When you’ve been hurt in a car accident, life can change in an instant. Medical bills can pile up, work may become difficult or impossible, and the emotional toll can feel overwhelming. You shouldn’t have to face this alone. A Bakersfield car accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Steers & Associates can help you pursue the compensation you need to recover physically, emotionally, and financially.
Our legal team has helped countless accident victims across Southern California get justice after a serious crash. We understand what you’re going through and are here to help you navigate the road ahead with compassion, experience, and results-driven representation.
Understanding Car Accidents in Bakersfield
Bakersfield may be known for its warm weather and community charm, but it also sees a concerning number of vehicle collisions each year. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), Bakersfield consistently ranks among the higher-risk cities in California for traffic accidents, with hundreds of serious injuries and fatalities annually.
Many of these collisions occur on well-traveled roads such as Highway 99, State Route 58, and busy city intersections like Rosedale Highway and Coffee Road, Truxtun Avenue and Oak Street, and Stockdale Highway and Gosford Road. Whether it’s a distracted driver running a red light or a speeding motorist weaving through highway lanes, one careless decision can cause devastating harm.
Why You Need a Bakersfield Car Accident Attorney
After a crash, insurance companies often try to settle quickly, but their first offer is rarely fair. A skilled Bakersfield car accident attorney can protect your rights, investigate your claim, and pursue full compensation for your injuries.
California follows a comparative negligence rule, which means your recovery could be reduced if you’re found partially at fault. An experienced lawyer can help ensure fault is accurately determined and that you aren’t unfairly blamed for an accident someone else caused.
Your attorney can handle critical steps like:
- Gathering police reports, witness statements, and video evidence;
- Consulting accident reconstruction experts;
- Calculating damages for medical costs, lost wages, and future care; and
- Negotiating aggressively with insurers or representing you in court.
Even minor-seeming crashes can have long-term consequences. Having the right legal advocate makes all the difference.
Common Types of Accidents in Bakersfield
Car accidents happen in many different ways across Bakersfield. Understanding how and why they occur can help illustrate just how complex these cases can become.
1. Intersection Accidents
Common intersection accident scenarios include drivers making unsafe left turns, running red lights, or attempting to “beat” traffic signals. These situations often lead to T-bone or side-impact crashes, which can cause serious injuries.
Before you reach an intersection, always slow down, check for cross-traffic, and remain alert. If someone else fails to do the same, our team is here to help you hold them accountable.
2. Highway and Freeway Crashes
Many serious wrecks occur on State Route 58 and Highway 99, both heavily traveled routes through Kern County. These high-speed collisions can involve cars, semi-trucks, and multiple vehicles. Because of the sheer force involved, victims may suffer catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
If you’ve been involved in a highway crash, it’s essential to document everything and contact a Bakersfield auto accident attorney as soon as possible. Prompt legal action can preserve crucial evidence from the crash scene and increase your chances of a successful recovery.
3. Drunk Driving Accidents
Despite strict DUI laws, drunk driving continues to cause preventable tragedies. When a driver makes the reckless decision to get behind the wheel while impaired, they can be held liable for punitive damages, which is additional compensation meant to punish egregious misconduct.
Victims of drunk driving accidents deserve justice that reflects the seriousness of their losses.
4. Distracted Driving
One of today’s leading causes of accidents is distractions, from texting and scrolling social media to adjusting the radio. Although it’s illegal to use a handheld device while driving in California, distracted driving remains a growing problem.
If another driver’s inattention causes injuries in a Bakersfield car crash, an attorney can help prove negligence and recover compensation for your pain and suffering.
Proving Negligence After a Car Accident
Every successful personal injury case starts with proving negligence, which entails showing that another party’s careless or reckless behavior caused your injuries. Under California law, you must establish four elements:
- The other driver owed you a duty of care;
- They breached that duty through negligent or reckless conduct;
- Their actions directly caused your accident and injuries; and
- You suffered measurable damages as a result.
Proving these elements requires thorough investigation and expert analysis. A Bakersfield car wreck attorney can work with accident reconstructionists, medical experts, and financial specialists to build the strongest possible case.
Before diving into a claim, it’s also important to understand California’s statute of limitations. You generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Failing to act within this timeframe can prevent you from recovering compensation.
Compensation You May Be Entitled To
Every car accident is different, but injured clients are often entitled to recover damages for both economic and noneconomic losses. These can include:
- Medical expenses (past, current, and future);
- Lost income and reduced earning potential;
- Property damage and vehicle repair costs;
- Pain and suffering;
- Emotional distress; and
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
These financial and emotional losses can have lifelong consequences, so pursuing full and fair compensation can be critical to your recovery.
It’s also crucial that you do not accept a settlement offer without being sure that it is truly what you are owed. If you find out later that expenses were higher than anticipated, you cannot go back and ask for more. Insurance companies are likely to offer fast settlements that are well below what your claim is worth because they know the bills are starting to pile up, and the amount they offer will relieve the burden just enough to appease you.
How the Law Offices of Steers & Associates Can Help
At the Law Offices of Steers & Associates, we believe every client deserves personal attention and dedicated advocacy. Our firm has built a strong reputation throughout Southern California for helping accident victims rebuild their lives after serious injuries. We understand the challenges you face, from dealing with insurance adjusters to getting the medical care you need, and we’re here to guide you through every step.
When you work with our team, you get more than just legal representation. You get a trusted partner who will listen, fight for your rights, and pursue the maximum compensation available.
Contact a Bakersfield Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash, don’t wait to get help. Contact a Bakersfield car accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Steers & Associates today for a free and confidential consultation. We’ll evaluate your case, explain your options, and help you take the next step toward recovery.
You don’t have to face this alone. Let our experienced legal team fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
