WE’LL COME TO YOU
Our attorney will travel to your home, or hospital, at your convenience and request.
When you hire us, you’re adding unmatched experience to your team, ensuring you get the best possible outcome.
Our firm maintains an impressive 99% win rate, even while accepting difficult cases other law firms have turned away.
We are not afraid of trial, and insurance companies know this. If it’s in your best interest, we are always trial ready.
At The May Firm we strive to be involved and connected to our local community. For example, this past holiday season we had bicycle and Christmas tree giveaway’s dedicated for individuals in our community. Our goal is to be a positive force for good in the local community and give back in some small measure to those we can serve. We receive satisfaction and joy from serving our clients and will continue to look for ways to be of assistance to the community as a whole. We receive positive energy from the community when we are involved.
We have listed a few of the local organizations we support and look forward to growing our outreach in the future. If you have any suggestions for ways we can be of service or support, please reach out to us.
Bakersfield is the largest city within Kern County, which encompasses more than 8,100 square miles. Bakersfield is conveniently located in the southern portion of the San Joaquin Valley, directly between Fresno and Los Angeles. The largest local employers are in the farming, agriculture and oil industries.
Unfortunately, this type of heavy labor can lead to a variety of personal injuries, especially trucking, farming and car accidents. The May Firm is here to help our clients get the justice they deserve. If you’ve been injured by no fault of your own, contact our office for a free consultation.
“My number one goal is to help others. When you step foot into our firm, you’ll be treated like family, period.”
Robert May, Attorney | Founder
Fortunately, many car accidents are minor fender benders that do not lead to severe injuries, if any injuries at all. However, some car accidents cause physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial hardship for victims and families. If you have recently suffered injuries in a car accident in Bakersfield or the surrounding area, you might be facing a range of challenges as a result. California law may entitle you to seek compensation for losses related to the accident and your injuries when someone else’s negligence caused you harm.
Contact the Bakersfield car accident lawyers at The May Firm if you have been injured in a car accident. We have investigated car accident claims, dealt with insurance providers, and helped clients seek compensation for preventable car accident injuries for decades. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your car accident injuries, the way they have impacted your life, and whether you have a viable Bakersfield car accident claim.
The compassionate legal team at The May Firm has done settlements, negotiations, and litigation of personal injury claims, including those involving car accident injuries. The firm’s commitment to client service and advocacy has led to millions of dollars in settlements and court-awarded damages for clients.
Examples of recent case results in car accident injury cases include:
These are examples of potential financial outcomes for Bakersfield car accident claims, but they do not guarantee results for your case. Each car accident has underlying facts and circumstances that impact the value of a claim. However, the Bakersfield car accident lawyers at The May Firm have the knowledge, resources, and dedication to diligently pursue the best outcome possible for their clients.
According to California’s Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), close to 1,000 traffic accidents occur in Bakersfield each year, resulting in close to 2,000 injuries and fatalities. Weather, traffic conditions, and mechanical problems often contribute to the occurrence of car accidents. However, drivers are ultimately responsible for how they drive in certain conditions and maintain their vehicles. The vast majority of car accidents occur because of negligent drivers.
Examples of common driving behaviors that can lead to severe car accidents include:
Drunk Driving
The dangers of drinking and driving are well-known. Alcohol makes it difficult for drivers to judge time and distance, significantly increasing the likelihood of losing control of their vehicle and causing a dangerous car accident. Yet, some drivers still choose to make the tragic choice to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. The OTC estimates more than 10 percent of injuries and fatalities occur in alcohol-related Bakersfield car accidents.
In a survey conducted by the OTC, more than 70 percent of respondents indicated that distracted driving is the number one problem on California’s roads and highways. Cell phones play a large part in distracted driving. Drivers take calls, text, and use apps while driving. Regardless of the exact activity, using a cell phone takes a person’s eyes away from the road, mind away from driving, and/or hands off the wheel. California prohibits all drivers from using cell phones while driving unless they use hands-free technology, such as voice dialing, to make calls.
While cell phones have brought the issue of distracted driving to the forefront of public consciousness, drivers face several other distractions that can lead to dangerous car accidents in Bakersfield and throughout the state.
Some examples include:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that speeding plays into more than 25 percent of traffic accidents. Most think of speeding as traveling over the posted speed limit, but it also refers to traveling too fast for weather, road, or traffic conditions. Bakersfield drivers who are rushed because they are running behind schedule or do not have patience behind the wheel often choose to speed, putting others at risk for accidents and injuries.
