Bakersfield Truck Accident Lawyer
Looking for a truck accident attorney in Bakersfield? Golden Gate Legal helps victims get the compensation they deserve. Contact us for a free consult.
The aftermath of a truck accident can be a devastating ordeal, leaving you with physical injuries and emotional scars. If you're seeking legal representation in the Bakersfield area to navigate this difficult time, contact us at the number below for help.
Golden Gate Legal is a personal injury law firm with a proven track record of handling truck accident cases specifically within Bakersfield. This article will guide you on what to do after an accident, give you an overview of the legal process, and address common questions you might have along the way.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Bakersfield
If you've been in a truck accident in Bakersfield, it's crucial to follow the steps below to protect both your well-being and your legal rights:
Make Sure You're Safe
The first thing to do is check yourself and any passengers for injuries, as your health is the top priority. If you are able and it is safe, move your vehicle to a secure location off the road to get away from the flow of Bakersfield traffic and avoid further danger.
Call 911 and Get Medical Attention
Your first priority is safety, so call 911 immediately if there are any injuries or significant vehicle damage. Afterwards, be sure to get a medical evaluation even if you feel unhurt, as some serious conditions may not show symptoms right away and this creates an important record for your health and potential case.
Document the Accident Scene
If you are physically able, use your phone to photograph the damage to all vehicles, any visible injuries, and the surrounding road conditions. Be sure to also exchange license and insurance details with the truck driver and collect contact information from any witnesses at the scene.
Don’t Admit Fault, Post Online, or Sign Anything
Be mindful of what you say at the scene, as even a simple apology can be used against you as an admission of fault. It is also critical to avoid posting about the crash on social media and to refuse to sign any documents or provide a statement to an insurance company before you have spoken to a lawyer.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for Help
If you've been involved in a truck accident in Bakersfield, contacting Golden Gate Legal is a vital step to safeguard your interests while you recover. Our compassionate team is here to navigate the legal system on your behalf, ensuring you receive the support and compensation you need.
Why Choose Golden Gate Legal Law Firm
Golden Gate Legal has dedicated years of experience handling complex truck accident cases and other personal injury claims for residents of Bakersfield. Here are a few reasons why you should choose our firm to represent you:
- We Will Get You Max Compensation: Our attorneys will aggressively fight to hold negligent parties accountable and help you obtain the full compensation you are entitled to.
- We Will Protect you at All Costs: It is our top priority to protect your rights and interests so you can focus on your recovery while we take care of the rest.
- No Legal Fees Upfront: You do not pay any legal fees upfront, and we only receive a fee when we win or settle your case.
- We Are Available at all times: Our team is available 24/7 to provide the strong legal and emotional support you need after an accident.
We encourage you to see what our past clients have to say by checking out our Client Testimonials.
Legal Process Overview
We take care of every step of your Bakersfield case so you can focus on what matters most—your healing—and here’s how the process works:
- Free Consultation & Case Evaluation: We start with a no-cost, no-obligation meeting to listen to your story, answer your questions, and determine the strength of your claim.
- Evidence Collection & Claim Filing: Our team handles the legwork of gathering essential evidence like police reports and medical records, then we file all claims and deal with the insurance companies for you.
- Medical Treatment Coordination: While you focus on getting better, we can help coordinate your medical care and monitor your treatment to ensure your case accurately reflects the extent of your injuries.
- Demand Letter & Negotiation: Once your medical treatment is finished, we will send a detailed demand package to the insurance company and aggressively negotiate for the maximum compensation you are owed.
- Litigation (if necessary): If the insurance company won't agree to a fair settlement, our trial lawyers are fully prepared to file a lawsuit and fight for you in court.
- You Get Paid: After your case is resolved, we take care of all the final paperwork to ensure you receive your settlement funds promptly and without hassle.
What Types of Compensation Can You Claim After a Truck Accident?
In California, if you've been injured in a truck accident, the law allows you to seek compensation for the various losses you've suffered from the driver who was at fault. Compensatory damages for truck accidents in California may include the following:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Vehicle repair
- Future medical care and treatment
- Pain and suffering
Insurance companies often try to pay out as little as possible to protect their bottom line, which is why having an experienced California personal injury attorney from Golden Gate Legal on your side is crucial to securing the full compensation you deserve.
