If you have been injured due to someone else’s careless or reckless behavior, contact a Bakersfield personal injury lawyer at Bisnar Chase today. Our firm has been in business for over 46 years with a 99% success rate and more than $900 million in our clients’ verdicts, judgments, and settlements.
Questions to ask your personal injury lawyer in Bakersfield when you meet
- How much do personal injury lawyers charge in California? Most personal injury law firms charge approximately 33 1/3% of the total recovery. With Bisnar Chase, you’ll never pay upfront or pay us directly. Our fee will be expenses from your recovery.
- How do I file a personal injury lawsuit in California? If you take on the case yourself, you’ll need to file the paperwork with the court in your jurisdiction.
- How long does it take to settle a personal injury case in California? Depending on negotiations, insurance company resistance, and defense team response time, personal injury claims can take anywhere from a few months to a year or longer.
Bakersfield is one of the fastest-growing cities in California, with a population of over 400,000. But its accident and injury numbers are also on the rise. That is where a Bakersfield personal injury law firm comes in.
Bisnar Chase is a top-rated firm with an outstanding reputation for winning the most challenging cases in Bakersfield and across California. We provide superior representation, balancing compassion and support for our clients with tough negotiation skills.
Our team takes pride in holding wrongdoers accountable and maximizing the payout for accident victims.
Do not settle for less than you deserve. Contact us at (800) 561-4887 for a free consultation with no obligations. With Bisnar Chase, your personal injury case is in great hands.
Bakersfield Personal Injury Lawyer
Bakersfield Personal Injury Cases We Handle
An accident can occur anywhere and at any time. When you suffer an injury, you need a firm on your side that has handled cases like yours in and around Bakersfield and the Kern County area.
The Most Common Personal Injury Cases in Bakersfield
The following are some of the claims we routinely handle successfully. If your case is not listed below, you should call us to find out if we can help.
Car Accidents
Like the rest of California, Bakersfield has busy and congested roads. Statistics show thousands of auto accidents involving cars every year, many of which result in fatalities and injuries. There are numerous causes of car accidents in Bakersfield, including tailgating, distracted driving, and vehicle defects.
Truck Crashes
Accidents involving trucks, especially commercial semi-trucks and big rig accidents, will likely have serious consequences. For one thing, the sheer size and weight of these vehicles mean that any impact will carry a lot of force, causing extremely dangerous motor vehicle accidents.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorbike riders are vulnerable to severe injuries when they crash because they have little protection, can accelerate at high speeds, and other drivers often do not take enough care. In 2022, more than 250 motorcycle accidents occurred in Kern County, with more than 30% occurring in Bakersfield city limits.
Premises Liability, Including Slip and Fall Accidents
When another party’s negligence results in an accident on their property, premises liability applies. Negligence can include not maintaining a property, failing to fix a hazard, or failing to warn of potential danger.
Dog Bites
A dog bite can cause serious injuries, leaving victims with physical and emotional scars. Dog bites in Bakersfield are subject to California state laws, which hold animal owners responsible even if their pet has shown no previous signs of aggression.
According to the United States Postal Service (USPS), there have been 53 dog attacks on letter carriers in Bakersfield over the last five years, with eight attacks occurring in 2023. An experienced dog bite attorney can help you file a lawsuit in Bakersfield and win compensation for your injuries.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accident numbers are high in Bakersfield, with many victims sustaining life-altering injuries yearly. A pedestrian and vehicle collision will always have severe consequences, even at slow speeds.
Bicycle Accidents and Micromobility Mobility Injuries
Accidents involving pedal bicycles, e-bikes, hoverboards, electric scooters, and other such devices are consistently rising. In fact, electric bike accidents represent the fastest-growing type of accident in California.
Bus Accidents
You can recover compensation from several potentially liable parties if injured in a bus crash. Our Bakersfield bus accident attorneys also handle injury claims involving other forms of public transport, such as train crashes.
Workplace Accidents
Some workplaces are dangerous, including farms, factories, and oilfields. Many of these jobs involve handling or operating heavy machinery, and a single slip can prove costly. You may have a personal injury claim if negligence was involved in a workplace accident in Bakersfield.
Dangerous Products
Some products have inherent risks or flaws that put consumers at risk, even when using the item as directed. When a design or manufacturing fault is to blame for a product defect injury, we can hold the manufacturer accountable for you.
Auto Defects
Many vehicles are produced with design or manufacturing flaws. Our auto defect lawyers have handled cases involving faulty brakes, seat belts, seat backs, tires, airbags, and more.
Wrongful Death
When the worst happens, and an accident results in a fatality, our team is here to provide emotional support and guidance while winning your wrongful death lawsuit.
