Bakersfield Truck Accident Lawyers

Ready To Handle Your Bakersfield Truck Accident Case

Over 10,000 car accidents involving semi-trucks or commercial trucks occur in California each year. Truck accidents, which often end in fatalities or major injuries, are among the most awful things that occur on California’s highways. Employing a trained attorney is essential for case success due to the intricacy of trucking legislation.

The Saeedian Law Group provides focused and dedicated legal advocacy for truck accident victims in Bakersfield. Our skilled truck accident lawyer will stand up to large insurance companies to ensure fair compensation. Don’t take on the legal process alone after a crash.

Contact our Bakersfield office to set up a free consultation with an experienced California motor vehicle accident attorney.

Key Steps to Follow After a Truck Crash in Bakersfield

In 2023, there were 400 fatalities and almost 5,000 injuries from truck accidents in California. Were you recently in an auto accident in Bakersfield? Building a truck accident case involves a thorough examination of the available evidence, such as police records and medical bills.

The following steps are crucial to protecting your claim. Move to a safe location, turn on hazard lights, and report the incident. Even if there appears to be just minor damage following a truck accident, you should call 911 right away.

If you talk to any police officers at the site, you should collect their business cards and badge numbers. Obtain a police report. Get prompt medical treatment since some injuries are not immediately visible, and keep detailed records of treatments. Document the accident scene thoroughly with photos, exchange information, and gather witness details.

You should keep records of all medical treatments and expenses related to your injuries after a truck accident. Notify your insurance company but consult a lawyer before giving detailed information. When you talk to anyone on the scene about the accident, you shouldn’t acknowledge or imply that you are at fault.

Contact a Bakersfield truck accident lawyer to protect your rights when dealing with insurers.

What Can Cause A Truck Accident In Bakersfield, CA

Truck accidents happen for many reasons but when they do, it’s typically because the truck driver wasn’t paying attention or because of road conditions. Here are some of the most common causes of commercial truck accidents:

• Fatigued Driving: Long hours can lead to serious accidents. Thirty to forty percent of truck accidents are caused by fatigued drivers.
• Speeding: Speeding makes it harder for a truck to stop and raises the risk of collisions. Because of its enormous size, a speeding truck could collide with a car in front of it and seriously damage it.
• Unbalanced Loads: Improperly loaded cargo on a large truck can cause a truck to get off its center of gravity, which can lead to a higher chance of rollovers.
• Weather Conditions: The rain, snow, and fog can make roads very dangerous for large commercial trucks, and if a driver showcases distracted driving tendencies, severe injuries occur.
• Impaired Driving: Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs affects basic motor functions, which raises the likelihood of an accident.
• Lack Of Training: Due to driver irresponsibility, inadequate training from a trucking company may be a contributing factor in trucking accidents.

These factors can be avoided, but when they aren’t, the results can be catastrophic and that’s when a serious accident occurs.

Injuries You Can Suffer In A Truck Accident

A truck driver takes their eyes off the road for just an instance, the next, lives are irrevocably altered in a moment. Although there are various causes of truck accidents, the majority can be linked to excessive hours, inadequate maintenance, and fleeting errors. To achieve unattainable deadlines, some drivers push past their limits.

Because of this accidents happen. Some common injuries one can suffer after being in a car accident with a large truck are:

• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Mental trauma and
• Wrongful death

Securing the Highest Compensation Possible with a Bakersfield Truck Accident Attorney

Hurt in a truck accident? Victims must prove that the truck driver caused their injuries to be compensated. You have the legal right to seek full compensation, including for non-economic losses. Punitive damages against reckless parties may result from truck accident lawsuits.

To expedite the settlement of claims, insurance companies may get in touch with accident victims shortly after the incident. However, insurance companies often try to settle your case for less than it’s worth. Our experienced auto accident attorneys work hard to recover maximum compensation, including for vehicle repair and property damage, ambulance and emergency room costs, medical expenses and hospital bills, physical therapy, and rehabilitation services, lost wages and future earning potential, pain, suffering, and emotional anguish, permanent injuries, disability, and wrongful death of a loved one.

Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accidents in Bakersfield

Q. How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Bakersfield?

A. The statute of limitations in California is two years from the accident date, but certain exceptions may apply to your truck accident injury claim.

Q. Is it possible to recover damages if I was partially at fault for my crash with a large truck?

A. Yes, you can still file a personal injury claim in California even if you are partially responsible for the accident. However, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault you share. For example, if you are 30 percent at fault, you will only recover 70 percent of the total damages. In California, even minor faults can have a large impact on your truck accident settlement.

Q. How can I choose the right Bakersfield truck accident lawyer for my truck accident case?

A. For the best chance at success, choose California truck accident lawyers who have a proven record, experience, and a commitment to providing personalized attention to your case. They should respond quickly and communicate effectively throughout the process.

