{"id":1952,"date":"2026-10-24T07:54:27","date_gmt":"2026-10-24T07:54:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/34-138-224-95.nip.io\/wrongful-death-claim-process-california\/death-after-crash-injuries-wrongful-death-california\/"},"modified":"2026-10-24T07:54:31","modified_gmt":"2026-10-24T07:54:31","slug":"death-after-crash-injuries-wrongful-death-california","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-claim-process-california\/death-after-crash-injuries-wrongful-death-california\/","title":{"rendered":"Died Weeks After Car Accident: California Claims"},"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 appraiser in a work apron walks around a dented four-door sedan in a body shop bay, clipboard in hand.\" src=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/an-appraiser-in-a-work-apron-walks-around-a-dented-four-door-photo-15.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 | 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)\">Lost a Loved One Weeks After a Car Accident?<\/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 helps families in Kern County and surrounding communities understand whether a death that followed a crash may support a wrongful death claim. Your first consultation is free, confidential, and comes 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 Case 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 Case 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 24, 2026<\/p>\n\n<article lang=\"en\">\n\n\n<p>If someone died weeks after car accident injuries, a wrongful death claim may still be possible in California. The time gap alone does not decide it. What matters is whether the crash caused the injuries that led to the death, and whether the claim is filed on time.<\/p>\n<h2>What a Death Weeks or Months After a Crash Means for a Claim<\/h2>\n<p>A death that follows a crash by weeks or months can still support a wrongful death claim when the crash caused the injuries that led to the death. The calendar alone does not answer the question.<\/p>\n<p>When people ask what happens if a person dies in a car accident, the process follows three steps. The death is reviewed. The medical records are read to trace the path from injury to death. Then eligible family members decide whether to pursue a claim.<\/p>\n<p>These steps apply to car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, and bus crashes. Each one can cause injuries that become fatal later.<\/p>\n<p>If your family is working through this timeline, contact Colvin Accident Lawyers to talk it through.<\/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 your loved one died weeks after a crash, you don&#x27;t have to sort out the medical timeline and deadlines alone. We can talk it through with you. 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\/a-car-raised-on-a-hydraulic-lift-in-a-well-lit-repair-garage-photo.jpg\" alt=\"A car raised on a hydraulic lift in a well-lit repair garage.\" style=\"border-radius:8px;width:100%;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2>How California Links a Later Death to the Crash<\/h2>\n<p>A later death is not tied to the crash just because it happened soon or late.<\/p>\n<p>Common paths families ask about include complications after surgery, infection, blood clots, pneumonia, and organ failure. Each one is traced back through treatment records to see whether the crash injuries set it in motion.<\/p>\n<p>Key records include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Ambulance and emergency room records from the first hours<\/li>\n<li>Admission, discharge, and ICU notes<\/li>\n<li>Imaging and treatment notes<\/li>\n<li>The death certificate<\/li>\n<li>Autopsy findings, when one was done<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A complete medical chronology and a physician&#8217;s written opinion can help document the connection between the accident and the injuries. Early records matter because they describe the injuries before treatment changed them. Whether the link can be shown depends on the facts, so the records are reviewed before any conclusion is reached.<\/p>\n<p>Sharing that timeline with Colvin Accident Lawyers is a practical next step.<\/p>\n<h2>Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Claim in California<\/h2>\n<p>The surviving spouse, domestic partner, and children of the decedent may bring the claim. Other dependent relatives may qualify as well.<\/p>\n<p>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 first group includes the surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, and issue of deceased children. If there is no surviving issue of the decedent, people who would be entitled to the decedent&#8217;s property by intestate succession, including a surviving spouse or domestic partner, may qualify.<\/p>\n<p>Others may qualify if they depended on the decedent. That can include a putative spouse, stepchildren, parents, or a guardian when the parents have died. A minor who lived in the decedent&#8217;s household for the previous 180 days and relied on the decedent for half or more of support may also qualify.<\/p>\n<p>The decedent&#8217;s personal representative may also bring the claim on behalf of these family members. Separately, the decedent&#8217;s own claim that survives the death passes to the successor in interest, and if there is no personal representative, the successor in interest may bring that claim, as <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=377.30.\">Code Civ. Proc. \u00a7 377.30<\/a> provides. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=377.32.\">Code Civ. Proc. \u00a7 377.32<\/a>, that person signs an affidavit under penalty of perjury and attaches a certified copy of the death certificate.<\/p>\n<p>A common mistake is assuming a relative qualifies without checking dependence. Families can review their standing with Colvin Accident Lawyers.<\/p>\n<h2>Deadlines: How Long a Family Has to File<\/h2>\n<p>For wrongful death claims, <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=335.1.\">Code Civ. Proc. \u00a7 335.1<\/a> requires the action to be brought within two years for the death of an individual caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another.<\/p>\n<p>Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=335.1.\">Code Civ. Proc. \u00a7 335.1<\/a>, an action for the death of a person caused by another&#8217;s wrongful act or neglect generally must be filed <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhelp.courts.ca.gov\/civil-lawsuit\/statute-limitations\">within two years<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Public entities have a shorter first step. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&amp;sectionNum=911.2.\">Gov. Code \u00a7 911.2<\/a>, a claim for death must be presented not later than six months after the claim accrues. If that step was missed, <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&amp;sectionNum=911.4.