Kern County Truck Accidents
You can feel it when you’re on the freeway—the massive walls of tractor-trailers blocking you in as they hurtle down the road. Most of the time, the semi-trucks are just a larger-than-life presence on Kern County’s roads.
But that can change in a moment. For example:
- In January, a semi rear-ended a Toyota Prius on Highway 99 just south of Bakersfield, killing the driver.
- In April, a bicyclist was struck and killed by a semi on Wible Road in Bakersfield.
- In July, a truck’s brakes failed, and it plowed into a home in Wofford Heights, setting the home on fire.
If you were injured or lost a family member in a crash caused by a truck driver, you know only too well how quickly your world can be turned upside down.
Afterward, unique aspects of truck accidents often make it harder to get the compensation that should rightly come your way to cover medical bills, lost wages, and the trauma you’ve endured.
Chain | Cohn | Clark has a 90-year history of fighting for justice in Kern County. Our truck accident attorneys have the respect of the area’s legal community and insurance companies. And they have the savvy to get you the compensation you deserve—whether that’s through negotiation or arguing your case in court.
We represent truck accident victims on contingency—which means there is no up-front cost to you. Our fee is simply a prearranged percentage of your final settlement.
Kern County Truck Accident Statistics
Although 45% of Kern County’s 910,300 residents live in Bakersfield, there are nearly half a million people spread around the remainder of the region. So whether you’re on Highway 99 in the heart of Bakersfield, cruising through on Interstate 5, or headed east on Highway 58, there are plenty of vehicles on the road—and plenty of accidents.
According to provisional data in the state’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS), there were 307 truck crashes in Kern County in 2023, resulting in 19 people killed and 450 injured. In the first half of 2024, there were an additional 114 truck accidents, with seven fatalities and 144 injuries.
What Makes Truck Accidents Different From Car Accidents?
Unsurprisingly, a collision with a fully loaded, 40-ton semi-truck is often more dangerous than a typical car crash.
But most people aren’t aware of the other differences between car and truck crashes—the differences that make it difficult for those injured in truck accidents to receive fair compensation.
- Truck accidents often involve multiple parties. Your crash may have been between your car and one truck. But the truck driver most likely has an employer—a trucking company—who may also be responsible for your accident.
- Truck accidents are usually fiercely defended. When a truck driver causes an accident, their livelihood is on the line. Their employer also has something to lose—money and reputation. And because a truck driver must carry a minimum of $750,000 in insurance, their insurance company will fight, too.
- These factors put you at a disadvantage. With a team of lawyers and experienced insurance negotiators arrayed against you, getting a fair deal after a truck accident is more than challenging.
Thankfully, a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer can level the playing field:
- Truck drivers and transportation companies are heavily regulated. Drivers and their employers must follow detailed state and federal rules covering their hours, procedures, and vehicles. Your lawyer can take advantage of this—any violations they uncover may help prove your case.
- Our Kern County truck accident lawyers provide the resources you need. Chain | Cohn | Clark’s attorneys can investigate and reconstruct the circumstances of a truck collision, using expert witnesses if necessary. They also know how to scour driver and company records for any lapses in safety procedures.
Our Truck Accident Case Results
Our law firm has achieved more multimillion-dollar case results than any other personal injury law firm in Kern County. In total, we’ve brought in nearly a billion dollars for our clients.
$6
million
Our client suffered a traumatic brain injury in a truck collision
$5.75
million
A truck driver ran a stop sign and hit our client’s vehicle.
$3.85
million
A trucker rear-ended our client at a stop sign.
$3.125
million
A truck driver rear-ended our client on Highway 99.
FAQs
California law gives you two years from the date of an accident to file a claim for property damage, injuries, or wrongful death. However, if your accident involved a government agency, the deadline is shorter—only six months from the date of the accident.
It’s difficult for anyone to manage all the details involved in a truck accident case. When you’re recovering from injuries or mourning the loss of a loved one, it’s nearly impossible. Our truck accident lawyers know how to gather evidence to prove your claim. And because of our reputation in Kern County, you can be sure that opposing insurance adjusters and lawyers will take your claim seriously.
There are three basic types of damages you can claim in a trucking accident case:
- Economic damages cover quantifiable things like property damage, medical bills, and wages lost while you recover from injuries.
- Noneconomic damages cover things that are difficult to quantify like the pain you feel or disfigurement resulting from your injuries.
- Punitive damages are awarded only in rare cases to punish defendants who were particularly or wantonly negligent.
It’s impossible to predict what an individual case will bring in. Even an estimate is difficult until the details of a case are known. To begin to get a reasonable idea of what your case may be worth, we recommend talking to one of our truck accident lawyers as soon as possible.
$22.1
million
Pedestrian Accident
$15
million
Products Liability Explosion
$11
million
Auto Accident
$10
million
Oilfield Accident
$10
million
Motorcycle Accident
$9
million
Industrial Accident
$8.8
million
Police Misconduct
$8
million
Pedestrian Accident
Experienced Kern County Truck Crash Attorneys
With Chain | Cohn | Clark, you’ll receive the personal attention, support, and information you need to make the best decisions for you and your family:
Personal attention
You’ll meet the lawyer who will handle your case on day one, and you’ll be able to stay in touch throughout the process.
Support
We’ll support you in any way we can. That includes investigating your case, managing legal documents, negotiating with the other side, and arguing your case in court.
Communication
We’ll keep you updated on what’s happening with your case so you can decide how to proceed. We handle the details, but it’s still your case.
Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
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