San Antonio Wrongful Death Lawyer Helping Families Seek Justice

Compassionate Legal Representation During Your Most Difficult Time

No legal case is more emotionally devastating than a wrongful death claim. When negligence, recklessness, or misconduct takes the life of someone you love, your family faces not only profound grief but also sudden financial uncertainty—lost income, mounting medical bills from final treatment, funeral expenses, and the overwhelming sense that your loved one’s death should never have happened.

Harper Law Firm understands the weight of what your family is experiencing. We approach every wrongful death case with the compassion that grieving families deserve while providing the aggressive legal representation necessary to hold responsible parties accountable and secure maximum compensation.

The statistics reveal the scope of preventable deaths in our community. TxDOT data shows that Bexar County experienced 209 traffic deaths in 2023—a 16.7% increase from 2019 levels. Beyond traffic fatalities, San Antonio families lose loved ones to workplace accidents, medical errors, defective products, and dangerous property conditions every year.

When negligence claims a life, surviving family members deserve justice. Harper Law Firm fights to deliver that justice.

True Litigation Firm Fighting for Grieving Families

Wrongful death cases often involve significant compensation—and defendants know it. Insurance companies, corporations, and negligent parties fight these claims aggressively, employing teams of attorneys and experts to minimize their liability.

Many personal injury firms lack the resources or determination to take wrongful death cases to trial. They push grieving families toward inadequate settlements because litigation requires substantial investment and commitment.

Harper Law Firm operates differently. As a true litigation firm, we prepare every wrongful death case for trial. Our approach includes:
• Thorough investigation to establish exactly how your loved one died and who bears responsibility • Expert consultation with accident reconstructionists, medical professionals, and economists • Complete documentation of your family’s financial losses and emotional damages • Aggressive negotiation backed by genuine trial preparation • Willingness to fight in the courtroom when defendants refuse fair compensation
We never pressure families to accept inadequate settlements. Your loved one’s life had immeasurable value, and we fight to ensure that responsible parties are held fully accountable.

Local Attorneys Who Understand San Antonio Families

Harper Law Firm is based in San Antonio. Our attorneys are part of this community, and we’ve helped numerous local families navigate the wrongful death claims process during their darkest hours.

We understand:
• The dangerous roads and intersections that claim lives in Bexar County • Local industries and workplace hazards • San Antonio’s medical facilities and healthcare providers • Bexar County courthouse procedures and personnel • The specific needs of San Antonio families facing sudden loss

Wrongful Death Statistics in San Antonio and Bexar County

Traffic Fatalities in Bexar County

Motor vehicle accidents remain the leading cause of wrongful death claims in San Antonio. TxDOT data reveals the devastating toll:
Bexar County Traffic Deaths: • 2023: 209 fatalities • 2022: 186 fatal crashes resulting in 199 deaths • Traffic deaths 16.7% higher than 2019 levels
Leading Causes of Fatal Crashes: • Drunk driving: 117 deaths in Bexar County (2022) • Speeding: 79 fatalities in Bexar County (2022) • Distracted driving: Major contributing factor statewide
Texas Statewide Fatalities (2023): • 807 pedestrian deaths • 105 bicyclist deaths • 1,090 alcohol-related crash deaths • 403 distracted driving deaths • Over 4,000 total traffic deaths in 2024
San Antonio has already recorded over 100 traffic deaths in 2025, demonstrating that preventable fatalities continue devastating local families.

San Antonio’s Most Deadly Roads

Wrongful death cases frequently involve accidents on San Antonio’s most dangerous roads:
• Culebra Road: 50+ fatalities since 2014, San Antonio’s deadliest local road • Loop 1604: “The Death Loop”—196 fatal accidents over the last decade • I-410: 27th deadliest road in America, 76 fatal crashes (2019-2023) • I-35: 290 fatalities over five years through San Antonio • Bandera Road: Second most dangerous local road

Types of Wrongful Death Cases We Handle

Car Accident Wrongful Death

With over 42,000 crashes and 200+ fatalities annually in Bexar County, car accidents claim more lives than any other cause. Wrongful death claims arise when negligent driving—speeding, distraction, impairment, or reckless behavior—causes fatal collisions.

