Bakersfield Personal Injury Lawyer - Car Accident Lawyers
Michael Rehm - (800) 978-0754
Free Consultations
A study by Smart Growth America found that Bakersfield is the seventh most dangerous metropolitan area in the nation for pedestrians. The top six are all in Florida. Bakersfield was the only California city to crack the top 25.
The study's “danger index” adjusts for population density and miles walked. For that reason, the number of pedestrian accidents in a metropolitan area does not necessarily correlate with its ranking.
Applying a different measure that takes account of population size and miles driven by motorists, California’s Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) ranks Bakersfield as having the ninth highest accident rate of fifteen comparable cities in California. It has the seventh highest rate of accidents for pedestrians who are younger than fifteen.
In the most recent year analyzed by the OTS, Bakersfield had 1,786 collisions that resulted in an injury or death. While Bakersfield's collision rate ranked tenth out of fifteen cities, Bakersfield ranked fifth in alcohol-related collisions. It ranked fourth in collisions caused by drivers between the ages of 21 and 34 who had been drinking.
These statistics paint the picture of a city that places drivers, passengers, motorcycle riders, and bicyclists at risk of a collision, particularly one that is caused by a younger driver who has been drinking. For pedestrians, however, Bakersfield is notoriously unsafe.
Bakersfield Traffic Accident Lawsuits
Most injury claims that arise from car accidents are settled with the driver's insurance company before a lawsuit is filed. When an insurance company fails to make a fair settlement offer, however, personal injury lawyers like those at [LAW FIRM NAME] will file a lawsuit on behalf of injury victims.
When a car accident occurs in Bakersfield, a personal injury lawsuit will be filed in the Kern County Superior Court. The case is assigned to a judge who will schedule a case management conference about six months after the lawsuit is filed. If the case has not settled by the time of that conference, it will be placed on a trial calendar.
Kern County has more than forty judges, but at any given time, only about three or four are assigned to hear “large claims” civil lawsuits. “Large claims” personal injury trials are usually held in the Metropolitan Division Courthouse on Truxton Avenue in Bakersfield. About 91% of “large claims” cases are resolved within two years of filing.
In the most recent fiscal year for which statistics are available, 582 new motor vehicle accident lawsuits were filed in Kern County while 570 pending lawsuits were resolved. Only ten of the resolved lawsuits went to trial. Almost all of the other resolved cases settled.
Car Accident Locations in Bakersfield
According to the Bakersfield Police Department, the most accident-prone intersections in Bakersfield are California Avenue at Baker Street, Union Avenue at California Avenue, and Union Avenue at 4th Street.
The deadliest intersection, however, is Nord Avenue and Rosedale Highway. Inadequate street lighting and the difficulty of seeing stop signs are responsible for fatal crashes at the intersection.
Whether Bakersfield accidents involve personal injuries or wrongful death, Bakersfield Car Accident Lawyer Michael Rehm can help victims recover the compensation they deserve.
Bakersfield Auto Accident Attorney - Michael Rehm - (800) 978-0754
Bakersfield Resources:
Bakersfield Police Department - Traffic Accident Report Request Page