Common Hit and Run Scenarios in Bakersfield
Every hit and run case is different, but many of the cases we handle in Bakersfield follow recognizable patterns. If any of these sound like what happened to you, call us.
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Hit and run accidents are a serious and growing problem in Bakersfield and Kern County. Highway 99 — one of the busiest and most dangerous corridors in the Central Valley — sees frequent hit-and-run collisions involving high speeds and heavy traffic. Highway 58 connecting Bakersfield to the Mojave Desert adds another layer of risk.
Many hit-and-run drivers flee because they are uninsured, unlicensed, or driving under the influence. CHP Bakersfield and the Kern County Sheriff's Office investigate these cases, but finding the driver is not always possible.
Even when the driver who hit you is never identified, you still have legal options. California law allows you to recover through your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, and many policies include this protection by default.
If you have been the victim of a hit and run, the steps you take in the first hours matter. Preserving surveillance footage, witness information, and physical evidence is critical. Contact an attorney before speaking with any insurance company.
High-speed collisions on Hwy 99 and Hwy 58 where the at-fault driver flees the scene.
Walkers and joggers struck by drivers who flee. These cases cause the most severe injuries.
Riders are especially vulnerable when struck by a driver who flees without stopping.
Vehicles struck while parked or backing out. Surveillance footage is often available.
Drunk drivers who flee may face criminal charges. You may be entitled to punitive damages.
Trucks and commercial vehicles that flee. Company logos and DOT numbers help identify them.
Every hit and run case is different, but many of the cases we handle in Bakersfield follow recognizable patterns. If any of these sound like what happened to you, call us.
Sideswiped on Highway 99 by a driver who kept going — high-speed lane changes and merges on Hwy 99 cause frequent hit-and-run collisions through Bakersfield.
Rear-ended at a stoplight and the driver fled — intersection cameras and nearby business surveillance can help identify the vehicle.
Struck while walking and the driver never stopped — pedestrian hit-and-runs in Bakersfield often result in catastrophic injuries.
Parked car damaged overnight with no note left — your UM coverage and collision coverage may apply even when the driver is unknown.
The timeline for filing depends on the specific circumstances of your case. California law provides two years from the date of the accident. If a government vehicle was involved, the deadline may be just six months under the California Government Claims Act.
When the at-fault driver is never found, your own UM coverage steps in. California law requires insurers to offer UM coverage, and most policies include it. We review every applicable policy to maximize your recovery.
Surveillance footage from nearby businesses is typically overwritten within 30 to 72 hours. Skid marks fade. Witnesses forget details. Acting fast preserves the evidence needed to identify the driver and prove your case.
Hit and run is a crime under California Vehicle Code 20001 and 20002. But a criminal case does not guarantee compensation. A civil claim through your attorney is how you recover for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Insurance companies move fast after a hit and run. A local attorney who knows Kern County law enforcement, courts, and defense tactics levels the playing field.
When you file a UM claim against your own insurance company, they often treat you like an adversary. They question your injuries, dispute causation, and offer lowball settlements. An attorney forces them to pay what they owe.
We work with CHP Bakersfield and the Kern County Sheriff's Office to obtain investigation reports, surveillance footage, and witness statements critical to identifying the fleeing driver.
Relationships with medical providers who treat you now and get paid from your settlement later. No out-of-pocket costs for the care you need.
Insurance companies know which attorneys take cases to court. We prepare every case for trial — and our settlement offers reflect that.
California law entitles you to recover the full range of damages from a hit and run — whether through the at-fault driver's insurance or your own UM/UIM coverage.
CA minimum liability: $30k per person / $60k per accident. UM coverage provides an additional safety net.
Medical Expenses — ER, surgery, rehab, prescriptions, specialists, and future treatment.
Lost Wages — missed work, reduced hours, and diminished earning capacity.
Pain & Suffering — physical pain, anxiety, PTSD, and lost quality of life.
Property Damage — vehicle repair or replacement, rental car, personal belongings.
Attorney Etan Nozar does not wait for clients to come to him. We travel to Bakersfield and throughout Kern County to meet you at your home, at Kern Medical Center, or wherever is most convenient.
Whiplash & Neck Injuries — symptoms can take days to appear. Don't wait to see a doctor.
Concussions & TBI — headaches, confusion, and memory loss are red flags after a hit-and-run crash.
Broken Bones & Fractures — surgery, hardware, and months of rehab. We fight for the full cost.
Emotional Trauma & PTSD — the shock of being hit by someone who fled can cause lasting psychological harm.
Call us. Tell us what happened. We review your case and explain your options.
We track down the driver, collect surveillance footage, police reports, and witness statements.
We fight insurance companies for the highest possible settlement — including your own UM insurer if needed.
Fair settlement or trial verdict. You pay nothing unless we win.
Law Warriors Group is a personal injury law firm based in Los Angeles and serving clients across all of California, including Bakersfield and Kern County. Attorney Etan Nozar (SBN 355654, Southwestern Law School) handles hit and run cases with aggressive investigation and trial-ready preparation.
Our team travels to Bakersfield to meet with you personally. Whether the driver who hit you was found or not, we fight for the compensation you deserve through every available avenue of recovery.
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The timeline for filing depends on the specific circumstances of your case. Under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a government vehicle was involved, the deadline may be as short as six months under the California Government Claims Act. Call us to discuss the deadlines that apply to your case.
You may still recover compensation through your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. California law requires insurers to offer UM coverage, and most policies include it by default. We review every applicable policy to identify all sources of recovery. In many cases, your UM coverage provides substantial compensation even when the at-fault driver is never identified.
Law Warriors Group works on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, nothing out of pocket, and no fee at all unless we successfully recover compensation for you. Your initial consultation is completely free with no obligation. This means anyone can afford quality legal representation regardless of their financial situation.
Call 911 immediately. Write down everything you remember about the vehicle — color, make, model, and any partial license plate numbers. Look for witnesses and get their contact information. Check nearby businesses for surveillance cameras that may have captured the incident. File a report with CHP Bakersfield or the Kern County Sheriff's Office. Do not give a recorded statement to your own insurance company before speaking with an attorney.
Yes. Attorney Etan Nozar is licensed to practice across all of California and regularly serves clients in Bakersfield and throughout Kern County. We coordinate with CHP Bakersfield and the Kern County Sheriff's Office on investigations. Cases are filed in Bakersfield Superior Court as appropriate. We travel to you for meetings and handle all court appearances, depositions, and filings.
Hwy 99 and Hwy 58 collisions, rear-ends, T-bones, and multi-car pileups.
Strict liability means the owner pays. We hold them accountable.
Compassionate representation for families who lost a loved one to negligence.
Protecting riders injured on Hwy 99, Hwy 178, and Bakersfield streets.
Protecting pedestrians struck by negligent drivers across Bakersfield.
While our office is based in Los Angeles, Law Warriors Group represents personal injury clients statewide. We work with clients from every corner of California — we come to you.
Serving all of LA County and surrounding areas.
Serving the Central Valley, Delano, and Kern County.
Van Nuys, Pacoima, Lancaster, Palmdale.
Riverside, San Bernardino, and surrounding communities.
We come to you anywhere in the state.
We call you back within the hour.
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