{"id":6135,"date":"2026-11-04T01:11:57","date_gmt":"2026-11-04T01:11:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/fatal-truck-accident-wrongful-death-lawyer-bakersfield\/"},"modified":"2026-11-08T07:23:11","modified_gmt":"2026-11-08T07:23:11","slug":"fatal-truck-accident-wrongful-death-lawyer-bakersfield","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/fatal-truck-accident-wrongful-death-lawyer-bakersfield\/","title":{"rendered":"Fatal Truck Accident Wrongful Death Lawyer Bakersfield, CA"},"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-60 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 class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-6133\" 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\/11\/an-investigator-in-a-high-visibility-vest-places-a-numbered-photo-2.jpg\" width=\"1376\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/an-investigator-in-a-high-visibility-vest-places-a-numbered-photo-2-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/an-investigator-in-a-high-visibility-vest-places-a-numbered-photo-2-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/an-investigator-in-a-high-visibility-vest-places-a-numbered-photo-2-768x429.jpg 768w, https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/an-investigator-in-a-high-visibility-vest-places-a-numbered-photo-2-1024x572.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/an-investigator-in-a-high-visibility-vest-places-a-numbered-photo-2.jpg 1376w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 825px) 825px, 100vw\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\"\/><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 &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)\">Fatal Truck Accident? Talk With a Bakersfield Wrongful Death Lawyer<\/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 families who have lost a loved one in a truck collision. 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\">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><\/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 November 3, 2026<\/p>\n\n<article lang=\"en\">\n\n\n<p>Looking for a fatal truck accident <a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/\">wrongful death lawyer<\/a> Bakersfield families can reach? Start with the first question most families ask: is there a claim at all? In California, eligible family members can bring a wrongful death claim when another person&#8217;s wrongful act or neglect causes a death. Colvin Accident Lawyers is based in Bakersfield, California, and offers a free, confidential first consultation with no obligation to continue. This page explains who may sue, who may be responsible, and what happens next.<\/p>\n<h2>What a Fatal Truck Accident Wrongful Death Claim Is<\/h2>\n<p>A wrongful death claim is brought after a person dies because of someone else&#8217;s negligence or wrongful act. California law says who may bring it. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=377.60.\">Code of Civil Procedure \u00a7 377.60<\/a>, the claim may be asserted by the decedent&#8217;s surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, and issue of deceased children, or, if there is no surviving issue, the persons who would be entitled to the decedent&#8217;s property by intestate succession, including the surviving spouse or domestic partner. Dependent persons may also bring it, including dependent parents, stepchildren, children of a putative spouse, and a putative spouse, and the decedent&#8217;s legal guardians may bring it if the parents are deceased. The decedent&#8217;s personal representative can file on their behalf.<\/p>\n<p>A wrongful death claim is different from a survival claim. A survival claim belongs to the person who died and passes through the estate. It covers losses that person suffered before death. Families often mix the two, so the damages section below separates them.<\/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>Who Can Be Held Responsible in a Kern County Truck Crash<\/h2>\n<p>More than one party can be responsible after a truck crash. Families should look beyond the driver.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>The truck driver<\/strong>, for negligent driving.<\/li>\n<li>Truck accident claims can involve more than one responsible party, depending on the facts of the case.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The truck owner.<\/strong> California makes an owner liable for death or injury caused by a negligent or wrongful act in operating the vehicle, when the operator had permission. See <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&amp;sectionNum=17150.\">Vehicle Code \u00a7 17150<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Maintenance contractors, cargo loaders, and parts makers<\/strong>, depending on the facts.<\/li>\n<li><strong>A broker that selected the carrier.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Many truck cases involve more than one insurance policy. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iihs.org\/research-areas\/fatality-statistics\/detail\/large-trucks\">Insurance Institute for Highway Safety<\/a> publishes national large-truck crash fatality statistics. A public agency becomes part of the case only when a road condition or government duty is at issue.<\/p>\n<h2>Federal Trucking Rules and Evidence Worth Preserving<\/h2>\n<p>Federal trucking rules require carriers to keep certain records. Some are kept only for a short time.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Duty status records.<\/strong> Drivers must record duty status for each 24-hour period, generally with an electronic logging device. See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecfr.gov\/on\/2026-10-06\/title-49\/section-395.8\">49 CFR 395.8<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Vehicle inspection reports.<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecfr.gov\/on\/2026-10-06\/title-49\/section-396.11\">49 CFR 396.11<\/a> expressly covers driver vehicle inspection reports. Federal hours-of-service rules require a motor carrier to keep each driver&#8217;s records of duty status, along with the supporting documents required under that part, for not less than 6 months from the date of receipt (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecfr.gov\/on\/2026-10-06\/title-49\/section-395.8\">49 C.F.R. \u00a7 395.8(k)(1)<\/a>). See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecfr.gov\/on\/2026-10-06\/title-49\/section-396.11\">49 CFR 396.11<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecfr.gov\/on\/2026-10-06\/title-49\/section-391.51\">49 CFR 391.51<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Other evidence often matters. Examples include dispatch logs, maintenance records, dashcam video, the truck&#8217;s event data, the police report, and photos of the scene and vehicles.