{"id":6635,"date":"2026-11-07T02:30:26","date_gmt":"2026-11-07T02:30:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/how-hard-is-it-to-win-a-wrongful-death-lawsuit\/"},"modified":"2026-11-08T04:26:36","modified_gmt":"2026-11-08T04:26:36","slug":"how-hard-is-it-to-win-a-wrongful-death-lawsuit","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/how-hard-is-it-to-win-a-wrongful-death-lawsuit\/","title":{"rendered":"Bakersfield Wrongful Death Lawyer: How Hard Is It to Win?"},"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-6634\" 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-29.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-29-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/an-investigator-in-a-high-visibility-vest-places-a-numbered-photo-29-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/an-investigator-in-a-high-visibility-vest-places-a-numbered-photo-29-768x429.jpg 768w, https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/an-investigator-in-a-high-visibility-vest-places-a-numbered-photo-29-1024x572.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/an-investigator-in-a-high-visibility-vest-places-a-numbered-photo-29.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 \u00b7 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)\">Bakersfield Wrongful Death Claims: How Hard Are They to Pursue?<\/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)\">Losing someone in a preventable accident is devastating. Colvin Accident Lawyers helps families in Kern County, Fresno, Visalia, Lancaster, Palmdale, Delano and Tehachapi understand the legal process and what makes these cases difficult. Every case depends on its own facts.<\/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 November 6, 2026<\/p>\n\n<article lang=\"en\">\n\n\n<h2>How Hard Is It to Win a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?<\/h2>\n<p>Each part needs solid evidence, and the other side usually challenges at least one of them.<\/p>\n<p>No lawyer can know how a case will end. The outcome depends on the facts and evidence in each case. &#8220;Winning&#8221; can mean a settlement, a court verdict, or another resolution that compensates the family.<\/p>\n<p>The difficulty comes mostly from proof and procedure, not from doubt about the loss. A family&#8217;s grief is real. The legal work is showing how the death happened and what it cost. Defendants and their insurers review these claims carefully from the start, so families should expect a detailed process.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"cta-dose-mid wp-block-group has-base-color has-accent-background-color has-text-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-32197852 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--accent,#20242e);color:var(--wp--preset--color--base,#ffffff);border-radius:8px;padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem;border-left:6px solid var(--wp--preset--color--cta,currentColor);box-shadow:0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.18)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-color has-text-color\">Not sure what your next step is?<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Talk it through with our team &#8212; the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-call\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:+16616161177\">Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-form\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/contact\/\">Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large has-custom-border\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/a-forensic-investigator-examines-evidence-on-a-city-street-a-photo-2.jpg\" alt=\"Forensic investigator examines evidence on a city street at night.\" style=\"border-radius:8px;width:100%;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2>What You Must Prove in a Wrongful Death Case<\/h2>\n<p>Each one needs evidence.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Duty.<\/strong> The defendant owed the person who died a legal duty. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&amp;sectionNum=1714.\">California Civil Code \u00a7 1714<\/a>, everyone is responsible for injury caused by a want of ordinary care, except so far as the injured person has, willfully or by want of ordinary care, brought the injury upon himself or herself.<\/li>\n<li>Speeding is a common example. <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&amp;sectionNum=22350.\">Vehicle Code \u00a7 22350<\/a> bars driving faster than is reasonable or prudent for the conditions. A traffic violation can also create a <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EVID&amp;sectionNum=669.\">presumption of failed due care<\/a>, but only if the violation proximately caused the death or injury, the harm was the kind the rule was designed to prevent, and the person harmed was in the class the rule protects. The other side can try to rebut it.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Causation.<\/strong> The breach must have caused the death. This often takes medical findings, accident reconstruction, and records that link the conduct to the fatal injury.<\/li>\n<li>Examples include lost financial support, funeral costs, and loss of companionship.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A gap in any one element can stall or defeat the claim. That&#8217;s why families should keep photos, reports, and bills from day one.<\/p>\n<h2>Who Can Bring the Claim and What Can Be Recovered<\/h2>\n<p>The decedent&#8217;s surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, and issue of deceased children can bring the claim, and if there is no surviving issue, the persons entitled to the decedent&#8217;s property by intestate succession can bring it too. <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> also allows some dependent relatives and certain minors who lived in the home to sue. Eligibility depends on the family relationship and the level of dependence.<\/p>\n<p>A survival action pursues the losses the decedent had before death. <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> generally excludes pain and suffering from survival damages, though an exception covers actions filed on or after January 1, 2022, and before January 1, 2026, or actions granted a preference under Section 36 before January 1, 2022. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=377.61.\">\u00a7 377.61<\/a>, the court decides how an award is shared among the people entitled to it.<\/p>\n<p>Damages fall into two groups. Economic losses are <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&amp;sectionNum=1431.2.\">objectively verifiable money losses<\/a>, such as medical expenses, lost earnings, and burial costs. Non-economic losses are subjective, such as emotional distress and loss of society and companionship. Which damages apply depends on the facts of the death.<\/p>\n<h2>Defenses and Obstacles That Make These Cases Harder<\/h2>\n<p>The main hurdles are shared-fault arguments, disputes over cause, limited insurance, and lost evidence.