{"id":1657,"date":"2026-10-23T08:10:06","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T08:10:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/34-138-224-95.nip.io\/wrongful-death-claims-bakersfield-kern-county\/wrongful-death-lawyer-lancaster-palmdale\/"},"modified":"2026-10-23T08:10:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T08:10:09","slug":"wrongful-death-lawyer-lancaster-palmdale","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-claims-bakersfield-kern-county\/wrongful-death-lawyer-lancaster-palmdale\/","title":{"rendered":"Wrongful Death Lawyer in Bakersfield, CA | Colvin Accident 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 beside 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-21.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 Lawyer | Bakersfield, CA<\/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)\">Wrongful Death Lawyer in Bakersfield for Families Facing the Unthinkable<\/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)\">Colvin Accident Lawyers represents surviving family members in wrongful death cases arising from car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, bus and other accidents in Kern County and surrounding communities. Your first consultation is free and confidential.<\/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 someone dies because of another party&#8217;s wrongful act or negligence. In California, who may file depends on the survivor&#8217;s relationship to the person who died. Deadlines are short, so questions should come early. Families in Lancaster and Palmdale looking for a wrongful death lawyer Lancaster CA can use this guide to understand who may file, what a claim can cover, how the process moves, and which deadlines matter.<\/p>\n<h2>What a wrongful death claim is and who it helps<\/h2>\n<p>A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit filed after a death caused by someone else&#8217;s negligence or wrongful conduct. Its goal is to hold the responsible party accountable for the loss.<\/p>\n<p>California law makes people responsible for harm they cause through a lack of ordinary care. That rule appears in <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&amp;sectionNum=1714.\">Civil Code section 1714<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Fatal incidents that can lead to these claims include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Car, truck, motorcycle, and bus crashes<\/li>\n<li>Bicycle and pedestrian collisions<\/li>\n<li>Fatal dog attacks<\/li>\n<li>Deaths caused by dangerous conditions on a public entity&#8217;s property, where the public entity is liable under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&amp;sectionNum=835.\">Government Code section 835<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iihs.org\/research-areas\/fatality-statistics\/detail\/state-by-state\">Insurance Institute for Highway Safety<\/a> publishes state-by-state fatality totals for California, broken down by road-user type.<\/p>\n<p>Lancaster and Palmdale are in Los Angeles County. A crash or unsafe condition there may involve county roads or public agencies. Colvin Accident Lawyers is based in Bakersfield, and it takes cases from the Antelope Valley and the other communities it serves.<\/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 someone you love died in a crash, dog attack, or unsafe condition, you may have a claim, and our team can walk you through your options. 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-examines-evidence-on-a-city-street-at-photo-9.jpg\" alt=\"Forensic investigator examines evidence on a city street at night.\" style=\"border-radius:8px;width:100%;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2>Who can file and what a family may recover<\/h2>\n<p>Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=377.60.\">Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60<\/a>, a wrongful death claim may be brought by the decedent&#8217;s surviving spouse, domestic partner, and children. The statute also lists others, such as dependent parents and stepchildren. A minor who lived in the decedent&#8217;s household for the previous 180 days, and who relied on the decedent for one-half or more of support, may also qualify.<\/p>\n<p>Damages are not a fixed list. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=377.61.\">Code of Civil Procedure section 377.61<\/a>, damages may be awarded that, under all the circumstances of the case, may be just, but may not include damages recoverable under Section 377.34.<\/p>\n<p>A separate claim the person who died could have brought, if it survives the death, passes to the decedent&#8217;s successor in interest under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=377.30.\">Code of Civil Procedure section 377.30<\/a>, and the decedent&#8217;s personal representative or, if none, the successor in interest may bring it. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=377.34.\">Code of Civil Procedure section 377.34<\/a>, survival damages generally do not include pain, suffering, or disfigurement. Subdivision (b) has exceptions for certain actions filed in a window that ended January 1, 2026. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=377.62.\">Code of Civil Procedure section 377.62<\/a>, an action under Section 377.30 may be joined with an action under Section 377.60 arising out of the same wrongful act or neglect.<\/p>\n<p>What a family can recover depends on the facts. Those facts include the decedent&#8217;s age, earnings, family ties, and how the death happened.<\/p>\n<h2>Fatal crashes and incidents Colvin Accident Lawyers handles<\/h2>\n<p>Colvin Accident Lawyers handles wrongful death matters that grow out of the injury cases the firm takes on. These include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Car accidents:<\/strong> intersection crashes, lane departures, speeding, and impaired or distracted driving.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Truck and bus accidents:<\/strong> crashes with commercial vehicles, where more than one party may share responsibility.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Motorcycle, bicycle, and pedestrian deaths:<\/strong> cases that often need close review of how the crash happened and where the rider or walker was.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Dog attacks:<\/strong> fatal bites or attacks by a dog.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Premises liability:<\/strong> deaths tied to hazardous conditions on property where a person was hurt and later died.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Catastrophic injury:<\/strong> deaths that follow long medical treatment for a serious injury.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When a public entity owns the property, <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&amp;sectionNum=835.