{"id":6330,"date":"2026-11-05T04:45:21","date_gmt":"2026-11-05T04:45:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/fatal-highway-178-crash-wrongful-death-lawyer-bakersfield\/"},"modified":"2026-11-08T03:28:04","modified_gmt":"2026-11-08T03:28:04","slug":"fatal-highway-178-crash-wrongful-death-lawyer-bakersfield","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/fatal-highway-178-crash-wrongful-death-lawyer-bakersfield\/","title":{"rendered":"Fatal Highway 178 Crash Wrongful Death Lawyer, Bakersfield"},"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-6329\" alt=\"An investigator in a high-visibility vest places a numbered marker by a guardrail on a closed two-lane road at dawn.\" src=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/an-investigator-in-a-high-visibility-vest-places-a-numbered-photo-14.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-14-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/an-investigator-in-a-high-visibility-vest-places-a-numbered-photo-14-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/an-investigator-in-a-high-visibility-vest-places-a-numbered-photo-14-768x429.jpg 768w, https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/an-investigator-in-a-high-visibility-vest-places-a-numbered-photo-14-1024x572.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/an-investigator-in-a-high-visibility-vest-places-a-numbered-photo-14.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 | Highway 178 | Bakersfield, California<\/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)\">Losing a Loved One on Highway 178? 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 after fatal crashes on Highway 178 and across Kern County. 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 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><\/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 4, 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 person&#8217;s negligence. If you need a fatal Highway 178 crash <a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/\">wrongful death lawyer<\/a>, the first step is understanding who can file, what a claim can cover, and which deadlines matter. This page explains those basics in plain terms.<\/p>\n<h2>Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?<\/h2>\n<p>Certain close family members, and sometimes the estate&#8217;s representative, can bring the claim. <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=377.60.\">California Code of Civil Procedure \u00a7 377.60<\/a> names who may sue. Those people include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The surviving spouse or domestic partner, and the children.<\/li>\n<li>If there is no surviving issue, the people who would inherit the person&#8217;s property.<\/li>\n<li>Dependent family members, such as stepchildren or parents who relied on the person who died.<\/li>\n<li>A minor who lived in the person&#8217;s household for the previous 180 days and relied on them for at least half of their support.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Whether a person qualifies turns on that person&#8217;s relationship to the decedent and on who else survives. Two separate claims may exist. The wrongful death claim covers the family&#8217;s own losses. The survival claim covers the losses the person suffered before death, but generally does not include damages for pain, suffering, or disfigurement, except in limited cases 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(b)<\/a>, such as actions granted a preference under Section 36 before January 1, 2022, or filed on or after January 1, 2022, and before January 1, 2026. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=377.30.\">Code of Civil Procedure \u00a7 377.30<\/a>, that claim passes to a successor in interest, and the personal representative may bring it or, if there is none, the successor in interest may.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"cta-dose-mid wp-block-group has-base-color has-accent-background-color has-text-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-32197852 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--accent,#20242e);color:var(--wp--preset--color--base,#ffffff);border-radius:8px;padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem;border-left:6px solid var(--wp--preset--color--cta,currentColor);box-shadow:0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.18)\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If a crash on Highway 178 took someone you love, you may have a claim, and you don&#x27;t have to sort out the deadlines alone. Request a first conversation with our team today. 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\/aerial-view-of-an-asphalt-road-with-yellow-lane-markings-in-photo-2.jpg\" alt=\"Aerial view of an asphalt road with yellow lane markings in daylight.\" style=\"border-radius:8px;width:100%;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2>What Can a Wrongful Death Claim Cover?<\/h2>\n<p>A wrongful death claim seeks compensation for the losses the death caused. A survival claim seeks the losses the person suffered before dying. Families commonly raise these types of losses:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Funeral and burial costs.<\/li>\n<li>Medical bills and other expenses tied to the crash.<\/li>\n<li>Lost financial support the person would have given family members.<\/li>\n<li>Loss of companionship, comfort, guidance and household help.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For a survival claim, the rules are narrow. 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>, survival damages do not include pain, suffering or disfigurement. The exception covers only certain actions filed from 2022 through 2025, or granted a preference earlier. A family should not count on that exception for a claim filed now. No dollar value can be estimated here. Any recovery turns on evidence of the losses and on the insurance available.<\/p>\n<h2>Which Highway 178 Crashes May Support a Claim?<\/h2>\n<p>A fatal crash may support a claim when another party&#8217;s negligence or wrongful act caused the death. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iihs.org\/research-areas\/fatality-statistics\/detail\/state-by-state\">IIHS state fatality statistics<\/a> break down motor-vehicle deaths by road-user type. Common crash types include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Head-on collisions, including crashes where a driver crosses into oncoming lanes.