Top Rated Bakersfield Car Accident Attorneys
Bakersfield Car Accident Lawyer
Find out why we are one of the best car accident law firms in Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield Car Accident Attorney
Getting into an accident of any sort can result in devastating injuries and losses. You are not only injured, but also traumatized, while your car might be totaled, and financial losses seem to pile up.
You will be out of work, losing income, and paying for damages and medical treatment. You are not alone, as our Bakersfield car accident lawyers at Goldberg & Loren are here to help you in this time of need.
You have enough to worry about after an accident, thatβs why we offer our services on a contingency basis. You pay nothing, unless you win.
For 30+ years, we have advocated for clients like you in car accident claims and personal injury. Our injury law firm will fight for you. We are open now, so let us begin your legal action today.
Call (661) 669-8224 and book a free consultation with our Bakersfield office today.
Goldberg & Loren Car Accident Lawyers
Fight for Maximum Compensation!
Pay Nothing, Unless We Win
Our Verdicts and Settlements
Settlement
A pedestrian was struck by a turning vehicle at the corner of Stockdale Highway and California Avenue due to negligence.
February 2025
Settlement
A distracted driver failed to stop at a red light, hitting our client's vehicle, severely injuring them.
May 2025
Settlement
A speeding truck lost control in rainy conditions and caused a multi-car pileup, leaving multiple victims injured.
October 2025
Our Auto Accident Attorney Samuel Pope
Samuel Pope has unmatched experience in automobile accident law and personal injury.
He has fought many accident claims and his understanding of California personal injury laws and how insurance companies operate is outstanding.
Book your free consultation with Sam today and go over the legal options you have.
In 2022, around 1,715 fatal and injury-causing accidents occurred in Bakersfield, and 214 were speed-related, while 226 were hit-and-run accidents. [1]
Do I Need an Auto Accident Attorney?
While most fender-benders do not require the need for a personal injury attorney, those who have been injured should always speak with a lawyer.
Insurance companies are not looking out for their clients, and it has been shown that when it comes to an accident, a personal injury attorney can negotiate 3x the amount of an accident compared to doing it on your own.
If you have a serious injury or a wrongful death claim, then it goes without saying, you need a Bakersfield personal injury lawyer from the start because no one knows better than an injury lawyer.
What a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Do For You in an Car Accident Case
An automobile accident requires a knowledgeable legal team to help you by providing expertise and support throughout the legal process, including:
- Investigate the accident,
- Gather documents, police reports, and medical records,
- Gather witness statements,
- Negotiated a settlement offer,
- Litigate your accident claim
Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections In Bakersfield
Bakersfield has many dangerous roads and intersections in the San Joaquin Valley. With more than 450,000 people it tend to get congested. It is home to 5 main state and national highways, which pass through or around the city. It helps connect Kern County to these highways, but also makes it prone to various accidents.
In 2024, Bakersfield was ranked 4th in the United States as the most dangerous to pedestrians due to these high-speed intersections and roads. [2]
The following are the most dangerous roads and highways that pass through the city.
| Road Name | What Makes it Dangerous |
| State Route 99 (SR 99) | High traffic volume and frequent accidents. |
| State Route 178 (SR 178) | Dangerous curves, especially in the canyon area. |
| Stockdale Highway (Route 58) | Congestion and speeding during rush hours. |
| Wible Road | Poor lighting and speeding contribute to accidents. |
| Rosedale Highway | High-speed collisions are common due to long stretches. |
State and national highways aside, the following are some of the most dangerous intersections in the city:
- Ming Avenue & New Stine Road
- Gosford Road & Ming Avenue
- Real Road & Wilson Road
- 34th Street & Q Street
- Brundage Lane & P Street
California Car Accident Laws
Traffic collisions are usually the result of negligence and human error. These errors ultimately break multiple local and state laws.
When accidents happen, the most important laws to know about include the following:
Accident Reporting Requirement: The law requires the driver(s) involved in an injury/death an accident to stop immediately. They are required by the law to exchange information and report the incident to local law enforcement and DMV. If a driver fails to do this, it will be considered a hit-and-run accident against them. California Vehicle Code §§ 20000-20018
At-Fault Liability System: California is an βat-fault stateβ, and a comparative negligence doctrine which means the driver found responsible for the accident will pay for damages. Depending on the negligence and fault percentage, this liability can be reduced. California Code of Regulations Β§ 2632.13
Comparative Negligence: Comparative negligence in any sort of personal injury claim in California determines the compensation. For instance, if you were responsible for 20% of the accident, while the other driver was 80% responsible, then you would receive $80,000 of the supposed $100,000 compensation. California Civil Code Β§ 1431.2
Insurance Requirements: All drivers are required to carry a minimum liability insurance coverage of $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident or injury, and $5,000 for property damage. California Vehicle Code §§ 16020-16023
SR-1 Accident Report Filing: After an accident, the law requires the driver(s) involved to file an SR-1 form with the DMV within 10 days of the accident. This applies if the accident resulted in injury, death, or damage exceeding $1,000. California Vehicle Code Β§ 16000
The Common Types of Car Accidents in Bakersfield
Car accidents can be of various types and severities. A specific type of car accident can indicate the fault, movement, and classification of the case. For instance, rear-end accident claims are a bit different than side-impact (T-Bone) accidents.