Class Actions
We handle mass torts and class action cases that involve a group of people taking collective action, usually against a major company. Examples of the cases we are handling include pharmaceutical lawsuits, talcum powder, Zantac, Roundup, and more.
Employment Violations
It is not just physical injury cases that we handle. We also have an employment department that holds employers accountable for wrongful termination, wage and hour violations, abuse, hostile work environments, unpaid overtime and breaks, and more.
Knowledge and Superior Skill
Our team has a wealth of experience with a wide range of serious injury cases, giving us the knowledge and skill to secure the best possible outcome for you. We do not handle all case types. For example, we can only take on some types of medical malpractice claims. But our team will take on most personal injury claims involving someone else’s negligence and physical injuries.
If we cannot take your personal injury case, we may be able to refer you to another firm. It is always worth the call to check.
Whether you have a Bakersfield car accident case or a wrongful death lawsuit, we can help. Contact a Bakersfield personal injury attorney at Bisnar Chase today to get the ball rolling with your claim.
Bisnar Chase handles all manner of serious personal injury cases across the Bakersfield area. In the video above, managing partner Brian Chase discusses how he and the firm’s staff have deep compassion for our clients and how we work collectively to ease their recovery.
Pedestrian Accident Dangers in Bakersfield
Bakersfield has a serious problem with accidents involving pedestrian deaths and injuries.
Most pedestrian accidents involve collisions between someone walking and a vehicle, such as a car, bicycle, truck, or bus. Many crashes involving pedestrians occur because the driver is not paying attention or is not expecting someone to step out into the road.
The most common causes of pedestrian accidents in Bakersfield include:
Distracted driving.
Failing to stop at a crossing.
Speeding.
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Failing to yield the right of way.
Ignoring street signs.
In recent years, hundreds of pedestrians have suffered severe injuries in Bakersfield. The city has unusually high crash numbers, including alarming fatality figures.
Bakersfield consistently accounts for more than 50% of all Kern County accidents involving pedestrians.
From 2018-2022 the city had an average of 138 accidents, 124 personal injuries, and 19 deaths every year.
Downtown Bakersfield is a high-risk area due to its high foot traffic, such as Truxtun Avenue, where large crowds spill out of Mechanics Bank Arena after an event.
More than 30 pedestrians lost their lives in crashes in 2022.
Pedestrian Deaths and Injuries in Bakersfield
The graph above shows pedestrian injuries and deaths in Bakersfield over a five-year span from 2018-2022, sourced from California Highway Patrol. There were:
- 2018: 147 accidents, 154 injuries, 7 deaths.
- 2019: 163 accidents, 150 injuries, 16 deaths.
- 2020: 110 accidents, 100 injuries, 15 deaths.
- 2021: 131 accidents, 112 injuries, 25 deaths.
- 2022: 139 accidents, 104 injuries, 31 deaths.
If you or a loved one are injured in a crash, contact a Bakersfield pedestrian accident lawyer at Bisnar Chase for immediate assistance.
Recent Accidents
In one recent incident, two pedestrians suffered severe injuries when a hit-and-run driver struck them in June 2023. The crash occurred on Chester Avenue, near Decatur Street, and the victims were rushed to a nearby hospital. This latest incident shows the significant dangers that pedestrians face at all times.
If a vehicle strikes you or a loved one, get in touch with our Bakersfield pedestrian accident lawyers for a free consultation. We are here to help.
Car Accidents in Kern County
In 2022 alone, 9,482 reported motor vehicle collisions across Kern County were reported. Many of those crashes happened in and around Bakersfield itself.
From those auto accidents, authorities reported more than 5,000 injuries and 207 fatalities. Whether you are a cyclist, a pedestrian, a passenger, or driving any vehicle, the roads can be dangerous. Reports show that the highest-risk intersections in Bakersfield are:
- Ming Avenue and New Stine Road
- Gosford Road and Ming Avenue
- Real Road and Wilson Road
- 34th Street and Q Street
- Brundage Lane and P Street
- H Street and Ming Avenue
- H Street and Planz Road
- Baker Street and Niles Street
- H Street and Wilson Road
- 4th Street and Union Avenue
If you suffer an injury, contact a Bakersfield personal injury attorney at Bisnar Chase today.
Do You Need a Lawyer for a Personal Injury Case?
Many people are hesitant to hire an attorney for an injury case. There can be several reasons for this, from being unsure about the costs to not wanting to deal with a drawn-out legal process.
We understand that filing a lawsuit can be daunting, but having proper legal representation is essential. Here’s why:- Hold wrongdoers accountable: When you are injured due to another person’s actions, they must take responsibility. Making a claim against their insurance or filing a lawsuit forces them to do so. A lawsuit can force large companies and manufacturers to maintain quality and safety standards and hold individuals accountable.
