Pedestrian Accident Attorney Bakersfield
Local Help When You Have Been Hit While Walking
When a vehicle strikes a person on foot, the pedestrian almost always suffers the most serious harm. If you or someone close to you was hit while walking in this area, you may be facing medical treatment, time away from work, and a lot of uncertainty about what comes next. Our team at Klein DeNatale Goldner is here to help you understand your options and move forward.
For more than 70 years, our firm has represented injured people and families throughout the San Joaquin Valley. With an office in Bakersfield, we are familiar with the roads, intersections, and legal system that can shape a pedestrian injury claim. We work to combine that local insight with the resources of a full service law firm so that you receive guidance that fits your situation.
You do not have to sort through insurance questions and legal rules on your own. We offer confidential consultations where you can speak with us, ask questions, and learn how a claim may work in your circumstances.
Speak with our Bakersfield pedestrian accident team to understand your legal options and next steps. Call (661) 485-2100.
Why Injured Pedestrians Turn To Our Firm
After a pedestrian collision, many people look for a lawyer who not only knows the law, but who also understands the community where the crash occurred. At Klein DeNatale Goldner, our roots in the San Joaquin Valley go back to 1953. Over those decades, our attorneys have helped people harmed in traffic incidents, hazardous property conditions, and other serious events pursue compensation from those who caused their injuries.
We are a full service firm. That means when a pedestrian injury overlaps with other concerns, such as employment problems, business issues, or the need for estate planning, you can often find guidance under one roof. This can be particularly important for clients facing long term disabilities or family changes after a severe collision.
Our team has experience handling complex injury and products liability litigation, including matters that involved large corporations and insurance carriers. This background benefits injured pedestrians whose claims may require detailed investigation, careful evaluation of long term medical needs, or negotiations with well funded defendants. At the same time, we work to provide personal attention so that each client understands the progress of their case and the decisions in front of them.
Common Pedestrian Accidents & Injuries Here
People travel on foot in many parts of Bakersfield, from busy commercial corridors to residential neighborhoods and school zones. Crashes often happen when drivers fail to yield in crosswalks, turn across a pedestrian’s path at an intersection, back out of driveways or parking spaces without checking carefully, or speed through areas where people are walking.
Because a person on foot has little protection, injuries from these collisions can be life changing. Pedestrians frequently suffer broken bones, joint injuries, or severe cuts and bruises. In more serious incidents, victims may face traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal injuries, or permanent mobility limitations. Recovery can involve surgery, extended rehabilitation, and changes to daily routines.
Our firm has long experience with catastrophic injury and wrongful death matters. That perspective helps us evaluate the full impact of a pedestrian collision, including future medical care, the need for assistive devices, and the effect on a person’s ability to work or care for family members. When you speak with us, we look not only at what has already happened, but also at what you may face in the months and years ahead.
Who May Be Liable After A Pedestrian Collision
Many injured pedestrians are told that they should have seen the car coming or that they were not in the right place. In reality, responsibility for a crash is often more complicated. In California, drivers generally have a duty to watch for people on foot and to obey traffic laws that protect pedestrians. When a driver speeds, is distracted, fails to yield, or ignores signals, that conduct can form part of the basis of a claim.
Other parties may also share responsibility. If a driver was working at the time of the crash, the employer might be involved in the case. If the design or maintenance of a property or roadway contributed to the collision, additional entities could potentially be brought into the claim, subject to strict rules and deadlines. Each situation turns on its own facts, and it usually takes careful review to understand where legal responsibility may lie.
California follows comparative negligence rules. This means that even if an injured pedestrian is alleged to be partly at fault, they may still pursue compensation, although any recovery can be reduced based on their share of responsibility. Our attorneys review police reports, medical records, photographs, and other available information to help clients understand how these rules might apply in their case.
What To Do After Being Hit While Walking
Protect Your Health & Document The Scene
In the moments after a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, health and safety come first. If you are able, or if a family member is with you, call 911 so that emergency responders and law enforcement can come to the scene. Even if you feel that your injuries are minor, a medical evaluation can identify issues that are not immediately obvious, such as internal injuries or concussions.
When it is safe to do so, basic information can help protect your claim later. This can include the driver’s name, contact details, and insurance information, as well as contact information for any witnesses who stopped to help. Photographs or video of the scene, the vehicle, and visible injuries can also be useful if they can be taken without putting anyone at further risk.
Be Careful With Insurance Contacts
Insurance adjusters sometimes reach out quickly after a collision and may offer a fast settlement or request a recorded statement. These conversations can affect your rights. Before agreeing to a settlement or detailed statement, many people choose to speak with an attorney who can explain how the process works and what the long term costs might be. Our team can review the facts with you and discuss potential next steps within the time limits set by California law.
How Our Bakersfield Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Team Can Help
Working with a pedestrian accident lawyer Bakersfield based can make it easier to navigate the legal and practical issues that follow a collision. When you contact Klein DeNatale Goldner, we begin by listening to what happened and how your injuries are affecting your life. We then review available records, such as police reports and medical documentation, and discuss what additional information might help clarify liability and damages.
Our goal is to handle the legal and insurance aspects so that you can focus more fully on your medical recovery. This typically includes communicating with insurance companies, organizing medical records, and evaluating how your injuries have affected your work and daily activities. If settlement discussions occur, we advise you on the options and possible outcomes so that you can make informed choices.