Do you handle cases for people transported to Kern Medical Center?

Yes. Kern Medical Center is one of the primary Level II trauma centers serving Bakersfield and Kern County. Saeedian Law Group routinely coordinates with trauma, orthopedic, neurology, and rehabilitation providers in the region, and we know how to track a complex inpatient chart.

How much does a Bakersfield truck accident lawyer cost?

Saeedian Law Group works on contingency. You pay nothing up front and nothing along the way; the firm is paid a percentage of the recovery only if we obtain one. If there is no recovery, there is no fee.

Do you offer bilingual intake for Bakersfield families?

Yes. English and Spanish intake is available 7 days a week. Translation during case meetings, depositions, and mediation is coordinated at no additional cost to the client.

Do I have to meet in person in Bakersfield or Beverly Hills?

Not unless you want to. Most truck accident intakes happen by phone or video, and the firm comes to you for signing and for strategy meetings when that is easier — especially if you are still in treatment.

Can I still file a claim if a Bakersfield Police Department officer said I was at fault?

Yes. A police-report narrative is evidence, not a verdict. California uses pure comparative fault under Li v. Yellow Cab; you can recover even if you are found partly responsible — the recovery is simply reduced by your percentage. Never assume the report ends the case.

What if the crash involved a GET vehicle?

Crashes involving GET Bus trigger the Government Claims Act — a 6-month administrative-claim deadline before any lawsuit. Missing that window is fatal to most public-entity cases, which is why early calls to counsel matter most on transit files.

Are consultations with a Bakersfield truck accident lawyer really free?

Yes. Saeedian Law Group conducts every initial consultation at no cost and no obligation. We review liability, insurance coverage, and damages with you, and if the firm takes the case, it is on a contingency basis with no up-front fees.

Does it matter which Bakersfield attorney signs my retainer?

It matters a great deal. Many California injury firms assign files to rotating case managers; the name on the retainer is not always the person handling the case. At Saeedian Law Group, Michael Saeedian stays directly involved on every active file. You know who is working your truck accident case, and you have direct attorney access throughout.

What if my commercial-truck crash also involves a work-related vehicle in Bakersfield?

Work-related incidents trigger a dual framework: California workers’ compensation as the exclusive remedy against the employer, and a separate third-party civil claim against any non-employer whose negligence contributed. Saeedian Law Group coordinates both sides so you get the wage-loss and medical benefits comp provides, plus the pain-and-suffering and full damages a third-party case can recover.

Why is a truck accident case different from a regular car accident case?

Three reasons. First, commercial motor carriers are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which creates a whole body of federal evidence — driver qualification files, Hours-of-Service logs, ECM and ELD data, DOT inspection history — that does not exist in a passenger-car case. Second, commercial policies are typically $1M primary plus umbrella coverage of $5M–$50M+, so the recovery ceiling is different. Third, truck crashes produce catastrophic injuries in much higher percentages, so damages models are different.

How fast does electronic evidence disappear?

ECM data overwrites on new ignition cycles — sometimes within days. ELD records must be kept six months under FMCSA rules, but carriers have been known to dispute their completeness. Dashcam footage on some systems auto-recycles in 15–30 days. This is why spoliation/preservation letters must go out within days, not weeks.

What is the MCS-90 endorsement and why does it matter?

The MCS-90 is a federal public-protection endorsement required on interstate-motor-carrier policies. It guarantees the carrier’s insurer will pay judgments for public-liability claims up to $750,000 (or higher for hazmat) even if the carrier violates the policy’s terms. It is a last-resort layer that keeps catastrophic cases from going uncompensated.

Can I sue the shipper or broker who hired the trucking company?

California courts have recognized a negligent-selection-of-carrier theory against shippers and brokers where the shipper/broker knew or should have known the carrier had a poor safety record. The 9th Circuit’s Miller v. C.H. Robinson decision declined to find FAAAA preemption of this theory. Every serious truck case evaluates the shipper/broker layer.

How long do I have to file a California truck accident case?

Two years from the crash date under CCP § 335.1 for private-defendant claims. Six months under Gov. Code § 911.2 for any public-entity claim (dangerous roadway condition, Caltrans signal, etc.). Wrongful death follows the two-year rule from the date of death.

What is the value of a serious California truck accident case?

Serious truck cases in California, where there is a catastrophic injury or fatality and clear liability, typically resolve in the seven-to-eight-figure range — driven by the larger commercial coverage stack, not just the injury severity. Past results depend entirely on the specific facts of each case and do not predict future outcomes.

What courthouse will my Bakersfield commercial-truck crash case be filed in?

In most cases, Kern County Superior Court at 1415 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield. Conservative central valley jury pool. The firm appears there regularly, and we map venue, judge rotation, and jury-pool data during case workup.