Claiming compensation after a car accident can be a tough challenge. While insurance companies look for the slightest opportunity to take advantage of clients and reduce the settlement, by all means, victims lose their jobs without being able to cope with current costs. Car accident lawyers will take care of every stage of the legal matter until the insurance company gives you the check.
With a trusted car accident lawyer, you may forget about all inconveniences and focus on the treatment to get back to normal life as soon as possible. Attorneys appear to be the last straw to fight huge corporations back and get the compensation you deserve. They know how the insurance system works and how to work out an efficient strategy that will make them pay a worthy compensation.
We have conducted the list of 20 car accident lawyers in Bakersfield featuring some of the most reputable, well-known, and experienced specialists with a perfect reputation across the state.
1. Law Offices of Mickey Fine
Despite the fact Mickey Fine was born in Venice, California, he gained recognition among the Bakersfield community. He delivers personalized care to everyone, who suffered from others’ negligence and those, who have to experience devastation after a car accident or personal injury. Mickey is always here to answer every question and explain each stage of the litigation process. For more than 20 years, he has been helping people with attention to detail in order to gain the maximum possible settlement.
Address: 930 Truxtun Ave Suite 110, Bakersfield, CA 93301
More Information on PersonalInjuryBakersfield.com
Mr. Fine handles every case himself. He is a dedicated car accident attorney with enormous expertise in other practice areas. They include wrongful death, premises liability, workplace accidents, personal injuries, and others. He has a professional team of assistants and paralegals, who are here to provide support 24/7 and help you evaluate the case during a free consultation.
The website features numerous real reviews from actual clients. Mr. fine guarantees zero upfront fees. It means that you do not need to pay unless he wins the case. Mickey is not afraid of taking the case to the courtroom and represent it to the jury. He guarantees the most favorable outcome either in maximum settlement or trial verdict you deserve. Millions of dollars already recovered on his clients’ behalf prove this fact.
Pros:
- More than 20 years in business;
- Bakersfield-based law team;
- Personalized approach to every case.
Latest achievements:
- $3,500,000 wrongful death;
- $2,500,000 auto vs semi-truck accident;
- $1,000,000 personal injury.
2. iAccident Lawyer – $150 Million already Recovered
iAccident Lawyer has proved to be the premier law firm in every city across the state where it is represented. The company has offices in Bakersfield, San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, and many others. It introduces a team of dedicated attorneys with decades of combined experience and more than $150,000,000 in verdicts and settlements for its clients. For more than 30 years in business, local lawyers helped thousands of people to fight back insurance adjusters and get back to normal life.
Address: 1430 Truxtun Ave 5th Floor, Bakersfield, CA 93301
More Information on iAccidentLawyer.com
A caring legal team will treat every client like a part of the family. Local attorneys have decades of legal experience when handling different cases across California. They involve various types of motor vehicle accidents including motorcycles, bicycles, trucks, boating, etc. lawyers will help in case of personal injury despite the severity including brain and spinal injuries, catastrophic and traumatic injuries, product liability, animal attacks, wrongful death, and more.
The company guarantees no-fee legal assistance based on a contingency basis. It means no upfront fees or pocket costs until they win the case. Besides, customers may count on round-the-clock support seven days a week. The firm boasts a perfect AVVO rating in addition to Customers’ Choice and positive reviews on Google and Yelp.
Pros:
- One of the most recognizable law firms in California;
- More than 30 years of legal practice;
- Over $150 million in settlements and verdicts.
Latest achievements:
- $8,000,000 leg injury in a motorcycle crash;
- $1,000,000 burn injury in a truck accident;
- $12,650,000 truck vs car accident injury.
3. Campbell Whitten – Legal Services since 1990
Campbell Whitten is a law firm with a team of professional trial attorneys. They specialize not only in car accidents and personal injuries but also in criminal defense. Their main mission is to defend the rights of those accused to make sure they receive a fair judgment. Besides, they work with individuals and groups helping them gain maximum compensation from insurance companies and huge corporations. If you need aggressive and professional attorneys with broad legal experience, this firm is among the best in Bakersfield and California.
