{"id":1554,"date":"2026-10-23T05:30:59","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T05:30:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/34-138-224-95.nip.io\/accidental-death-claims-california-family-guide\/wrongful-death-lawyer-delano-visalia\/"},"modified":"2026-10-24T08:13:38","modified_gmt":"2026-10-24T08:13:38","slug":"wrongful-death-lawyer-delano-visalia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/accidental-death-claims-california-family-guide\/wrongful-death-lawyer-delano-visalia\/","title":{"rendered":"Wrongful Death Claim Delano Kern County | Colvin Lawyers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-dark chg-hero\" style=\"min-height:460px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-70 has-background-dim wp-block-cover__gradient-background has-background-gradient\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(90deg,rgba(32,36,46,1) 0%,rgba(32,36,46,1) 55%,rgba(32,36,46,0.7) 100%)\"><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background\" alt=\"An investigator in a high-visibility vest places a numbered marker by a guardrail on a closed two-lane road at dawn.\" src=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/an-investigator-in-a-high-visibility-vest-places-a-numbered-photo-19.jpg\"\/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"chg-eyebrow has-base-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-shadow:0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.6),0 0 18px rgba(0,0,0,0.35)\">Wrongful Death \u00b7 Delano &amp; Kern County<\/p><h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-color has-text-color\" style=\"text-shadow:0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.6),0 0 18px rgba(0,0,0,0.35)\">Lost a Loved One in an Accident? Talk With Colvin Accident Lawyers<\/h1><p class=\"has-base-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:clamp(0.875rem, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 0.2rem) * 0.625), 1.25rem);text-shadow:0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.6),0 0 18px rgba(0,0,0,0.35)\">Families in Delano and across Kern County turn to our Bakersfield firm after a fatal crash, collision or other preventable death. Start with a free, confidential first consultation with no obligation to continue.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta chg-cta-call\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:+16616161177\">Get a Free Consultation<\/a><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta chg-cta-form\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/contact\/\">Get a Free Consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#6b7280;margin-bottom:1.5rem\">By Donald Norman Colvin \u00b7 Published October 23, 2026<\/p>\n\n<article lang=\"en\">\n\n\n<p>A wrongful death claim lets certain family members seek compensation after a death caused by another person&#8217;s negligence or wrongful act. California law decides who may bring the claim, and deadlines can be short. This page explains the basics for families in Delano and Kern County. Delano is in Kern County, and Visalia is in Tulare County. California law applies to both.<\/p>\n<h2>What a Wrongful Death Claim Is and Who Can Bring One<\/h2>\n<p>A wrongful death claim is a <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhelp.courts.ca.gov\/civil-lawsuit\/personal-injury\">civil lawsuit<\/a> filed after someone dies because of another party&#8217;s negligence or wrongful act. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=377.60.\">Code Civ. Proc. \u00a7 377.60<\/a>, the decedent&#8217;s surviving spouse or domestic partner, children, and grandchildren through a child who has died may bring it.<\/p>\n<p>If there is no surviving issue, the people who would inherit the decedent&#8217;s property under state law may sue. Certain other dependents may sue too: a putative spouse, stepchildren, parents, or the decedent&#8217;s legal guardians if the parents are deceased, if they were dependent on the decedent. That includes a stepchild, a parent, or a minor who lived in the decedent&#8217;s home for the previous 180 days and relied on them for at least half of their support.<\/p>\n<p>A personal representative, the person appointed to manage the decedent&#8217;s estate, may also file on the family&#8217;s behalf.<\/p>\n<p>A criminal case is separate. Families in Delano, Visalia, and across Kern County face the same California rules on who may file.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"cta-dose-mid wp-block-group has-base-color has-accent-background-color has-text-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-32197852 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--accent,#20242e);color:var(--wp--preset--color--base,#ffffff);border-radius:8px;padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem;border-left:6px solid var(--wp--preset--color--cta,currentColor);box-shadow:0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.18)\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If a sudden death has left your family with hard questions, you don&#x27;t have to sort them out alone. Our team can review the facts of your loss with you at no cost. Talk it through with our team &#8212; the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-call\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:+16616161177\">Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-form\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/contact\/\">Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large has-custom-border\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/gloved-forensic-hand-holding-a-shoe-marked-with-the-number-o-photo.jpg\" alt=\"Gloved forensic hand holding a shoe marked with the number one at a crime scene.