Patrick William Steinfeld

Patrick Steinfeld is the founder of Champions for Justice... an exclusively wrongful death law firm in California. Patrick is an award winning, nationally recognized wrongful death attorney with 36-years of experience. He has recovered millions of dollars for his clients.

The Steinfeld Law firm has offices in Beverly Hills, San Diego, and San Francisco, with satellite offices and meeting locations (by appointment) throughout California.

We have obtained some of the biggest wrongful death settlements in California and the country.

- Free Consultation
- Costs nothing to get started
- Pay nothing (no fees or costs) until settlement

For more information call us at (424) LAW-PROS.

Steinfeld Law Firm
9171 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500
Private Mail Box 385
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(424) 529-7767

• Wrongful Death Law

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California

State Bar of California

ID Number: 138128

Since 1988

Attorney

STEINFELD LAW FIRM

1988 - Current

Legal Correspondent

i LEGAL NEWS

2018 - 2021

Founder

ETHICAL LAWYERS OF AMERICA

2013 - 2021

Ventura & Santa Barbara Colleges of Law

J.D. (1986)

Best Attorney's of America

Best Attorney's of America

2024

Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Attorneys

National Trial Lawyers Top 100

2024

Top 1% Attorneys in America

Distinguished Justice Advocates

America's Most Trusted Attorneys

Ethical Lawyers of America

America's Top 100 High Stakes Litigators

America's Top 100 High Stakes Litigators

The Top Trial Lawyers in America

Multi Million Dollar Advocates Forum

American Association for Justice

Member

Current

California Consumers Attorney's Association

Member

Current

California State Bar  # 138128

Member

1988 - Current

Q. How to sue truck driver & company for wrongful death in CA?

March 6, 2025

A: A fiancé does not have the legal right to bring a wrongful death lawsuit. But apparently you have an attorney who believes a fiancé does have legal standing... so ask him/her how they intend to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit on your behalf, when there was no marriage.

Q. Tesla damaged by VEO bike; daughter coerced into admitting responsibility. Next steps?

March 4, 2025

A: Didn't directly hit the Tesla? She set it in motion so she is liable... whether she admitted liability or not. I would expect a typical driver to be rude after receiving a call like yours. You're refusing to take responsibility for your daughter's negligence that resulted in presumably, costly damage to a costly vehicle. And... police have a tendency to show up at your doorstep after things like this. You're responsible. Contact your insurance company. Pay the bill. Resolve it as a civil compromise. It was an accident.

Q. Can CHP be liable for not conducting blood test in fatal accident?

March 4, 2025

A: WHY IS THE REPORT TAKING SO LONG?

Accident reports involving injury are often completed by the end of the work shift. But it's common for accident reports involving fatal accidents to take 4-months or more to complete. In fact, some reports (involving unknown drivers) may never be completed! The reason for the delay is because investigators need to determine your husband's cause of death. It's not as simple as saying another vehicle struck your husbands car and killed him (i.e. blunt force trauma). Police have to consider "primary AND secondary" factors that may have contributed to the cause of death. So, CHP must wait for the final Coroner's Report before they (CHP) can finalize their investigation. Add into the mix a non-cooperative witness who refuses to speak to the police (for a multitude of reasons) and you end up with massive delays.

IT'S THE CONSTITUTION

People have a 4th amendment right against unreasonable search and seizure. Police cannot take a blood sample without probable cause that the suspect has committed a crime while under the influence of blood and/or alcohol. Taking blood from a suspect constitutes a seizure. Therefore, police cannot legally seize a driver's blood... just because they were involved in a fatal accident. I learned this lesson when I was a new lawyer (about 36 years ago). I have a very similar case. I told the investigating CHP officer that they (CHP) should obtain blood sample's from everyone/anyone who is involved in a fatal collision. I was reminded that citizens have constitutional rights that protect them from seizures without probable cause. Therefore, the question herein is... did CHP have probable cause to believe the driver was under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol? If no... then CHP was correct in not taking a blood test.

In fatal accidents involving no probable cause... I proposed CHP adopt a statewide policy that requires them to simply ask if the driver will "consent" to providing a sample of their blood. I was told NO. Such a policy would create additional legal problems.

ALCOHOL OR DRUGS HAS NO BEARING ON CIVIL LIABILITY

Police investigate accidents to determine if a crime has been committed. Right? Police are only involved for purposes of a criminal investigation. But for purposes of a civil claim, California courts look to actual cause of the accident. So, for purposes of determining liability in a civil lawsuit, it doesn't really matter if the driver fell asleep, was DUI, driving with no hands or watching a video on their cell phone. They caused the accident so they would be liable for compensating you for all your financial (and pecuniary) losses. Period. The above issues only come into play when determining the amount of damages... not liability.

WILL THE DRIVER BE CHARGED WITH A CRIME?

It depends upon how egregious the criminal conduct is. It's been my experience that investigations in rural areas are more likely to result in criminal referrals, while investigations in densely populated areas, will require a greater degree of egregious conduct to justify a criminal referral.

NO JAIL TIME

Assuming the driver merely fell asleep... CHP will probably refer the matter to the district attorney's office to determine if the driver should be charged with a crime. Even if the driver is charged/convicted of vehicular manslaughter, I doubt he/she will see the inside of a cell. Most likely they will be sentenced to unsupervised probation.

CHP LIABILITY

A lawsuit against CHP won't survive day one. You have not stated a single fact to establish probable cause to conduct a blood test. Without probable cause... police have NO legal basis to take blood.

FYI

Run an asset check on the driver before signing anything. Read the terms of your policy. If you have "uninsured" motorist coverage and your policy is greater than the driver's policy, then you may be able to recover under the "underinsured" motorist provision in your policy. ... Read More

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