Bakersfield
Personal Injury Lawyer
What you need to do if you are involve in an accident?
Why Choose Roxell Richards Injury Law Firm ?
Choosing the right attorney can directly impact how much compensation you receive. Roxell Richards Personal Injury Law Firm provides dedicated, client-focused legal representation for injury victims throughout Bakersfield and Kern County.
A Bakersfield personal injury lawyer from Roxell Richards Personal Injury Law Firm can help by:
- Investigating your accident thoroughly – Collecting police reports, injury documentation, photos, and witness statements.
- Identifying all liable parties – Accidents may involve drivers, commercial fleets, property owners, or employers.
- Preserving critical evidence early – Footage, medical records, and witness data can disappear or degrade over time.
- Handling tough insurance negotiations – Protecting you from tactics that minimize payouts.
- Accurately calculating damages – Including medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and long-term care needs.
- Taking your case to court when necessary – Every case is prepared as if it will go to trial.
How Common Are Personal Injury Accidents in Bakersfield?
Bakersfield faces a persistent traffic safety challenge. The California Office of Traffic Safety ranks Bakersfield among the cities with the highest rates of combined fatal and injury crashes in California. In a recent reporting year, there were 2,073 traffic collisions resulting in death or injury in Bakersfield—across collisions involving cars, motorcycles, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
Other safety trends show:
- Bakersfield consistently ranks high in alcohol-related collisions and collisions involving drivers aged 21–34.
- According to local crash data, Bakersfield experienced thousands of vehicle collisions and nearly 3,000 injuries in a recent year, with leading causes including speeding, right-of-way violations, and impaired driving.
Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Bakersfield
Car Accidents
Car crashes are among the most common causes of personal injury claims, often involving distracted or impaired drivers and high speeds.
Truck & Commercial Vehicle Accidents
Bakersfield’s location along major freight routes increases the risk of serious truck collisions with catastrophic injuries.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable, with a higher risk of serious injury in crashes due to limited protection.
Pedestrian & Bicycle Accidents
Pedestrians and cyclists are frequently involved in collisions at busy intersections and urban corridors.
Slip & Fall / Premises Liability
Property owners must maintain safe conditions. When they fail, serious injuries can result.
Wrongful Death
When an accident causes loss of life, family members may pursue compensation for funeral costs and lost financial support.
Common Injuries in Personal Injury Cases
Even accidents that appear minor at first can result in serious, long-term injuries. Symptoms may be delayed, worsen over time, or require ongoing medical care. Common injuries in personal injury cases include:
Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
Neck, shoulder, and back strains can cause chronic pain, stiffness, headaches, and limited mobility—often requiring physical therapy or long-term treatment.
- Broken bones and fractures
Broken bones and fractures can range from hairline fractures to severe breaks that require surgery, pins, or plates. Recovery can take months and may limit your ability to work or perform daily tasks. - Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
Concussions and head injuries can affect memory, concentration, mood, and cognitive function. Even mild TBIs may have lasting effects. - Spinal cord and back injuries
Herniated discs, nerve damage, or spinal trauma can lead to chronic pain, mobility issues, or permanent disability. - Internal organ damage
Injuries to organs such as the lungs, liver, or abdomen may not be immediately visible but can be life-threatening and require emergency surgery. - Emotional and psychological trauma
Anxiety, depression, and PTSD are common after serious accidents and can interfere with work, relationships, and overall quality of life.
What to Do After an Accident in Bakersfield?
Follow these critical steps:
- Call 911 and seek medical attention immediately
Your health comes first. Some injuries—like concussions or internal trauma—may not show symptoms right away. Prompt medical care also creates official records linking your injuries to the accident. - Document the accident scene
Take clear photos or videos of:- Vehicle damage or hazardous conditions
- Roadway, traffic signals, and weather conditions
- Visible injuries
Capture the scene before vehicles are moved or evidence disappears.
- Collect witness information
Get names, phone numbers, and emails from anyone who saw the accident. Independent witness statements can be crucial when liability is disputed. - Report the incident properly
- Call police for traffic accidents
- Notify property owners or managers for slip-and-fall or premises incidents
Official reports strengthen your claim and create a clear record of what happened.
- Avoid recorded statements to insurance companies
Insurance adjusters may ask questions designed to minimize your claim. Politely decline recorded statements until you speak with a lawyer. - Contact a Bakersfield personal injury lawyer promptly
Early legal guidance helps:- Preserve time-sensitive evidence
- Identify all liable parties
- Handle insurance companies on your behalf
Insurance Company Tactics to Watch For
Insurance companies are trained to reduce payouts, not to protect injured victims. After an accident, adjusters may use subtle strategies to limit or deny your claim—often before you understand the full extent of your injuries.
Common tactics include:
- Quick, low settlement offers
- Made before your injuries are fully diagnosed
- Designed to close your claim fast—often for far less than it’s worth
- Delaying claim processing
- Slow responses and repeated requests create financial pressure
- Pushes victims to accept less out of urgency
- Recorded statements
- Questions are often framed to minimize injuries or imply fault
- Statements can later be used to reduce or deny compensation
- Shifting blame
- Attempts to assign partial or full fault to you
- Common in multi-vehicle, pedestrian, and intersection accidents
How a Bakersfield Personal Injury Lawyer Investigates Your Case?
