a family can face. You should not have to navigate the legal process alone, and you should not have to pay upfront to get help. The attorneys at Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson, Attorneys at Law are committed to preserving your rights and seeking full and fair compensation for your losses.
Our Greensboro wrongful death attorneys offer free initial consultations and handle every case on a contingency basis. No fees unless we recover for your family. We respond to new inquiries promptly, usually the same day. We will listen carefully to what happened, explain your options clearly, and tell you honestly what recovery may look like. Contact us to schedule your free consultation. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can start protecting your family’s rights.