\">Government Code section 835<\/a> sets out when it may be liable for a dangerous condition. The injured person must show that the property was in a dangerous condition at the time of the injury, that the condition proximately caused the injury, and that it created a reasonably foreseeable risk of the kind of injury that happened. The person must also show either that a negligent or wrongful act or omission of a public employee, within the scope of employment, created the condition, or that the entity had actual or constructive notice of it in time to protect against it.<\/p>\n<p>Each type of incident calls for different evidence. That is why an early review of what happened matters.<\/p>\n<h2>What to expect: the step-by-step process<\/h2>\n<p>The process starts with a first consultation and moves through records, investigation, claim presentation, and then either settlement or a lawsuit. Your first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation to continue.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>First contact.<\/strong> You describe what happened and ask your questions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Facts and records.<\/strong> The team gathers crash or incident reports, medical and coroner records where available, photos, and witness information.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Investigation.<\/strong> The review covers who may be responsible and the family&#8217;s losses, including the decedent&#8217;s work history, household role, and medical bills.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Claim presentation.<\/strong> The claim goes to the responsible parties and their insurers with supporting records.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Resolution.<\/strong> The case may settle through negotiation. If a fair resolution is not reached, a lawsuit may be filed. Timelines vary from case to case.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>To file a wrongful death complaint, the <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhelp.courts.ca.gov\/civil-lawsuit\/personal-injury\">California Courts Self Help Guide<\/a> explains the Judicial Council form.<\/p>\n<h2>Deadlines that can shorten the time you have<\/h2>\n<p>Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=335.1.\">Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1<\/a>, an action for a death caused by another&#8217;s wrongful act or neglect must be brought within two years.<\/p>\n<p>When a city, county, or transit agency may be responsible, a formal claim comes first. <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&amp;sectionNum=911.2.\">Government Code section 911.2<\/a> says a claim for death must be presented not later than six months after the cause of action accrues.<\/p>\n<p>If that six-month window passes, <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&amp;sectionNum=911.4.\">Government Code section 911.4<\/a> allows a written application to present a late claim. The application must be made within a reasonable time, not to exceed one year after the cause of action accrues. It must also state the reason for the delay.<\/p>\n<p>Missing a deadline can end a claim. Reading this while planning services is hard. Still, the first consultation is the time to confirm which dates apply to your situation.<\/p>\n<h2>Why Colvin Accident Lawyers for Families Facing a Wrongful Death Claim<\/h2>\n<p>Colvin Accident Lawyers is a personal injury firm based in Bakersfield, California. It takes wrongful death matters from families in Kern County, Lancaster, Palmdale, Fresno, Visalia, Delano, and Tehachapi.<\/p>\n<p>Donald Norman Colvin is the responsible lawyer for this page. Our team, including lawyers and support staff, works with families from first contact through resolution.<\/p>\n<p>The firm handles car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, bus, dog bite, premises liability, and catastrophic injury matters. These are the types of incidents that can lead to wrongful death claims.<\/p>\n<p>At the first consultation, you can ask about each deadline and each damages question. You can get a clear picture of your options before you decide anything.<\/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<h2>Common questions about wrongful death claims<\/h2><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Can I file if I am not the spouse?<\/summary><p>Maybe. Children, dependent parents, and some others may also have the right to bring the claim. <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=377.60.\">Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60<\/a> lists who qualifies.<\/p><\/details><h3>Do I need a criminal conviction first?<\/h3><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What if the death happened on a public road or government property?<\/summary><p>A shorter government claim deadline may apply. <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&amp;sectionNum=911.2.\">Government Code section 911.2<\/a> sets six months for a death claim against a public entity, so raise the question quickly.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Can I ask about my options while still grieving?<\/summary><p>Yes. You can ask about deadlines and options at any point. Early questions help with the time-sensitive steps.<\/p><\/details>\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-hands-of-a-forensic-investigator-collecting-evidence-photo.jpg\" alt=\"Gloved hands of a forensic investigator collecting evidence at a night crime scene\" style=\"border-radius:8px;width:100%;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2>Talk with Colvin Accident Lawyers about your family&#8217;s situation<\/h2>\n<p>If a crash, attack, or unsafe condition took someone you love, you may have a claim, and a deadline may already be running.<\/p>\n<p>You may be reading this while planning services, caring for other family members, or gathering papers. You may not yet know whether a claim fits your situation. The question in front of you is whether what caused the death may support a wrongful death claim, and whether a deadline is close.<\/p>\n<p>Call Colvin Accident Lawyers or use the <a href=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/contact\/\">contact form<\/a> to talk with our team. Bring whatever papers you have, and ask every question you have.<\/p>\n<p>Colvin Accident Lawyers, Bakersfield, California &#8212; responsible for this site. Responsible lawyer: Donald Norman Colvin.<\/p>\n\n<\/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\">How We Approach a Wrongful Death Case<\/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--heart\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Compassion First<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We understand that a death in the family is a loss that no legal case can undo. We approach every family with patience and respect.<\/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--chat\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Clear, Direct Communication<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We explain the legal process in plain language so you know what to expect at each stage.