Our attorneys investigate fatal car accidents thoroughly, working with accident reconstructionists when needed to establish exactly how the crash occurred and who bears responsibility.

Truck Accident Wrongful Death

Commercial truck accidents frequently cause fatalities due to the massive size differential between 18-wheelers and passenger vehicles. Bexar County recorded 10 fatal truck accidents in 2024 alone.

Truck accident wrongful death cases often involve multiple liable parties—the driver, trucking company, cargo loaders, and maintenance providers. Our attorneys identify all responsible parties to maximize compensation for surviving families.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Accident Wrongful Death

San Antonio ranks as the 7th deadliest city in America for pedestrians. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians and cyclists—face extreme danger from negligent drivers, with 807 pedestrian deaths and 105 cyclist deaths statewide in 2023.

We represent families who have lost loved ones while walking, jogging, or cycling on San Antonio streets.

Motorcycle Accident Wrongful Death

Texas motorcycle enthusiasts face serious risks from inattentive drivers who fail to see motorcycles on the road. TxDOT reports that 40% of motorcyclists killed in crashes were not wearing helmets, but even protective gear cannot prevent fatalities in severe collisions.

Drunk Driving Wrongful Death

Drunk drivers killed 117 people in Bexar County in 2022 and over 1,090 people across Texas in 2023. When impaired drivers cause fatal crashes, surviving families may be entitled to punitive damages in addition to standard compensation—damages designed to punish egregious misconduct.

Workplace Accident Wrongful Death

Construction sites, industrial facilities, and other workplaces present serious hazards. When employer negligence, safety violations, or defective equipment causes a worker’s death, surviving family members may have claims against responsible parties beyond workers’ compensation.

Medical Malpractice Wrongful Death

Medical errors—misdiagnosis, surgical mistakes, medication errors, and failure to treat—cause preventable deaths in hospitals and healthcare facilities. These complex cases require expert medical testimony to establish that healthcare providers breached the standard of care.

Premises Liability Wrongful Death

Property owners have a duty to maintain safe conditions. When dangerous conditions—inadequate security, swimming pool hazards, structural defects, or other hazards—cause fatal injuries, surviving families may pursue wrongful death claims.

Product Liability Wrongful Death

Defective products—vehicles, machinery, medical devices, and consumer goods—sometimes cause fatal injuries. Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers may be held strictly liable for deaths caused by defective products.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Texas?

Texas law limits who may bring wrongful death claims to specific family members:

Eligible Claimants Under Texas Law

Surviving Spouse: The deceased person’s husband or wife at the time of death has the right to file a wrongful death claim.
Children: The deceased person’s children—whether biological or legally adopted—may file claims. Adult children have the same rights as minor children.
Parents: The deceased person’s mother and father may file wrongful death claims.
Important Limitations: • Siblings, grandparents, and other relatives cannot file wrongful death claims in Texas • The estate’s personal representative may file a separate “survival action” for damages the deceased could have recovered • If no eligible family member files within three months, the estate’s executor may file on the family’s behalf

Claims on Behalf of Minor Children

When wrongful death claimants include minor children, special procedures apply. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem to protect the children’s interests, and any settlement must be approved by the court to ensure it adequately provides for the children’s needs.

Compensation Available in Texas Wrongful Death Cases

Texas wrongful death law allows surviving family members to recover compensation for multiple categories of damages:

Economic Damages

Lost Financial Support: The income and benefits the deceased would have provided to the family over their expected working life.
Loss of Inheritance: The value of savings, property, and other assets the family would have inherited.
Lost Services: The value of household services, childcare, guidance, and other contributions the deceased provided.
Medical Expenses: Costs of medical treatment the deceased received before death.
Funeral and Burial Expenses: Reasonable costs associated with final arrangements.

Non-Economic Damages

Mental Anguish: Compensation for the emotional pain, grief, and psychological suffering of surviving family members.
Loss of Companionship: The value of the relationship, love, affection, and support that family members have lost.
Loss of Consortium: For surviving spouses, compensation for the loss of the marital relationship.
Loss of Guidance and Nurturing: For children who lost parents, compensation for lost parental guidance, education, and moral training.