Address: 5401 Business Park S #201, Bakersfield, CA 93309
More Information on CampbellWhitten.com
The legal team represents four dedicated lawyers with Clayton Campbell and Jesse Whitten. The award-winning duo managed to win thousands of cases and recover millions for their customers. Jesse and Clayton have been close friends since the 1990s. Together, they decided to serve people, whose rights were neglected. Later, attorneys Sam Van Eerdan and Rossely Harman joined the team to ensure broad practice area coverage.
Together, they handle a variety of cases. They range from DUI, car accidents, and personal injuries to criminal defense, family law, and some others. They let their results speak for their team. With hundreds of cases dismissed and millions of dollars recovered, the law office of Campbell Whitten appears to be one of the top-rated trial attorney teams not only in Bakersfield but across the state.
Pros:
- Top-rated trial attorneys;
- Broad coverage of practice areas;
- Decades of combined experience.
Latest achievements:
- Auto theft charge dismissed;
- The third strike charges a life sentence averted;
- DUI probation terminated.
4. Chain, Cohn, Stiles
Chain, Cohn, Stiles law firm introduces a dedicated team of attorneys who mainly specialize in workers’ compensation and personal injuries. It is one of the longest-running and well-recognizable legal offices in Bakersfield. Local specialists have been helping clients across California for more than 85 years. Legal services are delivered with a focus on victims of others’ negligence. They will fight for every case to ensure the most favorable outcome. A team of nine dedicated and passionate lawyers will handle car accident cases, animal attacks, elder abuse, personal injuries, wrongful death, and many other cases.
Address: 1731 Chester Ave #100, Bakersfield, CA 93301
More Information on ChainLaw.com
As stated earlier, the team currently consists of nine experienced attorneys including the founder Morris B. Chain as well as his partners David K. Cohn and David V. Stiles. Together with their teammates and colleagues, they managed to recover hundreds of millions in settlements and judgments. They include really huge 10-million dollar checks for car accidents and other personal injury cases. If you look for personal care, maximum compensation guarantees, support in English and Spanish as well as other benefits, the local law firm will be the right option.
Pros:
- More than 85 years in business;
- 9 top attorneys at your service;
- Case insights and results.
Latest achievements:
- $10,000,000 oilfield accident;
- $10,000,000 auto accident;
- $8,800,000 wrongful death.
5. Osborn Law
At Osborn law, lawyers generally specialize in such practice areas as major accidents, personal injuries, and wrongful death. Clients are free to consult local attorneys round-the-clock and get professional legal assistance in English and Spanish. Besides, they are aimed at helping victims of others’ negligence to obtain justice and get the compensation they deserve after a car or truck accident, Big Rig accidents. Motorcycle and bicycle accidents, so on. Mr. Osborn is the founder and the managing lawyer. He handles directly every case to ensure the best possible result.
Address: 2200 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93301
More Information on Osborn-Law.com
Timothy M. Osborn started helping people fight for their rights in 2008. Today, he boasts more than a decade of successful legal practice with hundreds of cases won and huge multi-million dollar settlements recovered. He does not have a high-volume legal staff and prefers handling every matter himself. This is what made Timothy gain a flawless reputation not only in Bakersfield but across the state serving people in every county across California as well as in various Western states.
Pros:
- A local low-volume firm with personal attention to details;
- More than 10 years of legal practice;
- Numerous awards, associations, and appearances on media.
Latest achievements:
- $14,200,000 catastrophic injury caused by a tank explosion;
- $6,000,000 wrongful death caused by severe brain injury;
- $5,250,000 catastrophic injuries caused by a motorcycle accident.
6. The Law Office of Kyle W. Jones
Although Kyle W. Jones does not boast multi-million settlements or paychecks, he is a well-established personal injury attorney in Bakersfield. Kyle is focused on not only potentially successful cases. He works directly with every client no matter how big the settlement can be. With such an approach, Kyle managed to recover more than $14 million for his customers. He has proved to be a proven expert in such practice areas as car accidents, persona injuries, and medical malpractice. What’s more, he has experience in handling real estate planning and some other law fields.
Address: 1620 Mill Rock Way # 100, Bakersfield, CA 93311
More Information on KWJonesLaw.com
Clients may count on straight and honest legal assistance no matter how complex the case may look. You will get precise answers and a piece of legal advice that is relevant to the point. The website contains numerous real reviews from previous clients, who were injured because of other’s negligence. Kyle himself boasts a perfect AVVO rating. He is a proud member of the Bakersfield Chamber in addition to AVVO certification and other prestigious honors.
