{"id":6802,"date":"2026-11-08T02:42:07","date_gmt":"2026-11-08T02:42:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/wrongful-death-lawyer-fatal-bicycle-crash\/"},"modified":"2026-11-08T02:42:15","modified_gmt":"2026-11-08T02:42:15","slug":"wrongful-death-lawyer-fatal-bicycle-crash","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/wrongful-death-lawyer-fatal-bicycle-crash\/","title":{"rendered":"Fatal Bicycle 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-6801\" 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-44.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-44-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/an-investigator-in-a-high-visibility-vest-places-a-numbered-photo-44-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/an-investigator-in-a-high-visibility-vest-places-a-numbered-photo-44-768x429.jpg 768w, https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/an-investigator-in-a-high-visibility-vest-places-a-numbered-photo-44-1024x572.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/an-investigator-in-a-high-visibility-vest-places-a-numbered-photo-44.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 Bicycle Crashes | Bakersfield and 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)\">When a Bicycle Crash Takes a Loved One, You Don&#x27;t Have to Face It Alone<\/h1><p class=\"has-base-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:clamp(0.875rem, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 0.2rem) * 0.625), 1.25rem);text-shadow:0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.6),0 0 18px rgba(0,0,0,0.35)\">Colvin Accident Lawyers helps families in Bakersfield, Kern County and surrounding communities understand their options after a fatal bicycle 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\">Get 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\/\">Get 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 7, 2026<\/p>\n\n<article lang=\"en\">\n\n\n<p>A fatal bicycle crash <a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/\">wrongful death lawyer<\/a> helps a family bring a civil claim after a cyclist dies because of another person&#8217;s negligent or wrongful act. In California, only certain family members and heirs can bring that claim, and strict deadlines apply. This page explains who may sue, what the law lets families seek, and the steps that usually follow. Colvin Accident Lawyers is based in Bakersfield and represents accident victims and families in Kern County and nearby communities.<\/p>\n<h2>What a Fatal Bicycle Crash Wrongful Death Claim Is<\/h2>\n<p>A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit filed after someone dies because of another person&#8217;s wrongful act or neglect. It asks a court to decide who must answer for the family&#8217;s losses. It is separate from any criminal case against the driver, so it follows its own rules and timing.<\/p>\n<p>California law names who may bring the claim. 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 brought by:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The cyclist&#8217;s surviving spouse or domestic partner, and children.<\/li>\n<li>If there is no surviving issue, the people who would inherit the cyclist&#8217;s property under intestate succession.<\/li>\n<li>Dependent family members, including a putative spouse (a spouse in a marriage believed in good faith to be valid), stepchildren, and parents.<\/li>\n<li>A minor who lived in the cyclist&#8217;s household for the previous 180 days and got at least half of their support from the cyclist.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A personal representative may also bring the claim on the family&#8217;s behalf. The firm handles wrongful death cases involving cyclists killed by drivers, trucks, buses, and some unsafe property conditions.<\/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 cyclist you love has died, you may have a claim, and our team can talk through the deadlines and next steps with you. Talk it through with our team &#8212; the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-call\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:+16616161177\">Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-form\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/contact\/\">Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large has-custom-border\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/a-cyclist-in-a-reflective-vest-holds-the-handlebars-on-a-cit-photo.jpg\" alt=\"A cyclist in a reflective vest holding the handlebars on a street in Portugal.\" style=\"border-radius:8px;width:100%;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2>Crash Situations That Lead to Fatal Bicycle Claims<\/h2>\n<p>Fatal bicycle claims usually start with a driver&#8217;s unsafe choice, the way a large vehicle operates, or a dangerous road or property condition.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Speeding.<\/strong> No driver may go faster than is reasonable for the conditions, and never at a speed that endangers others (<a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&amp;sectionNum=22350.\">Vehicle Code \u00a7 22350<\/a>).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Distraction or impairment.<\/strong> Drivers who are on phones, impaired, or not paying attention often miss riders at intersections and when turning (<a href=\"https:\/\/safetrec.berkeley.edu\/2025-safetrec-traffic-safety-facts-bicycle-safety\">bicycle safety facts<\/a>).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Large trucks and buses.<\/strong> Blind spots and wide turns can hide a rider from the driver.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Road and property hazards.<\/strong> A pothole, debris, or a missing warning can force a rider into traffic. When a public agency owns the property, it can be liable only if the property was in a dangerous condition that caused the injury and created a reasonably foreseeable risk of that kind of injury, and either a negligent or wrongful act or omission of an employee within the scope of employment created the dangerous condition or the agency had actual or constructive notice of it a sufficient time before the injury to have taken measures to protect against it (<a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&amp;sectionNum=835.\">Government Code \u00a7 835<\/a>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Knowing these patterns helps families ask the right questions early, while the facts are still fresh.<\/p>\n<h2>Who Can File and What Damages May Be Recovered<\/h2>\n<p>Eligible family members can seek damages tied to the death, and the court decides how any award is shared. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=377.61.