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Several liability.<\/strong> For non-economic damages, each defendant pays only its own share of fault. <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&amp;sectionNum=1431.2.\">Civil Code \u00a7 1431.2<\/a> sets this rule, so multiple defendants can each owe a different amount.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Causation disputes.<\/strong> The defense may blame a different cause or a prior health condition.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Insurance limits.<\/strong> Available coverage can affect how a claim gets resolved.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lost evidence.<\/strong> Vehicle data, video, and witness memories can disappear. Early requests to preserve them matter.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Early insurer contact.<\/strong> Insurers may reach out soon after a death. Statements given without advice can be used later.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How a Wrongful Death Case Works: Steps and Timeline<\/h2>\n<p>A typical case moves from review to evidence, damages, negotiation, and, if needed, a lawsuit.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Initial review.<\/strong> The team reads the police report, medical records, and the facts of the death.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Evidence preservation.<\/strong> Letters ask that vehicle data, video, and property conditions be kept intact.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Damages documentation.<\/strong> The team gathers medical and funeral bills, earnings records, and family impact information.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Liability analysis.<\/strong> The team identifies responsible parties and any insurance coverage.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Demand and negotiation.<\/strong> Many claims resolve at this stage.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lawsuit, if needed.<\/strong> Filing leads to discovery, depositions, motions, and possibly mediation or trial.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>How long a case takes depends on how contested liability and damages are. Deadlines matter. 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>, an action for the death of an individual caused by another&#8217;s wrongful act generally must be brought within two years. Claims against a public entity have a shorter clock. 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 death claim must be presented within six months after it accrues.<\/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. The firm handles wrongful death, car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, bus, dog bite, premises liability, and catastrophic injury cases. Donald Norman Colvin is the responsible lawyer for this page. The firm&#8217;s support staff help families with records, communication, and scheduling. The firm serves families in Kern County, Fresno, Visalia, Lancaster, Palmdale, Delano, and Tehachapi.<\/p>\n<p>The firm&#8217;s approach is practical. Families who want to talk through a wrongful death matter can request a free, confidential first consultation with Colvin Accident Lawyers, with no obligation to continue.<\/p>\n<p>Our first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation to continue.<\/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 Winning a Wrongful Death Lawsuit<\/h2><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Can a family win without going to trial?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. Many claims resolve through negotiation or mediation. A lawsuit may be needed when the other side won&#8217;t resolve the claim fairly.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What if the person who died was partly at fault?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It does not automatically bar the claim.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Who decides how an award is shared?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The court decides the rights of the people entitled to bring the claim, under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=377.61.\">\u00a7 377.61<\/a>.<\/p><p>See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/government-entities\/tax-implications-of-settlements-and-judgments\">IRS guidance on settlements<\/a>.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What should we avoid before talking with a lawyer?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Avoid giving recorded statements to insurers. Don&#8217;t discard phones, photos, or records.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>How soon should we act?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Filing deadlines and evidence preservation make early review important.<\/p><\/details>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large has-custom-border\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/gloved-forensic-hand-holding-a-numbered-evidence-marker-besi-photo-1.jpg\" alt=\"Gloved forensic hand holding a numbered evidence marker beside a shoe at a crime scene.\" style=\"border-radius:8px;width:100%;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2>Talk With Colvin Accident Lawyers About Your Family&#8217;s Case<\/h2>\n<p>Knowing how hard it is to win a wrongful death lawsuit helps you act early. If your family is weighing a claim after a fatal crash, fall, or bite, <a href=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/contact\/\">contact Colvin Accident Lawyers<\/a> now to talk through what comes next while the evidence and deadlines are still in view.<\/p>\n\n<\/article>\n<footer class=\"disclaimer\"><em>The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Please consult a licensed attorney regarding your specific legal situation.<\/em><\/footer>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-583d630a wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:3rem;padding-bottom:3rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">How we approach your family&#x27;s case<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f56f613f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--check\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A free, confidential first consultation<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your first consultation is free, confidential, and carries 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\">A careful review of the facts<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We look at the accident report, medical and employment records, and other evidence to understand how the death happened and who may be responsible.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--users\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Attention to the whole family<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We explain who may bring a claim and how any recovery is shared, and we keep the family informed at every stage.