Punitive Damages

In cases involving gross negligence, willful misconduct, or intentional acts—such as drunk driving deaths—Texas law allows punitive damages designed to punish defendants and deter similar conduct.

Survival Action Damages

Separate from wrongful death claims, the deceased person’s estate may recover damages the deceased could have pursued:
• Pain and suffering the deceased experienced before death • Medical expenses incurred before death • Lost wages from the time of injury to death

Understanding the Texas Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations

Texas law provides a two-year statute of limitations for wrongful death claims. This deadline runs from the date of death, not the date of the accident or incident that caused death.

Critical timing considerations:
• Evidence preservation becomes increasingly difficult as time passes • Witnesses’ memories fade and documents may be destroyed • Certain claims against government entities have shorter notice requirements • Expert witnesses need adequate time to analyze cases
While two years may seem like sufficient time, wrongful death cases require extensive investigation and preparation. Contacting an attorney promptly ensures your family’s claim is thoroughly developed.

The Wrongful Death Claims Process

Investigation and Evidence Gathering

Our attorneys immediately begin investigating how your loved one died:
• Obtaining police reports, autopsy reports, and death certificates • Preserving physical evidence from accident scenes • Interviewing witnesses • Consulting with expert witnesses • Gathering medical records documenting final treatment • Documenting the deceased’s employment, income, and family role

Identifying Responsible Parties

Wrongful death cases may involve multiple defendants:
• Negligent drivers • Employers who failed to maintain safe workplaces • Property owners who allowed dangerous conditions • Product manufacturers • Healthcare providers • Government entities responsible for road conditions
Our attorneys identify all potentially liable parties to maximize your family’s recovery.

Calculating Full Damages

We work with economists, vocational experts, and other professionals to calculate the full value of your family’s losses—including future income your loved one would have earned, the value of lost services and companionship, and appropriate compensation for your grief and emotional suffering.

Negotiation and Litigation

Most wrongful death cases settle before trial. However, defendants sometimes refuse reasonable settlement offers, requiring courtroom litigation. Harper Law Firm prepares every case for trial from day one, ensuring we’re ready to fight when negotiation fails.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Texas provides a two-year statute of limitations from the date of death. However, evidence preservation and case development require significant time, so contacting an attorney promptly is important.

Can I file a wrongful death claim if my loved one was partially at fault?

Yes. Texas follows modified comparative negligence, meaning you can recover damages even if your loved one shared some fault—as long as they weren’t more than 50% responsible. Recovery is reduced by the deceased’s fault percentage.

What if the person who caused my loved one’s death is facing criminal charges?

Criminal cases and civil wrongful death cases are separate proceedings. A criminal conviction can help your civil case, but you can pursue wrongful death claims regardless of criminal prosecution outcomes. The “beyond reasonable doubt” standard in criminal cases is higher than the “preponderance of evidence” standard in civil cases.

How much is a wrongful death case worth?

Every case is different. Value depends on the deceased’s age, earning capacity, family relationships, circumstances of death, and available insurance coverage. During your free consultation, we’ll discuss factors affecting your family’s potential recovery.

Can I afford a wrongful death lawyer?

Harper Law Firm handles wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for your family. We also advance case expenses during litigation.

Serving All San Antonio and Bexar County Families

Harper Law Firm represents families throughout the San Antonio metropolitan area who have lost loved ones due to negligence:
• All San Antonio neighborhoods • Universal City, Live Oak, and Converse • Helotes, Leon Valley, and Castle Hills • Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills, and Olmos Park • All surrounding Bexar County communities

Contact San Antonio Wrongful Death Lawyers Today

If your family has lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or misconduct, you deserve compassionate legal representation that fights for maximum compensation and holds responsible parties accountable.

Harper Law Firm offers free, no-obligation consultations where we’ll:
• Listen to your family’s story with compassion and respect • Explain your legal rights under Texas wrongful death law • Discuss potential compensation for your losses • Answer all your questions about the legal process • Provide honest assessment of your family’s case

With over 200 traffic deaths annually in Bexar County alone, far too many San Antonio families experience the sudden loss of loved ones. When negligence claims a life, your family deserves justice.
Contact Harper Law Firm today. Your San Antonio wrongful death lawyers are ready to help your family through this difficult time.