\">Code of Civil Procedure \u00a7 377.61<\/a>, a court may award damages that are just under all the circumstances, but those damages may not include damages recoverable under Section 377.34.<\/p>\n<p>A survival claim is different. It covers losses the cyclist suffered before death. 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>, those losses do not include pain, suffering, or disfigurement, except in a limited filing window. That window covers actions granted preference before January 1, 2022, or filed on or after January 1, 2022 and before January 1, 2026. Whether a filing falls inside that window depends on the filing date.<\/p>\n<p>Families often raise losses such as lost financial support, help around the home, and the loss of the cyclist&#8217;s company and guidance. Shared fault also shapes the result. 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 pays non-economic damages only in proportion to its own share of fault. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&amp;sectionNum=1431.2.\">Civil Code \u00a7 1431.2<\/a>, a defendant&#8217;s liability for non-economic damages is several only, so each defendant is liable only for the share of non-economic damages allocated to it in direct proportion to its percentage of fault.<\/p>\n<h2>Filing Deadlines and Claims Against Public Entities<\/h2>\n<p>Most wrongful death lawsuits against private parties must generally be filed within two years (<a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=335.1.\">Code Civ. Proc. \u00a7 335.1<\/a>). Claims against public agencies start with a shorter written notice.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Private defendants.<\/strong> <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 limit for an action for death caused by another&#8217;s wrongful act or neglect.<\/li>\n<li><strong>City, county, or state agencies.<\/strong> A claim for a death must be presented within six months under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&amp;sectionNum=911.2.\">Government Code \u00a7 911.2<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Waiting period.<\/strong> Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&amp;sectionNum=945.4.\">Government Code \u00a7 945.4<\/a>, except as provided in Sections 946.4 and 946.6, no suit for money or damages may be brought against a public entity until the written claim is acted on or deemed rejected.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Evidence matters early. Useful items include the police report number, the bicycle and helmet, clothing, photos of the scene, witness names, vehicle damage, and any video. Keep the bicycle as it is, because repairs or disposal can remove key proof.<\/p>\n<h2>How a Wrongful Death Bicycle Case Typically Moves Forward<\/h2>\n<p>A typical case moves from a first talk to evidence gathering, a written claim, negotiation, and, if needed, a lawsuit. Each step builds on the one before it.<\/p>\n<p>The first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation to continue.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Initial consultation.<\/strong> The family explains what happened and what questions they have.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Document review.<\/strong> Gather the death certificate, the collision report, coroner or medical examiner findings, medical records, and insurance information.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Investigation.<\/strong> Review the scene, vehicle damage, witness accounts, and the rider&#8217;s route and equipment. Identify every party and insurer that may be involved.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Claim presentation.<\/strong> Notify insurers in writing and submit a demand with the evidence. A claim against a public agency comes first under the notice rules above.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Negotiation.<\/strong> Talks with insurers can take many months.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lawsuit if needed.<\/strong> If a fair resolution isn&#8217;t reached, a lawsuit is filed. The case then moves through discovery (the exchange of evidence) and possibly trial.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Families who keep a running list of bills, funeral costs, and lost household help give their lawyer a clearer record from the start.<\/p>\n<h2>Fault, Insurance, and Common Objections<\/h2>\n<p>Families often hear a few common objections:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>&#8220;The policy won&#8217;t pay.&#8221;<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=INS&amp;sectionNum=11580.2.\">California Insurance Code \u00a7 11580.2<\/a> provides that uninsured motorists coverage insures the insured for all sums within the limits established by law that the insured is legally entitled to recover as damages for bodily injury, including any resulting sickness, disease, or death, from the owner or operator of an uninsured motor vehicle. The same section provides that an uninsured motor vehicle also means an insured motor vehicle whose liability insurer is unable to make payment within the policy limits because of insolvency, where the insurer becomes insolvent within one year of the accident, and that this solvency protection applies only to accidents occurring during a policy period in which its insured&#8217;s motor vehicle coverage is in effect (<a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=INS&amp;sectionNum=11580.2.\">Insurance Code \u00a7 11580.2<\/a>). The family&#8217;s own uninsured motorist coverage may apply in some cases.<\/li>\n<li><strong>&#8220;The rider was partly at fault.&#8221;<\/strong> Shared fault is reviewed under the <a href=\"https:\/\/static.case.law\/cal-3d\/20\/html\/0725-01.html\">comparative rule<\/a> above, not treated as an automatic bar.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Insurers may contact family members soon after a death. Ask questions about any statement before you give one.<\/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>Colvin Accident Lawyers in Bakersfield: Who Handles This Work<\/h2>\n<p>Colvin Accident Lawyers, based in Bakersfield, takes on fatal bicycle crash wrongful death matters for families. The firm also handles wrongful death cases from car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, and bus crashes.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Location.<\/strong> The firm&#8217;s base is Bakersfield. It represents families in Kern County and nearby communities, including Fresno, Visalia, Lancaster, Palmdale, Delano, and Tehachapi.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Responsible lawyer.<\/strong> Donald Norman Colvin is the responsible lawyer for this page.