Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Bakersfield, California
Car Accident Lawyers of California • Abogados de Accidentes de California
Hit by a vehicle in Bakersfield? Expert legal representation for pedestrian accident victims — No fee unless we win
Car Accident Lawyers of California • Abogados de Accidentes de California
Hit by a vehicle in Bakersfield? Expert legal representation for pedestrian accident victims — No fee unless we win
Free Consultation: Call 661-383-9387 today. No fee unless we win. Hablamos Español: 661-669-7362
Pedestrians are the most vulnerable users of public roadways. Without the protection of a vehicle, pedestrians struck by cars, trucks, or motorcycles suffer devastating injuries — leg and pelvic fractures, traumatic brain injuries from impact with the pavement, spinal cord damage, internal organ injuries, and in the worst cases, wrongful death. A pedestrian has no seatbelt, no airbag, and no chassis to absorb the impact.
In Bakersfield, pedestrian accidents are a serious and growing problem. Wide, high-speed arterials, insufficient marked crosswalks at many intersections, distracted drivers on cell phones, and inadequate streetlighting in residential areas create a deadly combination for people walking in the city.
At Car Accident Lawyers of California, Attorney Paula J. Khehra, Esq. has over 10 years of experience representing pedestrian accident victims in Bakersfield and throughout Kern County. Our firm has recovered over $100 million for accident victims. With a perfect 10.0 Avvo rating and recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star for 10 consecutive years (2017–2026), your case is in the best hands.
Pedestrian accident cases are particularly complex because insurance companies frequently try to blame the pedestrian — arguing they crossed outside a crosswalk, were not paying attention, or wore dark clothing. Our attorneys know how to fight these tactics and protect your rights under California law.
Our attorneys also handle car accidents, semi-truck accidents, freeway accidents, motorcycle accidents, and tow truck accidents cases in Bakersfield.
California has specific laws designed to protect pedestrians. Understanding these laws is crucial to maximizing your compensation:
CVC §21950(a) — Drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. This is the most important law for pedestrian accident victims.
CVC §21954(a) — Outside of crosswalks, pedestrians must yield to vehicles. However, drivers must still exercise due care to avoid hitting a pedestrian under any circumstances.
CVC §21955 — Crossing between adjacent intersections controlled by traffic signals is prohibited (jaywalking). However, violating this law does not eliminate the driver's liability — California uses comparative negligence.
CVC §21453(d) — Drivers turning right on a red light must yield to pedestrians lawfully crossing. Many pedestrian accidents in Bakersfield occur when drivers turn without checking for pedestrians.
CCP §335.1 — You have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a government entity is responsible (e.g., missing crosswalks or inadequate lighting), you must file an administrative claim within six months.
Civil Code §1714 — Every person is responsible for injuries caused by their failure to exercise ordinary care. Drivers owe a heightened duty of care to pedestrians, who are more vulnerable than other road users.
Pedestrian accident victims in Bakersfield frequently suffer severe injuries that require extensive medical treatment. Because pedestrians have no protection against a moving vehicle, injuries tend to be more severe than in vehicle-to-vehicle accidents. The most common injuries include: traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions from impact with the vehicle or pavement, leg, hip and pelvic fractures from direct vehicle impact, spinal cord injuries and paralysis, internal organ damage, severe lacerations and permanent scarring, knee, ankle and foot injuries, facial and dental trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and wrongful death. Children and elderly individuals are especially vulnerable to catastrophic injuries in pedestrian accidents.
Obtain surveillance camera and dashcam video — in pedestrian accident cases, video is the most powerful evidence available. It can prove who had the walk signal, whether the driver was distracted by their phone, the vehicle's actual speed, and exactly how the impact occurred. But this evidence disappears quickly: most commercial surveillance systems overwrite recordings every 24 to 72 hours. Act immediately to identify nearby business security cameras — gas stations, stores, restaurants, banks, and parking lots that may have captured the accident. Check for municipal traffic cameras and red-light cameras operated by the local transportation department. Ask any driver who witnessed the accident to preserve their dashcam footage. Your attorney can send preservation letters to these businesses and government entities before the recordings are lost. Call Car Accident Lawyers of California at 661-383-9387 — the faster we act, the more likely we can recover this critical video. Hablamos Español: 661-669-7362.