Because our firm has a long standing presence in Bakersfield, we are familiar with Kern County court procedures and with the way injury claims often move through the system here. We draw on our broader experience handling serious injury and products liability cases when preparing a pedestrian claim that may involve complex injuries or multiple defendants. Many injury matters are handled using a contingency fee arrangement, which usually means attorney fees are paid from a recovery rather than upfront, although we discuss fee terms clearly before representation begins.
Compensation In California Pedestrian Injury Claims
Types Of Damages You May Pursue
A central concern for most injured pedestrians is how they will manage the financial impact of a collision. California law allows injured people to pursue different categories of damages in a personal injury claim. These may include medical expenses already incurred, the cost of future treatment that a doctor expects will be needed, lost wages, and the loss of future earning capacity if the injury affects the ability to work.
Compensation can also address the more personal side of an injury, such as physical pain, emotional distress, and the loss of enjoyment of activities that are now difficult or impossible. In cases where a pedestrian unfortunately does not survive, certain family members may be able to file a wrongful death claim to seek damages related to their loss, subject to specific rules about who may file and what can be recovered.
What Affects The Value Of A Claim
The value of any pedestrian injury claim depends on many factors, including the severity of the injuries, how long recovery is expected to take, the amount of available insurance coverage, and the strength of the liability evidence. Our firm’s history in serious injury and wrongful death matters helps inform the way we evaluate these issues. We review medical information and other documentation carefully so that any demand on your behalf reflects both current and likely future needs.
Learn how California law protects injured pedestrians and what options may be available to you. Contact us online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do right after a driver hits me while walking?
Your first step should be to get medical help and make sure law enforcement is notified. Emergency personnel can address urgent injuries, and an official report can document important details about the collision. If you or someone with you can safely collect the driver’s information, witness contacts, and photographs of the scene, that material may support your claim later. It is also helpful to keep track of all medical visits and expenses from the start. Once your immediate medical needs are addressed, contacting a lawyer can help you understand how to protect your rights before you speak at length with any insurance company.
Do I really need a pedestrian accident lawyer in Bakersfield?
You are not required to hire an attorney, but many injured pedestrians find that having a local lawyer helps them navigate complex issues more confidently. A pedestrian accident attorney Bakersfield based can explain how California law applies to your situation, evaluate whether the driver or others may be liable, and communicate with insurers on your behalf. Our firm’s long experience in the San Joaquin Valley and familiarity with Kern County courts allow us to factor local practices into your case strategy. Speaking with us in a free consultation can help you decide whether legal representation makes sense for you.
How much does it cost to hire your firm for a pedestrian case?
Most injury cases that our firm handles are taken on a contingency fee basis, which generally means that attorney fees are paid as a percentage of any recovery instead of being charged upfront. The specific terms are discussed and put in writing before we begin representation so that you know what to expect. There may be costs associated with developing a case, such as obtaining records or working with outside professionals, and we explain how those costs are handled as part of the fee discussion. If you decide not to move forward after a consultation, there is no obligation and no consultation fee.
What if the driver and insurance company say the accident was my fault?
Disputes about fault are common in pedestrian cases, but an accusation does not necessarily end your claim. Under California’s comparative negligence rules, an injured person may still recover damages even if they are found to be partly at fault, although any award can be reduced by their percentage of responsibility. Our attorneys review the circumstances of the collision, including traffic signals, road markings, and statements from those involved, to help clarify how fault might be assigned. We then discuss with you how those findings could affect the value of your claim and your options going forward.
How long will my pedestrian injury claim take to resolve?
The timeline for a pedestrian claim can vary based on several factors. These can include how long it takes you to reach a stable point in your medical recovery, the complexity of the liability issues, the number of parties involved, and the willingness of insurance companies to engage in settlement discussions. Some matters resolve in negotiations without a lawsuit, while others require filing in court and may take longer. When you work with us, we keep you informed about what stage your case is in and discuss realistic time frames as more information becomes available.
What kinds of compensation can I seek after a pedestrian accident?
In many pedestrian injury cases, potential compensation includes medical expenses, anticipated future treatment costs, lost income, and the impact on your ability to work in the future. You may also seek damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the ways your injuries have changed your daily life. The exact categories and amounts depend on your injuries and how they affect you. Our team reviews medical records and talks with you about your work and home life to understand the full picture before making any demand for compensation on your behalf.
Will your attorneys keep me updated about my case?
Staying informed is important when you are recovering from an injury and relying on a legal claim to address your losses. At Klein DeNatale Goldner, we strive to keep clients updated on key developments, upcoming deadlines, and important decisions. You can expect to hear from our team as the case progresses and whenever your input is needed. We encourage questions and work to explain legal concepts in plain language so that you feel comfortable with the direction of your case.
Talk With Our Team About Your Pedestrian Accident
If you were struck by a vehicle while walking, you do not have to handle the aftermath alone. Speaking with our team can help you understand your rights, the time limits that may apply, and what a claim could look like in your circumstances. We take the time to listen, explain options, and answer your questions so that you can make informed decisions.
With more than seven decades of serving injured people and families in this region, Klein DeNatale Goldner brings both local insight and broad legal experience to pedestrian injury claims. We offer free, no obligation consultations, and we are ready to discuss how we may be able to assist you.
Reach out to Klein DeNatale Goldner today to talk through your pedestrian injury and explore your legal options. Call (661) 485-2100 or contact us online.