<\/li>\n<li>Crashes involving impaired, distracted or fatigued drivers. Crash reports, witness statements and phone records often help prove these facts.<\/li>\n<li>Commercial truck and bus crashes can involve more than one party, and who is involved depends on the facts of each case.<\/li>\n<li>Motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian deaths.<\/li>\n<li>Hit-and-run crashes, where the driver is not identified. See fatal hit-and-run claims.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>California follows comparative negligence. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&amp;sectionNum=1431.2.\">Civil Code \u00a7 1431.2<\/a>, each defendant&#8217;s share of non-economic damages generally follows its own percentage of fault.<\/p>\n<h2>What Deadlines Protect a Wrongful Death Claim?<\/h2>\n<p>Most wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within two years under <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>. Claims against a public entity can have a much shorter first step. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&amp;sectionNum=911.2.\">Government Code \u00a7 911.2<\/a>, a claim for death must be presented within six months after it accrues. That can apply when a city, county or state may be responsible, such as for a road condition. Whether any deadline applies to your family depends on the facts of the case. Cases tied to roadway conditions follow different rules, which are covered in fatal crash claims when the driver died.<\/p>\n<p>Early steps can protect the claim:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Request the investigating agency&#8217;s crash report.<\/li>\n<li>Write down witness names and contact details while memories are fresh.<\/li>\n<li>Keep photos, medical bills, funeral invoices and other expense records.<\/li>\n<li>Speak with a lawyer before giving a recorded statement to an insurance company.<\/li>\n<li>Remember that vehicle data and phone records can be lost over time, so early preservation matters.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How Does the Process Work After You Reach Out?<\/h2>\n<p>A wrongful death matter usually moves through a consultation, an investigation, claims to insurers, and then negotiation or a lawsuit. Here is the typical path:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Free first consultation.<\/strong> The first consultation is free, confidential and carries no obligation to continue.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Case review.<\/strong> We review the crash report, scene and vehicle evidence, and insurance information.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Notices and claims.<\/strong> We send preservation letters and present claims to the responsible insurers or public entities.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Negotiation.<\/strong> The family hears every offer and decides what to do next.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lawsuit, if needed.<\/strong> If the claim cannot be resolved fairly, a lawsuit may be filed. Discovery, mediation or trial may follow.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Timelines vary from case to case. No outcome can be predicted here, and each step depends on the evidence your family can gather.<\/p>\n<h2>Why Families Work With Colvin Accident Lawyers<\/h2>\n<p>Colvin Accident Lawyers is a personal injury firm based in Bakersfield. It represents families in Kern County and nearby communities. Donald Norman Colvin is the responsible attorney for this page. Our support staff, including assistants and office staff, help families organize records, schedule meetings and keep up with updates.<\/p>\n<p>Our team handles wrongful death cases alongside car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, bus, dog bite, premises liability and catastrophic injury cases. We explain each deadline in plain language. We also explain what each step means and what the family can expect next. Families who need a fatal Highway 178 crash wrongful death lawyer can bring questions to our office in Bakersfield.<\/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>Frequently Asked Questions About Fatal Highway 178 Crash Claims<\/h2><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>How long does a family have to file?<\/summary><p>Most claims have a two-year deadline under <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>. Claims against a public entity for death, for injury to person or personal property, or for injury to growing crops can have a six-month deadline under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&amp;sectionNum=911.2.\">Government Code \u00a7 911.2<\/a>; other claims generally have one year.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Does a criminal case have to finish first?<\/summary><p>Crashes with criminal charges raise their own questions, which are covered in fatal crashes with criminal charges.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What if the driver had no insurance or fled?<\/summary><p>Coverage and recovery options vary by case. Hit-and-run crashes are covered in fatal hit-and-run claims.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Can a parent bring a claim?<\/summary><p>A parent may qualify if the parent depended on the person who died. Eligibility follows the rules in <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>.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Do we have to go to court?<\/summary><p>Many claims resolve through negotiation. Some claims require a lawsuit.<\/p><\/details><h3>Can a family recover if the person who died was partly at fault?<\/h3>\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\/chalk-outline-and-evidence-marker-on-an-asphalt-street-surfa-photo.jpg\" alt=\"Chalk outline and evidence markers on a roadway at a crime scene.\" style=\"border-radius:8px;width:100%;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2>Talk With a Bakersfield Wrongful Death Lawyer About the Crash on Highway 178<\/h2>\n<p>If a fatal crash on Highway 178 took someone you love, a conversation about your options is a practical next step. Use our <a href=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/contact\/\">contact page<\/a> to reach Colvin Accident Lawyers. Bring the crash report, medical and funeral records, and any letters from insurers. At that first conversation, we review the deadlines that may apply and discuss your options in plain terms.