New Braunfels Wrongful Death Lawyer
Has your family suffered a wrongful death in New Braunfels, TX? Contact the top New Braunfels wrongful death lawyer to seek justice.
The days after losing someone to another person’s carelessness bring impossible decisions. While you are still processing what happened, bills from the hospital and funeral home demand immediate attention. Insurance companies start calling with settlement offers that sound final but rarely reflect what Texas law actually entitles your family to receive.
At Vendt Accident Attorneys, our personal injury attorneys specializing in wrongful death claims step in to protect families during this overwhelming time. Our New Braunfels wrongful death attorneys have spent decades securing justice for families throughout Comal County and the surrounding communities. With 85 years of combined legal experience, we understand both the immediate financial pressures you face today and the long-term support your family will need. From the moment you call us, we begin building your case, documenting every loss, identifying all responsible parties, and fighting for the full compensation Texas law allows.
Contact us today for a free consultation and discover how our wrongful death attorneys in New Braunfels can help you seek the compensation and justice you deserve.
How Our Wrongful Death Lawyers Help Families in New Braunfels, TX
Losing a loved one to someone else’s negligence leaves families facing an impossible combination of grief, confusion, and financial pressure. We understand that you need more than just legal representation—you need compassionate guidance, clear answers, and someone who will shoulder the legal burden while you focus on your family.
From the moment you reach out to us, we become your advocates, handling every aspect of your wrongful death claim with the sensitivity and urgency your situation demands.
Here’s how we support families throughout the entire legal process:
- Free, confidential consultation with no obligation: We listen to your story without rushing you, answer your questions in plain language, and give you an honest assessment of your legal options—all at no cost and with complete confidentiality.
- Compassionate support during an overwhelming time: We recognize that you are grieving, and we treat you and your family with the respect and sensitivity you deserve. You will never feel like just another case number.
- Immediate action to preserve critical evidence: Time-sensitive evidence like surveillance footage, black box data, and witness statements can disappear quickly. We act fast to secure everything needed to build the strongest possible case.
- Complete handling of all insurance communications: Once you hire us, every call from an insurance adjuster goes through our office, not yours. We protect you from tactics designed to minimize your family’s recovery.
- Thorough investigation of liability and damages: We identify every responsible party and document the full scope of your family’s losses—both the financial impact and the emotional toll of losing your loved one.
- Aggressive negotiation for maximum compensation: We fight for every dollar your family is entitled to under Texas law, from funeral costs and lost income to the value of companionship, guidance, and support your loved one provided.
- Trial-ready representation when settlement isn’t enough: If the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, we are fully prepared to take your case before a jury and let them decide what justice looks like.
- Clear communication every step of the way: You will always know where your case stands, what comes next, and how we are working to protect your family’s future.
- No upfront costs and no fees unless we win: You pay nothing out of pocket, and our fee only comes from the compensation we recover for your family—never from your own resources during this difficult time.
SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CONSULTATION
Call Our New Braunfels Wrongful Death Attorneys Today
If you lost a family member due to someone else’s negligence, you need experienced legal representation to protect your family’s rights. Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and attorneys working to minimize what they pay grieving families. We serve clients throughout Comal County, including New Braunfels, Seguin, San Marcos, Kyle, and Buda. Our attorneys are available 24/7 to discuss your case and answer your questions.
Call (832) 490-7088 or contact us online for your free consultation. We will review your case and explain how we can help your family seek the compensation and justice you deserve.
What Is a Wrongful Death Claim in Texas?
A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit that surviving family members file when a person dies because of another party’s negligence or wrongful act. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 71, the family can seek financial compensation for the losses caused by the death. This is entirely separate from any criminal case the State of Texas may pursue.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Texas?
Texas law limits who has the legal right to file. Only the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased can bring a wrongful death claim. This includes adult children and adopted children, but siblings do not have the right to file.
If none of these family members file a lawsuit within three months of the death, the personal representative of the estate may file on the family’s behalf, unless the family specifically objects.
In one wrongful death case we handled for a New Braunfels family following a fatal crash on I-35 near the Solms Road exit, the trucking company’s insurer contacted the family within 48 hours offering a structured settlement. The amount sounded significant to a family in crisis. When we reviewed it, we found it represented less than 40 percent of the deceased’s projected lifetime income, with no compensation for loss of parental guidance for the three minor children. We declined and ultimately recovered a substantially higher amount.