\" style=\"border-radius:8px;width:100%;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2>Accidents That Can Lead to a Wrongful Death Claim<\/h2>\n<p>A fatal incident can support a wrongful death claim when another party&#8217;s negligence caused the death. Common situations include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Car and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iihs.org\/research-areas\/fatality-statistics\/detail\/large-trucks\">truck collisions<\/a><\/strong>, including rear-end, intersection, and head-on crashes on local roads and highways.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Motorcycle and bicycle crashes<\/strong> where a driver failed to yield, changed lanes unsafely, or ignored the rider.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ghsa.org\/sites\/default\/files\/2025-07\/Pedestrian%20Traffic%20Fatalities%20by%20State%20-%202024%20Data%20-%207.10.25.pdf\">Pedestrian strikes<\/a>.<\/strong> A pedestrian crossing outside a marked crosswalk, or outside an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, must yield to vehicles that are an immediate hazard. A driver still must use due care for pedestrians on the roadway (<a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&amp;sectionNum=21954.\">Veh. Code \u00a7 21954<\/a>). <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&amp;sectionNum=21954.\">Cal. Veh. Code \u00a7 21954<\/a> also limits enforcement: a peace officer may not stop a pedestrian for failing to yield the right-of-way outside a marked or unmarked crosswalk unless a reasonably careful person would realize there is an immediate danger of a collision with a moving vehicle or other device moving exclusively by human power.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Bus accidents<\/strong> that hurt passengers or other road users.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.courts.ca.gov\/partners\/317.htm\">Dog bites<\/a>.<\/strong> A dog owner is liable for damages from a bite in a public place or lawfully on private property, even without a history of aggression (<a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&amp;sectionNum=3342.\">Civ. Code \u00a7 3342<\/a>).<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.courts.ca.gov\/partners\/317.htm\">Premises liability<\/a>.<\/strong> Unsafe property conditions, such as hazards, unsafe structures, or inadequate security, can cause a death.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Deaths after a catastrophic injury.<\/strong> Some people die weeks or months after the event that injured them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A common mistake is waiting too long. Families often focus on funeral arrangements and hospital bills first. Crash reports, photos, witness names, and vehicle or property records can be lost during that time.<\/p>\n<h2>What a Wrongful Death Claim Can Cover<\/h2>\n<p>Economic losses are objectively verifiable money losses. These include medical expenses, lost earnings, and burial costs (<a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&amp;sectionNum=1431.2.\">Civ. Code \u00a7 1431.2<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>Non-economic losses are subjective, non-monetary harms. The law lists loss of society and companionship as one example (<a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&amp;sectionNum=1431.2.\">Civ. Code \u00a7 1431.2<\/a>). For breach of an obligation not arising from contract, California&#8217;s general rule aims to pay for all the detriment proximately caused by the wrong, unless the Civil Code expressly provides otherwise (<a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&amp;sectionNum=3333.\">Civ. Code \u00a7 3333<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>A survival claim is different. It is brought by the decedent&#8217;s personal representative or successor for losses the decedent suffered before death. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=377.34.\">Code Civ. Proc. \u00a7 377.34<\/a>, those damages generally do not include the decedent&#8217;s pain and suffering, except in actions granted a preference pursuant to Section 36 before January 1, 2022, or filed on or after January 1, 2022 and before January 1, 2026. The exception applied to actions filed on or after January 1, 2022 and before January 1, 2026, and that filing window has closed.<\/p>\n<p>What a claim is worth depends on the facts. Relevant facts include the decedent&#8217;s age, earnings, family relationships, and how the death happened.<\/p>\n<h2>Deadlines and Local Considerations in Kern and Tulare Counties<\/h2>\n<p>Most California claims for a death caused by a wrongful act must be filed within two years (<a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=335.1.\">Code Civ. Proc. \u00a7 335.1<\/a>). Other rules can change that timeline, so each case needs a review.<\/p>\n<p>Claims against public agencies work differently. If a city, county, or transit agency may be responsible, a written claim must be presented within six months after the cause of action accrues, meaning when the claim arises (<a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&amp;sectionNum=911.2.\">Gov. Code \u00a7 911.2<\/a>). Except as provided in Sections 946.4 and 946.6, a suit against a public entity cannot start until that claim has been acted on or deemed rejected (<a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&amp;sectionNum=945.4.\">Gov. Code \u00a7 945.4<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>When a person dies weeks or months after a crash, the dates matter. The timing of the injury and the death can affect the deadline analysis. Bring the crash date, the date of death, and the medical records to your consultation.<\/p>\n<p>Delano is in Kern County. Visalia is in Tulare County. The same California statutes apply in both counties. Raise timing questions early, while evidence is still available.<\/p>\n<h2>How the Process Works, Step by Step<\/h2>\n<p>The process usually starts with a consultation. It then moves through evidence, claims, and possibly a lawsuit.