One of the leading causes of wrongful deaths is accidents caused by negligence on highways and roads, whether it is distracted drivers or hazardous conditions. Data from the New Jersey Department of Transportation shows that there were 571 fatal motor vehicle crashes in the state in 2016, an increase from 522 in 2015. Such accidents can involve cars, motorcycles, buses and trucks, as well as pedestrians.

Everyday activities like driving to work or crossing the street can turn dangerous when others engage in careless behavior. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 27 percent of the 35,092 nationwide traffic fatalities in 2015 involved speeding. Pedestrian deaths accounted for 15 percent of fatalities arising from motor vehicle crashes, marking a 9.5 percent increase from 2014. Meanwhile, 4,067 people were killed in truck accidents in 2015.

Medical mistakes are also to blame for thousands of wrongful deaths each year as they are the third leading cause of death in the United States. The Journal of Patient Safety reported that around 440,000 Americans die each year from preventable hospital errors such as botched surgeries, medication mistakes or misdiagnoses.