The law enforcement officer on the scene of a fatal California accident would usually call the coroner’s office after the deceased was discovered. A coroner would usually investigate the scene of a fatal accident especially if the manner of death was unexplained or suspicious.
What Does a Coroner Do?
A city police officer, a county deputy, or a member of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) would usually contact a coroner if someone died in a traffic collision.
Each California county has a coroner or has someone serving in a similar role. A coroner is an elected position in some counties or is appointed in others. It’s the coroner’s duty to certify the cause of death after an accident. In some California counties, the role of Medical Examiner is combined with coroner. A medical examiner is a forensic pathologist specializing in looking into sudden and unexpected deaths.
The coroner’s office is also sometimes merged with the County Sheriff’s Department. The Sheriff assumes the role of County Coroner in many California counties.
According to the California State Association of Counties, the coroner’s medical role after a tragic accident involves three duties:
- Conduct autopsies to determine the cause of death
- Transport and remove bodies
- Verify cause of death
- Sign death certificates
Does a Coroner Visit the Scene of a Deadly Accident?
A coroner usually attends the scene of a deadly accident and arranges for the body to be transported to the morgue. An autopsy could be performed after an accident in the following circumstances:
- The cause of death is unknown
- A death that appears unusual
- A health emergency is suspected of causing an accident and death
- Drug or Alcohol use is suspected of causing an accident and death
- A criminal act is suspected of causing a car accident and fatality
A coroner or medical examiner may be responsible for identifying an unidentified victim and/or tracking down family members of the victim.
Can I View a Loved One at a Coroner’s Office?
In most cases, the Coroner’s Office is not equipped for visitors. In many cases, the cause of death can be released to the family within 24 hours. In some cases, the body can be released to a funeral home within two to three days.
The family will need to arrange where the body should be taken after an autopsy.
Contact a California Wrongful Death Lawyer
Speak with a skilled California wrongful death lawyer after any tragic accident claims the life of a loved one. If another driver contributed to the deadly crash, families may seek justice and support. A Maison Law attorney can help them file a wrongful death claim and ask for help with funeral expenses and leftover medical expenses. A lawyer would also demand help for the family in the future when they’ll be without the income the victim may have provided.
Contact Maison Law for a free, no-obligation consultation. It’s a no-risk way to find out what your family should do to rebuild their lives and secure their futures. If you require our help to seek what’s fair, your family won’t need any money to hire Maison Law. We don’t get paid unless we win your case for your family. Then, our fee comes out of the settlement money a car insurance company must provide.