What Compensation Can We Pursue for Your Family?
The value of a wrongful death case depends on the specific facts, including the deceased’s age, income, and the family’s relationship with them. We build a complete picture of every loss your family has suffered and fight for full compensation across three categories.
Economic Damages
These are the concrete, measurable financial losses that result from the death. We document every expense and work with financial experts to calculate future losses your family will carry for years.
- Medical bills incurred before the death
- Funeral and burial costs
- Lost wages and future earning capacity
- Lost employer benefits such as health insurance and retirement contributions
- The financial value of household services the deceased provided
Non-Economic Damages
These damages address the personal losses that go beyond a bill or a paycheck. Texas law recognizes that the death of a family member causes real harm that cannot be captured by a receipt alone.
- Mental anguish experienced by the surviving family
- Loss of companionship, comfort, and emotional support
- Loss of parental guidance for surviving children
- Loss of consortium for a surviving spouse
Exemplary Damages in Texas
When the death was caused by gross negligence or an intentional act, a court may award exemplary damages, also called punitive damages. These are designed to punish the wrongdoer and discourage the same conduct in the future. Drunk driving deaths are a common situation where we pursue exemplary damages, though Texas law places caps on these awards in most cases.
What Is the Difference Between a Wrongful Death Claim and a Survival Action?
These two claims are often filed together, but they compensate for different losses. A wrongful death claim compensates the family for their own losses, such as lost financial support and the loss of their loved one’s presence. A survival action continues the deceased person’s own legal claim for the pain, suffering, and medical costs they experienced between the injury and the time of death, with any recovery going to the estate.
|
Wrongful Death Claim |
Survival Action |
|
|
Who Recovers |
Spouse, children, parents |
The deceased’s estate |
|
What Is Compensated |
Family’s losses (income, companionship, anguish) |
Deceased’s losses (pain, suffering, medical bills) |
|
Who Files |
Eligible family members |
Estate’s personal representative |
Who Can Be Held Liable in a New Braunfels Wrongful Death Case?
Identifying every responsible party is one of the most important steps in protecting your family’s recovery. Liability depends on how the death occurred, and we investigate every possible source of accountability.
Drivers and Trucking Companies
We pursue claims against negligent drivers and the trucking companies behind them, particularly along the I-35 corridor. We act immediately to preserve the truck’s electronic data recorder and driver logs before they are overwritten.
Property and Business Owners
Property owners who allow unsafe conditions, inadequate lighting, or poor security can be held responsible for fatal injuries on their premises. Surveillance footage from these locations is often deleted within 30 days, so prompt action is essential.
Healthcare Providers and Facilities
When a death results from a medical error by a doctor, hospital, or nursing facility, a medical malpractice claim may be possible. We work with qualified medical experts to review records and establish exactly where the standard of care was violated.
Employers and Third-Party Contractors
Fatal workplace accidents can involve more than a workers’ compensation claim. When a third party, not the direct employer, contributed to the death, a separate wrongful death lawsuit may be available alongside any workers’ comp benefits.
Government Entities
If a dangerous road condition or government negligence contributed to the death, a city or state agency may be liable. Claims against government entities require written notice in as little as six months, far shorter than the standard two-year deadline.
How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Texas?
Texas gives families two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This deadline is called the statute of limitations, and missing it means losing the right to seek compensation permanently. For claims against government entities, that window can shrink to six months for the required formal notice.
Waiting also puts evidence at risk, and the Texas wrongful death statute of limitations offers no second chances once it expires. The sooner our team gets involved, the stronger your case will be.
One thing we see consistently in Comal County wrongful death cases is families waiting two to three weeks before contacting an attorney, often because they are consumed with funeral arrangements and grief. By the time we are retained, roadway evidence has sometimes been cleared and the at-fault party has had time to coordinate their account of the crash. We encourage any family dealing with a sudden loss caused by negligence to call us for a free consultation as early as possible, even before they are ready to make any decisions.
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Why Choose Vendt Accident Attorneys?
Families across Texas trust Vendt Accident Attorneys because we treat every case as if a member of our own family is the one who was lost. We bring both the legal firepower and the personal attention that high-stakes wrongful death cases demand.
- Decades of proven results: We have successfully recovered millions of dollars for families throughout Comal County and across Texas, holding negligent parties accountable and securing the compensation our clients deserve.