<\/p>\n<p>Because some records have short retention periods, an early written preservation request matters. You don&#8217;t need to gather these records before you call. At consultation, the firm reviews what your family already has against the crash facts.<\/p>\n<h2>Damages a Surviving Family May Pursue<\/h2>\n<p>A wrongful death claim can seek losses the family suffered because of the death. These may include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Financial support the person would have provided<\/li>\n<li>The types of losses a family may claim depend on the facts of each case and applicable law.<\/li>\n<li>Funeral and burial costs, and medical bills tied to the death<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The survival claim is narrower. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=377.34.\">Code of Civil Procedure \u00a7 377.34<\/a>, damages recoverable in that action are generally limited to losses the person suffered before death. They generally do not include pain, suffering, or disfigurement, except in limited situations the statute describes.<\/p>\n<p>Fault can be shared among defendants. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&amp;sectionNum=1431.2.\">Civil Code \u00a7 1431.2<\/a>, non-economic damages are generally divided by each defendant&#8217;s share of fault. Each claim&#8217;s value turns on its own facts, evidence, and available insurance.<\/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-truck-lies-overturned-on-the-side-of-a-rural-dirt-road-in-photo.jpg\" alt=\"A large truck lies overturned on the shoulder of a rural dirt road in daylight.\" style=\"border-radius:8px;width:100%;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2>Deadlines: How Much Time Families Have to File<\/h2>\n<p>For most wrongful death claims against private parties, California generally allows two years to file a lawsuit. <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=335.1.\">Code of Civil Procedure \u00a7 335.1<\/a> sets a two-year period for actions for the death of an individual caused by another&#8217;s wrongful act or neglect. Exceptions can apply, so the dates should be checked early.<\/p>\n<p>Claims against a public entity move on a shorter clock. <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&amp;sectionNum=911.2.\">Government Code \u00a7 911.2<\/a> requires a claim for a death within six months after the claim accrues. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&amp;sectionNum=945.4.\">Government Code \u00a7 945.4<\/a>, a lawsuit against a public entity generally can&#8217;t be filed until that claim is acted on or deemed rejected.<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t wait while you gather records. Your first consultation is the place to confirm which deadlines apply.<\/p>\n<h2>What to Expect: The Step-by-Step Process<\/h2>\n<p>Most cases move through six stages, from first consultation to resolution.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>First consultation.<\/strong> Your family shares the crash details, your relationship to the person who died, and any papers you have received.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Evidence preservation.<\/strong> Preservation letters go to the carrier and others who hold records. The crash report is collected.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Responsible parties and insurance.<\/strong> The firm identifies each potentially responsible party and the policies that may apply.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Claim presentation.<\/strong> The claim goes to insurers, and negotiations begin. Your family is kept informed of significant developments.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lawsuit, if needed.<\/strong> If talks don&#8217;t resolve the claim, a lawsuit may be filed in the proper California court. Discovery and depositions follow, and trial is possible.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Resolution.<\/strong> Any required court approval is handled, and money is distributed to eligible family members.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Each stage takes a different amount of time in each case. The firm explains the likely path once the facts are known.<\/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>Why Families Contact Colvin Accident Lawyers<\/h2>\n<p>Colvin Accident Lawyers is a personal injury firm based in Bakersfield, California. The firm represents accident victims and families in 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 lawyer responsible for this page. Our team includes assistants and office staff who support each case. Families in Kern County and nearby communities can reach the firm about these matters.<\/p>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Can my family bring a wrongful death claim after a truck crash in Bakersfield?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eligibility depends on your family&#8217;s relationship to the person who died, under California law. The first consultation is where that is reviewed.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Who can be sued after a fatal truck accident?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Potential defendants include the driver, the trucking company, the truck owner, and other companies tied to the crash.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>How long do we have to file?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For most private defendants, California generally allows two years. Filing deadlines can vary depending on the facts of each case and the parties involved.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Do we need the trucking company&#8217;s records before calling?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. Families can start with what they have, and the firm reviews available records at consultation.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Can a lawyer ensure a particular settlement amount?