Callahan & Blaine, PC has served clients for 40 years, and our trial lawyers handle serious injury and wrongful death matters throughout Orange County. If you need a Costa Mesa wrongful death lawyer, we can explain your options, investigate what caused the crash, and pursue the people and companies responsible for your loss.
How Wrongful Death Claims Work in California
A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit filed when a person dies because of another party’s negligence or wrongful act. In a fatal car crash, that may mean a driver who was speeding, texting, or driving under the influence. It may also mean a trucking company that skipped safety checks or a rideshare driver who ignored traffic laws. Our attorneys handle wrongful death claims for families who lost someone in a motor vehicle collision.
The claim is meant to hold the responsible party accountable and help the family recover financially and emotionally. It does not bring anyone back, but it may help cover costs that pile up quickly. A wrongful death case is different from a survival action, which is a separate claim that may cover losses the person experienced before death. Families often need both claims reviewed at the same time.
Fatal Crashes We Handle in Costa Mesa
Our wrongful death work focuses on deadly motor vehicle collisions. We help families after crashes involving:
- Car and SUV collisions
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Rideshare accidents
Many of these crashes involve speeding, distracted driving, or impaired driving. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, 4,061 people died in traffic crashes across California in 2023, and 1,355 of those deaths involved an alcohol-impaired driver. Behind each number is a family facing the same questions you may have today.
With decades of courtroom success across California, our attorneys are prepared to fight for the outcome you deserve.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?
California law lists who may file a wrongful death claim. This generally includes a surviving spouse or domestic partner and the person’s children. If none of them are living, other relatives who would inherit from the person may be able to file.
In some cases, parents, stepchildren, or others who depended on the person for financial support may also have the right to bring a claim. A personal representative of the estate may also file on behalf of the family. Because these rules can be detailed, we review each family’s situation carefully before filing.
What Compensation May Be Available?
Wrongful death damages depend on the facts of each case, and no two families have the same losses. California law may allow a family to seek money for several types of harm.
Financial Losses
These may include the income and benefits the person would have earned, the value of household services, funeral and burial costs, and medical bills tied to the final injury. For a family that relied on one paycheck, these losses may last for years.
Personal Losses
Families may also seek compensation for the loss of companionship, comfort, guidance, and support. These losses are harder to measure than a bill, but they are real, and we work to present them clearly to insurers and, when needed, to a jury.
How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?
California generally gives families two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit, though some situations may change that deadline. Waiting too long may put a claim at risk, so it helps to speak with a lawyer early.
Evidence can also disappear quickly. Skid marks fade, vehicles get repaired or sold, and video footage may be erased. We work to gather police reports, scene photos, vehicle data, witness statements, and medical records before key proof is lost. We also walk families through how to pursue a wrongful death claim, from the first investigation to settlement talks or trial.
How Our Trial Lawyers Support Your Family
We are trial lawyers, and we prepare every case as if a jury may hear it. That approach matters when an insurance company offers a quick payment that does not reflect the full loss. Our attorneys review policy limits, identify every party that may share fault, and build the claim around what your family has lost.
We also know a family needs room to grieve. We handle the calls, paperwork, and deadlines so you can focus on each other. Our team aims to keep you updated at every step and answers your questions in plain language.
Hire Callahan & Blaine, PC to Handle Your Litigation Matter
For 40 years, Callahan & Blaine, PC has stood beside families facing catastrophic injuries and wrongful death. Our senior trial lawyers bring years of courtroom experience to every matter, keeping your family’s needs at the center of our work.
If you lost a family member in a fatal crash, contact us to submit your potential case and tell us what happened. We can review your situation, explain your options, and help you decide on a next step.