That being said, the most common types of cases our car wreck attorneys handle include, but are not limited to, the following:
Head-On Collisions: One of the most common car crash types is a head-on collision, which usually results in severe injuries and even traffic fatalities. This accident happens when two vehicles crash front-to-front.
Rear-End Collisions: Rear-end collisions are the most common type of car accidents, when one vehicle drives into the back of another. These accidents usually happen in heavy traffic or due to sudden stops.
Rollover Accidents: When a vehicle turns too sharply, it can flip onto its side or the roof. These are called rollover accidents and usually result in heavy damage to the vehicle and injuries to the driver/passengers.
Side-Impact Collisions (T-bone): These accidents usually happen at intersections, when one vehicle drives into the side of another, creating a βTβ shape. This accident type can result in serious injuries and trauma due to the high impact.
Side-swipe Accidents: These accidents are usually not that devastating, as vehicles brush past each other. If the vehicles end up colliding, instead of swiping past each other, then it can result in damage and injuries.
Single-Vehicle Accidents: This is the accident type that usually occurs due to challenging weather or neglectful road conditions. In this, a single vehicle can strike a fixed object or lose control and roll over.
Common Causes for Car Accidents in Bakersfield?
Car accidents are a result of human error. This error usually occurs at the end of the responsible drivers, but that is not always the case. Sometimes, especially in single-vehicle accidents, the cause of the accident can be inclement weather or poor road conditions.
In the accident cases that our traffic accident attorneys have handled, we found the following to be the most common causes:
Aggressive or Reckless Driving: One of the most common causes of car accidents is aggressive or reckless driving. This includes road rage accidents, speeding, tailgating, running red lights, stop signs, and illegal passing.
Drunk Driving: Drunk driving is a serious issue across the state of California and is one of the leading issues for catastrophic injury and even death. Impaired driver account for nearly half of all traffic fatalities.
Distracted Driving: This is another common cause, where the driver is distracted by something and causes an accident. The common reasons for distractions include texting, phone calls, eating, or using vehicle controls.
Drowsy Driving: Drivers who work long shifts or are fatigued can have impaired judgment and attention. This can lead to accidents, as they often pass out or fall asleep while driving.
Impaired Driving: When drivers are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, it can severely impair their judgment. This can lead to serious accidents. The most common reasons behind impaired driving include the use of alcohol, drugs, or medications.
Road Maintenance Issues and Defects: These are the common causes behind single-vehicle accidents, where negligent conditions of the roads result in accidents.
The most common causes include:
- potholes,
- debris,
- construction zones,
- or design flaws.
Vehicle Maintenance Issues and Defects: In rare cases, defects or problems with the vehicle can lead to accidents.
The most common of these defects include:
- brake failures,
- steering or suspension issues,
- tire issues or blowouts,
- windshield wiper issues,
- or faulty airbags.
Understanding the cause of your motor vehicle accident can help us determine the party liable for your incident. Let our car accident attorneys examine your case today, and help you take the steps ahead.
Table of Contents
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Bakersfield Car Accident Attorney
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Our Verdicts and Settlements
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Our Auto Accident Attorney Samuel Pope
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Do I Need an Auto Accident Attorney?
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What a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Do For You in an Car Accident Case
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Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections In Bakersfield
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Important Car Accident Laws in Bakersfield
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The Common Types of Car Accidents in Bakersfield
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Common Causes for Car Accidents in Bakersfield?
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Common Types of Injuries In Bakersfield Car Accident Claims
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What Compensation is Available for Bakersfield Car Accident Claims?
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Who is to Blame for my Bakersfield Car Accident?
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How Can You Prove Liability in a Car Accident Claim In Bakersfield?
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Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Bakersfield
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How To Report a Car Accident in Bakersfield
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Statute of Limitations For Car Accidents in California
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Contact Bakersfield Car Accident Lawyers at Goldberg & Loren Today!
