2025 Kern County Car Accident Data

In 2025, Kern County continues to see concerning patterns in car accidents. Pedestrian fatalities, hit-and-runs, and DUI-related crashes are rising. Particularly in Bakersfield and surrounding unincorporated areas, there have been more deadly incidents at night, more collisions involving impaired drivers, and more crashes involving pedestrians, emphasizing the need for a car accidents lawyer to address these growing concerns.

What the Numbers Reveal

While official 2025 crash report data is still coming in, several recent statistics and reports shed light on emerging trends:

• In 2024, 55 pedestrians were fatally struck by cars in Kern County—up from 54 in 2023.
• Bakersfield saw 44 fatal collisions in 2024, down from 53 in 2023 and 69 in 2022. Non-fatal collisions rose slightly.
• Of the fatal collisions in Bakersfield in 2024, a substantial portion occurred at night (39%), often between 9:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m.
• DUI-related crashes and arrests remain a major concern. Law enforcement investigations have shown hundreds of DUI crashes, including fatal ones, in the region.
• Kern County ranks 14th nationwide in fatal hit-and-run crash rate.

These figures reflect Kern County traffic accident trends 2025 thus far, but they build on prior years’ data to show growing risk in particular categories.

Top 5 Car Accident Types: Kern County 2025

Here are the top five most frequent types of crashes based on the most current data and observed trends:

Pedestrian-Involved Crashes

Pedestrians hit by vehicles constitute a growing share of fatality statistics. Nighttime pedestrian crashes are particularly prevalent in Bakersfield, especially at poorly lit crosswalks.

Vehicle-Only Fatal Collisions

These are crashes involving one or more vehicles, often due to speeding, impaired driving, or unsafe road conditions. In 2024, there was a slight decline in such fatal collisions, but still a high baseline.

Hit‐and‐Run Fatalities

Kern County’s rate of fatal hit-and-runs is among the highest in the nation. These crashes often involve evasion, a lower likelihood of immediate medical help, and complicated legal and insurance responses.

Impaired Driving (DUI)

Alcohol and other substance impairment continue to contribute significantly to fatal crash statistics, with Bakersfield drunk driving accidents among the highest in the U.S.

Speeding and Reckless Driving

Driving over the speed limit, making dangerous lane changes, and engaging in risk-taking maneuvers are cited in many serious crashes.

Why These Trends Matter: Implications for Law & Safety

The 2025 Kern County car accident statistics reveal more than just numbers—they highlight underlying safety issues that demand effective solutions.

Infrastructure and Policy Changes

The Local Road Safety Plan for Kern County devotes special attention to intersections, low visibility times, and enforcement of dangerous driving behaviors as key areas for improvement. City planners and the Kern Council of Governments use Kern County crash reports to prioritize funding for safer intersections, updated signage, and speed control measures. The presence of repeat collision zones can influence decisions about new traffic signals, speed bumps, or enforcement campaigns in Bakersfield, Delano, and rural highways.

The Need for Safer Vehicles

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s 2025 Top Safety Picks highlight the top vehicles that meet advanced crash standards, such as rear-seat protection and stricter front overlap tests. These safer vehicles help reduce injuries and fatalities, shifting expectations for car manufacturers and increasing the importance of choosing vehicles with top safety ratings.

Legal Consequences and Community Impact

When pedestrian fatalities, hit-and-run crashes, and DUI incidents rise, existing traffic laws and enforcement strategies may need strengthening. California already imposes strict penalties for impaired driving and reckless behavior, but the persistence of these accidents shows that enforcement and public education must continue to evolve. Kern County prosecutors and courts often use crash data to determine where to allocate resources, while attorneys rely on accurate crash reports to establish negligence and liability in personal injury and wrongful death claims.

How Chain | Cohn | Clark Supports Crash Victims

Given these statistics, it’s vital to contact a Kern County car accident attorney if you’ve been injured or lost someone in a car crash in Bakersfield, Tehachapi, Wasco, or other surrounding areas. You deserve:

• Someone who understands local crash data, which roads are high risk, and which patterns are showing up in recent crash reports.
• An attorney who will help gather evidence like police reports, accident history, witness statements, and expert testimony—essential when fault, liability, or damages depend on trends (for example, impact of speeding at night or impaired driving.)
• An advocate who will construct your case while meeting timelines and statutes of limitations in California.

Remember: it doesn’t cost anything to speak to a car accident attorney about your case. Contact Chain | Cohn | Clark for a free case review today