Justice for Ventura Families Who Have Lost a Loved One Due to a Drunk Driving Accident – Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Claim for Compensation and Where to Turn in Ventura for Legal Help

There is no doubt that nothing can replace the loss of a loved one. The loss of a close family member can be especially painful when it is sudden, senseless, and when it happens under tragic circumstances. Such is the case for those Ventura families who have experienced their loved one being taken too soon by a drunk driver on the road. The unfortunate truth is that drunk driving car accidents are not rare in Ventura, or even the country for that matter, and families who are grieving the loss of a loved one due to a drunk driving accident may not know where to turn for help. To help Ventura families better understand what rights and options they may have under California wrongful death laws, and who may bring a wrongful death claim, we provide the following guidance.

Wrongful Death Laws in California – Separate from the Criminal Process

In Ventura, when a person is killed in a car accident due to the actions of a drunk driver, the drunk driver may be charged and convicted in criminal court. However, while a criminal case may bring some sense of justice to the family of the drunk driving accident victim, a criminal case is brought on behalf of the state and not on behalf of the victim’s surviving family members. Indeed, for certain family members to get compensation for the death of their loved one due to a drunk driving accident, a separate action must be initiated called a “wrongful death” lawsuit.

Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Ventura – Who May Bring a Claim?

Importantly, not every surviving family member may bring a wrongful death claim. Under California laws, a wrongful death claim may be brought by “…[t]he decedent’s surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, and the issue of the deceased’s children, or, if there is no surviving issue of the decedent, the persons, including the surviving spouse or domestic partner, who would be entitled to the property of the decedent by intestate succession.” Furthermore, “If the parents of the decedent would be entitled to bring an action under [California wrongful death laws], and the parents are deceased, then the legal guardians of the decedent, if any, may bring an action under [California wrongful death laws] as if they were the decedent’s parents.”

Legal Help for Car Accident Victims and the Families of Car Accident Victims in Ventura

If your loved one was killed in a car accident in Ventura, it is important to speak to an experienced Ventura wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible about your rights and options. The experienced Ventura wrongful death lawyers at Zavala Law, PC offer free and confidential consultations to learn about your potential case and to see if they can fight to get you justice. Contact Zavala Law, PC today to speak to an experienced Ventura wrongful death lawyer about your case.