Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed by Surviving Family Members of Teen Killed in Car Accident in Los Angeles County
What happens when a loved one is killed by a negligent or otherwise at-fault driver in California? Their surviving family members have the option to file a wrongful death lawsuit under California personal injury laws. The family members of one 18-year-old who was killed in a tragic and unfortunate car accident in November 2024 have done just that in Los Angeles County, and news of the lawsuit has some Santa Clarita families wondering just how wrongful death lawsuits work.
According to local news reports, last year, in November, 18-year-old Kephas Pope, a Santa Clara University student, was killed in a car accident after he was struck by a falling tree after the tree was hit by the driver of a car who crashed into the median on El Camino Real. According to reports, Pope had been “’waiting in the dirt median in the middle of El Camino Real’ when Drake ‘drove his vehicle onto the median, striking a planted tree. The tree, in turn, became uprooted due to the force of the collision and struck KEPHAS in the head, resulting in KEPHAS’s death.’” Pope had been walking with his bicycle across the University campus to get to a class when the tragic and fatal accident happened. The complaint, filed by surviving family members of Pope’s family, names several defendants, including several government entities, the apartment complex where Pope crossed through, the driver of the car that hit the tree, and other defendants. The nine-count lawsuit alleges claims of negligence, premises liability, wrongful death, dangerous condition of public property, and failure to warn. The complaint in the wrongful death lawsuit was filed just less than one month ago on June 30, and so far, no trial date has been set. It remains to be seen what will happen in the case, and whether any of the defendants will be held liable for the horrific and fatal death of the young student.
Getting Legal Help with Your Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Santa Clarita After a Loved One is Killed
In light of the terrible and fatal accident that killed Kephas Pope, and the wrongful death lawsuit filed by his surviving family members, it is important for Santa Clarita drivers and their families to understand their rights under California wrongful death laws. Under California wrongful death laws, certain close surviving family members of victims of fatal car accidents in Santa Clarita are entitled to file a lawsuit in court for money compensation against the negligent or otherwise at-fault parties that killed them. There is a limited time to file these actions in California, so it is always best to get legal help as soon as possible after a serious and fatal accident occurs.
The experienced Santa Clarita personal injury lawyers at the Trevino Law Firm are here to help victims of serious car accidents and their family members get justice in Santa Clarita. Contact the Trevino Law Firm today and speak to a lawyer about your rights now.
Source:
thesantaclara.org/blog/family-of-santa-clara-university-student-killed-in-traffic-accident-files-wrongful-death-lawsuit
