Bakersfield Car
Accident ATTORNEYS

• Rear-end crash – People will often refer to this type of accident as a fender bender. But the impacts of a rear-end collision, even one that appears to be minor, can be far-reaching for the victims. Head trauma, back and neck problems, and dislocations are not uncommon in this type of motor vehicle accident.
• Hit-and-run collision – An accident is a jolting experience in any case. But when a negligent driver hits your vehicle and flees the scene, victims can be left in desperation, wondering how they can hold the at-fault party responsible for the expenses they will incur. Fortunately, there are ways you may be able to track down the culprit, and you can also often file an insurance claim with your own insurer.
• Sideswipe accident – This accident can be a catalyst for secondary destructive accidents, especially on interstates and highways. When vehicles are traveling at high speeds, a sideswipe can cause a chain reaction that can cause motorists to lose control of their vehicles and put many people at risk of injury.
• Rollover – With bigger vehicles, such as trucks and SUVs, there comes a higher risk of rollover accidents. Rollover crashes are violent accidents that can cause catastrophic injuries and fatalities for those in the vehicle that flips. Vehicle occupants may be ejected, or tossed around inside the vehicle, slamming against hard surfaces.
• Head-on collision – A common type of vehicle accident, often caused by distracted, drunk, or drowsy drivers. A head-on crash is a forceful impact that often ends in the fatality of some or all of the occupants of the vehicles involved.
• Multi-vehicle crash – The fault for this complicated type of accident is rarely clear. The many involved parties will fight to protect their own interests.

It may not come as a surprise to learn that most accidents are not accidental at all, but rather caused by the negligence of an individual or party. More often than not, an accident could have been avoided had proper care and precautions been taken by another driver. The law allows the recovery of compensation for losses in a Bakersfield car accident if you can attribute the accident to the wrongdoing of another party. This wrongdoing typically falls under the umbrella of negligence. If a driver or other party acted in a negligent manner that caused the accident and your injuries, you could be entitled to compensation for the losses you have suffered.

To establish negligence in a car accident, you must show:

1. That a party owed a duty of care to you
2. The party violated their duty of care in their actions or omissions
3. You sustained an injury or other damages
4. Your damages or losses were caused by the party’s violation

Motor vehicle accidents caused by negligence occur every day. Drivers may be negligent in many different ways, leading them to interfere with other motorists on the road and put the public at risk of death or severe injury.

Common negligent behaviors in car accident cases include:

• Driver Distraction
• DUI
• Speeding
• Reckless Driving
• Aggressive Driving
• New or Inexperienced Driving

• Brain damage
• Head, neck, and back injuries
• Soft tissue injuries
• Cuts and bruises
• Broken bones

• Medical expenses
• Income losses
• Future expenses for medical care
• Future impacts to potential income
• Property damage
• Compensation for pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life

It is a common concern and question for individuals involved in a motor vehicle accident, is a lawyer really necessary after an accident?

Yes. In most cases, and absolutely in any accident that involves serious injuries, you need an experienced car accident lawyer on your side. Injury accidents are serious and have high stakes. A successful claim typically requires the knowledge and experience of an attorney to properly protect your rights and interests.

It can be difficult for a victim to gauge the extent of the impacts of an injury on their life. Many victims believe they will fully recover and may underestimate how much their injuries will cost them in the long run. However, car accident injuries often leave victims with at least some less minor health issues and effects for years down the road, and possibly even for a lifetime. In Bakersfield, you are entitled to have these effects considered and calculated as part of your damages in a car accident claim.

An insurer wants to pay out as little as possible. Insurance companies will generally do anything they can to reduce their liability to you for your damages. If they can deny your claim on any grounds they will do so. If they make a quick settlement offer soon after the accident, it’s likely to be woefully insufficient to cover your expenses and impacts.

It is impossible to know the real impacts of an injury so soon after an accident. Seek the assistance of a Bakersfield car accident attorney as soon as possible after an accident happens. A lawyer can ensure your rights and interest are protected throughout the claim process.

A Bakersfield car accident attorney will evaluate your case and determine the likelihood of a successful recovery and your options to proceed. Once you hire an attorney to represent you, they will use their resources to gather all the necessary evidence in your case to prove fault and the extent of your injuries and any other damages you may have suffered. Your lawyer will calculate your damages so that you may have an understanding of the losses in your case and the potential compensation you should demand.

An attorney will work with you to negotiate with insurers or other at-fault parties to try to resolve through a settlement. The services an experienced Bakersfield car accident attorney can provide throughout the claims process may ultimately result in getting you many thousands of dollars more than you could have secured on your own.

The goal of an attorney is to help their client have a positive resolution in their case and recover fair and reasonable compensation for their losses as soon as possible. In most cases, a car accident claim is settled out of court and a lawsuit is not required. However, a lawsuit is sometimes warranted, and it may be in your best interest to file one.

A defendant and their insurer may fiercely contest fault and/or the amount of compensation they owe. If they refuse to reasonably negotiate with you, you may need to file a lawsuit to get a court to compel them to pay a fair amount. A settlement may still be reached even after you file a lawsuit. Your attorney will consult with you as to the best course of action for your interests and case.

• Contact the Authorities. After a Bakersfield car accident, especially a serious one involving injuries, you should call the police. In fact, if the accident causes any injury, the law requires that authorities be contacted. As many people may not realize they are injured at the scene of the accident, it is a good idea to contact authorities regardless of whether you perceive any serious injuries immediately; complications could arise later, and you want to have established a record by having had police at the scene. The police will provide a report of the accident, including the identifying information of everyone involved, and they may issue a citation to the party they find to be responsible for causing the accident. Their report and any other indication of another party’s fault can support your claim
• Get Medical Help. Whether at the scene or in the days that follow, you should seek medical attention. Do so even if you don’t feel any pain—but at any moment that you feel unwell or discover an injury, get checked out. It is not only important that you receive a medical evaluation, but also that you follow through with any treatment that is prescribed to you to better your chances of recovery. By doing so, you protect your health and legal rights.
• Gather Evidence. From photos of the crash scene to medical records and notes about your injuries, gather all the evidence about the accident and your injuries for your attorney.