Bakersfield Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents are a leading cause of injury and death nationwide. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 6,296,000 traffic crashes causing 35,485 fatalities and injuring 2,443,000 people in the U.S. in a recent year.

If you have been hurt in a car accident that was someone else’s fault, call Faulkner Law Offices today. We serve Bakersfield, California as tough advocates for injured people.

Why Choose Us for Your Attorneys?

We are a family-run firm and understand the importance of taking care of each other and each client’s unique needs. Our attorneys have been successfully representing injured people since 1974. We operate on a contingency-fee basis, which means you pay us no legal fees until we win your case.

Why You Need a Lawyer

If you have sustained injuries in a car accident, it is in your best interests to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. Insurance adjusters will attempt to diminish the value of your damages in an effort to save the company money. Without knowledgeable representation by an experienced legal professional, you may spend a great deal of time and effort to end up with a settlement that does not fully compensate you for your injuries.

Causes of Car Accidents

Traffic crashes can occur for a number of reasons, including poor road conditions and vehicle manufacturer defects. Most car accidents, however, are caused by driver error. Common causes include:

• Distracted driving: Driver distraction poses a serious threat to motorists on the roadways today. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reports that distracted driving occurred in crashes that killed 3,166 people (8.5% of all traffic fatalities) in 2017.
• Drunk driving: The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) reports that alcohol-impaired driving fatalities statewide increased from 911 in 2015 to 1,059 in 2016. Nationwide, there were 10,497 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2016, as reported by NHTSA.
• Driving under the influence of drugs: According to OTS, 15% of all drivers killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2016 tested positive for legal or illegal drugs.
• Speeding: As stated by the Insurance Information Institute (III), speeding was a factor in 27% of all motor vehicle crash deaths in 2016.
• Aggressive driving: This dangerous driving behavior includes speeding, tailgating, erratic and unsafe lane changes, failure to yield the right-of-way, and failure to obey traffic signs and signals.

What to Do after an Accident

Knowing what to do after a car accident can help protect your rights and assist you in pursuing a personal injury claim:

• Remain at the scene of the accident and call 911.
• Start gathering evidence, including contact information for the other driver, the car owner, and any injured passengers; registration numbers of all vehicles involved in the accident; photos, videos, and a diagram of the accident scene; and contact information for any witnesses.
• Cooperate with law enforcement on the scene.
• Do not admit fault or make statements that can be used against you.
• Report the accident to your insurance company.
• Consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer about pursuing compensation for your losses.

Contact Our Firm Today

At Faulkner Law Offices, our Bakersfield personal injury lawyers are not intimidated by large companies. We are willing to take your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement. Contact us today if you have been injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence.