Bakersfield Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Bakersfield, CA

Jerry Rulsky has handled pedestrian injury cases for over 12 years. Before opening the firm, he worked as a litigation and trial attorney at the largest personal injury practice in the country. Our Bakersfield, CA pedestrian accident lawyer takes cases on contingency and covers all costs upfront. Request a free case review.

Why Choose Rulsky Law Group for Pedestrian Accidents in Bakersfield, CA?

California Courtroom Experience

Jerry Rulsky has been licensed in California since 2014 and represents only injury victims. He earned his undergraduate Biology degree from UC Irvine and his JD from California Western School of Law. He holds memberships with the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He was also recognized as Best Car Accident Lawyer in Bakersfield.

Our pedestrian accident lawyer in Bakersfield, CA understands that insurance companies treat these claims differently from standard auto collisions. Pedestrian cases require investigation into driver attention, speed, signal timing, visibility, and often biomechanical reconstruction.

Case Results That Reflect Preparation

Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for clients injured in accidents. A recent truck-versus-auto matter settled for $2.6 million after we built a punitive damages claim against a trucking company that dispatched a fatigued driver. Another case involving a premises hazard against a telecom company and the City of San Diego resolved for $1.23 million.

Contingency Representation

You pay nothing unless we recover. We advance all investigation and litigation costs. When clients need financial help during a case, we assist with settlement advance funding so medical bills and rent don’t force a premature settlement.

What Clients Say

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I had an excellent experience working with Jerry Rulsky. He is incredibly timely and always on the ball, making every step of the process feel smooth and well managed. Beyond his professionalism, Jerry is genuinely kind, patient, and consistently responsive—qualities that made me feel supported and confident throughout” — Jon Gabor

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Types of Pedestrian Accident Cases We Handle in Bakersfield

Pedestrian collisions come in many forms. Each type has its own liability questions, evidence sources, and defense tactics. We represent walkers in the full range of scenarios across Kern County.

• Crosswalk collisions. Drivers are required to yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks under California law. We investigate signal timing, witness accounts, and traffic camera footage to establish what actually happened.
• Distracted driver crashes. Drivers looking at phones, navigation systems, or passengers cause a significant share of pedestrian injuries. Phone records and app data can prove inattention.
• Failure to yield at intersections. Left-turning drivers often fail to see walkers in the crosswalk. These cases frequently come down to visibility, signal phase, and right-of-way analysis.
• Illegal U-turns and rolling stops. Drivers making improper maneuvers at intersections and driveways injure pedestrians who had no reason to expect the movement.
• Backing vehicles. Drivers backing out of driveways, parking spaces, and lots strike walkers who were fully visible if the driver had checked.
• DUI and drug-impaired driving crashes. Impaired drivers cause some of the most severe pedestrian injuries. These cases often support punitive damages.
• Hit and run accidents. When a driver flees after striking a walker, uninsured motorist coverage becomes the path to recovery. We handle the UM claim process directly.
• Parking lot strikes. Low-speed parking lot collisions can still produce fractures, head injuries, and soft tissue damage. Surveillance footage often exists but has to be preserved quickly.
• School zone and residential crashes. Drivers speeding through school zones or residential neighborhoods face heightened duty of care standards.
• Highway and roadside crashes. Pedestrians struck on shoulders or while exiting disabled vehicles require complex liability analysis.
• Brain injuries. Head trauma is common in pedestrian cases. We work with neurologists and neuropsychologists to document cognitive effects.
• Head injuries. Skull fractures and facial trauma leave lasting effects even after doctors release a patient.

California Legal Requirements for Pedestrian Accident Cases

Statute of limitations. You have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. Claims against government entities, including cases involving dangerous crosswalks, missing signage, or malfunctioning signals, require filing an administrative claim within six months under the California Government Claims Act.

Pedestrian right-of-way. California Vehicle Code Section 21950 requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks at intersections. The law also imposes a duty on drivers to exercise care for pedestrian safety at all times, regardless of right-of-way.

Pure comparative negligence. California applies pure comparative fault. Even if you’re found partially responsible for the crash, you can still recover damages, reduced by your percentage of fault.

Jaywalking law changes. California’s Freedom to Walk Act, effective January 2023, changed how officers can cite pedestrians for crossing outside marked crosswalks. Under the current law, an officer may only cite a pedestrian when there is an immediate danger of collision. This matters for liability analysis in cases where the defense tries to argue the pedestrian was at fault for crossing outside a crosswalk.

Insurance requirements. California requires minimum driver liability insurance, but those minimums rarely cover serious pedestrian injuries. The California Department of Motor Vehicles publishes current requirements. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on the pedestrian’s own policy frequently applies.

What Damages Are Recoverable in a Bakersfield Pedestrian Accident Case?

California law permits recovery across three damage categories.

Economic damages are the measurable financial losses. Medical expenses, both past and future. Lost wages. Loss of future earning capacity when injuries affect long-term work. Rehabilitation costs. Out-of-pocket expenses like transportation to appointments, medical equipment, home modifications, and personal care assistance. In pedestrian cases, these numbers climb quickly because injuries tend to be severe.

Non-economic damages cover the losses that don’t appear on a bill. Physical pain and suffering. Emotional trauma and anxiety about walking near traffic. Loss of enjoyment of life. Permanent disfigurement and scarring. Loss of consortium for spouses. In pedestrian cases with severe injury, non-economic damages often exceed economic damages substantially. Juries decide these values based on evidence, testimony, and case presentation.