\">Gov. Code \u00a7 911.4<\/a> allows a written application for leave to present the claim within a reasonable time, not to exceed one year after accrual, which must state the reason for the delay in presenting the claim. After written notice of a denial given in accordance with Gov. Code \u00a7 913, <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&amp;sectionNum=945.6.\">Gov. Code \u00a7 945.6<\/a> generally requires suit within six months of that notice; without such notice, suit is generally due within two years from accrual.<\/p>\n<p>Exceptions can change these dates. Missing a deadline can end a claim.<\/p>\n<p>A common mistake is treating one deadline as covering every claim. A government claim, a late application, and a claim on the family&#8217;s own policy each run on different timing.<\/p>\n<p>Contact Colvin Accident Lawyers to check the crash date, the death date, and any public agency involved.<\/p>\n<h2>What a Wrongful Death Claim Can Recover<\/h2>\n<p>A wrongful death claim covers losses the family suffered because of the death. A separate survival claim covers losses the decedent suffered before death, but those damages generally do not include damages for pain, suffering, or disfigurement, except in the limited cases the statute describes.<\/p>\n<p>In general terms, the family&#8217;s claim may include financial losses tied to the death. Examples include funeral and burial costs, and lost financial support.<\/p>\n<p>Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=377.61.\">Code Civ. Proc. \u00a7 377.61<\/a>, wrongful death damages may be awarded that are just under all the circumstances. They may not include damages recoverable in the survival action.<\/p>\n<p>The law generally excludes the decedent&#8217;s pain and suffering from a survival claim 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>. A narrow exception applied only to actions granted a preference under Section 36 before January 1, 2022, or filed on or after January 1, 2022, and before January 1, 2026; that filing window has closed.<\/p>\n<p>No fixed amount applies to every family. Value is built from documented losses and the facts of the crash, and no lawyer can promise a particular result. Strength turns on proof of fault, proof that the crash caused the death, and available insurance.<\/p>\n<h2>Insurance, Other Defendants, and the At-Fault Driver<\/h2>\n<p>Recovery may come from the at-fault driver&#8217;s liability insurance, the family&#8217;s own uninsured motorist coverage, or other responsible parties. Policy limits can cap what any one policy pays.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insurance.ca.gov\/01-consumers\/105-type\/95-guides\/01-auto\/hadaccident.cfm\">Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage<\/a> (UM\/UIM) on the family&#8217;s own policy may apply when the at-fault driver has too little or no coverage. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=INS&amp;sectionNum=11580.2.\">Ins. Code \u00a7 11580.2(i)(1)<\/a>, no cause of action accrues unless one of the listed actions is taken within two years from the date of the accident.<\/p>\n<p>If the at-fault driver has died, a claim may still be possible against that driver&#8217;s estate and any applicable insurance.<\/p>\n<p>In many truck and bus crashes, the employer or motor carrier may also be a responsible party. Each defendant&#8217;s share of fault matters. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&amp;sectionNum=1431.2.\">Civ. Code \u00a7 1431.2<\/a>, each defendant is liable for non-economic damages only in direct proportion to its own percentage of fault.<\/p>\n<p>In personal injury, property damage, or wrongful death actions based on principles of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.courts.ca.gov\/partners\/317.htm\">comparative fault<\/a>, each defendant is liable for non-economic damages only for the amount allocated to it in direct proportion to its percentage of fault.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cms.gov\/medicare\/coordination-benefits-recovery\/overview\/secondary-payer\">Medicare&#8217;s interests<\/a> may need to be considered before any settlement.<\/p>\n<p>Families should not sign a release or give a recorded statement until they understand its terms.<\/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>Next Steps and What to Gather Now<\/h2>\n<p>Start by gathering the death certificate, the crash report, medical records, and insurance details. Keeping these together makes each deadline easier to check.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Get the death certificate.<\/strong> A certified copy is needed for the required court filing.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Collect every medical record<\/strong> from the crash through the death, including discharge summaries, imaging, and physician notes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Save crash evidence,<\/strong> such as photos, vehicle information, and any dash camera or phone footage.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Note the key dates:<\/strong> the crash, the death, and any government claim date.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Write down witness names<\/strong> and contact details, plus insurance information.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Contact Colvin Accident Lawyers<\/strong> to review the timeline, the records, and your claim options.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>After a consultation, a claim generally moves through investigation, presentation of the claim, negotiation, and, if needed, a lawsuit.<\/p>\n<h2>Why Families Work With Colvin Accident Lawyers<\/h2>\n<p>Colvin Accident Lawyers is a personal injury firm based in Bakersfield, California. It handles car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, bus, train, dog bite, premises liability, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death cases.<\/p>\n<p>Donald Norman Colvin is the responsible lawyer for this page. The firm is based in Bakersfield, California, and accident victims and families in Kern County, Fresno, Visalia, Lancaster, Palmdale, Delano, and Tehachapi may contact the firm about their cases.<\/p>\n<p>Families who reach out can talk through the medical timeline, the records, and the deadlines that apply to their situation.<\/p>\n<p>The first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation to continue.<\/p>\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\/a-mechanic-works-on-a-car-inside-an-auto-repair-shop-photo.jpg\" alt=\"A mechanic works on a car inside an auto repair shop.\" style=\"border-radius:8px;width:100%;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions About Delayed Wrongful Death Claims<\/h2><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Can a death weeks after a crash be a wrongful death claim?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It can be, when medical records connect the crash injuries to the death.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>How long do you have to file a wrongful death claim?