Any collision between two or more motor vehicles can cause serious injuries, but the risks are much more significant when traveling at high speed. If you were hurt during a highway car accident in Bakersfield, you could be entitled to financial compensation. From the cost of your medical bills to the pain you experienced, you can recover what you are owed with the help of a skilled personal injury lawyer. Call the Valero Law Group today to begin working with an experienced auto accident attorney.
Highway Accident Risk Factors
Multiple factors can combine to make highway car accidents in the Bakersfield area devastating. The most common issue to consider is the speed at which vehicles travel. When drivers lose control at highway speeds, avoiding a crash or remaining on the roadway can be especially difficult. Driving fast will also compound other safety hazards, like severe weather.
Heavy traffic is also an important consideration. The more cars on the road, the more drivers there are, and they can make dangerous mistakes behind the wheel. Heavy traffic also makes it harder to avoid a crash when someone swerves or comes to a sudden halt in front of you. Other issues include:
- Impaired motorists
- Distractions
- Road rage
- Following too closely
- Failure to yield
Most of these issues involve some kind of driver error, but there are other risks as well. Defective vehicles or parts can cause an accident even when those involved take reasonable steps to avoid one. In that scenario, an attorney can help pursue legal action against the manufacturer. Get in touch with our team to learn more about highway accident risk factors and how the cause of a wreck impacts your potential compensation.
Recovering Damages After a Crash
The consequences of a highway car accident can be tremendous. From severe injuries to costly vehicle damage, major financial hardship is a common result. Drivers have the chance to recover compensation based on these losses, which often include:
Medical Bills
The cost of medical treatments can quickly overwhelm someone’s budget after an accident. While the immediate expenses like ambulance transportation or emergency room visits are costly, they are often overshadowed by the months or years of ongoing medical care. A plaintiff could recoup damages based on the cost of surgeries, therapy, and hospitalization, among other things.
Lost Wages
For many people, missing work is unavoidable after a major motor vehicle collision. Injuries like broken bones can keep someone from earning a living for months, while spinal cord damage could mark the end of their career. Recouping these lost wages through a personal injury suit is often possible. For those who can return to the workforce in a limited capacity, damages might also be available based on their diminished future earning potential.
Property Damage
Given the tremendous impact that can come with an accident on Bakersfield highways, the damage to any involved vehicles is often catastrophic. These incidents can result in a total loss for all cars involved. A lawsuit could cover the cost of repairing or replacing a destroyed vehicle.
Non-Economic Damages
In addition to these economic losses, a successful settlement or lawsuit could pursue compensation to reimburse an injured motorist for the more subjective forms of harm they experience due to a wreck. This often includes pain and suffering, disfigurement, emotional trauma, and a loss of enjoyment of life. Call today to learn more about how we value a claim.
Talk to a Lawyer in Bakersfield About a Highway Car Accident Claim
If you suffered injuries in a highway car accident in Bakersfield, it is vital that you speak with legal counsel right away. You have the chance to recover a monetary award if negligence led to your accident, but time is limited. The sooner you reach out, the better your chances of success will be.