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Free, confidential consultation.<\/strong> You share the basic facts. We review who may bring the claim and which deadlines may apply.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Evidence preservation.<\/strong> We look at police and collision reports, witness names, photos, vehicle or property records, and medical and funeral bills.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Responsible parties and insurance.<\/strong> We identify who may be liable, such as drivers, vehicle owners, employers, property owners, or public agencies, and what insurance may apply.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Estate questions.<\/strong> We review who has the legal right to act for the estate and whether a court step is needed before the claim moves forward.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Claim and negotiation.<\/strong> We present the claim to insurers or other parties and discuss the response.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lawsuit if needed.<\/strong> If a fair resolution is not reached, we file a lawsuit and the court process begins.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Timelines vary with the complexity of the case, the parties involved, and whether a lawsuit is needed. Our team explains each stage as it happens.<\/p>\n<h2>Why Families Choose Colvin Accident Lawyers<\/h2>\n<p>Colvin Accident Lawyers is based in Bakersfield, California. The firm handles wrongful death claims and other accident matters for families in Kern County, including Delano, and in nearby communities such as Visalia.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Responsible lawyer.<\/strong> Donald Norman Colvin is the responsible lawyer for this page. Our team includes the firm&#8217;s lawyers and support staff, who work on each matter.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Case types.<\/strong> We handle car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, bus, dog bite, premises liability, and catastrophic injury cases, along with wrongful death claims.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Plain language.<\/strong> We explain deadlines, evidence needs, and decisions in everyday words.<\/li>\n<li><strong>First consultation.<\/strong> The first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation to continue.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Every case turns on its own facts, so no outcome can be promised.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"cta-dose-mid wp-block-group has-base-color has-accent-background-color has-text-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-32197852 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--accent,#20242e);color:var(--wp--preset--color--base,#ffffff);border-radius:8px;padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem;border-left:6px solid var(--wp--preset--color--cta,currentColor);box-shadow:0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.18)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-color has-text-color\">Not sure what your next step is?<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Talk it through with our team &#8212; the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-call\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:+16616161177\">Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-form\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/contact\/\">Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large has-custom-border\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/forensic-investigator-examining-evidence-on-a-city-street-at-photo-2.jpg\" alt=\"Forensic investigator examining evidence on a city street at night.\" style=\"border-radius:8px;width:100%;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2>Common Questions Families Ask<\/h2><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Can a claim be reduced if the person who died was <a href=\"https:\/\/static.case.law\/cal-3d\/20\/html\/0725-01.html\">partly at fault<\/a>?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, in part.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Do we need a probate case first?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sometimes. Whether one is needed depends on the estate and on who brings the claim.<\/p><p>Losing someone suddenly is hard, and deciding what comes next can feel like too much. If you have questions about your family&#8217;s loss, call Colvin Accident Lawyers or <a href=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/contact\/\">contact Colvin Accident Lawyers<\/a> to talk through the facts.<\/p><\/details><\/article>\n<footer class=\"disclaimer\"><em>The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Please consult a licensed attorney regarding your specific legal situation.<\/em><\/footer>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-583d630a wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:3rem;padding-bottom:3rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">What to Expect When You Reach Out<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f56f613f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--check\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Free first consultation<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your initial consultation is free, confidential and comes with no obligation to continue.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--heart\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Focused on families<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We understand that a wrongful death claim comes at one of the hardest times in a family&#x27;s life, and we take time to explain each step in plain language.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--location\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Serving Kern County and nearby communities<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our firm is based in Bakersfield, and we represent families in Delano, Tehachapi, Fresno, Visalia, Lancaster and Palmdale.