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FAQs
Common Types of Injuries In Bakersfield Car Accident Claims
Car crashes can result in various types of serious and challenging injuries. Some accidents can even prove to be fatal. The severity of the injuries you sustained in a car collision can be a key factor in determining the compensation you get.
In 2021, 796 FSI (fatal and serious injury) car crashes occurred in Bakersfield. Around 217 of those were fatal, while 579 resulted in serious injuries. [3]
That being said, the following are the key injuries in car collision claims:
- Burn Injuries
- Catastrophic Injuries
- Facial Injuries
- Fractures
- Head Injuries
- Knee Injuries
- Lacerations
- Neck Injuries
- Shoulder Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries / Spinal Damage
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) / Brain Trauma
- Whiplash
- Wrongful Death
After an accident, you not only suffer physical pain, but the injury also takes a financial toll on your life. That is why our accident attorneys fight hard for the compensation you deserve.
What Compensation is Available for Bakersfield Car Accident Claims?
There are three types of compensation available in a personal injury lawsuit when it comes to auto accidents.
Economic compensation for a car accident refers to the tangible, measurable financial losses that result from the crash.
Economic Compensation:
- Cost of current, past, and future medical treatment
- Lost wages or inability to work due to the accident/injuries
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Physical or mental rehab expenses
Non-economic compensation for a car accident covers intangible losses that do not have a direct financial cost but significantly affect the victimβs quality of life.
Non-Economic Compensation for Car Accidents
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of consortium or companionship (if applicable)
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
Punitive Damages for Reckless Car Accidents
Punitive damage compensation in a car accident case is designed to punish the at-fault party for particularly reckless, malicious, or egregious conduct that goes beyond ordinary negligence.
Fair compensation for your injuries is one of our top priorities throughout the case. Our Bakersfield car accident attorneys fight hard and chase all avenues to secure maximum compensation for you.
Who is to Blame for my Bakersfield Car Accident?
The liability of a car accident claim usually falls on the driver at fault. California is an at-fault state, which means the party at fault for your car collision will be the one compensating you for the loss. Determining the party liable is a key step toward justice.
In most cases that our auto accident attorneys have handled, we found the following to be the parties at fault:
- Commercial trucking companies, if a truck caused an accident
- Construction companies, if road construction were subpar
- Drivers are the most common party liable in such cases
- Employers of commercial drivers
- Government entities (city, county, state)
- Mechanics or maintenance providers
- Parents of minor drivers
- Vehicle owners
Analyzing the evidence of your case can help our car accident lawyers determine who is liable for your car collision. Let us take this important step together.
How Can You Prove Liability in a Car Accident Claim In Bakersfield?
Proving liability in a car accident claim requires us to prove that the liable party is at fault. As mentioned before, California is an at-fault state, so we will need proof to establish the negligence of the liable party.
This evidence includes:
- accident reports,
- medical records,
- witness statements,
- and videos/photos of the accident scene.
Once our auto accident lawyers have the necessary evidence, here is how we will establish liability.
Duty of Care: We will establish the duty of care owed to you by the responsible party. In this case, we will show the duty of care of a driver expected by the law, which is to drive with reasonable care and ensure the safety of others around them.
Breach of Duty: Our attorneys will show that the breach of duty occurred when the negligent driver was neglectful. This breach can be in the form of their reckless, drunk, or distracted driving, which caused the accident.
Causation: We will demonstrate that the accident would not have occurred if it were not for the neglect of the responsible party. We will also establish the link between the accident and your injuries by using accident reports and medical records.
Damages: To claim compensation, we will show that you suffered economic and non-economic losses due to the car collision. These losses impacted your life, and the liable party is responsible for paying for the damages.
With Goldberg & Loren, you will have a legal team of personal injury attorneys with a combination of over 120+ years in negotiating auto accident cases. We know what we are doing when it comes to getting you the best possible accident settlement.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Bakersfield
Suffering through a car accident due to someoneβs neglect can be a challenging experience, but you will have to take necessary actions right away.
The first thing to do is to ensure your safety and seek medical attention. Then, you will have to document your case and gather key evidence.
Here is what you should do:
1. Ensure Safety & Call 911: The first thing you should do is ensure your safety and call 911. Wait for the paramedics and the police to arrive at the scene and provide your statement. Exchange information with the other driver.
2. Seek Medical Attention: You should seek immediate medical attention from the nearest medical facility. Do not neglect medical attention even if you feel fine physically. Some injuries, like whiplash, can manifest later. You should get thoroughly checked and scanned.