Pros:
- More than $14 million in settlements;
- Bakersfield-recognizable car accident lawyer;
- Prestigious titles and memberships.
Cons:
- The website does not showcase results or recent settlements.
7. The May Firm
Attorneys Robert and Gareth May have formed a strong legal team that delivers high-end legal assistance across the state and in Bakersfield. Together with car accident lawyer Rayan Buchanan, they form an award-winning legal trio with 6 more members in their team. The company boasts more than 22 years in business in addition to a 99% success rate and millions of dollars in judgments and compensations.
Address: 5500 Ming Ave Suite 390, Bakersfield, CA 93309
More Information on MayFirm.com
A versatile legal team handles a variety of cases. They helped thousands of clients to gain compensation after car accidents, dog bites, traumatic brain injuries, slip and fall, pedestrian accidents, and more. The range of practice areas is wide as well as the range of social activities lawyers are involved in. They give scholarships and provide free consultations to those who were injured accidentally or on purpose. They work with families that lost their dearest ones because of wrongful death.
Pros:
- More than 22 years of legal services;
- A pool of 9 dedicated specialists;
- 99% success rate.
Latest achievements:
- $1,500,000 utility vehicle accident;
- $1,475,000 back injury;
- $950,000 speed up the accident.
8. Faulkner Law
Faulkner Law is a law firm based in Bakersfield. It has been serving local clients since 1974. This fact makes the company one of the longest-running law offices in the borough featuring a flawless reputation. The pool of experts includes experienced specialists, who are not intimidated by huge corporations. What’s more, they are not afraid to take your case to the courtroom and present it to the jury, when needed. The range of practice areas involves defective products, premises liability, car accidents, wrongful death, and others.
Address: 1825 18th St, Bakersfield, CA 93301
More Information on FaulknerLaw.com
The company comes as a family-owned law firm with partner Matthew J. Faulkner and of Counsel James L. Faulkner and Kathleen Ellis Faulkner as the core of the legal team. Together, they recovered millions of dollars. Some of the settlements are really he such as $20 million recoveries after a truck accident. Such achievements made them a nightmare for every insurance company trying to take advantage of their clients.
Pros:
- Established in 1974;
- Decades of combined experience;
- Huge settlements and millions recovered.
Latest achievements:
- $16,200,000 brain injury;
- $20,000,000 trucking accident;
- $10,000,000 wrongful death.
9. West Coast Trial Lawyers
West Coast Trial Lawyers is one of the most widely spread law firms with nation-wide representation. It has offices in 12 cities across the state inducing Bakersfield, Los Angeles, Irvine, and some others. With more than 100 years of combined experience, local lawyers will help you with any case. They boast an overwhelming track record with thousands of wins and more than $1 billion in settlements and judgments. Unlike the majority of other high-volume law firms, local attorneys guarantee an individual approach to every client despite the background of compensation potential.
Address: 7850 White Lane Suite 3J #2, Bakersfield, CA 93309
More Information on WestCoastTrialLawyers.com
Dozens of attorneys are ready to help round-the-clock. They include former prosecutors, trial lawyers, insurance defenders, and other specialists, who know exactly how the system works. It helps them to work out a personalized approach to every case and gain the settlement you deserve. They work with a focus on personal injuries that include animal assaults, brain injuries, premises liability, slip and fall, car accidents, wrongful death, and more.
Pros:
- More than 100 years of combined experience;
- A team of dedicated specialists including former prosecutors;
- Zero upfront fees and 2/7 availability.
Total achievements:
- $1,514,638,577 in settlements and judgments.
10. Rodriguez & Associates
If you are looking for a small premier law firm with huge results, Rodriguez & Associates will be a perfect match. It boasts some huge achievements with multi-million settlements in addition to more than 100 of collective experience. Apart from thousands of successful cases and millions on settlements for their customers. Local car accident lawyers boast the biggest settlement ever collected across Kern County. They serve in several locations including Bakersfield to help people cope with unexpected costs and insurance adjusters.
Address: 1128 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93301
More Information on RodriguezLaw.net
Daniel Rodriguez is the founder and the managing attorney in his law firm. He is in charge of six dedicated attorneys. They are passionate about every case from a wide range of practice areas. Rodriguez and his team specialize in all kinds of motor vehicle accidents. They help with premises liability cases and wrongful death. Additional areas include oil field injuries, workplace accidents, and some more.
