When you lose a loved one due to someone else's negligence, the pain is immeasurable. For over four decades, James O. Cunningham has helped families seek justice and compensation after losing someone dear to them. Our extensive experience in wrongful death litigation spans numerous accident types and scenarios.
Auto Accidents
Car accidents remain one of the leading causes of wrongful death in Florida. These tragic losses often result from:
- Distracted driving, particularly texting while driving
- Speeding and reckless driving behaviors
- Failure to obey traffic signals and signs
- Improper lane changes and unsafe passing
- Vehicle defects or poor maintenance
Our firm has represented families who have lost loved ones on busy highways like I-4 and the Florida Turnpike, as well as on local Orlando streets and intersections known for dangerous conditions.
Bicycle Accidents
Florida's climate makes it an ideal place for cycling, but unfortunately, also leads to a high number of bicycle fatalities. Fatal bicycle accidents commonly occur when:
- Drivers fail to yield right-of-way to cyclists
- Vehicles make right turns without checking for cyclists
- Motorists open car doors into bicycle lanes ("dooring")
- Drivers pass cyclists without proper clearance
- Poorly maintained roadways create hazardous conditions
Mr. Cunningham has advocated for numerous families who have lost loved ones in bicycle accidents throughout Central Florida.
Boating Accidents
With Florida's abundant waterways, boating accidents claim too many lives each year. Fatal boating accidents often involve:
- Operation under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Excessive speed, particularly in congested or no-wake zones
- Operator inexperience or inattention
- Collisions with other vessels or fixed objects
- Failure to have proper safety equipment onboard
Our firm understands the unique maritime laws that may apply in these cases and has successfully represented families after tragic boating accidents on Florida's lakes, rivers, and coastal waters.
Drunk Driver Accidents
Despite strict laws, drunk driving continues to cause senseless deaths on our roadways. These cases often involve:
- Drivers with blood alcohol content well above legal limits
- Repeat DUI offenders who continue to drive impaired
- Establishments that over-served visibly intoxicated patrons
- Social hosts who provided alcohol to minors
- Hit-and-run incidents where the impaired driver fled the scene
Mr. Cunningham not only pursues claims against the impaired driver but investigates all potentially responsible parties under Florida's dram shop laws when applicable.
Hit and Run Accidents
The tragedy of losing a loved one is compounded when the responsible driver flees the scene. Our experience with hit-and-run fatalities includes:
- Working with law enforcement to identify and locate responsible drivers
- Investigating accident scenes for evidence overlooked by others
- Pursuing uninsured motorist coverage when drivers can't be found
- Advocating for families left with unanswered questions
- Coordination with prosecutors handling the criminal aspects of the case
Our firm's relationships with accident reconstructionists and investigators have been crucial in solving many hit-and-run cases and bringing closure to families.
Medical Malpractice
When medical professionals fail to provide the standard of care, the consequences can be fatal. Common medical malpractice scenarios resulting in wrongful death include:
- Surgical errors and complications
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of serious conditions
- Medication errors, including incorrect dosage or drug interactions
- Birth injuries resulting in infant or maternal death
- Hospital-acquired infections due to poor sanitation practices
With the complex medical and legal issues involved, Mr. Cunningham works closely with medical experts to build compelling cases for families who have lost loved ones due to medical negligence.
Motorcycle Accidents
Florida's year-round riding weather makes it popular for motorcyclists, but also leads to numerous fatal accidents. Motorcycle fatalities commonly involve:
- Drivers failing to see motorcyclists or yield right-of-way
- Left-turning vehicles crossing into a motorcyclist's path
- Dangerous road conditions particularly hazardous to motorcycles
- Distracted drivers who don't register the smaller profile of motorcycles
- Commercial vehicles with significant blind spots
Our firm has extensive experience addressing the unique challenges of motorcycle accident cases, including combating bias against riders and documenting the full scope of damages.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian fatalities are tragically common in Florida's tourist-heavy areas. Fatal pedestrian accidents typically involve:
- Crosswalk violations by inattentive drivers
- Poorly designed intersections with inadequate pedestrian safety features
- Distracted or impaired driving in areas with foot traffic
- Speeding in residential neighborhoods or school zones
- Inadequate lighting on roadways and walkways
Mr. Cunningham has successfully advocated for families of pedestrian accident victims throughout Central Florida's urban and tourist areas.
Trucking Accidents
Commercial truck accidents often result in catastrophic injuries and fatalities due to the size disparity between trucks and passenger vehicles. Fatal trucking accidents commonly involve:
- Driver fatigue due to hours-of-service violations
- Improper maintenance of braking systems and other critical components
- Overloaded or improperly secured cargo
- Inadequate training of commercial drivers
- Corporate policies that encourage unsafe driving practices
Our firm's approach to trucking accident cases includes thorough investigation of not just the driver, but the trucking company, maintenance providers, and other parties in the commercial transportation chain.
Other Wrongful Death Scenarios
Beyond these categories, our firm also handles wrongful death cases involving:
- Construction site accidents
- Defective products
- Aviation accidents
- Nursing home neglect
- Premises liability incidents
- Workplace accidents
- Acts of violence due to negligent security
No matter the circumstances surrounding your loved one's death, we have the experience, resources, and dedication to pursue justice on your family's behalf.
Seeking Justice for Your Family
If you have lost a loved one due to someone else's negligence, we understand that no amount of compensation can replace what you've lost. However, a successful wrongful death claim can:
- Cover funeral and burial expenses
- Replace lost income and benefits
- Compensate for the pain and suffering of the deceased prior to death
- Provide for the emotional support and guidance your family has lost
- Hold responsible parties accountable to prevent future tragedies
Contact the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A. for a free, compassionate consultation about your family's situation. There is no fee unless we recover compensation for your loss.