<\/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--document\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Thorough Investigation<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We gather and review the facts of the incident, including records, reports and other evidence, to understand how the death occurred.<\/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--users\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Support for Surviving Family<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We work with spouses, children, parents and others who may be affected by the loss, and we keep them informed throughout the matter.<\/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\">Talk to a Lawyer Before Speaking With an Insurer<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Insurance representatives may contact a grieving family quickly. Before you give a recorded statement or sign any document, consider speaking with a lawyer who can explain what is being requested.<\/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 Colvin Accident Lawyers<\/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 Colvin Accident Lawyers<\/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\">Wrongful Death Situations We Handle<\/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\"><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 other large vehicles 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 and Bicycle Accidents<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Deaths of riders and cyclists who were struck by drivers or involved in serious roadway collisions.<\/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\">Pedestrian and Bus Accidents<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fatal incidents involving people on foot and passengers or others struck by buses or other transit vehicles.<\/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 Incidents<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Deaths caused by unsafe property conditions, including incidents that may involve dog bites or other injurious events.<\/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\">Speak With Colvin Accident Lawyers in Bakersfield<\/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\">Request Your 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\/\">Request Your 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\/wrongful-death-claims-bakersfield-kern-county\/\">Wrongful Death Claims in Bakersfield and Kern County: A Family&#8217;s Guide to Filing<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-claims-bakersfield-kern-county\/wrongful-death-bicycle-crash-kern-county\/\">Fatal Bicycle Crash Wrongful Death Claims in Kern County<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-claims-bakersfield-kern-county\/wrongful-death-premises-liability-california\/\">Wrongful Death Claims from Fatal Falls on Someone Else&#8217;s Property<\/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\/wrongful-death-claims-bakersfield-kern-county\/wrongful-death-bicycle-crash-kern-county\/\">Fatal Bicycle Crash Wrongful Death Claims in Kern County<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-claims-bakersfield-kern-county\/wrongful-death-fresno-visalia\/\">Wrongful Death Claims After Fatal Crashes in Fresno and Visalia<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-claims-bakersfield-kern-county\/wrongful-death-premises-liability-california\/\">Wrongful Death Claims from Fatal Falls on Someone Else&#x27;s Property<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<!-- \/chg:section-siblings -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn who can file a California wrongful death claim and which deadlines apply. Colvin Accident Lawyers offers a free, confidential first consultation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":355,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"chg_review":"","chg_sendback":"","chg_canonical":"","chg_lang":"","chg_hreflang":"[]","chg_jsonld":"[{\"name\": \"Wrongful death claim guidance and representation for California families\", \"@type\": [\"Service\", \"FAQPage\"], \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"audience\": {\"@type\": \"Audience\", \"audienceType\": \"Surviving spouses, registered domestic partners, children, parents, and other family members of a person who died from a crash, dog attack, or unsafe property condition\"}, \"keywords\": [\"wrongful death lawyer Lancaster CA\", \"wrongful death attorney Palmdale CA\", \"wrongful death claim California\", \"who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in California\", \"wrongful death damages California\", \"wrongful death lawsuit timeline California\", \"wrongful death lawyer Kern County\", \"fatal car accident lawyer Antelope Valley\"], \"provider\": {\"@type\": \"Organization\", \"@id\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/#organization\", \"name\": \"Colvin Accident Lawyers\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/\"}, \"speakable\": {\"@type\": \"SpeakableSpecification\", \"cssSelector\": [\"article > p:first-of-type\", \".wp-block-details p\", \"article > h1\"]}, \"areaServed\": [{\"name\": \"Lancaster\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Palmdale\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Antelope Valley\", \"@type\": \"AdministrativeArea\"}, {\"name\": \"Tehachapi\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Kern County\", \"@type\": \"AdministrativeArea\"}], \"description\": \"Plain-language guide to California wrongful death claims. Explains who may file, the types of damages a family may pursue, the survival action, fatal incident types handled (car, truck, motorcycle, bus, bicycle, pedestrian, dog attack, premises liability, and catastrophic injury), the step-by-step claim process, filing deadlines including government claim deadlines, and how to request a free, confidential first consultation.\", \"serviceType\": \"Wrongful death legal services\", \"termsOfService\": null, \"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 I file if I am not the spouse?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Maybe. Children, dependent parents, and some others may also have the right to bring the claim. Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60 lists who qualifies.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What if the death happened on a public road or government property?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"A shorter government claim deadline may apply. Government Code section 911.2 sets six months for a death claim against a public entity, so raise the question quickly.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Can I ask about my options while still grieving?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes. You can ask about deadlines and options at any point. 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