Pros:
- More than 100 years of experience;
- The biggest settlement in Kern County history;
- The staff of six legal specialists.
Latest achievements:
- $70,578,289 SUV vs Big Rig accident;
- $36,700,000 traumatic brain injury;
- $13,500,000 auto vs pedestrian accident.
11. Megeredchian Law
Megeredchian Law represents a professional legal duo with the company’s founder and President Alex Megeredchian together with his trusted and dedicated office manager Lilie Safaryan. Alex grew into a recognizable car accident lawyer with representations not only in Bakersfield but also in 10 more locations across the country. He has offices located in Ontario and Anaheim, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Caring legal specialists provide consultations round-the-clock.
Address: 4900 California Ave 210 B, Bakersfield, CA 93309
More Information on MegeredchianLaw.com
Not only do they deal with direct legal assistance delivered 24/7. They do their best to keep clients informed. The website contains tons of useful information such as car accident statistics, steps to take after the accident, and the way Alex will handle your particular case. A long list of practice areas he specializes in includes all kids of car, truck, and bicycle accidents. Personal injury victims will get compensation in case of brain injuries, dog bites, slip and fall, wrongful death, and other cases.
Pros:
- Offices in 11 locations across the country;
- A low-volume law firm;
- Direct consultations and legal assistance.
Latest achievements:
- $1,400,000 premises liability;
- $1,300,000 back injury in an auto collision;
- $850,000 pedestrian vs auto accident.
12. Farahi Law Firm
Farahi Law Firm is a law firm based in Los Angeles. However, it also has offices in Bakersfield and three other locations to deliver high-quality legal services across the state. The main mission is to ensure high-class legal assistance at low costs with no upfront fees. It means no payment unless Mr. Farahi and his team win the case. Local specialists have broad experience in a variety of practice areas to conduct a personalized strategy taking into account each particular matter.
Address: 4900 California Ave Tower B 2nd Floor, Bakersfield, CA 93309
More Information on JustinForJustice.com
The website has a short introductory video, which says about the company’s main mission and approach. Here you will also find some testimonials and reviews. The website has a comprehensive blog with useful information. Legal services are delivered in English and Spanish. Justin Farahi is the founder and the head of the personal injury attorneys’ team. He boasts millions in settlements and verdicts recovered on his clients’ behalf. Justin will handle any case from slip and fall or brain injury to dog bites, defective drugs and products, child injuries, car accidents, and more.
Pros:
- Five offices across the state including Bakersfield;
- Video reviews and guides;
- Legal support in Spanish and English.
Additional benefits:
- Top 100 Lawyers in 2018, Top 40 under 40, National Trial Lawyer Association, etc.
13. Young Wooldridge
The history of the Young Wooldridge law firm started back in 1939. John Young, the native Kern County attorney, had a small law office to serve local clients and help them in case of personal injuries. Some years later, he met Joseph Wooldridge, who worked as an insurance adjuster. They decide to team up and create a full-cycle law firm with the philosophy to stand up for people’s rights and oppose huge corporations.
Address: 1800 30th St 4th Floor, Bakersfield, CA 93301
More Information on YoungWooldridge.com
Today, the company boasts an experienced legal team that consists of 12 dedicated attorneys. Every lawyer specializes in a particular law field. Practice areas they deal with include agricultural and business law, personal injuries, car accidents, real estate, oil, and gas, etc. They follow the same philosophy as 80 years ago. This fact made Young Wooldridge a leading law firm in Bakersfield and across Kern County.
Pros:
- More than 80 years in business;
- 13 dedicated attorneys at your service;
- One of the longest-running law firms in Kern County.
Honors and Titles:
- Best law firm in Bakersfield according to readers’ choice poll for 8 years in a row starting from 2013.
14. Law Offices of Craig A. Edmonston
For more than three decades, attorneys at Law Offices of Craig A. Edmonston have been helping victims of tragic car accidents and personal injuries. They boast millions in settlements including multi-million dollar judgments that prove their dedicated and caring approach to every client. Local lawyers will do their best to ensure the most favorable outcome. Clients will benefit from free consultations and a wide range of practice areas that include different law fields from auto accidents and personal injuries to oil and gas, premises liability, industrial accidents, and others.