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Colvin Accident Lawyers, Bakersfield, California &#8212; responsible for this site. Responsible attorney: 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 Help Families After a Fatal 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\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--check\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Free first consultation<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your initial consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation to continue with our firm.<\/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\">Focus on serious injury and death cases<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our practice focuses on wrongful death, catastrophic injury, and serious accident claims, including crashes involving trucks, buses, motorcycles, and pedestrians.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--location\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Based in Bakersfield<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We are located in Bakersfield and represent families from Kern County, Fresno, Visalia, Lancaster, Palmdale, Delano, and Tehachapi.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\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\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--chat\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Plain-language answers<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We explain the process, the deadlines that may apply, and your options in terms you can understand while you are grieving.<\/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\">Compassionate handling<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We understand that a wrongful death claim is about a family&#x27;s loss, not only a legal file, and we treat it that way.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--phone\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Speak with us directly<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Call our office to describe what happened. We will listen, answer your questions, and explain what comes next.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\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\">What a Wrongful Death Claim May Involve<\/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\">Investigating the crash<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We look at how the collision happened, including roadway conditions, vehicle behavior, and the actions of each driver involved.<\/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\">Identifying responsible parties<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A fatal crash may involve more than one driver, a vehicle owner, a commercial carrier, or a government entity responsible for the roadway.<\/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\">Preserving evidence<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Police reports, photographs, vehicle data, and witness information can disappear over time, so early steps matter.<\/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\">Supporting the family<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We explain how a wrongful death case works and keep the family informed as the claim moves forward.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-color has-accent-background-color has-text-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-32197852 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--accent,#20242e);color:var(--wp--preset--color--base,#ffffff);border-radius:8px;padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem;border-left:6px solid var(--wp--preset--color--cta,currentColor);box-shadow:0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.18)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-color has-text-color\">Before You Speak With an Insurance Company<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Insurance adjusters may contact surviving family members soon after a fatal crash. Talking with an adjuster before you understand your rights can affect your claim. Speak with a lawyer first.<\/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 for 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\/\">Call for a Free Consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-base-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4d466591 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--primary,#20242e);color:var(--wp--preset--color--base,#ffffff);padding-top:3rem;padding-bottom:3rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-base-color has-text-color\">Talk With Colvin Accident Lawyers About Your Family&#x27;s Loss<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-0aa01211 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta chg-cta-call\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:+16616161177\">Contact Us Now for a Free Consultation<\/a><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta chg-cta-form\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/contact\/\">Contact Us Now for a Free Consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<!-- 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-hit-and-run-wrongful-death-lawyer-bakersfield\/\">Fatal Hit-and-Run Wrongful Death Lawyer in Bakersfield | Colvin Accident Lawyers<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/fatal-motorcycle-crash-prove-other-driver-caused-death-california\/\">How to Prove the Other Driver Caused a Fatal Motorcycle Crash in California<\/a><\/li><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><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/fatal-truck-accident-wrongful-death-lawyer-bakersfield\/\">Fatal Truck Accident Wrongful Death Lawyer in Bakersfield, CA<\/a><\/li><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><\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<!-- \/chg:section-siblings -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fatal Highway 178 crash? Learn who can file a California wrongful death claim, the key deadlines, and how to request a free, confidential consultation.