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=335.1.\">Code Civ. Proc. \u00a7 335.1<\/a>, an action for the death of an individual caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another must be brought within two years.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Do I need a lawyer to file a claim?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A family can file without one. Deadlines and proof issues can be complex, so a consultation with Colvin Accident Lawyers can help review them.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What if the at-fault driver died?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A claim may still be possible against the driver&#8217;s estate and applicable insurance, including the family&#8217;s own UM\/UIM coverage.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What if a public agency was involved?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A formal government claim generally must be presented within six months, so timing should be reviewed right away.<\/p><p>Colvin Accident Lawyers, Bakersfield, California &#8212; responsible for this site.<\/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\">How our team approaches these cases<\/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--document\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Careful review of the medical timeline<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We look at when the injuries happened, the treatment that followed, and the medical records that show how the crash connects to the death.<\/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--shield\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Attention to the evidence<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Crash reports, hospital records, and statements from providers can all matter. We help families gather and organize what is available.<\/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, plain-language answers<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We explain the legal questions in terms you can follow, so you know what to expect before you decide on any next step.<\/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\">Respect for your family<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We understand this is a painful time. Our team communicates with care and at a pace that works for your family.<\/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\">Keep the records from the crash and the hospital stay<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Save the crash report, hospital and medical records, bills, discharge papers, and any notes about how your loved one&#x27;s condition changed after the collision. Medical records often show how injuries from a crash connect to a later death.<\/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\">Questions families often ask<\/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\">Can a death weeks after a crash be a wrongful death claim?<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It can be, depending on the facts. Medical records are often needed to show whether the injuries from the crash were connected to the death.<\/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\">Who can bring a wrongful death claim?<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The answer depends on the facts and on California law. We can talk through your family&#x27;s situation during a free consultation.<\/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\">What if the cause of death is disputed?<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Disagreements between medical providers or insurers are common in these cases. Our team reviews the records to help explain the medical picture.<\/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\">Will I have to pay for the first consultation?<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. Your first consultation is free, confidential, and comes with no obligation to continue.<\/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\">Request 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\/\">Request 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\/wrongful-death-claim-process-california\/\">How a Wrongful Death Claim Works in California | Colvin Accident Attorneys<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-claim-process-california\/fatal-highway-crash-claims-bakersfield\/\">Fatal Crash on Highway 99, 58, or 178 in Bakersfield | Colvin Accident Attorneys<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-claim-process-california\/wrongful-death-claim-city-county-california\/\">Wrongful Death Claims Against a City or County Road Owner | 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\/wrongful-death-claim-process-california\/bus-crash-wrongful-death-claim-california\/\">Bus Crash Wrongful Death Claims in California<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-claim-process-california\/fatal-bicycle-crash-claim-california\/\">Fatal Bicycle Crash Claims in California<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-claim-process-california\/fatal-dog-attack-lawsuit-california\/\">Fatal Dog Attack Lawsuits in California<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-claim-process-california\/fatal-highway-crash-claims-bakersfield\/\">Fatal Crash on Highway 99, 58, or 178 in Bakersfield<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-claim-process-california\/fatal-premises-accident-lawsuit-california\/\">Fatal Accidents on Private Property in California<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<!-- \/chg:section-siblings -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If someone died weeks after a car accident in California, a wrongful death claim may still be possible. Learn who can file, deadlines, and next steps.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":177,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"chg_review":"","chg_sendback":"","chg_canonical":"","chg_lang":"","chg_hreflang":"[{\"hreflang\": \"en\", \"href\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-claim-process-california\/death-after-crash-injuries-wrongful-death-california\/\"}, {\"hreflang\": \"pa\", \"href\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/pa\/galat-maut-daava-prakriya-california\/hadse-ton-baad-sattan-galat-mot-california\/\"}, {\"hreflang\": \"x-default\", \"href\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-claim-process-california\/death-after-crash-injuries-wrongful-death-california\/\"}]","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 death weeks after a crash be a wrongful death claim?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"It can be, when medical records connect the crash injuries to the death.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How long do you have to file a wrongful death claim?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Under Code Civ. 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