- Win the compensation you deserve: Make sure you are not left out of pocket by recouping compensation for medical bills, ongoing treatment, lost wages, and more.
- Take the burden off you: Dealing with paperwork, deadlines, and evidence is a full-time job. But Bisnar Chase will handle every aspect of your case to allow you to focus on recovery while we seek damages for you.
- Risk-free: The best attorneys will not get anything unless they win your case. We make a financial pledge to keep you free from out-of-pocket expenses.
- Expert help dealing with the insurance company: Most injury cases at least start with a claim against the liable party’s insurance policy. Insurance companies do not want you to hire an attorney. They like to minimize payments and often deny or lowball personal injury claims. Working with an attorney ensures that you will have an expert negotiator on your side.
- Greater chance of success: Some people try to handle injury claims on their own, but this is usually a recipe for disaster. Working with an attorney will increase your chances of success and maximize the money you could recover.
Taking on Insurance Companies
The legal process for our injured clients will depend on the facts and circumstances of the case. But for most people, it will start with a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance policy.
For example, if you are involved in a car crash, your legal team might first enter into negotiations with the insurance company of the driver who hit you.
We might have to file a lawsuit to secure a fair financial recovery in cases involving serious injuries or disputed facts. But many claims are resolved with an insurance settlement.
However, insurers are not in the habit of paying out when they don’t have to. Some companies even employ shady tactics to minimize insurance claims and reduce your payout. These include trying to trick personal injury victims into recall errors, downplaying injuries, and submitting lowball offers.
Without a lawyer on your side, this process can be a nightmare. But working with Bisnar Chase will take the pressure off your shoulders. Let us handle the negotiations with insurance adjusters while you focus on your recovery.
Why Bisnar Chase is the Right Bakersfield Law Firm For You
There are plenty of law firms operating in the Bakersfield, CA, area. But not all firms can offer the level of representation that we can. At Bisnar Chase, we take pride in being ranked among the best law firms in Southern California.
Accident victims are not just clients to us. We invest our time, resources, and passion into your case to ensure you get the results you deserve.
- Our firm has a 99% success rate.
- Litigator of the Year for eight consecutive years.
- 2024 Top Lawyers by the American Institute of Legal Advocates
- We have won more than $900 million for our clients over four business decades.
- With Bisnar Chase, you get a free consultation to assess your legal options with no obligations.
- We also offer a no-win, no-fee promise to protect you from out-of-pocket costs.
- Our team consistently ranks in the top 1% of California law firms.
- Bisnar Chase emphasizes providing a personal touch.
- We regularly contact all our clients to update them on their cases and form strong relationships.
Before deciding on the best Bakersfield law firm for you, please take a moment to check out our reviews, awards, and case results. Our dedicated team does everything possible to maximize the value of your case while providing the guidance and support you need.
Common Injuries Sustained in Bakersfield Accidents
We can file a personal injury claim for you if you have sustained physical pain or harm. The most common injuries we see include:
- Broken bones.
- Cuts, bruising, and puncture wounds.
- Blunt force trauma and internal injuries.
- Food poisoning and associated issues.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Brain injury.
- Crush injuries and amputations.
What is Your Bakersfield Personal Injury Lawsuit Worth?
Accidents can have a devastating impact on victims, both physically and financially. Even relatively minor incidents, such as low-impact car accidents or falls, can have major repercussions.
In many of the cases we handle, victims have to pay for expensive hospital treatments or miss work while they recover. But you should not have to manage these expenses when another person’s negligence caused your accident.
At Bisnar Chase, an expert Bakersfield personal injury attorney will maximize the value of your claim, recovering both economic damages and non-economic damages.
Personal Injury Compensation: Economic v. Non-Economic
Economic damages cover specific financial costs faced by the victim, such as medical expenses or damaged property. In contrast, non-economic damages help compensate victims for intangible factors such as pain and suffering.
Every case is different, and the amount of compensation a client could receive will depend on the specifics of their case. But some of the factors can include:
- Lost income.
- Medical bills and expenses.
- Rehab costs.
- Economic and non-economic damages
- Ongoing treatment and care.
- Pain and suffering.
- Property damage.
- Anxiety and emotional trauma related to the accident.
- Lost quality of life and chronic pain.
- Lasting scarring or disfigurement.
We will help you secure the financial compensation and justice that you deserve. We take pride in helping those who sustain injuries get back on their feet after an accident, ensuring they are made whole and not left out of pocket.
Who is Liable For Your Injury?
Identifying the parties responsible for your accident and injuries is important. However, it is not always as straightforward as it seems.
An injury lawsuit can be filed in Bakersfield when an act of negligence causes the accident, at least in part. If multiple people or parties share responsibility, multiple people can be targeted in any legal action. Examples of liability in personal injury cases include:- Careless or reckless drivers in car accident cases.