<\/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\": \"Contingent fee\", \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Contingent_fee\"}, {\"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Pedestrian\", \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pedestrian\"}, {\"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Hit and run\", \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hit_and_run\"}, {\"@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\": \"How long does a family have to file?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Most claims have a two-year deadline under Code of Civil Procedure \u00a7 335.1. Claims against a public entity for death, for injury to person or personal property, or for injury to growing crops can have a six-month deadline under Government Code \u00a7 911.2; other claims generally have one year.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Does a criminal case have to finish first?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Crashes with criminal charges raise their own questions, which are covered in fatal crashes with criminal charges.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What if the driver had no insurance or fled?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Coverage and recovery options vary by case. Hit-and-run crashes are covered in fatal hit-and-run claims.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Can a parent bring a claim?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"A parent may qualify if the parent depended on the person who died. Eligibility follows the rules in Code of Civil Procedure \u00a7 377.60.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Do we have to go to court?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Many claims resolve through negotiation. Some claims require a lawsuit.\"}}], \"headline\": \"Losing a Loved One on Highway 178? Talk With a Bakersfield Wrongful Death Lawyer\", \"@id\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/fatal-highway-178-crash-wrongful-death-lawyer-bakersfield\/#faq\", \"@type\": [\"Article\", \"FAQPage\"], \"image\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/an-investigator-in-a-high-visibility-vest-places-a-numbered-photo-14.jpg\"}, {\"@id\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/fatal-highway-178-crash-wrongful-death-lawyer-bakersfield\/#webpage\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/fatal-highway-178-crash-wrongful-death-lawyer-bakersfield\/\", \"name\": \"Fatal Highway 178 Crash Wrongful Death Lawyer, Bakersfield\", \"@type\": \"WebPage\", \"about\": [{\"name\": \"Wrongful death claims in California\", \"@type\": \"Thing\"}, {\"name\": \"State Route 178, Kern County, California\", \"@type\": \"Place\"}], \"isPartOf\": {\"@id\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/#website\", \"@type\": \"WebSite\"}, \"publisher\": {\"@type\": \"Organization\", \"@id\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/#organization\", \"name\": \"Colvin Accident Lawyers\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/\"}, \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\", \"mainEntity\": {\"@id\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/fatal-highway-178-crash-wrongful-death-lawyer-bakersfield\/#faq\"}, \"description\": \"Plain-language guide to California wrongful death claims arising from fatal crashes on Highway 178 in Bakersfield and Kern County: who can file, what a claim can cover, key deadlines, the general claims process, and how to request a free, confidential first consultation.\", \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\"}, {\"@id\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/fatal-highway-178-crash-wrongful-death-lawyer-bakersfield\/#service\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/fatal-highway-178-crash-wrongful-death-lawyer-bakersfield\/\", \"name\": \"Wrongful death legal services for fatal Highway 178 crashes\", \"@type\": \"Service\", \"audience\": {\"@type\": \"Audience\", \"audienceType\": \"Surviving spouses, registered domestic partners, children, parents and other family members of a person killed in a crash on or near Highway 178\"}, \"provider\": {\"@type\": \"Organization\", \"@id\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/#organization\", \"name\": \"Colvin Accident Lawyers\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/\"}, \"areaServed\": [{\"name\": \"Bakersfield, California\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Kern County, California\", \"@type\": \"AdministrativeArea\"}], \"description\": \"Legal representation for family members pursuing a wrongful death claim, and related survival claim, after a fatal crash on or near Highway 178, including crashes involving cars, commercial trucks, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians.\", \"serviceType\": \"Wrongful death personal injury legal services\", \"inLanguage\": \"en\", \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\"}, {\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\", \"itemListElement\": [{\"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 1, \"name\": \"Home\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/\"}, {\"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 2, \"name\": \"Wrongful Death Lawyer\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/\"}, {\"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 3, \"name\": \"Fatal Highway 178 Crash Wrongful Death Lawyer, Bakersfield\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/fatal-highway-178-crash-wrongful-death-lawyer-bakersfield\/\"}]}]","chg_meta_description":"Fatal Highway 178 crash? Learn who can file a California wrongful death claim, the key deadlines, and how to request a free, confidential consultation.","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-6330","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6330","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6330"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6330\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6828,"href":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6330\/revisions\/6828"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/997"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6330"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}