{"id":6680,"date":"2026-11-07T04:53:16","date_gmt":"2026-11-07T04:53:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/fatal-highway-119-crash-wrongful-death-lawyer\/"},"modified":"2026-11-08T03:28:02","modified_gmt":"2026-11-08T03:28:02","slug":"fatal-highway-119-crash-wrongful-death-lawyer","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/fatal-highway-119-crash-wrongful-death-lawyer\/","title":{"rendered":"Fatal Highway 119 Crash Wrongful Death Lawyer | Colvin"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Wrongful Death | Highway 119 Crashes | Kern County and Surrounding Areas<\/p>

Lost a Loved One in a Highway 119 Crash? You Don't Have to Face It Alone.<\/h1>

Colvin Accident Lawyers represents families in Bakersfield, Fresno, Visalia, Lancaster, Palmdale, Delano and Tehachapi after a fatal crash. Your first consultation is free, confidential, and comes with no obligation to continue.<\/p>

Request a Free Case Consultation<\/a><\/div>
Request a Free Case Consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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How We Approach Wrongful Death Cases<\/h2>\n

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Focused on Families<\/h3>

Our team focuses on wrongful death claims brought by surviving family members after a fatal crash.<\/p><\/div>

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Careful Review of the Facts<\/h3>

We look closely at how the crash happened, the records that document it, and the injuries and losses your family has suffered.<\/p><\/div>

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Clear Communication<\/h3>

We explain the steps ahead in plain language so you can make informed decisions during a difficult time.<\/p><\/div>

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Confidential Conversations<\/h3>

Your first consultation is free and confidential. Share what you know, and we will explain how we may be able to help.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

By Donald Norman Colvin \u00b7 Published November 6, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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Under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. \u00a7 377.60<\/a>, a cause of action for the death of a person caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another may be asserted by any of the persons listed in that section, or by the decedent’s personal representative on their behalf. A fatal Highway 119 crash wrongful death lawyer<\/a> can explain who may file, what the claim can cover, and which deadlines apply. Colvin Accident Lawyers is based in Bakersfield and serves families in Kern County and nearby communities.<\/p>\n

What a Highway 119 Wrongful Death Claim Is<\/h2>\n

A wrongful death claim is a civil case. It asks for compensation when another person’s wrongful act or neglect causes a death. Crashes on Highway 119 can involve cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, and buses. Each type raises its own questions about fault and evidence.<\/p>\n

A civil claim is different from a criminal case. The government brings a criminal case, and it can lead to punishment for the person charged. A wrongful death claim is brought by the family or the estate, and it seeks money for losses.<\/p>\n

You do not need to know who was at fault before you reach out. Many families start with one question: what happened, and what are our options? The first step is a conversation about the facts.<\/p>\n\n

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If your family lost someone in a Highway 119 crash, you don't have to sort out the next steps alone. Contact our team for a free, confidential first consultation. Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p>

Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div>
Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in California<\/h2>\n

Certain family members can bring the claim. The decedent’s personal representative can also bring it on their behalf. Under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. \u00a7 377.60<\/a>, the group includes a surviving spouse, domestic partner, and children. If there are no surviving children or their descendants, the people who would inherit under intestate succession (which can include parents) may file. Whether or not they qualify that way, a putative spouse, children of a putative spouse, stepchildren, parents, or legal guardians (if the parents are deceased) may file if they were dependent on the decedent. So may a minor who lived in the decedent’s household for the previous 180 days and was dependent on the decedent for one-half or more of the minor’s support.<\/p>\n

Deadlines matter. Cal. Code Civ. Proc. \u00a7 335.1<\/a> sets a two-year limit for an action for a death caused by another’s wrongful act or neglect.<\/p>\n

If a public entity may be responsible, the deadline is much shorter. A county or the state may be involved when a roadway defect plays a role. Cal. Gov. Code \u00a7 911.2<\/a> requires a claim relating to a death to be presented generally within six months after it accrues.<\/p>\n

Exceptions can apply, so don’t assume the general deadline is the only one. Early contact helps identify which deadlines fit your family’s situation.<\/p>\n

What a Wrongful Death Claim Can Cover<\/h2>\n

A wrongful death claim can seek money losses and personal losses. Under Cal. Civ. Code \u00a7 1431.2<\/a>, economic damages are objectively verifiable monetary losses. Those include medical expenses, loss of earnings, and burial costs. Non-economic damages are subjective losses, such as loss of society and companionship.<\/p>\n

Families often document:<\/p>\n