Pedestrians struck by vehicles in Bakersfield suffer the most devastating injuries of any traffic accident type because the human body has no protection against vehicle impact. The compensation available reflects the severity of these injuries.
Catastrophic medical expenses and lifetime care — Pedestrian injuries typically require multiple surgeries (orthopedic, neurological, reconstructive), extended hospitalization, intensive rehabilitation over months or years, and frequently lifetime medical care. Medical costs in serious pedestrian cases regularly exceed $500,000 and can surpass several million dollars for spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries.
Disability adaptation costs — wheelchairs, prosthetics, walkers, home modifications (ramps, grab bars, accessible bathrooms, elevators), adapted vehicles, and lifetime assistive equipment. These costs are calculated by projecting your needs over your entire life expectancy. Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage for hit-and-run cases — If the driver who struck you fled the scene, you may be entitled to compensation under the UM coverage of your own auto insurance policy (if you have one) or the policy of a family member you live with.
Government liability for dangerous crosswalks — If your accident occurred at a crosswalk without adequate signage, without pedestrian signals, with obstructed visibility, or in an area without marked crosswalks where pedestrians frequently cross, the responsible government entity (city, county, or Caltrans) can be sued under Government Code §835. Remember the 6-month deadline to file the administrative claim against government entities.
Pedestrian-specific psychological trauma — severe fear of walking near traffic, anxiety when crossing streets, PTSD, recurring nightmares, and social isolation. In cases involving minors, childhood psychological trauma requires specialized long-term evaluation and treatment, and parents may also claim compensation for their own emotional suffering. Lost wages — including permanent loss of the ability to work if injuries result in disability. Punitive damages — available in hit-and-run cases, DUI crashes, or speeding in school or residential zones.
The most valuable evidence includes: surveillance or traffic camera footage capturing the impact, the police report with witness statements, your medical records documenting injuries from day one, and photos of the scene showing visibility conditions, skid marks, and signage. It is also crucial to preserve the clothing and shoes you were wearing at the time of the accident, as they can show the point of impact. Our team acts quickly to secure surveillance video before it is deleted.
Yes. California follows a pure comparative negligence system. Even if you were crossing outside a crosswalk, the driver still had a duty to exercise due care to avoid hitting you (CVC §21954). Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover. For example, if you were 30% at fault, you can still recover 70% of your total damages.
Hit-and-run accidents are common in pedestrian cases, but they do not mean you cannot recover compensation. Our attorneys work with investigators to locate the driver using surveillance cameras, witnesses, and physical evidence. If the driver is not identified, you may file a claim under your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. Drivers who flee face additional criminal charges under CVC §20001.
Yes. California does not require pedestrians to wear reflective clothing. While visibility is a factor, drivers have a legal obligation to drive at a speed that allows them to stop for any visible obstacle on the road (CVC §22350). Additionally, if street lighting was inadequate, the city or county may also be partially liable. The lack of reflective clothing alone does not eliminate the driver's responsibility.
Pedestrian accident cases are generally worth more than vehicle-to-vehicle accidents because the injuries are more severe. The value depends on the severity of your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and the permanent impact on your quality of life. Cases involving traumatic brain injuries, pelvic fractures, spinal cord injuries, or wrongful death can result in significant compensation. Under California law, there is no cap on non-economic damages in pedestrian accident cases.
The statute of limitations in California (CCP §335.1) is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, if a government entity is partially responsible — for example, for failing to maintain marked crosswalks, inadequate lighting, or broken sidewalks — you must file an administrative claim within six months. Contact us as soon as possible to protect your rights.
Yes. Under Government Code §835, public entities can be liable for dangerous conditions on public roadways they maintain. If the absence of a marked crosswalk, inadequate lighting, broken sidewalks, or defective signage contributed to your accident, our attorneys can pursue a claim against the city or county in addition to the at-fault driver.
Yes. California law recognizes that children cannot exercise the same level of care as adults. Drivers owe a heightened duty of care in areas where children are expected, such as school zones, parks, and residential areas. If a child was struck, the driver's liability is generally greater, and parents can file the claim on the minor's behalf.