Accidents involving intoxicated drivers are common across the United States. In 2017, 10,874 people were tragically killed in auto accidents involving an intoxicated driver. The surviving relatives of the victims killed in these accidents may be entitled to compensation in California.
A personal injury attorney who handles wrongful death cases can help you understand your rights as a surviving family member in California. The law may entitle you to recover a financial settlement for the emotional and financial difficulties following the death of a loved one.
Liability for Drunk Driving Deaths
Under California law, if a driver is negligent and causes another person’s death, the surviving family members may be entitled to compensation. Negligence is not the only element that must be found in order to prove a wrongful death. In addition to negligence, you must also show breach of duty, causation, and damages. An attorney can assess your case and help you determine whether it may meet these elements.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in California?
In California, family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of a loved one who was killed in an auto accident involving an intoxicated driver. The California wrongful death statute defines which family members are eligible to bring a lawsuit. A wrongful death attorney in Redding, California can help you determine if you are eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
In California, surviving spouses and minor children may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit. In certain cases, other family members may be eligible, such as parents, stepchildren, and other family members. If you believe you may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit, contact a qualified attorney in Shasta County to review your case and help you understand the wrongful death statute in California.
How to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in California
To determine whether a driver may have been negligent in the death of your loved one, contact a Northern California wrongful death attorney. Experienced personal injury attorneys like those at Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel in Redding California can evaluate your case and your options for filing a wrongful death lawsuit.