Hurt in a Car Accident in Bakersfield? Talk to Colvin Accident Lawyers

Car Accident Law Firm Fresno | Colvin Accident Lawyers

A car accident law firm helps people hurt in a crash bring a claim against the at-fault driver and that driver’s insurer. Colvin Accident Lawyers is based in Bakersfield, California, and represents people injured in car crashes in Fresno and nearby communities. This page explains what that work involves, how a claim usually moves, and what can hurt one.

What a Car Accident Law Firm Does for Fresno Crash Victims

A car accident law firm looks into how a crash happened, records the injuries and losses, and presents the claim to the responsible party’s insurer. The work runs from the facts of the crash to a settlement or, when needed, a lawsuit.

This page is for drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and families in Fresno who were hurt by someone else’s carelessness. In plain terms, a careless driver can be held answerable for the harm they cause.

Some crashes end in a death. If that happens, certain family members may bring a wrongful death claim. California law names who may bring one, including a surviving spouse, domestic partner, and children (Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60).

Colvin Accident Lawyers serves clients in Fresno, Visalia, Delano, and Kern County from its Bakersfield base.

Car Crashes and Injuries We Handle

The firm handles car accident claims, including rear-end, intersection, left-turn, lane-change, and head-on collisions. It also handles truck and bus accidents, motorcycle and bicycle crashes, pedestrian strikes, and wrongful death.

Injuries vary a lot. Common ones include soft-tissue injuries, broken bones, concussions, and spinal injuries. Injuries that need surgery or long-term care often fall under catastrophic injury claims.

California measures damages for the breach of an obligation not arising from contract by the amount which will compensate for all the detriment proximately caused thereby, except where otherwise expressly provided by this Code (Civil Code § 3333). Losses fall into two groups. Economic damages include medical bills and lost earnings. Non-economic damages include pain, suffering, and emotional distress (Civil Code § 1431.2).

Insurance shapes the path to recovery. For policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, the state minimums are $30,000 for one injured person, $60,000 for two or more, and $15,000 for property damage (Vehicle Code § 16056). Cal. Veh. Code § 16056 reads: “(b) A policy or bond shall not be effective under Section 16054 with respect to any vehicle that was not registered in this state or was a vehicle that was registered elsewhere than in this state at the effective date of the policy or bond or the most recent renewal thereof, unless the insurance company or surety company issuing the policy or bond is admitted to do business in this state, or if the company is not admitted to do business in this state, unless it executes a power of attorney authorizing the department to accept service on its behalf of notice or process in any action upon the policy or bond arising out of an accident mentioned in subdivision (a).” If the at-fault driver has too little coverage, your own uninsured motorist coverage may apply. Under Insurance Code § 11580.2, a disagreement on the amount can go to arbitration before a single neutral arbitrator.

Bills paid by health plans or government programs can affect how an accident claim is handled, so it is worth raising them at your free, confidential initial consultation. The CMS recovery process explains how this works.

How a Fresno Car Accident Claim Works, Step by Step

A car accident claim usually moves through five stages, from the first talk to a resolution.

1. Start with a conversation. Your first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation to continue. You describe the crash, your injuries, and your insurance information.
2. Gather evidence. The firm collects the police report, photos, witness contact details, repair records, and medical records. It may send a preservation letter asking others to keep evidence.
3. Document medical care. Treatment is tracked from the first visit, so the link between the crash and your injuries stays clear.
4. Present the claim. A demand goes to the at-fault driver’s insurer, and the firm negotiates for you.
5. Resolve or sue. If the insurer’s offer is not fair, the firm talks through filing a lawsuit. Many claims resolve before trial. Timing varies with the injuries and the insurer’s response.

The deadline matters early. Under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, an action for injury or death caused by another’s wrongful act has a two-year limit. The California Courts Self Help Guide says personal injury suits generally must be filed within two years, subject to exceptions and tolling. Insurers may not mislead a claimant about that deadline (Insurance Code § 790.03).

Mistakes That Can Hurt a Fresno Car Accident Claim

Several common mistakes can weaken a car accident claim.

• Gaps in treatment. Missed appointments give an insurer a reason to argue the injury came from something else.
• A recorded statement too early. Speak with the firm before giving a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer.
• Settling too soon. An early offer may arrive before the full extent of your injuries is known.
• Posting online. Social media posts about activities can be used to dispute your injuries.
• Waiting on evidence. Witness names, photos, and the vehicle itself can be lost or repaired. Document the car before repairs.
• Missing the deadline. Missing the two-year limit can end a claim.

How Colvin Accident Lawyers Handles Car Accident Cases

Colvin Accident Lawyers is a personal injury firm based in Bakersfield, California. It handles car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, bus, train, dog bite, premises liability, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death claims.

Donald Norman Colvin is the responsible lawyer for this website. The firm’s support staff, including assistants and office staff, handle the office work that comes with a claim. Clients can call the office directly with questions about their case.

The firm’s service area includes Fresno, Visalia, Delano, Kern County, Lancaster, Palmdale, and Tehachapi. The firm explains the rules that apply to your crash in plain language. No outcome is assured, and each case depends on its own facts.

Questions Fresno Drivers Ask Before Calling a Car Accident Lawyer

The questions below cover fault, court, insurance, and what to bring.

Talk to a Fresno Car Accident Lawyer About Your Crash

If a Fresno crash left you or a family member hurt, the next step is a conversation. Insurance paperwork and deadlines start moving soon after a crash, so waiting can cost you options. Bring your police report number, medical records, and insurance details, then call Colvin Accident Lawyers or contact the office to start.

Colvin Accident Lawyers, Donald Norman Colvin, Bakersfield, California — responsible for this site.