- Negligent property owners who fail to maintain safe conditions.
- Employers who have a duty of care for their staff.
- Businesses with a duty of care for customers.
- Negligent product designers and manufacturers who create unsafe goods.
- Dog owners are responsible for ensuring their pets do not harm others.
We Don't Win Unless You Are Paid
At Bisnar Chase, we are Bakersfield no win no fee lawyers. That means we advance all the money necessary to win your case, and we do not get paid unless you do.
We start by offering a free initial consultation. When you call our Bakersfield law office, you will speak to a member of our intake team. They will discuss any personal injury matters related to your claim and talk through your options.
When you work with us, our firm will advance the costs necessary to win your case. Not all firms have the resources to do this, but we believe in protecting you from out-of-pocket expenses.
If we win your case, a pre-agreed percentage goes to us to cover the expenses and fees, while the majority will go to you. If we do not win your case, you will not owe us anything. This system is designed to ensure everyone has access to the legal help they need when they need it most.
Major Personal Injury Claims in Bakersfield
In addition to the normal injury risks present in most areas, Bakersfield has added dangers, such as oil wells and mine shafts. These potential hazards have been involved in significant accidents over the years. Below are just a couple of major cases in the area.
- A family was awarded more than $70 million after their vehicle was involved in a high-impact collision with a big rig. The truck reportedly ran a red light, and the driver was on a suspended license at the time. The crash happened in 2017, leaving several vehicle occupants with severe and lasting injuries.
- An oil well worker was taken to hospital with catastrophic injuries after a rig explosion in Bakersfield. The accident occurred in 2022 when the worker was filling an abandoned oil well. But a blowout caused him to be thrown from a platform. It happened at an oil well near California Avenue and Easton Drive in Bakersfield.
The top Bakersfield personal injury attorneys at Bisnar Chase specialize in complex and economically significant Central Valley personal injury litigation throughout California.
Can You Still File a Lawsuit if You Were Partly at Fault?
Many injury victims are hesitant to file a lawsuit because they may have been partially at fault for the accident, and they fear that will automatically disqualify them from recovering compensation. But that is not the case.
Just because you share some blame does not mean you cannot win the compensation you deserve.
When you are injured in or near Bakersfield, California state laws will apply. In California, we have a legal system known as comparative negligence. In essence, this means that the plaintiff will receive less compensation by a percentage equal to their share of the blame.
This sounds more complicated than it is. For example, if the court judges you as 10% at fault for the accident, your compensation will be reduced by 10%. But it is still worth taking legal action; you can still win substantial damages under personal injury law.
Bakersfield Accident FAQs
We are here to answer the most important questions before, during, and after you file an injury lawsuit in Bakersfield. If your question is not answered on this page, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
What should I do after an accident in Bakersfield?
Your actions immediately after an accident will depend on the type of accident and the extent of your injuries. Seeking appropriate medical attention is important. Even if your injuries are relatively minor, you should visit a doctor. If you are able, collect evidence of the accident, such as pictures, video, medical reports, and witness statements, to help your Bakersfield personal injury lawyer build the strongest possible case.
When do I need to file a lawsuit?
You will usually need to file an injury lawsuit in Bakersfield within two years of the date of the accident, according to the California statute of limitations. We always recommend contacting an attorney for guidance sooner rather than later.
What happens when I contact Bisnar Chase?
You can contact Bisnar Chase by calling (800) 561-4887, emailing us, or using the live chat on our website. You will speak to a member of our team, who will discuss the details of your case with you and guide you through your next steps. This initial consultation is always free.
How much will it cost to hire a Bakersfield injury attorney?
Bisnar Chase has a no-win, no-fee promise. If we do not win for you, we do not get paid. This is designed to protect the client and ensure quality legal representation is available to all. Contact us to learn more.
Contact the Best Bakersfield Personal Injury Lawyers Near Me
If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident in or around Bakersfield, we can help. Our top-rated law firm has been serving communities across California since 1978. Over that time, we have helped more than 12,000 clients with a 99% success rate.
We take great pride in offering superior representation with a personal touch. We believe in helping people and are dedicated to providing the best results possible for our clients.Do not delay. Contact our top-rated Bakersfield personal injury lawyers at Bisnar Chase to hold wrongdoers accountable and get the justice and compensation you deserve. Call (800) 561-4887, use the live chat on our website, or click to email us. We look forward to hearing from you.
Bakersfield Resources
Top Destinations and Attractions:
California Living Museum
Kern County Museum
Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater
Mechanics Bank Arena
Hurt Memorial Park
The Big Red Barn
Bakersfield Museum of Art