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--phone\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Direct answers to your questions<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Call our Bakersfield office and speak with our team about your situation, without pressure.<\/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\">Important: every case is different<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The outcome of a wrongful death claim depends on the facts and law of that specific case.<\/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\">Contact 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\/\">Contact 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\">Common challenges in wrongful death claims<\/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\">Proving fault<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The claim must show who was responsible for the death and how that person&#x27;s conduct caused it. Building that proof often takes time and careful investigation.<\/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\">Disputed liability<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Insurers and other parties often contest who was at fault or how much the loss is worth, which can lead to negotiation, mediation, or a lawsuit.<\/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\">Shared fault<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the person who died was partly at fault, that does not automatically bar the claim. The facts of the accident determine how the issue is handled.<\/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\">Family questions<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Families often ask who may bring the claim and how any recovery is divided. We help you understand these questions as they apply to your family.<\/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 in Bakersfield, free and confidential<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-0aa01211 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta chg-cta-call\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:+16616161177\">Request Your Free Consultation<\/a><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta chg-cta-form\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/contact\/\">Request Your Free Consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related practice areas<\/h2><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/\">Wrongful Death Lawyer<\/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\/how-hard-is-it-to-win-a-wrongful-death-suit\/\">How hard is it to win a wrongful death suit?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/how-much-can-you-get-for-emotional-distress-from-a-car-accident\/\">How much can you get for emotional distress from a car accident?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/how-much-can-you-sue-someone-for-a-hit-and-run\/\">How much can you sue someone for a hit-and-run?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/how-much-do-wrongful-death-lawyers-charge\/\">How much do wrongful death lawyers charge?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/how-much-of-a-20-000-settlement-will-i-get\/\">How much of a $20,000 settlement will I get?<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<!-- \/chg:section-siblings -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How hard is it to win a wrongful death lawsuit in California? See what must be proven, who can file, and why timing matters.<\/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":"[{\"name\": \"Wrongful Death Lawsuit Guidance\", \"@type\": [\"Service\", \"FAQPage\"], \"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\"}], \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"audience\": {\"@type\": \"Audience\", \"audienceType\": \"Surviving spouses, children, parents, and other family members considering a wrongful death claim after a fatal accident\"}, \"provider\": {\"@type\": \"Organization\", \"@id\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/#organization\", \"name\": \"Colvin Accident Lawyers\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/\"}, \"speakable\": {\"@type\": \"SpeakableSpecification\", \"cssSelector\": [\"article > p:first-of-type\", \".wp-block-details p\", \"article > h1\"]}, \"areaServed\": [{\"name\": \"Kern County, California\", \"@type\": \"AdministrativeArea\"}, {\"name\": \"Bakersfield\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Fresno\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Visalia\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Lancaster\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Palmdale\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Delano\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Tehachapi\", \"@type\": \"City\"}], \"description\": \"An informational guide to how hard it is to win a wrongful death lawsuit in California. It explains what must be proven (duty, breach, causation, and damages), who may bring a claim, the difference between wrongful death and survival actions, recoverable economic and noneconomic damages, common defenses such as shared fault and causation disputes, the general stages of a case, and why early review of filing deadlines and evidence matters.\", \"serviceType\": \"Wrongful death legal representation\", \"termsOfService\": \"Free first consultation offered; no obligation to continue.\", \"mentions\": [{\"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Comparative negligence\", \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Comparative_negligence\"}, {\"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Duty of care\", \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Duty_of_care\"}, {\"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Damages\", \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Damages\"}, {\"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Pain and suffering\", \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pain_and_suffering\"}, {\"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Wrongful death\", \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wrongful_death\"}, {\"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Statute of limitations\", \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Statute_of_limitations\"}, {\"@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 a family win without going to trial?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes. 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Don't discard phones, photos, or records.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How soon should we act?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Filing deadlines and evidence preservation make early review important.\"}}]}, {\"@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\": \"Bakersfield Wrongful Death Lawyer: How Hard Is It to Win?\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/how-hard-is-it-to-win-a-wrongful-death-lawsuit\/\"}]}]","chg_meta_description":"How hard is it to win a wrongful death lawsuit in California? 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