Bakersfield is known for its proximity to the wild open spaces of California. As one of the main cities north of Los Angeles heading toward Fresno, Bakersfield sees plenty of personal vehicle and commercial truck traffic along highways, leading to an increased risk of truck accidents for Bakersfield residents and those just passing through. Truck accidents are often devastating and result in serious injuries and property damage, so understanding your rights following a crash can help protect your health, financial wellness, and future.
If you were injured in a truck accident in or around Bakersfield, you are not alone. Contact the skilled truck accident attorneys at BD&J to get guidance in your pursuit for compensation.
How Do Truck Accidents Happen?
When trucking accidents occur, the first question asked is often “how?” Unlike collisions involving personal vehicles, the stakes in a truck accident are significantly higher. Therefore, the investigation into a truck accident should be thorough and immediate. Typically, truck accidents are caused by a few factors. These are:
- Driver error or recklessness
- Poor visibility or road conditions
- Improper loading of cargo
- Unsustainable and dangerous quotas or driving schedules
- Bad or no maintenance
- Manufacturer defect
- Poor training or hiring
No matter how the accident occurred, you deserve the dignity of an honest investigation into the cause and a thorough accounting of all your losses. A Bakersfield truck accident lawyer can help you understand what happened, who may be liable, and how much compensation you deserve for your injury and losses.
How to Stay Safe Around Trucks
As some of the largest and most unwieldy vehicles on the road, safety can’t be the sole responsibility of the truck driver. Drivers of personal cars and trucks also must take precautions to avoid dangerous situations that could lead to truck accidents, especially in places of high traffic like on Bakersfield highways. Follow these steps to keep yourself and others safe around trucks:
- Give plenty of following distance for yourself and the truck. Trucks are massive and, therefore, have a much longer stopping distance than cars. Follow trucks with two or three times more space than usual. If you’re merging in front of a truck or passing, make sure you provide the same distance between you and the truck behind. Merging too close can cause serious crashes.
- Understand the truck’s blind spots. Unlike cars, trucks have several blind spots. Trucks have multiple mirrors to help account for their size, but the mirrors miss a few key areas. On either side of the truck behind the cab, directly behind the cab, close behind the trailer, and right in front of the truck for about 10 feet are the most important blind spots to remember. If you find yourself in one of these locations, move safely into a visible zone.
- Do not drive recklessly. It seems obvious because it is. Reckless driving maneuvers like swerving, speeding, cutting others off, or racing to get ahead of the truck can cause a severe collision. While it can sometimes be frustrating to be caught behind a truck, be patient and pass safely.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Get for a Truck Accident?
Because injuries from truck accidents are often more serious or life-changing than those that result from a car-to-car collision, the amount of compensation you could be eligible for is also typically much higher. The Bakersfield truck accident lawyers at BD&J fight for their clients’ rights to compensation for:
- Medical bills, current and future
- Rehabilitation or physical therapy
- Trauma and therapy costs
- Lost wages and earning potential
- Loss of consortium in cases involving the wrongful death of a victim
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Who is Liable for a Truck Accident?
When a truck accident happens to you and you suffer major injuries, it can be easy to place liability on the truck driver. After all, they should remain in control of their vehicle just like everyone else on the road. While many truck accidents in Bakersfield are the fault of the truck driver, there may also be other parties who should be investigated (and held accountable) for negligence. It takes many companies and entities to make sure a commercial truck reaches its destination, and any one of these (or multiple of them) could be partially to blame for a truck accident if the crash was caused by their negligence. If you bring a truck accident lawsuit with BD&J’s Bakersfield attorneys, our team will dive into the evidence immediately to understand what went wrong and who is at fault. Some of the parties our Bakersfield truck accident attorneys investigate include:
- Truck driver
- Trucking company
- Cargo loaders
- Truck manufacturer in cases of suspected defects
- Mechanic
Frequently Asked Questions
How many truck accidents happen in Bakersfield every year?
Unfortunately, specific information regarding truck accidents within Bakersfield city limits is not publicly available. However, California has the second highest rate of large truck accidents in the country, numbering in the hundreds of thousands every year, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
What do I do if I can’t afford a truck accident lawyer?
Lawyers have a reputation for being extremely expensive and unattainable for working class people. However, if you’re injured during a truck accident in Bakersfield, there’s great news. Most personal injury attorneys offer contingency fee structures instead of hourly fees. In short, you pay no upfront fees and aren’t charged anything until your case closes. This allows you to partner with a skilled Bakersfield truck accident attorney at BD&J at little to no cost out-of-pocket.
What kind of evidence do I need to win a truck accident case?
Truck accident lawsuits often have many layers of liability and argument that can complicate the case. To maintain the best chance of winning your case against a negligent truck driver, company, or other party, you’ll need solid evidence to support your claim. This includes medical bills, doctor’s diagnoses, video of the accident from CCTV footage, photos of the damages, and even eyewitness or expert testimony. A truck accident lawyer from the Bakersfield team of BD&J can help you collect this proof and present the strongest case possible.
Should I talk to insurance companies before getting a truck accident lawyer?
No. As truck accident attorneys who have helped residents of Bakersfield and beyond, speaking with an insurance company directly before discussing your case with a lawyer can often result in a claim denial or a low-balled offer. Present the facts to an ally like BD&J to understand how much a fair offer is and what to say (or not say) to the insurance adjuster.
Which trucking companies have the most accidents per year?
According to the FMCSA, the commercial trucking companies with the most truck accidents per year are UPS with nearly 2,500 crashes, J.B. Hunt Transport with 1,600 crashes, FedEx with 1,500 crashes, Werner Enterprises with over 800 crashes, and Swift with almost 900 crashes in the two-year period leading to April 2025.
How to Locate a Skilled Truck Accident Attorney in Bakersfield
A Bakersfield truck accident attorney can be the difference between mountains of medical debt and a full recovery. While California has plenty of options for injured residents looking for legal help, finding the best lawyer to pursue your compensation takes a little research.
- Review the website for case outcomes. Most attorneys post their achievements and outcomes online. Look for truck accident cases, especially if they were won in Bakersfield. While the results for these cases won’t tell you exactly how much you’ll receive, they give you an idea if the lawyer you’re considering fights for maximum compensation or just prefers to close cases quickly.
- Read reviews from real clients. Online reviews are some of the best ways to understand how a truck accident attorney interacts with real clients. Most attorneys will have a few negative reviews, but if the majority are positive, you may have found a great lawyer.
- Schedule a free consultation. At BD&J, we understand that the consultation process is vital to ensuring your relationship with your attorney is strong. It’s our opportunity to analyze the facts of your case and present you with your options. But consultations are also your opportunity to chat one-on-one with a truck accident lawyer and decide if we’re the right personality fit for you.
Helping Bakersfield Residents Get Back to Their Lives
In Bakersfield, truck accidents can happen due to heavy traffic and highway interchanges, but you’ll always have an ally on your side to help you fight for the compensation you deserve. We won’t be intimidated by corporate legal teams and dismissive insurance companies. Our priority is your recovery and future. If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident in or around Bakersfield, BD&J can help you claim maximum compensation. We’ve proudly claimed more than $2 billion* for clients over our history. Schedule your free consultation 24/7!