A successful personal injury claim depends on strong, well-documented evidence. A Bakersfield personal injury lawyer conducts a detailed investigation designed to prove fault, protect your rights, and maximize compensation.
Key steps in the investigation include
- Review police and incident reports
- Identifies fault determinations, citations, road conditions, and initial witness statements
- Establishes an official timeline of how the accident occurred
- Secure traffic camera, dashcam, or surveillance footage
- Video evidence can clearly show negligence, speeding, or signal violations
- Footage is time-sensitive and may be erased within days or weeks
- Analyze medical records and expert opinions
- Connects your injuries directly to the accident
- Documents severity, treatment needs, and long-term or permanent limitations
- Identify all liable parties and insurance coverage
- Bakersfield accidents may involve multiple drivers, employers, property owners, or commercial insurers
- Ensures no available source of compensation is overlooked
- Work with accident reconstruction specialists
- Experts use vehicle damage, physical evidence, and data to recreate complex crashes
- Strengthens claims involving disputed liability or high-impact collisions
Why Early Legal Action Matters?
Insurance companies are trained to reduce payouts, not to protect injured victims. After an accident, adjusters may use subtle strategies to limit or deny your claim—often before you understand the full extent of your injuries.
Common tactics include:
- Quick, low settlement offers
- Made before your injuries are fully diagnosed
- Designed to close your claim fast—often for far less than it’s worth
- Delaying claim processing
- Slow responses and repeated requests create financial pressure
- Pushes victims to accept less out of urgency
- Recorded statements
- Questions are often framed to minimize injuries or imply fault
- Statements can later be used to reduce or deny compensation
- Shifting blame
- Attempts to assign partial or full fault to you
- Common in multi-vehicle, pedestrian, and intersection accidents
Prompt legal action gives your lawyer the time needed to build the strongest possible case on your behalf.
Statute of Limitations in California
California law sets strict filing deadlines:
- Personal injury claims: 2 years from the date of the accident
- Wrongful death claims: 2 years
- Property damage claims: 3 years
Bakersfield Personal Injury Hotspots
Certain areas in Bakersfield see higher-than-average accident and injury rates due to congestion, high speeds, and complex roadway design. Understanding these hotspots helps explain why many local injury claims involve serious injuries, disputed fault, and multiple insurers.
High-risk accident areas in Bakersfield include:
- Southwest Bakersfield corridors
- One of the most active areas for reported collisions
- Rapid residential growth and heavy daily traffic increase crash frequency
- Common accidents include rear-end collisions and unsafe lane changes
- Northwest and Central Bakersfield zones
- Major commuter routes with constant traffic flow
- Frequent intersection crashes, red-light violations, and stop-and-go collisions
- Higher risk during peak morning and evening hours
- State Route 99 and Highway 178 intersections
- High-speed traffic combined with merging and commercial vehicles
- Increased risk of severe and multi-vehicle crashes
- Accidents often involve trucks, delivery vehicles, or out-of-town drivers
Accidents in these Bakersfield hotspots often involve multiple drivers, commercial vehicles, or competing insurance companies, complicating liability.
Speak With a Bakersfield Personal Injury Lawyer Today!
Injuries can disrupt your health, finances, and future—but you don’t have to face insurance companies alone. Roxell Richards Personal Injury Law Firm is ready to step in and fight for the compensation you deserve, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term care.
Contact us today for a FREE consultation
Roxell Richards Injury Law Firm
Attorney Roxell Richards
This Houston Vehicle Accident service page is provided by The Roxell Richards Law Firm, a Texas-based personal injury law firm dedicated to representing individuals injured in vehicular accidents. With a focus on Texas personal injury law, the firm helps victims of vehicle accidents understand their legal rights, navigate complex insurance claims, and pursue fair compensation for their injuries.
Roxell Richards, attorney and founder of The Roxell Richards Law Firm, brings more than 20 years of experience representing clients in motorcycle accident and personal injury cases across Texas. His practice includes handling claims involving serious injuries, contested liability, and insurance coverage disputes. The firm’s legal approach emphasizes clear communication, individualized case evaluation, and client-focused representation at every stage of the legal process.
The legal information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to a vehicle accident, individuals are encouraged to consult with a qualified Texas personal injury attorney.
I’m incredibly grateful for their hard work and dedication to my case. If you’re looking for a law firm that genuinely cares about your well-being and delivers results, I highly recommend Roxell Richards Law Firm.
Thank you,
Dr. Leana Jefferson
LEARN YOUR VEHICLE ACCIDENT RIGHT NOW!
CASE RESULTS
Roxell Richards Injury Law Firm is here to help after a motorcycle accident. Our attorneys understand the complexities of these cases and will fight for your rights and full compensation with dedication. Trust us to protect your interests every step of the way.
$3 Million
SETTLEMENT
CAR ACCIDENT
$550,000
SETTLEMENT
MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT
$600,000
SETTLEMENT
TRUCK ACCIDENT
$541,329
JURY VERDICT
MINOR CAR ACCIDENT
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