When a fatal crash takes someone from your life, the days that follow are full of shock and questions. You’re left trying to make sense of it all while dealing with legal steps you didn’t ask for. The Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti helps families through this, focusing on wrongful death claims and offering real support from the start.
As your Glendale Car Accident Lawyer, we handle the legal process from investigation to negotiation. You get answers, not confusion. We also offer Free legal consultations so you can speak with someone today. And with our No Fee Until You Win policy, you never pay out of pocket to get started.
After a Fatal Crash, What Are Your Legal Options?
After a fatal car accident in Glendale, CA, families often don’t know where to begin. There are legal questions, insurance claims, and unexpected expenses. Most of all, there’s the need to understand what happened and who is responsible. That’s where legal representation becomes critical.
A wrongful death claim is the legal step that allows families to seek fair compensation for their loss. This includes financial support for lost income, funeral costs, and emotional suffering. An experienced car accident lawyer can handle the legal process, speak with insurance companies, and make sure your family’s voice is heard. You don’t need to have all the answers just someone who knows how to find them.
What Really Causes Deadly Car Accidents in Glendale?
Not every fatal crash looks dramatic. Many happen in everyday situations on a quick drive to work or crossing an intersection you’ve passed a hundred times. Most come down to a single choice or a careless moment by a negligent driver.
Here are the most common causes:
- Speeding on surface streets or freeways
- Distracted driving (especially texting or phone use)
- Driving under the influence (alcohol or drugs)
- Drowsy or fatigued driving
- Reckless or aggressive lane changes
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Unsafe U-turns and failure to yield
- Poorly maintained vehicles (brake/tire failure)
- Hazardous road conditions or weather
- Pedestrian or cyclist collisions
- Multi-vehicle pileups on congested roads
- Inexperienced teen drivers
- Commercial truck negligence or blind spot crashes
Understanding what caused the crash is the first step. An accident attorney will work to uncover the truth using police reports, witness statements, and sometimes accident reconstruction experts. This can make the difference between a denied claim and a successful pursuit of compensation.
Glendale by the Numbers: A Look at Fatal Crash Statistics
Fatal car accidents in Glendale happen more often than many expect. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, the city recorded more than 400 crashes involving injury or death in a single recent year. These weren’t all high-speed collisions. Many involved distracted drivers, nighttime travel, or alcohol-related incidents.
Hotspots like Brand Boulevard and Colorado Street see a higher number of incidents, especially during evening hours. With heavy traffic, narrow turns, and busy crosswalks, the risk of a motor vehicle accident is higher in these areas. For families affected, knowing these patterns helps make sense of what happened and why. Your accident claim depends on getting those details right and on having a legal team that knows the local roads and laws.
Who Has the Right to File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?
Not every family member can file a wrongful death lawsuit. California law is specific about who has the legal right to take action after a fatal crash. The rules focus on the relationship to the person who passed away and how much they relied on them.
California allows these individuals to file a claim:
- Spouses or domestic partners
- Children, including adopted or stepchildren
- Dependent minors living in the home
- Parents, if there’s no spouse or children
Sometimes, multiple people are eligible. This can lead to questions about who gets what and how the process should move forward. An experienced attorney can help sort those details and make sure the case stays focused on what matters most getting justice and support for the family.
What Compensation Can Families Pursue After a Fatal Car Crash?
When someone is killed in a car accident, their family faces more than loss they face real financial pressure and deep emotional pain. A wrongful death claim helps recover the costs and support the loved one would have provided.
Families can seek compensation for:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Medical bills from emergency care before death
- Lost future earnings and job benefits
- Loss of companionship and support
- Pain and suffering caused by the loss
- Loss of guidance and care for children
This type of compensation isn't just about money. It’s about helping families adjust and recover after the crash. A fair settlement can ease the stress of unpaid bills, future planning, and the long-term effects of losing someone close.
Don’t Miss the Deadline: Time Limits That Affect Your Case
California law gives families a limited time to act after a fatal crash. In most cases, you have just two years from the date of the accident to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This deadline can arrive faster than expected, especially when you're dealing with grief and paperwork.
If the crash involved a city-owned vehicle or unsafe road conditions, the rules change. Claims involving government agencies must be filed within six months. This shorter timeline applies whether the issue was poor road conditions, bad traffic signs, or a city-operated bus or truck.
Missing these deadlines can mean losing the right to compensation. That’s why it’s important to speak with a Top Glendale Car Accident Lawyer as early as possible. Your legal team will take care of filing the necessary documents, reviewing accident reports, and working with insurance providers all while making sure your claim stays on track.
Glendale’s Risk Zones: Where Tragedies Happen Most Often
Some roads in Glendale see more than their share of deadly crashes. These aren’t just spots with heavy traffic they’re places where speed, poor visibility, and driver decisions come together in dangerous ways. If you’ve lost someone in a fatal crash near one of these roads, there may be patterns and factors that can support your legal claim.
Certain streets in Glendale are statistically more dangerous:
- Brand Boulevard
- Colorado Street
- 134 Freeway on- and off-ramps
- Central Avenue
These areas are known for side-impact collisions, high-speed wrecks, and risks to pedestrians. Busy roads and unclear traffic signals can add to the danger. A lawyer who understands Glendale and Burbank knows how to spot these risks, gather crash reports, and make your case stronger.
Beyond the Basics: What a Fatal Accident Lawyer Really Does
The legal claims process takes more than filing paperwork. Families need someone who can do real work behind the scenes. That means gathering solid evidence, understanding local road conditions, and pushing back when insurance settlement offers fall short.
A fatal car accident attorney can:
- Investigate the accident scene and talk to witnesses
- Get black box data and footage from nearby traffic cameras
- Bring in experts to explain how the crash happened
- Handle negotiations with insurance adjusters
- Take the case to court if needed for fair compensation
This work helps families move forward during a difficult time. It also keeps the focus on finding responsible parties and making sure no shortcuts are taken.
Start the Process with Confidence - Free Case Review Available
The Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti offers a free, no-obligation consultation to help families after a fatal car crash. You don’t need to prepare paperwork or know legal terms. Just come with your questions, and we’ll listen.
If you're in Glendale, CA or nearby areas like Burbank or Beverly Hills, we’re ready to help you understand your options. Our fatal car accident attorneys handle wrongful death lawsuits on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win. Whether the crash involved a government vehicle, a cautious driver who turned careless, or a high-speed intersection, we’ll look at the details and help you decide what’s next. You can reach out through our contact form anytime for a free case review.
