Best Car Accident Lawyers in Bakersfield

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Bakersfield, California?

  661-327-7111 is the non-emergency contact number for the Bakersfield police station.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Bakersfield, California?

  You may obtain a copy of the accident police report by sending an email or a written request to the Bakersfield Police Department. The request should include the following information:

  • Case number
  • Date of the accident
  • Names of parties involved
  • Contact number of the requestor

• Is it legal to use a cell phone while driving in Bakersfield?

  No. Bakersfield follows the state regulation of banning the use of cell phones behind wheels. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, almost 400,000 people were injured and 2,800 were killed in the U.S. due to car accidents involving distracted driving. Some of the forms of distracted driving are:

  • Texting
  • Adjusting a GPS
  • Tuning the radio

• Are there any intersections in Bakersfield that are particularly risky?

  Yes. The local ABC station has reported some intersections in Bakersfield that have high accident rates: These include:

  • Truxton and Oak with 95 crashes
  • Truxton and Coffee with 186 crashes
  • Rosedale and Coffee with 239 crashes

  The third is no surprise to Bakersfield residents, as it is one of the city's busiest intersections. Red light camera citations in the area amount to $381.

• Who can be held accountable in a car accident in Bakersfield?

  One or more drivers may be at fault, depending on the circumstances of a car accident in Bakersfield. Victims can file personal injury claims against one or more parties, including negligent drivers, at-fault drivers' insurance companies, the government, and the car's manufacturer.

• What types of car accidents are common in Bakersfield?

  According to a state database, the common types of car accidents that happened in Bakersfield are:

  • Broadside crashes - 36%
  • Rear-end crashes - 32%
  • Single- or multi-vehicle crashes - 9%
  • Pedestrian knockdowns - 9%
  • Sideswipe collisions - 6% These accidents occurred most frequently in the metro on Fridays, from 12 noon to 9 p.m. On the other days of the week, most collisions happened from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

• How long can a car accident victim in Bakersfield file for a claim?

  Injured victims in Bakersfield are given two years from the date of the accident to file a car accident lawsuit, according to California law. If the plaintiff is under 18 years old, the time limit is extended until they reach their legal age. However, injury claims against government entities, including public and police agencies, schools, and hospitals, must be filed within six months.