Types of Injuries Handled
While this is not a complete list, here are the types of injuries we typically handle:
Whiplash & Soft
Tissue Damage
The sudden force from a truck accident can cause whiplash and damage to soft tissues, leaving you with lingering pain, stiffness, and a reduced range of motion.
Broken Bones & Fractures
The immense force of a truck accident often results in broken bones, which may necessitate surgery, immobilization in a cast, and a prolonged healing process that can lead to permanent mobility challenges or enduring pain.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The immense force of a truck collision can damage the spinal cord, leading to partial or complete paralysis that profoundly impacts a person's mobility, independence, and overall well-being.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries from the collision can cause lasting effects such as memory problems, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and noticeable personality changes.
Internal Organ Damage
The violent impact from a truck crash can cause severe harm to vital organs like the liver, kidneys, or spleen, often requiring immediate surgery and a stay in intensive care.
PTSD & Emotional Trauma
The emotional trauma from a major collision can result in PTSD, causing flashbacks, severe anxiety, and other debilitating symptoms that often require professional treatment.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Bakersfield
When a large truck is involved in a crash in Bakersfield, it's often due to one of the following major causes:
Speeding or Reckless Driving
Reckless driving, including speeding, leaves little room for error and drastically heightens the risk of a life-altering crash—particularly when other drivers least expect it.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs your coordination, clouds your judgment, and dramatically increases the chances of causing a serious collision.
Running Red Lights
When a driver fails to stop at a red light, it often leads to dangerous intersection crashes or puts pedestrians at severe risk of injury.
Rear-End Collisions
These accidents, often the result of distracted driving or failing to keep a safe distance, can cause painful neck and back problems, including whiplash.
Unsafe Lane Changes
Failing to signal or check for other vehicles before merging can easily lead to sideswipe collisions or force nearby drivers to make sudden, risky moves.
Hit-and-Run Incidents
Lane splitting motorcyclists can surprise other drivers, causing sudden accidents and creating confusion over who is legally responsible for the crash.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will a Personal Injury Attorney Cost?
For our personal injury clients in Bakersfield, Golden Gate Legal requires no upfront payment. We only collect a fee if we successfully resolve your case, so you can pursue justice without any financial risk.
How do I prove the other driver was at fault?
Proving the other driver was at fault for an accident takes a few key steps and often needs a detailed investigation into exactly what happened. If you believe the other driver caused the crash, we can help you gather the necessary evidence to demonstrate their negligence.
However, it's important to know that if you are found to be even partially responsible, the amount of compensation you receive could be lowered based on your percentage of fault. Understanding this is vital for figuring out what you might be owed, especially in a city like Bakersfield where driving conditions can be challenging.
How long do I have to take legal action after my accident?
In California, the law gives you two years from the date of your accident to take legal action. If you miss this critical deadline, you will likely lose the opportunity to receive any compensation for your injuries and other damages.
In California, how long does an insurance company have to settle a claim?
In California, insurance companies are held to a specific schedule. After you notify them of a claim, they have 15 days to acknowledge it and start their investigation. From the day they receive your completed proof-of-claim documents, they have 40 days to make a decision on whether to approve or deny it.
Once a claim is approved, the insurer must send payment within 30 days. Based on the state's Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations, this means the entire process, from your initial filing to payment, should wrap up within 85 days.
How long does a truck accident stay on your record in California?
For drivers in Bakersfield, a truck accident will typically show up on your California driving record for three years. However, because these accidents involve commercial vehicles, the record can be kept for as long as ten years, especially in more serious cases. This time frame begins on the actual date of the accident.
How will Golden Gate Legal actually help me?
At Golden Gate Legal, our Bakersfield team begins by listening to your story. We want to understand exactly what happened so you feel supported right from the start. We also help evaluate the full extent of your injuries and can connect you with trusted medical experts to make sure you receive proper care.
Your only job should be to focus on your health and recovery. While you do that, we will manage all the legal complexities. Our goal is to secure the compensation you need for your medical bills, lost income, and the pain and suffering you've endured.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for legal support
Golden Gate Legal has helped countless personal injury victims get back on their feet. Let’s do the same for you.
Call us now at (310) 445-3425 or click below for your free consultation.
Protecting your rights when you need it most
We believe in doing what’s right: you focus on your recovery, and we’ll handle the legal process from start to finish.
Fighting for your full compensation
We are available at all times
No legal fees paid upfront
We will protect you at all costs
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When dealing with the aftermath of an accident, you need strong support by your side to help you make the right decisions.