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--phone\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Speak with us directly<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Call our office to discuss your loss and ask questions about how a claim may proceed.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-color has-accent-background-color has-text-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-32197852 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--accent,#20242e);color:var(--wp--preset--color--base,#ffffff);border-radius:8px;padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem;border-left:6px solid var(--wp--preset--color--cta,currentColor);box-shadow:0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.18)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-color has-text-color\">Before You Speak With an Insurance Company<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Insurance adjusters may contact family members soon after a death. Before you give a recorded statement or sign any document, consider speaking with a lawyer first. Our first consultation is confidential.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-call\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:+16616161177\">Call to Discuss Your Situation<\/a><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-form\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/contact\/\">Call to Discuss Your Situation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-surface-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-583d630a wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:3rem;padding-bottom:3rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Types of Fatal Incidents We Handle<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f56f613f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Car and truck crashes<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fatal collisions involving passenger vehicles, commercial trucks and buses on Kern County roads and highways.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian deaths<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fatal accidents involving riders, cyclists and people struck while walking.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Premises and other deaths<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Deaths linked to unsafe property conditions, dog attacks or other incidents that may give rise to a wrongful death claim.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-base-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4d466591 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--primary,#20242e);color:var(--wp--preset--color--base,#ffffff);padding-top:3rem;padding-bottom:3rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-base-color has-text-color\">Talk With Colvin Accident Lawyers About Your Family&#x27;s Loss<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-0aa01211 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta chg-cta-call\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:+16616161177\">Contact Us Now for a Free Consultation<\/a><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta chg-cta-form\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/contact\/\">Contact Us Now for a Free Consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related practice areas<\/h2><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"\/resources\/accidental-death-claims-california-family-guide\/\">Accidental Death Claims in California: A Family&#8217;s Guide to Fatal Accident Cases | Colvin Accident Attorneys<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n<!-- chg:section-siblings -->\n<nav aria-label=\"More in this section\">\n<h2>More in this section<\/h2>\n<ul><li><a href=\"\/resources\/accidental-death-claims-california-family-guide\/bicycle-accident-death-claim-kern-county\/\">Bicycle Accident Death Lawyer in Kern County<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<!-- \/chg:section-siblings -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn who can file a California wrongful death claim, what it may cover, and key deadlines for families in Delano and Kern County. Free, confidential consultation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":1159,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"chg_review":"","chg_sendback":"","chg_canonical":"","chg_lang":"","chg_hreflang":"[]","chg_jsonld":"[{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"speakable\": {\"@type\": \"SpeakableSpecification\", \"cssSelector\": [\"article > p:first-of-type\", \".wp-block-details p\", \"article > h1\"]}, \"author\": {\"@type\": \"Person\", \"name\": \"Donald Norman Colvin\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/donald-colvin-esq-bakersfield-personal-injury-attorney\", \"jobTitle\": \"Bakersfield Personal Injury Attorney\", \"sameAs\": [\"https:\/\/bakersfield.kernhigh.org\", \"https:\/\/www.calstate.edu\", \"https:\/\/www.wsulaw.edu\", \"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/nZfBxYtQQifX3osw5\"]}, \"publisher\": {\"@type\": \"Organization\", \"@id\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/#organization\", \"name\": \"Colvin Accident Lawyers\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/\"}, \"reviewedBy\": {\"@type\": \"Person\", \"name\": \"Regina Absher\", \"jobTitle\": \"Personal Injury Paralegal\"}, \"inLanguage\": \"en\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Can a claim be reduced if the person who died was partly at fault?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes, in part.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Do we need a probate case first?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Sometimes. 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