Speeding directly causes car crashes because it makes it more difficult for drivers to control their vehicles. Additionally, it is more challenging to take swift action to avoid road hazards and other dangerous situations. However, even when speeding is not the direct cause of an accident, car crashes are more dangerous. Excessive speed increases the force of a car accident, leading to greater property damage, more severe injuries, and a higher chance of fatalities when a car accident occurs.
Many people have demanding schedules that keep them going all day long. Whether working long days, driving many hours, or simply dealing with the stresses of everyday life, not getting adequate rest and getting behind the wheel puts others who share the road at risk for a car accident and injuries. Truck drivers, shift workers, rideshare drivers, and those who regularly work two jobs are vulnerable to drowsy driving.
However, sleep disorders, poor physical health, and some medicines can also cause drowsiness. Fatigued drivers suffer from impairment the same way that a drunk or drugged driver suffers impairment. In fact, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) warns that drivers who go without sleep for 18 hours suffer the same impairment as drivers who are legally intoxicated with a 0.08 breath or blood alcohol level.
If you have suffered injuries in a Bakersfield car accident, you have a limited time to bring a lawsuit against the party responsible for the accident and your injuries. This time limit—referred to as the statute of limitations—varies in most states based on whom you named as the defendant in the lawsuit and whether someone died as a result of car accident injuries. However, in California, a two-year statute of limitations exists for all types of car accident injury claims.
Here is an overview of the most common car accident liability claims that victims file to recover damages.
Minor car accident injuries typically do not lead to personal injury lawsuits, and in some cases, you might not even file an insurance claim. However, once injuries cause major physical harm and lead to financial loss, making a claim is the only way to recover some or all damages related to the accident. Severe car accident injuries can cause permanent damage, permanent functional loss, and leave emotional and physical scars.
It is easy to know the proper steps to take when you have minor or major injuries, but those that fall in between might leave you wondering whether you should contact a lawyer. It is always best to consult with an attorney to let them evaluate the viability of your claim during a free consultation.
However, here are some examples of car accident injuries that typically lead to personal injury claims:
California law permits you to bring a lawsuit against the party responsible for your car accident and injuries. If you settle with the insurance provider associated with your case or a California court rules in your favor, you might receive compensation for various losses you incurred from the car accident and your injuries.
Damages that car accident victims often receive compensation for include:
If you have lost a loved one in a Bakersfield car accident, you might have grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover damages related to your loss. Eligible survivors sometimes receive some of the damages listed above and money towards burial costs and funeral expenses. Your Bakersfield car accident attorney can answer any questions you have about wrongful death lawsuits and help you and your family find the best way to seek justice and receive compensation for losses related to the death of a loved one.
The dedicated legal team at The May Firm understands the challenges you face in the coming weeks and months. They can investigate the accident and gather evidence to support your injury claim while you focus on healing from your injuries.
If you live in or near Bakersfield, contact us today online or call or text (661) 244-9712 for a no-obligation free consultation to discuss the circumstances of your car accident, your injuries, and how they have affected your life. We can evaluate your claim and advise you on the best course of action for your circumstances.
Clients were rear ended by a utility vehicle.
Judgment for wrongful death of pedestrian struck by motor vehicle.
Wrongful death of pedestrian struck while walking his dog.
Clients were rear ended by a utility vehicle.
Car accident causing a traumatic brain injury resulting in a policy limits settlement prior to filing suit.
Policy limits settlement for clients’ who suffered spinal injuries. No surgeries required. The case settled before suit was filed.
Client was rear-ended resulting in low back injury.
Client rear-ended and suffered neck and low back injuries.
Bike vs. motor vehicle collision resulting in low back injuries. Disputed liability.
Speeding vehicle struck client’s parked car.
For client whose truck struck a tire that had fallen from a defective tire assembly.
Motor vehicle vs. bicycle resulting in death of cyclist. At fault driver was underinsured.
The staff was friendly and very helpful throughout my entire case. Sienna stood out with her great customer service and help. I would recommend The May Firm to anyone looking for a personal injury attorney.
A friendly and professional firm. Always answered questions quickly. Highly recommended to anyone who needs a personal injury lawyer. Extremely satisfied with the outcome.
Robert, Cameron and his staff are great. From day one the expectations were explained and updates were always provided. Robert put me at ease by reassuring me the case would be handled appropriately from beginning to end. I give him and his staff credit for the quick resolve to my case.