Nobody should ever have to experience the loss of a loved one as a result of a vehicle accident caused by the careless or negligent actions of another driver. Unfortunately, many vehicle accidents in Los Angeles and throughout California do result in fatal injuries. At the Law Offices of Howard Craig Kornberg, our team is here to help if you need a Los Angeles fatal car accident attorney by your side. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling complex vehicle accident and wrongful death claims, and we want to help your family recover the compensation you deserve for what happened.
Who can file a lawsuit following a fatal car accident?
When we turn to California law related to wrongful death claims, we can see that only certain people are allowed to file these claims in civil court. This includes:
- The surviving spouse or domestic partner of the deceased
- The surviving children of the deceased
- Grandchildren of the deceased if their parent(s) are not living
- Parents of the deceased
In the event there is no surviving person in the deceased’s line of descent, the wrongful death lawsuit can be brought by any person “who would be entitled to the property of the decedent by intestate succession” (California Code of Civil Procedure section 337.60, et seq.).
Data available from the California Office of Traffic Safety shows us that there were 3,606 fatalities that resulted from vehicle accidents during the latest reporting year across the state. Many of these incidents were caused by the careless or negligent actions of other drivers, including drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs, operating while distracted by phones or other devices, failing to obey traffic laws, driving too fast for conditions, and more.
Types of compensation available for a fatal car accident claim
There may be various types of compensation available to family members who lose a loved one in a vehicle accident. For the wrongful death laws in this state, we can see that beneficiaries or the estate of the deceased can recover both economic and non-economic damages. This can include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Any financial support the deceased would have contributed had they lived
- The loss of income or benefits the family would have received from the deceased
- The reasonable dollar value of household services the deceased would have provided
- The loss of the deceased’s love, comfort, guidance, affection, and care
Contact a Los Angeles fatal car accident lawyer today
If you have lost somebody that you love in a vehicle accident caused by the actions of another driver in the Los Angeles area, reach out to the team at the Law Offices of Howard Craig Kornberg for help today. Our car accident attorney has extensive experience handling complex vehicle accident and wrongful death claims, and we know what it takes to help clients recover the compensation and closure they need. You do not have to go through this process alone. When you need a Los Angeles fatal car accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 310-997-0904.
