If you suffered injuries as a passenger in a vehicle collision in Bakersfield, California, a passenger injury attorney in Bakersfield can help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. At Colvin Accident Lawyers, we have spent more than 15 years fighting hard for injured Californians — and we are here to do the same for you.
Bakersfield sits at one of the busiest transportation crossroads in the state. Thousands of vehicles travel Highway 99, Interstate 5, Ming Avenue, Rosedale Highway, and the Westside Parkway every single day — and the CDC Motor Vehicle Safety data confirms that serious collisions causing life-altering passenger injuries strike communities like ours constantly.
The California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) shows that Kern County consistently ranks among California’s most dangerous counties for traffic fatalities and serious injuries. In one recent year alone, Kern County recorded over 4,000 injury collisions — hundreds of which injured passengers.
These accidents happen at intersections you recognize. On Highway 99 near the Olive Drive interchange, rear-end and multi-vehicle collisions occur regularly. At Ming Avenue and New Stine Road — one of the most congested intersections in Bakersfield — T-bone and sideswipe crashes have a well-documented history. On Rosedale Highway near Coffee Road, speeding and distracted drivers cause collisions that permanently change passengers’ lives.
If you occupied the back seat, the front passenger seat, or any seat in someone else’s vehicle during a crash, you are a victim — regardless of who caused the accident.
This question comes up in nearly every consultation we handle, and the answer consistently surprises clients: as a passenger, you typically hold more legal options than either driver involved.
Depending on how the collision unfolded, liability may fall on one or more of these parties:
The driver of the vehicle you rode in, if their negligence caused or contributed to the crash. The driver of another vehicle, if they ran a red light, exceeded the speed limit, or drove while impaired. Under California’s pure comparative fault rules, both drivers can share responsibility — and you can still recover full compensation as the injured passenger. A third party may also carry liability, such as a government agency that failed to maintain a safe road, or a vehicle manufacturer whose defective part contributed to the crash.
California’s pure comparative fault law means that even when multiple parties share responsibility, you as an injured passenger keep your right to recover compensation. Our attorneys examine every detail of your case to identify all liable parties and maximize what you recover.
A passenger injury claim in California can include compensation for current and future medical expenses, lost wages and diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, rehabilitation and physical therapy, and damage to personal belongings.
Serious passenger injuries — including spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and internal organ trauma — can produce long-term or permanent disability. NHTSA passenger safety data confirms that passengers in serious collisions suffer some of the most severe injury outcomes of any road user. Our team brings in medical experts and economic analysts to build a claim that reflects your full losses — not just the bills sitting on your desk right now.
Passengers hold a uniquely strong legal position. You did not cause the accident. You did not text behind the wheel, exceed the speed limit, or drive while impaired. You simply rode in a vehicle and suffered the consequences of someone else’s negligence. That clean record carries enormous weight when our attorneys establish liability and push back against insurance companies.
Insurance adjusters understand this reality. They also know that seasoned passenger injury attorneys understand it too. When you hire Colvin Accident Lawyers, the insurance companies across the table recognize they face a firm with over 15 years of litigation experience and a proven record of results for injured clients throughout Bakersfield and Kern County.
We fight hard for your rights — at the negotiating table and in the courtroom if necessary.
From your first consultation, our team carries the legal burden so you can focus entirely on your recovery. Here is exactly what we do for you.
Step 1 — Free Consultation: We review your accident details, your injuries, and all available evidence. You pay nothing and commit to nothing.
Step 2 — Investigation: Our team collects police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and medical records. We reconstruct the collision sequence to build a clear, compelling picture of liability.
Step 3 — Medical Coordination: We connect you with qualified medical providers when needed, and we document every phase of your treatment to strengthen your claim.
Step 4 — Demand and Negotiation: We build a comprehensive demand package and negotiate aggressively against all liable insurers. We reject lowball offers.
Step 5 — Litigation When Necessary: When an insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, we take your case to court. Our attorneys have the courtroom experience to deliver results under pressure.
We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
Q: Can I sue the driver of the car I was riding in, even if they are a friend or family member? A: Yes. California law gives you the right to pursue a personal injury claim against any negligent driver, including someone you know personally. In most situations, their auto insurance policy — not their personal finances — covers your compensation. That is precisely why drivers carry insurance.
Q: What if both drivers caused the crash? A: California’s pure comparative fault law protects you completely as a passenger. When both drivers share responsibility, you can file claims against both. Their shared fault does not reduce your recovery.
Q: How long do I have to file a passenger injury claim in California? A: California law sets a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims from the date of your accident. When a government entity bears responsibility — such as a city that neglected a dangerous road — that window may shrink significantly. Call us promptly so we can protect your deadline.
Q: What if I was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash? A: California’s comparative fault rules may reduce your compensation if your seatbelt use contributed to the severity of your injuries. However, the absence of a seatbelt does not eliminate your right to recover damages. An experienced attorney can work to minimize the impact of that factor on your total recovery.
Q: What steps should I take immediately after a crash as a passenger? A: Seek medical attention immediately — even when you feel fine. Concussions, internal bleeding, and spinal injuries often hide their symptoms for hours or days. Report the accident to police as California law requires, photograph the scene if you can, collect contact information from every driver and witness, and call a passenger injury attorney before you speak to any insurance company.
Q: How much does it cost to hire Colvin Accident Lawyers? A: Nothing upfront. Our contingency fee structure means we collect payment only when we win your case. You face no hourly rates and no out-of-pocket legal fees at any point in the process.
Q: How long will my case take? A: Every case moves at its own pace. Many passenger injury claims reach settlement within a few months. Cases involving severe injuries, disputed liability, or uncooperative insurers take longer. We keep you informed at every stage and push for the fastest resolution that still delivers the full value your case deserves.
You did nothing wrong. You deserve experienced, compassionate legal representation that treats your case with the seriousness it warrants from day one.
For more than 15 years, the passenger injury attorneys at Colvin Accident Lawyers have helped injured Californians across Bakersfield and Kern County recover what they are owed. We fight hard for your rights — and we do not stop until you receive the justice you deserve.
Call us today for your free, no-obligation consultation.
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