Address: 2204 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93301
More Information on EdmonstonLaw.com
Born in Bakersfield, attorney Craig A. Edmonston boasts decades of legal practice. He built a professional team of legal specialists that includes medical assistants, office administrators, and receptionists to help you with a free consultation and no-obligation case evaluation. Mr. Edmonston handles every case himself. He is a well-established attorney with membership at the American Board of Trial Advocates, NITA, and Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles.
Pros:
- Decades of legal practice;
- Different law fields to handle;
- Numerous prestigious awards.
Latest achievements:
- $5,700,000 oilfield accident;
- $4,720,000 trucking accident;
- $2,000,000 life insurance case.
15. Klein, DeNatale, Goldner
Klein, DeNatale, Goldner has been in the industry since 1953. It means more than 70 decades of full-scale legal services delivered to individuals, small business owners, entrepreneurs, or huge corporations. Local attorneys are ready to help and defend your rights no matter what happens. They are specialized in a variety of law fields and have offices in Bakersfield, San Diego, and Fresno. The team consists of 26 passionate and aggressive lawyers, who specialize in commercial and business litigations, auto accidents, personal injuries, healthcare law, intellectual property, labor law, and many other fields.
Address: 4550 California Avenue Second Floor, Bakersfield, CA 93309
More Information on KleinLaw.com
As stated earlier, the company delivers full-cycle legal services. Local specialists will take care of every stage of the litigation process to ensure maximum compensation when fighting insurance companies back. What’s more, young specialists may find some great working opportunities or join the law clerk program in one of the most recognizable law firms across Kern County.
Pros:
- More than 70 years in business;
- 26 professional attorneys to handle your case;
- Free case evaluation.
Additional benefits:
- Employment opportunities and law clerk program for beginners.
16. McKnight and McKnight Law
McKnight and McKnight Law introduces a family of personal injury attorneys delivering professional legal services in Bakersfield and across Kern County. Brothers Benton and Cliff McKnight are well-known across the Central Valley in California for their aggressive and dedicated approach when handling different cases. They will take care of every matter personally to ensure the maximum compensation in addition to their huge track record of successful cases and multi-million dollar verdicts.
Address: 305 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93301
More Information on McKnightAttorneys.com
A local team represents lawyers, who help victims of car accidents and personal injuries. They specialize in different practice areas such as unsafe property conditions, truck, and motorcycle accidents, defective products, oil field accidents, wrongful death, and others. It does not matter how hard you were injured. With a free consultation, you will be able to evaluate the case and benefit from advanced legal services delivered on a contingency basis.
Pros:
- Local family-owned law firm;
- A wide selection of practice areas;
- Free consultation scheduling.
Latest achievements:
- $3,000,000 defective products;
- $2,150,000 motorcycle accident;
- $1,150,000 trucking accident.
17. Ganong Law
Philip W. Ganong is the founder and leading attorney at Ganong Law. He started his legal career as a lawyer in 1979 after graduating from the University of California Hastings College of the Law. Phillip quickly made a name for himself as a motivated and aggressive attorney. He boasts multiple bar admissions with an active membership and a huge track record of successful cases. Mr. Ganog boasts numerous prestigious awards. He is a recognizable trial lawyer with a list of relevant titles that include Top 100 National Trial Lawyers.
Address: 930 Truxtun Ave #102, Bakersfield, CA 93301
More Information on GanongLaw.com
After gaining a flawless legal reputation, Phillip decided to start his own boutique law firm with the head office based in Bakersfield. Nevertheless, Mr. Ganog accepts cases from across the state. The range of practice areas to handle includes traumatic injuries, car accidents, oil and gas, railroad worker injuries, discrimination, harassment, and many others.
Pros:
- Decades of legal experience;
- A recognizable trial attorney;
- A convenient office location in Bakersfield.
Latest achievements:
- $12,800,000 motor vehicle accident;
- $10,000,000 wage-and-hour class settlement;
- $2,500,000 truck accident.
18. Jacoby & Meyers
Jacoby & Meyers is a trusted premier law firm serving clients in Bakersfield, Long Beach, and other cities across California. If you suffered from others’ negligence, local lawyers are here to help and fight for your rights. The core team introduces the founder Len Jacoby and a managing partner Michael Akiva. Together, they specialize in a variety of practice areas that include personal injuries, car accidents, dog bites, construction accidents, premises liability, wrongful death, and others.
