Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents can be life-altering, leaving you with injuries, medical bills, and unanswered questions. It can be overwhelming to deal with the aftermath of an accident that wasn’t your fault. How will you manage the medical bills? What if you can’t work? Where can you turn to make those responsible pay for your injuries, damages, and suffering?

At The Law Offices of Young Wooldridge, LLP, we understand the struggles you’re facing. Our experienced team has been serving the Bakersfield community for over 80 years, and our committed team will help you through every step of your car accident claim. While you focus on your recovery, we’ll fight tirelessly to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Our personal injury team possesses in-depth knowledge of local laws, regulations, and court systems specific to Kern County. Contact our office today for a free consultation with a Bakersfield car accident lawyer. Hablamos español.

Common Types of Car Accidents

Drivers should be aware of the different types of car accidents, understanding these situations can provide valuable insights for avoiding them or managing their aftermath if they occur:

• Rear-End Collisions – Often resulting from tailgating or distracted driving, these wrecks can cause considerable damage to vehicles and their occupants.
• Side-Impact Collisions – Also known as T-bone or sideswipe collisions, these accidents involve one vehicle hitting the side of another, typically at intersections or on multi-lane roads.
• Head-On Collisions – These accidents occur when two vehicles moving in opposite directions hit each other directly from the front, often resulting in fatalities.
• Rollover Accidents – Rollovers happen when vehicles tip over onto their sides or roofs. These wrecks are common among SUVs and trucks due to their higher centers of gravity.
• Single-Car Accidents – These crashes occur when one vehicle hits a tree, runs off the road, or hits a pedestrian, sometimes in an attempt to avoid a car crash.
• Multi-Vehicle Accidents – Also known as pile-ups, these accidents often occur on highways or freeways with congested traffic and involve several vehicles.
• Hit-and-Run Accidents – A hit-and-run is when a driver involved in a collision flees the accident scene without providing contact details or assistance to the injured, as the law requires.

Common Causes of Auto Accidents

Most car accidents result from several contributing factors, many of which involve some form of driver negligence. The following are some common causes that frequently appear in car accident injury claims:

• Distracted Driving – This includes any activity that diverts a driver’s attention from driving, such as using their phone to talk or text, eating or drinking, or adjusting vehicle control knobs.
• Speeding – Exceeding posted speed limits or going too fast for conditions reduces a driver’s ability to steer around curves, avoid roadway hazards, or stop in time to avoid rear-end crashes.
• Driving Under the Influence – Alcohol and certain drugs impair many functions required for safe driving, such as reaction time, depth perception, judgment, and coordination.
• Reckless Driving – This can include willfully dangerous behaviors like changing lanes too quickly, turning or changing lanes without signaling, or driving too closely behind other road users (tailgating).
• Poor Road Conditions – Road hazards like inadequate lighting, missing traffic signs, and large potholes make it harder for drivers to navigate safely and avoid accidents.
  Fatigue – Drowsy driving is a serious problem that can contribute to slow reaction times, increasing the odds of all types of accidents.
• Running Red Lights or Stop Signs – Ignoring traffic signals or refusing to yield the right-of-way is a common cause of intersection collisions, such as T-bone accidents.
• Driver Error – Drivers who are young, inexperienced, or simply confused are especially prone to accidents. Common examples of driver error include failure to yield and following too closely.

Common Injuries Caused in Car Accidents

A variety of injuries could result from a motor vehicle accident, depending on the nature and severity of the collision, including the following:

• Whiplash – This injury, common in rear-end collisions, occurs when the neck and head are suddenly snapped forward and back like a whip.
• Broken Bones – The force of a crash can easily break bones in the ribcage, arms, legs, or hips.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) – TBIs can range from comparatively minor concussions to severe brain damage and could result in long-term cognitive issues.
• Spinal Cord Injuries – These can lead to partial or complete paralysis, often for life.
• Internal Bleeding – Some accidents cause internal bleeding, which is less visible than other injuries and far more dangerous. Untreated internal injuries can have serious complications.
• Burns – Occupants can suffer severe burns if a car catches fire or explodes after an auto collision.
  Cuts and Scrapes – These injuries can happen due to glass, metal, and flying debris from a car accident, as well as “road rash” from falling onto or being dragged on the ground.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – Many crash survivors develop PTSD after the accident, leading to long-term mental and emotional issues.

Compensation for Injuries in a Car Accident

Compensation in a car accident lawsuit can vary based on several factors. The severity of the accident, the extent of injuries, the impact on your daily life and work, and who is at fault for the collision.

Potential compensation in a car accident injury claim might include money for the following:

Our experienced Bakersfield car accident attorney can evaluate your claim and handle the complex process to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your damages.

When You Need to File a Claim for a Car Accident

If you or a loved one have experienced significant injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, or lasting physical or emotional distress after a car wreck due to another’s negligent, reckless, or intentional behavior causing you harm, you could file for a personal injury claim. However, each accident is unique and requires legal guidance to determine if you have a valid injury claim.

That’s where our skilled car accident attorney in Bakersfield can help. They can review the facts of your case, explain your legal options, and estimate the potential value of any claims you may have. Don’t wait to seek the assistance you need, contact us now for a free consultation.

How We Investigate Motor Vehicle Accidents

At The Law Offices of Young Wooldridge, LLP, we take every car accident case seriously. Our commitment begins the moment you entrust your case to us.

We start with a meticulous and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of the accident. This involves speaking with you to hear your story and gather all relevant documentation, such as police reports, images of the scene, and medical records. We also can look for available video footage of the accident, such as recordings from traffic surveillance cameras or dash cams, which can provide clear evidence of the events leading up to the collision.

Our attorneys may also identify and interview any potential witnesses. Eyewitness statements can help us piece together the events that transpired, confirm or refute information from other sources, and establish who is liable for your losses.

We also consult expert witnesses when appropriate. Depending on your case, this could mean collaborating with medical experts to understand the full extent of your injuries, or working with accident reconstruction specialists who can recreate the collision using available data.

Lastly, we can examine potentially liable parties, looking for past violations or patterns of negligent behavior.

How Our Car Accident Attorney in Bakersfield Can Help

Dealing with a personal injury claim after a car accident can be overwhelming and hinder healing. We understand this at The Law Offices of Young Wooldridge, LLP, and we are here to help. Serving the Bakersfield community since 1939, our dedicated team is committed to demanding meaningful results for our clients.

At our firm, we value treating each client as a unique individual rather than just a case number. We take responsibility seriously when you come to us for help and understand your reliance on our expertise. With a wide range of experience in different practice areas, we can provide comprehensive support no matter the circumstance.

Our commitment extends beyond our clients to the community we work, live, and play in. With deep roots, we thoroughly understand state and local laws, allowing us to navigate the legal system while you focus on recuperating.

At The Law Offices of Young Wooldridge, LLP, we provide personalized attention and a proven track record of excellent results. We are not afraid of tough negotiations or going to trial, and we will fight for the fair compensation you deserve.

Moreover, we operate on a contingency-fee-basis, meaning you only pay if we recover compensation in your case. There are no upfront fees or charges for us to work on getting you the money you deserve for an accident that wasn’t your fault, so there’s nothing for you to lose.