Did your loved one pass away after a collision? Losing someone you love is hard no matter what, but learning that they have died in a preventable car accident can be especially difficult. You might not know where to turn or what to do in the aftermath of the crash.
At The Ryan Law Group, we advocate for the rights of surviving family members. As a law firm founded in 2011, we have recovered more than $100 million. With over 30 years of combined experience, our fatal car accident lawyers in Fresno can handle your case from beginning to end.
Our car accident lawyers in Fresno will apply personalized legal representation to your case. Our law firm prepares cases for litigation when necessary, and we give each of our clients a dedicated case manager so that you can stay informed about your claim at all times. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.
Compensation Can Help Address the Financial Impact of a Loss
Our Fresno personal injury lawyers understand that no financial award can replace a family member or undo the grief caused by a fatal collision. However, compensation can help eligible survivors manage the financial consequences of the death and account for losses recognized under California law.
California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.61 governs damages in wrongful death actions. While the damages that you can recover will depend on your circumstances, these are typically available to the surviving loved ones of the person who passed away:
- Reasonable funeral and burial expenses
- The financial support the deceased would have provided
- The value of household services the person would have performed
Eligible family members can also seek compensation for the loss of companionship, affection, care, comfort, assistance, protection, and guidance. These losses reflect the relationship that survivors have lost, rather than simply the financial contributions made by the deceased.
The damages available depend on the claimant’s relationship to the deceased and the evidence supporting the losses. A spouse, for example, could have different financial and personal losses from those experienced by an adult child who did not depend on the decedent financially.
Our fatal car accident lawyers in Fresno can document the deceased person’s income, household contributions, and role within their family. Financial records, employment information, and evidence of the relationship can also help your lawyer establish the losses you can claim.
For a Free Legal Consultation With a Fatal Car Accident Lawyer Serving Fresno, Call (310) 299-9550
California Law Allows Families to Pursue Wrongful Death Claims
California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 identifies who can bring a wrongful death claim. More specifically, these are the parties that may be eligible claimants, depending on the circumstances:
- A surviving spouse
- A domestic partner
- The deceased person’s children
Other family members, including certain parents or stepchildren, may also qualify under specific circumstances. When there are no surviving descendants, other people entitled to inherit under California’s intestate succession laws could also have a right to bring a claim.
These rules matter because not every relative automatically has the legal right to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Eligibility depends on the family relationship, whether other eligible relatives exist, and the requirements set by California law.
With this information in mind, your Fresno fatal car crash lawyer can help you by:
- Reviewing your family’s circumstances
- Determining who has standing to bring a claim
- Explaining how the legal process applies to your situation
This can help prevent confusion over who should participate in the case and how the claim should proceed. Wrongful death claims are civil cases. Their purpose is to seek financial compensation for eligible survivors, rather than to punish the driver through criminal penalties.
Just remember that a criminal prosecution and a civil lawsuit can proceed separately, and the outcome of one does not automatically determine every issue in the other.
Fresno Fatal Car Accident Lawyer Near Me (310) 299-9550
Establishing Liability Requires Evidence About the Crash
Families often know that something went terribly wrong, but they don’t always have a full understanding of how the collision happened. The driver might have been speeding, distracted, impaired, or driving in a way that violated traffic laws.
In other cases, the circumstances surrounding the crash are disputed. No matter the cause of the crash, California negligence laws usually require claimants to establish that these elements are true:
- The responsible party owed a duty of care.
- That party breached their duty.
- As a result, they caused your loved one’s death.
- Your family has experienced losses as a result of your loved one’s passing.
A fatal accident claim must connect the defendant’s conduct to the loss rather than rely solely on the fact that a death occurred. For example, a driver who runs a red light and strikes another vehicle could be liable if the evidence establishes that the traffic violation caused the collision.
Alternatively, a driver who looks at their phone instead of watching the road could also face liability when that distraction contributes to a crash. In general, these are the types of evidence that are often available in fatal car accident cases:
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Photographs
- Vehicle damage
- Traffic camera footage
- Records from the involved vehicles
In certain cases, crash reconstruction professionals can help explain the sequence of events and identify factors that contributed to the collision. Our Fresno fatal car accident law firm can carry out an investigation on your behalf.
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Contact The Ryan Law Group for Legal Advice From Our Fatal Car Accident Attorneys in Fresno
Losing a loved one in a fatal car accident can put your family in a position where you’re facing intense grief, financial uncertainty, and difficult decisions. At The Ryan Law Group, our Fresno fatal car accident attorneys provide personalized attention and clear communication.
We also prioritize thorough case preparation when helping families understand their options during such an incredibly difficult time. You won’t have to wonder where your case stands or who to contact with questions.
We’ll put you in touch with a dedicated case manager who will act as a consistent point of contact throughout the duration of your case. Also, since we work on a contingency fee basis, you won’t owe any money upfront. Contact us today to learn about your legal options during a free initial consultation.
Call or Text (310) 299-9550, or Complete a Free Case Evaluation Form