Address: 1430 Truxtun Ave Suite 500, Bakersfield, CA 93301
More Information on JacobyAndMeyers.com
Established in 1972, the firm has been in business for more than 30 years. Local experts can boast millions of dollars recovered in favor of their customers. What’s more, they help students and provide Law School Scholarships with a chance to get a position at Jacoby & Meyers and start working in a team of professionals.
Pros:
- 30 years in business;
- Legal services since 1972;
- Student Scholarships and career opportunities.
Latest achievements:
- $19,000,000 rideshare vs auto accident;
- $13,000,000 wrongful death;
- $6,700,000 auto vs pedestrian.
19. Werner Law Firm
A team of dedicated attorneys at the Werner Law Firm has been delivering legal assistance for more than 40 years. Established in 1975, the company has representations across the state with an office in Bakersfield, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Santa Barbara, and other cities. Local lawyers help individuals, families, and groups to obtain the legal support and settlement they deserve. The company introduces a highly qualified compensation squad that will guide clients through every stage of any legal matter despite the complexity.
Address: 4900 California Ave., Tower B-210, Bakersfield, CA 93309
More Information on WernerLawCA.com
Rob Werner is the founder of the company. He is also one of the most recognizable and prestigious personal injury attorneys. Together with his passionate team, he handles a variety of legal matters. The range of practice areas includes car accidents, personal injuries, bankruptcy, living trust, wills, and more. Apart from legal support and free consultations, clients can download free books with handy guides on various legal matters.
Pros:
- More than 40 years of legal experience;
- Offices in 11 cities including Bakersfield;
- Established in 1975.
Additional benefits:
- Free books available for download.
20. Adamson|Ahdoot
If you look for a team of car accident lawyers able to provide personalized attention to every client, Adamson|Ahdoot is certainly the one to choose. It introduces a team of experienced trial attorneys that provide legal support in Bakersfield, Los Angeles, and other cities across California. They boast enough exercise to handle every aspect of the legal matter including insurance litigation and negotiation. They are not afraid of taking the case to the jury as well.
Address: 4900 California Ave tower b 2nd floor, Bakersfield, CA 93309
More Information on AA-LLP.com
The funders and collaborating attorneys Alan Ahdoot and Christopher Adamson boast more than three decades of collective experience. They have a team of dedicated specialists and legal assistants who work with attention to detail. A personalized approach made it possible for Alan and Christopher to recover millions in settlements and verdicts. An amazing track record of success made the firm one of the most recognizable law offices not only in Bakersfield but also across the state.
Pros:
- Three decades of practice;
- Broad representation across California;
- Six dedicated attorneys at your deposal.
Latest achievements:
- $1,500,000 auto vs auto accident;
- $1,250,000 workplace accident;
- $2,700,000 trucking case.
Car Accident Statistics
California is one of the nation’s most popular states. It attracts thousands of tourists and people who want to settle down in Bakersfield because of its climate. It results in a worsening situation on the road with a growing number of motor vehicles and accidents of different types.
State authorities are trying to improve the situation. For example, 41 new signals were installed in Bakersfield only. It helped to reduce the number of car crashes associated with red lights or speeding. On the other hand, the number of accidents caused by drunk drivers has increased. It means that the overall picture is still the same or even worse, considering more and more casualties and injuries of different severity levels.
With more than 2 million people injured in auto accidents every year in the United States, California boasts probably the worst stats featuring more than 3,560 fatalities only in 2018. As for California, the state of the sun has over 200,000 injured in different types of motor vehicle accidents every year.
In such a situation, every driver requires additional protection in the face of a car accident lawyer, who will stand up for his or her rights and gain the required settlement. Even a minor crash may lead to inevitable consequences, lost wages, pain and sufferings, property damage, and so on. Victims will have to cope with enormous expenses on their own. To avoid unexpected financial and other problems, hire a trusted attorney to gain the settlement you deserve.