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Related claims.<\/strong> A fatal crash can also involve a road hazard, a commercial vehicle, or a catastrophic injury before death. The firm handles premises liability and catastrophic injury matters, so related claims can be reviewed together.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Our team.<\/strong> Our team works through the facts of each crash, the deadlines, and the paperwork with the family.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\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>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Can a family file a claim if no one was charged?<\/summary><p>Yes.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Do we need the police report to start?<\/summary><p>The report also serves as evidence, but it is one piece of evidence. Start with the report number and the names you have.<\/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>For an uninsured motorist claim under the policy, no cause of action accrues unless one of the required actions is taken within two years from the date of the accident under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=INS&amp;sectionNum=11580.2.\">Insurance Code \u00a7 11580.2<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=335.1.\">Code Civ. Proc. \u00a7 335.1<\/a>). <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 limit for an action for death caused by another&#8217;s wrongful act or neglect, and that limit is not confined to policy claims. A written claim against a city, county, or state agency for a death generally must be presented within six months under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&amp;sectionNum=911.2.\">Government Code \u00a7 911.2<\/a>.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Can a family recover if the cyclist shared the fault?<\/summary><p>Generally yes.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Does a survival claim include the cyclist&#8217;s pain and suffering?<\/summary><p>Generally not. 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>, those damages are allowed only in a limited filing window: an action granted a preference under Section 36 before January 1, 2022, or one filed on or after January 1, 2022, and before January 1, 2026.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What should we do first?<\/summary><p>Write down the date, the location, and the names of witnesses. Keep the bicycle as it is.<\/p>\n<p>If a cyclist you love has died, you may have a claim, and <a href=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/contact\/\">contact Colvin Accident Lawyers<\/a> to talk through the deadlines and next steps.<\/p><\/details><\/article>\n<footer class=\"disclaimer\"><em>The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Please consult a licensed attorney regarding your specific legal situation.<\/em><\/footer>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-583d630a wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:3rem;padding-bottom:3rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">How our firm can help your family<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f56f613f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--document\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reviewing the crash report<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We review the police report and any available records to understand how the collision 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--shield\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Preserving evidence<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We work to identify and preserve evidence such as photos, video, vehicle data, and witness information before it is lost.<\/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\">Dealing with insurance companies<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We handle communications with insurers so your family can focus on grieving and caring for one another.<\/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\">Listening to your family<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We take time to hear what happened, answer your questions, and explain the process in plain language.<\/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\">Before you speak with an insurance adjuster<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Insurance representatives may contact your family soon after a crash. Speaking with a lawyer before giving any recorded statement or signing any document can help you understand your options.<\/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\">Steps to take after a fatal bicycle crash<\/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\">1. Contact us<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reach out for a free, confidential consultation. We can discuss what you know so far and what you may need next.<\/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\">2. Gather what you have<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Collect the police report number, the names of any witnesses, and any photos or messages related to the crash.<\/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\">3. Keep records<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Save medical, funeral, and expense records. These documents help us understand the full impact of the loss on your family.<\/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\">4. Let us review your situation<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We will talk with you about the facts of the crash and the possible paths forward, with no obligation to continue.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-base-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4d466591 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--primary,#20242e);color:var(--wp--preset--color--base,#ffffff);padding-top:3rem;padding-bottom:3rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-base-color has-text-color\">Talk with Colvin Accident Lawyers about your family&#x27;s loss<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-0aa01211 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta chg-cta-call\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:+16616161177\">Call Colvin or 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\/\">Call Colvin or Request 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\/wrongful-death-lawyer-fatal-dog-attack\/\">Fatal Dog Attack Wrongful Death Lawyer in California<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/wrongful-death-lawyer-fatal-e-bike-crash\/\">Fatal E-Bike Crash Wrongful Death Lawyer in Bakersfield<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/wrongful-death-lawyer-fatal-premises-accident\/\">Fatal Premises Liability Death Lawyer for Property Owners and Landlords<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/wrongful-death-lawyer-fatal-work-crash-third-party\/\">Fatal Work-Related Crash Wrongful Death Lawyer California<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/wrongful-death-lawyer-first-72-hours-after-fatal-car-crash\/\">What to Do in the First 72 Hours After a Loved One Dies in a Car Crash in California<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<!