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No lawyer can ensure a particular outcome or amount.<\/p><p>If a truck crash took someone you love, your family may have choices you haven&#8217;t considered yet. Colvin Accident Lawyers can help you sort through who may be responsible and which deadlines apply. <a href=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/contact\/\">Contact the firm<\/a> here.<\/p>\n<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\">What to Expect When You Contact Our Firm<\/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 for Your Family<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Losing someone in a truck crash is devastating. We take time to understand your family&#x27;s situation and the questions you are facing.<\/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\">Free, Confidential Consultation<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your first consultation is free and confidential, 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--document\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Review of the Crash Facts<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We look at the crash report, available records, and the circumstances of the collision to explain what may have happened and what questions remain.<\/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 Explanations<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We explain the wrongful death process in plain language so you can make informed decisions at your own pace.<\/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\">Be Careful With Insurance Calls<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trucking companies and their insurers may contact you soon after a fatal crash. Consider speaking with a lawyer before giving any recorded statement or signing anything.<\/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\">How We Help Families After a Fatal Truck Crash<\/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\">Listening First<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We start by hearing what happened and what your family needs most right now.<\/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\">Investigating the Collision<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We look into the facts surrounding the crash, including the truck, the driver, and the road conditions.<\/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\">Explaining Your Options<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We review the legal options that may be available under California law and explain them clearly, without pressure.<\/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. Your First Consultation Is Free.<\/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\">Call or Contact Us Now<\/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\/\">Call or Contact Us Now<\/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-lawyer\/fatal-pedestrian-accident-wrongful-death-lawyer-kern-county\/\">Fatal Pedestrian Accident Wrongful Death Lawyer in Kern County<\/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-lawyer\/fatal-truck-crash-driver-logs-black-box-evidence-california\/\">Why Truck Driver Logs and Black Box Data Matter in a Fatal Crash<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/fatal-truck-crash-evidence-to-save-california\/\">What Evidence Should I Save After a Fatal Truck Crash in California?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/fatal-truck-crash-hours-of-service-violations-california\/\">Fatal Truck Crash Hours-of-Service Violations in California<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/how-do-i-look-up-an-accident-report-in-california\/\">How do I look up an accident report in California?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/how-do-you-win-a-wrongful-death-lawsuit\/\">How Do You Win A Wrongful Death Lawsuit?<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<!-- \/chg:section-siblings -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lost a loved one in a truck crash? Learn who can bring a California wrongful death claim, key deadlines, and how a free first consultation works.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":997,"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\"]}, \"about\": [{\"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Personal injury\", \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Personal_injury\"}, {\"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Negligence\", \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Negligence\"}], \"mentions\": [{\"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Comparative negligence\", \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Comparative_negligence\"}, {\"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Damages\", \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Damages\"}, {\"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Wrongful death\", \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wrongful_death\"}, {\"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Premises liability\", \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Premises_liability\"}, {\"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Pedestrian\", \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pedestrian\"}, {\"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Dog bite\", \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Dog_bite\"}], \"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\"], \"worksFor\": {\"@type\": \"Organization\", \"@id\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/#organization\", \"name\": \"Colvin Accident Lawyers\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/\"}}, \"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\", \"worksFor\": {\"@type\": \"Organization\", \"@id\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/#organization\", \"name\": \"Colvin Accident Lawyers\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/\"}}, \"inLanguage\": \"en\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Can my family bring a wrongful death claim after a truck crash in Bakersfield?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Eligibility depends on your family's relationship to the person who died, under California law. 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