Bakersfield Pedestrian Crash Lawyers
If you were hit by a negligent driver while walking in Bakersfield, you need an injury attorney who will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. You need Chain | Cohn | Clark. Call us at 661-616-9829.
For some, walking is their main form of transportation. For others, it’s a way to relax, exercise, or spend time with a friend. But no matter why you’re out and about on the sidewalks of Bakersfield, it’s reasonable to expect that you’ll be safe.
But with the unpredictable traffic on Kern County’s roads, that can change in an instant by:
- A driver distracted by a text message
- A drowsy delivery driver
- A drunk driver weaving home from a bar
At Chain | Cohn | Clark, we’ve seen the devastation that results from pedestrian accidents. A person on foot bears the full impact of a collision with a motor vehicle unprotected. The stories are heart-wrenching:
- “He was just out for a morning jog …”
- “She was on her way home from the school bus stop …”
- “I was in the crosswalk and had a green light …”
If you were injured or if a loved one was injured or killed in a pedestrian crash, you may feel overwhelmed. The responsible driver’s insurance company—and perhaps the driver’s employer, too—should step up to take care of your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Unfortunately, it’s often not that simple. An insurer may make a quick settlement offer that’s tempting but actually provides far less than you need or deserve for your recovery. The pedestrian accident lawyers at Chain | Cohn | Clark can help you get fair compensation through an insurance settlement or a lawsuit that goes to trial.
Client Stories
Chain | Cohn | Clark has received many accolades in its 90-year history—including being voted “Best Law Firm” and “Best Personal Injury Lawyer” in a 2024 readers’ choice poll conducted by the Bakersfield Californian.
But to us, the best reward is our clients’ stories and appreciation after we’ve helped them through perhaps the most difficult time of their lives—stories from people like:
- Denise, whose daughter was killed by an underage drunk driver. “The case didn’t change the heartache that was there,” Denise says. “But Chain | Cohn | Clark helped give me peace in laying her to rest. They were compassionate. When you have good people behind you, like at this law firm, it helps you cope with what you’re going through already.”
Watch Denise’s story
- Karah, who was jogging in a crosswalk when she was hit by a car. “I feel like everyone made a process that can seem scary and overwhelming very easy,” she says of Chain | Cohn | Clark. “I also had hesitations coming in, but you all put my mind at ease. Having a good group of people made it an easy decision to move forward with the case.”
- Colleen, who was hit by an uninsured driver as she crossed the street. “If you’re not sure what to do, come in and talk to [Chain | Cohn | Clark],” she says. “That’s what we did. I was scared to death after the accident. I’ve never gone through any of this, and I didn’t want to go through this by myself. It would have been easy to get taken advantage of by our insurance company. But the law firm took care of us and took care of everything.”
Case Results
The personal injury lawyers at Chain | Cohn | Clark have a track record of high performance under the pressure of high-profile cases. We’ve secured more multimillion-dollar case results for our clients than any other firm in Kern County—and that includes a number of pedestrian accident cases.
- Pedestrian accident: $22.1 million. A confidential case involving a truck.
- Sidewalk accident: $8 million. A driver fell asleep at the wheel, drove up onto the sidewalk, and struck and killed a man out for a morning jog.
- Pedestrian accident: $7.55 million. Our client had both legs amputated above the knee after he was hit by a car.
- Parking lot accident: $2.25 million. Our client was hit by a truck and dragged while she was walking through a parking lot.
- Pedestrian accident: $1.21 million. Our client was walking along the side of Highway 58 taking pictures when he was hit by a truck and severely injured.
Local Pedestrian Crash Lawyers
Six of Chain | Cohn | Clark’s nine lawyers grew up in Bakersfield. Our offices are located at 1731 Chester Avenue in downtown Bakersfield, and our firm has been a Kern County fixture since 1934.
As a part of this community, we regularly walk down city sidewalks, just like you. Pedestrian safety is a personal issue for us—not only in pursuing pedestrian injury claims but in advocating for policies that make our streets safer. That’s why we’re often featured on local news outlets commenting on various issues related to traffic safety.
Managing partner Matt Clark comments on a report ranking Bakersfield as the fourth most dangerous city in the US for pedestrians for KGET-17 News.
We know that you can choose one of the big-city law firms that say they serve Bakersfield. But if you want a truly local law firm, choose Chain | Cohn | Clark.
With an out-of-town firm, you’ll probably never meet your lawyer. With Chain | Cohn | Clark, you’ll meet the lawyer who will handle your case on day one.
It’s doubtful that any L.A. lawyer wants a court date in Bakersfield. We can step out of the office and be at the courthouse—walking—in about five minutes.
We won’t push you into a quick settlement. We’ll negotiate with the insurance company and any third parties involved in your case to earn you a full, fair settlement. And if we need to, we’ll argue your case in court.
Rest assured—insurance adjusters, opposing lawyers, and judges in Kern County know and respect Chain | Cohn | Clark.
You’re better off when we’re on your side.
Our Results
$22.1
million
Pedestrian Accident
$10
million
Oilfield Accident
$10
million
Motorcycle Accident
FAQs
What if I was partly to blame for my pedestrian accident?
The state of California applies a legal principle called pure comparative fault, which states that more than one party can be held responsible for an accident.
So, even if you were partly to blame for your pedestrian accident, you still may be able to collect damages from a driver who was also partly to blame. However, your compensation will be based on the percentage of fault assigned to you. For example, if you were 10% at fault, you can only collect 90% of a $10,000 settlement (i.e., $9,000).
How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim?
In general, California law gives victims two years from the date of the accident to file a pedestrian accident claim. However, if your claim involves a government agency such as a police department or the city’s parks department, you must file your claim within six months. It’s a good idea to choose an attorney and file a claim as soon as possible.
What kinds of compensation are available in a pedestrian accident case?
Pedestrian injury compensation falls under two main categories:
Economic damages, which pay for things that can be easily calculated and assigned a dollar value:
- Ambulance bills
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
Noneconomic damages compensate you for the intangible consequences that may result from your injuries:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium (loss of the enjoyment of a relationship)
- Disfigurement
- Loss of a limb
In extraordinary cases, a jury may choose to impose punitive damages on a defendant who was particularly negligent or careless.
Why Hire Chain | Cohn | Clark?
When you’re on foot on the streets of Bakersfield, you still have the same rights afforded to every driver on the road.
To ensure that your rights are honored, you need a committed local lawyer who can:
- Investigate the accident and compile evidence to prove your case
- Handle your claim and negotiations with the insurance company
- Identify any third parties that may have been involved in your accident
- Find expert witnesses and build a case for a lawsuit
When you choose Chain | Cohn | Clark, you’ll have a Bakersfield pedestrian injury lawyer who will meet with you face to face and be accessible throughout your case, keeping you informed and advising you on every decision—all while fighting for you to receive the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
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