-- \/chg:section-siblings -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Who can bring a wrongful death claim after a fatal bicycle crash in California, plus deadlines and damages. Colvin Accident Lawyers, Bakersfield.<\/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":"[{\"hreflang\": \"en\", \"href\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/wrongful-death-lawyer-fatal-bicycle-crash\/\"}, {\"hreflang\": \"pa\", \"href\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/pa\/galat-maut-vakil\/galat-maut-vakil-saikal-ghatak-hadsa\/\"}, {\"hreflang\": \"x-default\", \"href\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/wrongful-death-lawyer-fatal-bicycle-crash\/\"}]","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\": \"Negligence\", \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Negligence\"}, {\"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Comparative negligence\", \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Comparative_negligence\"}], \"mentions\": [{\"@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\": \"Premises liability\", \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Premises_liability\"}, {\"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Uninsured motorist clause\", \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Uninsured_motorist_clause\"}, {\"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Pedestrian\", \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pedestrian\"}], \"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 file a claim if no one was charged?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Do we need the police report to start?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"The report also serves as evidence, but it is one piece of evidence. Start with the report number and the names you have.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How long do we have to file?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"For an uninsured motorist claim under the policy, no cause of action accrues unless one of the required actions is taken within two years from the date of the accident under Insurance Code \u00a7 11580.2 (Code Civ. Proc. \u00a7 335.1). Code of Civil Procedure \u00a7 335.1 sets a two-year limit for an action for death caused by another's wrongful act or neglect, and that limit is not confined to policy claims. A written claim against a city, county, or state agency for a death generally must be presented within six months under Government Code \u00a7 911.2.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Can a family recover if the cyclist shared the fault?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Generally yes.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Does a survival claim include the cyclist's pain and suffering?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Generally not. Under Code of Civil Procedure \u00a7 377.34, those damages are allowed only in a limited filing window: an action granted a preference under Section 36 before January 1, 2022, or one filed on or after January 1, 2022, and before January 1, 2026.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What should we do first?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Write down the date, the location, and the names of witnesses. Keep the bicycle as it is. If a cyclist you love has died, you may have a claim, and contact Colvin Accident Lawyers to talk through the deadlines and next steps.\"}}], \"headline\": \"When a Bicycle Crash Takes a Loved One, You Don't Have to Face It Alone\", \"@type\": [\"Article\", \"FAQPage\"], \"image\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/an-investigator-in-a-high-visibility-vest-places-a-numbered-photo-44.jpg\"}, {\"name\": \"Fatal Bicycle Crash Wrongful Death Legal Services\", \"@type\": \"Service\", \"about\": [{\"name\": \"Wrongful death\", \"@type\": \"Thing\"}, {\"name\": \"Bicycle accident\", \"@type\": \"Thing\"}, {\"name\": \"Survival action\", \"@type\": \"Thing\"}], \"audience\": {\"@type\": \"Audience\", \"audienceType\": \"Surviving spouses, registered domestic partners, children, parents, and other heirs of a cyclist killed in a crash\"}, \"provider\": {\"@type\": \"Organization\", \"@id\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/#organization\", \"name\": \"Colvin Accident Lawyers\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/\"}, \"areaServed\": [{\"name\": \"Bakersfield, CA\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Kern County, CA\", \"@type\": \"AdministrativeArea\"}, {\"name\": \"Fresno, CA\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Visalia, CA\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Lancaster, CA\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Palmdale, CA\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Delano, CA\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Tehachapi, CA\", \"@type\": \"City\"}], \"description\": \"Plain-language guidance on California wrongful death claims arising from fatal bicycle crashes, covering who may bring a claim, recoverable damages, filing deadlines and government-claim notice rules, the typical case process, and common insurer objections.\", \"serviceType\": \"Wrongful death legal representation following a fatal bicycle crash\", \"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 Bicycle Crash Wrongful Death Lawyer Bakersfield\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/wrongful-death-lawyer-fatal-bicycle-crash\/\"}]}]","chg_meta_description":"Who can bring a wrongful death claim after a fatal bicycle crash in California, plus deadlines and damages. Colvin Accident Lawyers, Bakersfield.","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-6802","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6802","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=6802"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6802\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6804,"href":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6802\/revisions\/6804"}],"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=6802"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}