Main Causes
The amount of compensation you may get depends on multiple factors. They include injury severity, liability determination, and the type of car accident (or the cause of the crash). To understand how the system works, here are the most common types of motor vehicle crashes:
- Speeding accidents – caused by drivers who exceed the speed limit. In such a situation, it is hard for them to stop the vehicle completely at a given timeframe to avoid the collision. It may also lead to hitting pedestrians or parked cars crashed. The main challenge here is the inability of a speeding driver to adapt to traffic conditions and operate the vehicle safely;
- Distracted driving accidents – according to the CDC (the Center for Disease Control and Prevention), distracted driving results in almost 10 people killed daily in the United States. The main problem here is that drivers cannot stay focused on the process of operating the vehicle while speaking on the phone, surfing the net, and so on. By the way, texting appears to be one of the popular causes of distracted driving;
- Drunk driving accidents – driving a car under the influence of alcohol is one of the most serious criminal offenses. What is more, it often leads to serious consequences, severe damages, or injuries. For victims of the DUI crash, it also means a chance to be additionally awarded for the punitive damage. A great opportunity for your car accident lawyer to recover even a bigger settlement than you could expect;
- Aggressive driving accidents – aggressive driving is associated not mainly with speeding. Also known as road rage, it includes a set of reckless actions on the road that put every other traffic participant at risk. Although it may come with no intention to do harm, it is still considered a serious matter.
Those are only the most common reasons for car accidents. Others include inexperienced drivers, impaired with drugs, and more. No matter what the cause of the crash is, a trusted attorney will do his or her best to gain maximum compensation without leaving a chance for the insurance company to pull back.
Comparative Liability Laws
Bakersfield drivers have to follow the same comparative liability law as in the rest of the state. According to that law, more than one driver can be liable for a crash. In this case, liability must be divided between all guilty parties in accordance with their contribution to the accident. The same thing is with damages. They should be divided accordingly considering the fault degree of each driver involved.
An Accident Involving Uninsured Drivers
A guilty driver may not have insurance or may carry insufficient coverage (underinsured). In this case, a victim may still claim compensation from his or her insurance company in case he or she has carried one.
According to Californian law, every company must provide coverage in case of both uninsured or underinsured individuals to their policyholders. If this happens, the settlement will be equal to the sum of liability indicated in the policy. Victims may benefit from other options. This is where car accident lawyers may help. They will consider all possible ways to recover as much in settlements as possible.
How A Lawyer Can Help
Trusted attorneys will handle every stage of the legal process from looking into the case to negotiating conditions with the insurance company. The process requires specific skills and background. You need to not only define whose negligence resulted in the accident but also state all the costs, have injuries documented properly, etc. The process can become even more complex if several parties are involved.
Liability Determination
The process of determining liability is very complex. It is defined by California. Things may easily get out of hand, especially when several drivers are involved in the incident. The good news is that liability is determined following the negligence despite the accident type. In other words, the main mission is to identify the negligence of every party involved. Besides, it is necessary to take into account all damages and injuries as well as other conditions that may impact the case (bad road or weather conditions, damaged spare parts, etc.).
Negligence Explained
What is negligence? It is associated with drivers’ inability to drive safely for any reason. In other words, negligence can be described as an unsafe and reckless way of operating the vehicle. The term mainly refers to car accidents. We have already discussed some common negligence types/ here are some more to understand, how to use the term:
- Texting when driving;
- Speeding;
- Aggressive driving;
- Driving under the influence;
- Not following the traffic rules;
- Paying not enough attention to the road.
Negligence can be also described as the inability to follow the Duty of Care.
Duty of Care Explained
Every time you drive a car, you automatically carry the Duty of Care. To make things simpler, you need to understand the full responsibility of operating the vehicle as reasonable and as safe as possible. It means not only keeping the focus on the road and other cars, but also consider pedestrians, road conditions, and other factors.
Once injured in a car crash, a driver is supposed to prove that injuries were caused by the negligence of another party. It involves three fundamental issues:
- The guilty driver was obliged to follow the Duty of Care;
- The guilty driver’s negligence made him breach his or her Duty of Care;
- The guilty driver’s negligence directly caused the injury.
Whatever you do, always keep in mind that handling the injury claim can be a pain in the neck. The process is very complicated. It requires special talents, skills, and knowledge to succeed against insurance companies that try to take advantage of you. To ensure the most favorable outcome, it is better to opt for trusted and experienced car accident lawyers. Find top-rated firms in our list above and forget about obstacles on the way back to normal life.