3. Gather Evidence: Begin gathering key evidence of your case right away. Take photos and videos of the accident scene, damages, injuries, etc. Gather contact information from the witnesses, and if you can, also get surveillance and dashcam footage of the accident.
4. Notify Insurance Provider: Notify the insurance provider, but do not deal with them by yourself. They will try to mitigate their loss and give you a lowball offer. Instead, let our car crash lawyer deal with them.
5. Consult Our Car Accident Law Firm: Consult our experienced Bakersfield car accident lawyers as soon as you can. We will help you build your case, communicate with the responsible driver, and deal with their insurance provider. If needed, we will take your case to court.
How To Report a Car Accident in Bakersfield
Reporting a car accident in Bakersfield is quite straightforward, and you will have to take the following steps:
- Head to Kern Countyβs online reporting portal
- Provide all the key reports in your incident report
- Download a copy of the report
Now you will have to submit the same report to the California DMV. However, you have to ensure that you have your driverβs license and identification cards with you. You should have your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) ready. Also, have your vehicleβs insurance information available.
Once you have the key information, here are the steps to report the SR-1 to California DMV:
- Head to the DMVβs SR-1 reporting page
- Click on the βStart an SR-1β button
- Input all the key information and accident details
- Submit the information and download a copy of the report
Statute of Limitations For Car Accidents in California
The Statute of Limitations is your legal time limit to file a claim after an accident. The clock begins to tick from the day of the accident, or the day you discovered your injuries. In California, the time limit to file a personal injury claim is two years from the day of the car accident or discovery of injury. CCP 335.1.
If the car accident was fatal, then the family of the deceased can file a wrongful death claim. The time limit to file a wrongful death claim is two years from the day of the personβs death. CCP 377.60,
If you were injured in a work-related car accident, then you can file a workersβ comp claim within three years from the day of your accident. Assembly Bill No. 9 12960 E
Contact Bakersfield Car Accident Lawyers at Goldberg & Loren Today!
Goldberg & Loren offer free personal injury case evaluations for those who have been in auto accidents, including motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, hit and run accidents, and more.
Here is what our auto accident lawyers will do for you:
- Analyze your case and review the existing evidence
- Complete investigation of the car crash to establish facts of your case
- Comprehensive use of evidence to build a strong case
- Communicate with insurance and other involved parties on your behalf
- Fight for maximum compensation throughout negotiation settlements
- Go to trial if necessary
- Provide comprehensive and compassionate support throughout the claim
- Take no pay from you until we win
We are available for online appointments as well. Call us at (661) 669-8224 and book a free consultation with our Bakersfield car accident lawyers.
Goldberg & Loren
1701 Westwind Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 669-8224
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
It is suggested that you do not deal with insurance adjusters at all. If you do, remain polite and refuse any extensive details. Instead, hire a car accident lawyer as soon as you can and let them handle communication.
The most important evidence in car accident cases includes:
- clear photographs of the scene,
- vehicle damage,
- road conditions,
- and any visible markings.
If you can, gather witness statements and dashcam/surveillance footage of the accident as well.
Dashcam footage, cellphone records, and surveillance footage are usually stored on servers, which wipe out memory every now and then. Your car accident attorney can quickly request to preserve digital evidence. They can also ask for a copy to keep safe.
They will thoroughly analyze the existing evidence that you have and gather additional proof for you. They will review witness statements and interview any other witnesses or any other involved parties. They will also request medical records and accident reports to strengthen your case.
Avoid posting the details of your case on social media networks and discussing your case with strangers. Do not settle with insurance companies or communicate with their adjusters extensively. Do not neglect keeping track of documents, costs of treatment, and other expenses either.
Most cases involving car accidents are resolved during settlement negotiations. There are good chances that your case will resolve before going to trial, and so you may have no need to go to court at all. However, if the case goes to trial, then going to court will be necessary.
Sources:
[1] California, S. O. (n.d.-b). OTS crash rankings Results | Office of Traffic Safety. https://www.ots.ca.gov/media-and-research/crash-rankings-results/
[2] LaVigne, D. (2024, June 7). KERO 23 ABC News Bakersfield. KERO 23 ABC News Bakersfield. https://www.turnto23.com/news/in-your-neighborhood/bakersfield/bakersfield-ranks-4th-deadliest-in-the-nation-for-pedestrians-according-to-new-study
[3] Kern County β FSI Accidents β 2021 Experience. (n.d.). https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/8d7349a08da44430963950c104b50c6f/page/Statewide-Analysis-by-County
Have you been involved in a car accident in Bakersfield? You need a lawyer who will stand up for your rights. Get in touch with our top-rated car accident lawyers today.
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