Wrongful Death matters in San Francisco
San Francisco's highways, bridges, and busy pedestrian corridors carry an enormous volume of traffic, and when a driver, company, or public entity acts carelessly, the results can be fatal. Families left behind are often facing funeral expenses, lost income, and unanswered questions all at once. A wrongful-death claim does not replace a person, but it can secure accountability and the financial stability a family needs to move forward.
These are among the most serious cases in personal-injury law, and they require careful investigation of how and why the death occurred. Acting early helps preserve evidence and protect the family's rights.
Why fatal incidents happen here
- High-speed crashes on Highway 101 and Interstate 280 through and around the city
- Collisions near the Bay Bridge approach and its merging, congested ramps
- Pedestrian deaths along Vision Zero high-injury corridors where foot and vehicle traffic mix
- Fatal motorcycle, bicycle, and rideshare collisions on dense urban streets
- Commercial truck and bus crashes on freeways and arterials
Who can file and the law that controls
California limits who may bring a wrongful-death action. Under Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60, standing generally belongs to the deceased person's surviving spouse or domestic partner, children, and, in their absence, other heirs determined by intestate succession, along with certain dependents. When a public entity may share responsibility — for example, a dangerous roadway condition or a government vehicle — Government Code section 911.2 requires the family to file an administrative claim with that entity within six months, a far shorter window than the ordinary lawsuit deadline.
What a wrongful-death claim can address
- Reasonable funeral and burial expenses
- The financial support the deceased would have provided
- The value of household services the deceased contributed
- Loss of the deceased's love, companionship, comfort, care, and guidance
- A related survival action may also recover certain losses the deceased suffered before death
Damages and comparative fault
Wrongful-death damages include both economic losses, such as lost support and burial costs, and non-economic losses, such as the loss of a loved one's society and companionship. California applies pure comparative negligence, so if the deceased shared some responsibility, recovery is reduced by that percentage rather than eliminated. Every case is different, and no attorney can promise a specific result or amount; outcomes depend on the facts, the evidence, and the losses the family proves.
Deadlines and how MMG Law Firm helps
A California wrongful-death lawsuit generally must be filed within two years under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, and any claim involving a public entity must first satisfy the six-month requirement of Government Code section 911.2. San Francisco cases proceed in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, usually at the Civic Center Courthouse. MMG Law Firm represents families statewide from Glendale: we investigate the cause of death, handle communication and paperwork remotely, and appear in court when the case demands it. Consultations are free, offered in English, Armenian, and Russian, and we work on contingency — no fee unless we win.
Our attorney
How Mihran M. Ghazaryan helps with wrongful death
These are the matters Mihran M. Ghazaryan approaches with the most care. He identifies the family members California law allows to bring a claim, handles the process so the family doesn't have to relive it at every turn, and accounts fully for both the economic and the human losses — quietly, respectfully, and with the family's wishes leading the way.
Types of wrongful death matters we handle
Motor-vehicle fatalities
Includes pedestrian, bicycle, motorcycle, and passenger fatalities. Federal regulations and CHP investigation drive the timeline.
Premises and workplace fatalities
Cal-OSHA reports become available later than family expects. We coordinate the investigation around their pace, not the agency's.
Medical-related deaths
MICRA limits and physician/hospital coordination create unique procedural rules. We work with consulting experts early.
Damages
What compensation can cover
Every wrongful death claim is different, but California law allows injured plaintiffs to seek several categories of damages. We build each one with documentation — medical records, wage statements, expert opinions — so nothing is left on the table.
Medical expenses
Emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and the future treatment your providers say you'll need.
Lost wages
Income you lost while recovering — and, where the injury affects your ability to work, diminished future earning capacity.
Pain and suffering
Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and the ways the injury has changed how you live day to day.
Property damage
Repair or replacement of your vehicle and other property damaged in the incident.
Out-of-pocket costs
Transportation to appointments, medical equipment, household help, and the other expenses an injury forces on you.
How we work
- 1
Free, no-pressure consultation
We listen first. We answer your questions. There is no fee for the initial conversation — and you decide whether to engage us at the end of it.
- 2
Investigation and evidence preservation
Police reports, scene photos, witness statements, vehicle data, surveillance video, medical records. The earlier we collect, the harder it is for the other side to reshape the story later.
- 3
Treatment, demand, and negotiation
We coordinate with your providers, document the full extent of damages — medical, lost income, pain — and present a demand backed by evidence. We push back firmly when an insurer lowballs.
- 4
Litigation when necessary
Most matters settle. When an insurer refuses to be reasonable, we file. Preparing every case as if it will be tried is what makes the settlement number move.
What to do right away
- Take the time you need before making decisions about a case.
- Preserve any evidence in your possession — vehicles, clothing, devices.
- Do not sign anything from the at-fault party's insurer.
- Be cautious of social-media posts; they will be reviewed.
- When ready, call us. The consultation is free and there is no rush.
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
Deadlines that matter
Most California personal-injury claims must be filed within two years of the injury (Code of Civil Procedure §335.1). Miss the window and the court will almost always dismiss the case, no matter how strong it is.
Claims against government entities are much shorter — generally a written claim within six months (Government Code §911.2). Crashes involving city vehicles, public buses, or dangerous public-road conditions can fall under this rule.
Exceptions exist in both directions — discovery rules, minors, continuing violations, out-of-state defendants — so don't assume your deadline has passed or that you have time to spare. Call (818) 539-7969 and we'll tell you exactly where you stand.