- Deep local knowledge and courtroom experience: Our attorneys know the New Braunfels courts, the local insurance adjusters, and the defense tactics commonly used in this area—and we use that knowledge to your advantage.
- Personalized attention, not assembly-line service: You will work directly with an experienced attorney who knows your name, your story, and your family’s needs—not a paralegal who treats you like a file number.
- Trial-ready from day one: Insurance companies know which law firms are willing to go to trial and which ones settle quickly for less. We prepare every case as if it will go before a jury, and that preparation drives better settlement offers.
- Compassionate guidance through every decision: We explain your options in plain language, answer every question with patience, and never pressure you into decisions you’re not ready to make.
- No fees unless we win your case: You pay nothing upfront, and our fee only comes from the compensation we recover for your family. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing—ever.
Our Process from Call to Resolution
You will know exactly where your case stands at every stage. Here is what happens after you call us.
Step 1: Free Consultation and Case Review
We listen to the full story of what happened and give you an honest assessment of your legal options with no pressure and no obligation.
Step 2: Investigation and Evidence Preservation
We immediately send legal preservation letters to protect evidence, then gather police reports, autopsy results, witness accounts, and any available video or data recorder information.
Step 3: Settlement Negotiation
We build a detailed demand package that documents the full scope of your family’s losses and negotiate aggressively with the insurance company on your behalf.
Step 4: Litigation and Trial
If the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, we file suit in Comal or Guadalupe County and take the case before a jury.
Related Services
At Vendt Accident Attorneys, we specialize in personal injury claims to ensure our clients receive the best possible representation needed to seek justice and full compensation. We handle all types of personal injury claims in New Braunfels, TX, including the following:
- Car Accident Cases
- Truck Accident Cases
- 18-Wheeler Accident Cases
- Motorcycle Accident Cases
- Pedestrian Accident Cases
- Bicycle Accident Cases
- Rideshare Accident Cases (Uber and Lyft)
- Slip and Fall Cases
- Premises Liability Cases
- Traumatic Brain Injury Cases
- Wrongful Death Cases
Contact Vendt Accident Attorneys
No settlement restores what your family has lost. But holding the responsible party accountable can provide the financial stability your family needs and force changes that protect others from the same tragedy. Vendt Accident Attorneys is ready to fight for you.
Contact us today for a free consultation or call (832) 490-7088 to speak directly with a New Braunfels wrongful death lawyer.
Mr. Vendt is a very knowledgeable & fair Attorney. I was great and very happy with the help I received. You will not find better council.
– DARREN G
Frank was great to work with. He represented me in a manner that was professional and very efficient. Frank does what he does because he has a passion for justice. I am very appreciative of all that Frank has done for me and I will recommend him to anyone that needs legal representation conducted the ‘right’ way.
– SHARNDELL CARR
I’m sure you’ve heard the joke about trusting your attorney. It’s no joke with Frank Vendt Jr. He’s got your back. He’s amazing in court. And, he knows his stuff. His staff is amazing and very helpful. I’m am forever grateful for his expertise and guidance through a very difficult case. If Google would allow me to give him 10 stars, I would.
– PAULA MYNATT
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Average Wrongful Death Settlement in Texas?
There is no fixed average because every case depends on the deceased’s income, the family’s specific losses, available insurance coverage, and the strength of the liability evidence. Cases involving the loss of a primary income earner or gross negligence often result in significant recoveries.
How Long Does a Wrongful Death Case Take to Resolve?
Cases with clear liability may resolve through settlement. Contested cases that proceed to trial typically take eighteen months to two years.
Can Adult Children File a Wrongful Death Claim for a Parent in Texas?
Yes, Texas law allows adult children, including adopted children, to file a wrongful death claim for a deceased parent. Stepchildren and siblings do not have this legal right under Texas law.
Does Receiving Workers' Compensation Prevent a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Not always. If a third party other than the employer contributed to the workplace death, a separate wrongful death lawsuit may still be available in addition to any workers’ compensation death benefits your family receives.
What Should You Do if the Insurance Company Calls Before You Have an Attorney?
Do not give a recorded statement or sign any documents. Politely decline and contact Vendt Accident Attorneys as soon as possible, because anything you say before retaining legal counsel can be used to reduce your family’s compensation.
Are Wrongful Death Settlement Proceeds Taxable?
Compensation received for the physical injury or death itself is generally not considered taxable income under federal law. Punitive damages and interest, however, may be taxable, and a qualified accountant can review your specific situation.