Punitive damages apply in cases involving malice, fraud, or conscious disregard for human safety. Drunk drivers who strike pedestrians frequently qualify. So do drivers who flee the scene or who were racing. California does not cap punitive damages statutorily, though constitutional limits apply. The U.S. Department of Justice tracks punitive damage award frequency.

California does not cap pain and suffering damages in pedestrian cases. Government defendants may have separate restrictions. Medical malpractice arising from post-crash treatment has caps under MICRA.

What Steps Should I Take After a Bakersfield Pedestrian Accident?

What happens in the first hours after the accident are crucial for your case.

1.      Stay still if you’re seriously hurt. Do not attempt to move if you suspect spinal or neck injuries. Wait for paramedics.

2.      Call 911. Report the crash and request medical response. A police report creates an official record.

3.      Accept medical transport. Go to the hospital even if you think you can walk away. Internal injuries and concussions often aren’t obvious at the scene.

4.      Document what you can. If you’re able, photograph the vehicle, license plate, crosswalk markings, traffic signals, weather, and your injuries. Video is better than photos.

5.      Identify witnesses. Walkers and nearby drivers often see what happened more clearly than the parties involved. Get contact information.

6.      Get the driver’s information. Name, phone, insurance carrier, policy number, and license plate. Do not let the driver leave without it.

7.      Don’t give statements. Do not speculate about fault at the scene. Stick to facts when talking to police.

8.      Preserve evidence. Keep damaged clothing, broken items, and anything from the scene. Do not throw things away.

9.      Follow medical advice. Attend every appointment and follow through with physical therapy. Gaps in treatment hurt cases badly.

10.  Call an attorney. Before giving a recorded statement to any insurance company and before accepting any settlement offer.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics in Bakersfield

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported more than 7,500 pedestrian fatalities nationally in 2022, the highest total in over 40 years. California consistently ranks among the top states for pedestrian deaths, and Bakersfield’s combination of wide arterial roads, fast-moving traffic, and mixed residential-commercial corridors produces conditions this trend reflects.

The California Office of Traffic Safety publishes county-level rankings that consistently place Kern County among the top counties for pedestrian crashes per capita. The Governors Highway Safety Association has tracked the nationwide pedestrian fatality increase in detail, attributing part of the rise to larger vehicles, higher travel speeds, and increased distracted driving.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that a pedestrian is killed in a traffic crash every 75 minutes in the United States. The CDC also notes that alcohol involvement, either by the driver or pedestrian, contributes to nearly half of all pedestrian fatalities nationally.

Distracted driving plays a major role. The NHTSA distracted driving data tracks thousands of deaths annually from phone-related driver inattention, and pedestrians are disproportionately represented in those numbers because they have no vehicle protection.

Local conditions matter too. Bakersfield’s street grid includes numerous wide, high-speed boulevards designed for vehicle throughput rather than pedestrian safety. The Federal Highway Administration publishes safety research identifying road design features, including multi-lane arterials and long distances between signalized crossings, that correlate with higher pedestrian injury rates.

Bakersfield Pedestrian Accident Lawyer FAQs

How much does a pedestrian accident lawyer in Bakersfield cost?

We collect no fees upfront. We work on contingency. Fees come out of the settlement or verdict only if we win.

Is the consultation free?

Yes. All initial case reviews are free and confidential.

How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim in California?

Two years from the crash date. Six months to file an administrative claim against a government defendant.

What if I was crossing outside a crosswalk?

You may still recover. California’s Freedom to Walk Act changed the jaywalking rules, and under pure comparative negligence, fault is apportioned rather than barring recovery.

What if the driver who hit me fled the scene?

Your uninsured motorist coverage may apply. We handle UM claims against your own insurer just like third-party cases.

What if the driver says I stepped out in front of them?

Drivers frequently blame pedestrians. We investigate independently, pulling witness statements, traffic camera footage, and accident reconstruction when needed.

How long does a pedestrian accident case take?

The timeline of your case depends on injury severity and whether a lawsuit is filed. Severe injury cases commonly take one to three years.

What if I was hit in a parking lot?

Parking lot cases are still recoverable. Property owners may also bear liability depending on design, lighting, and visibility conditions.

What is my case worth?

Case value depends on injury severity, medical expenses, wage loss, available insurance, and liability strength. We provide realistic valuations after reviewing medical records.

What if the driver had only minimum insurance?

Your own underinsured motorist coverage may apply. We analyze all available policies at the start of every case.

Does your firm speak languages other than English?

Yes. We handle cases in English, Russian, and Spanish.

Most Dangerous Locations for Pedestrian Accidents in Bakersfield

Several Bakersfield corridors see disproportionate pedestrian crash volume. Ming Avenue and White Lane both feature wide crossings and high traffic speeds that contribute to injury crashes, particularly at intersections with California Avenue and Wible Road. Stockdale Highway produces pedestrian incidents near commercial strips and school zones. Rosedale Highway during commute hours generates crashes at Coffee Road, Calloway Drive, and Allen Road. Oak Street and Union Avenue see steady pedestrian strikes at intersections with minimal crossing infrastructure. Chester Avenue through downtown produces urban pedestrian crashes. The area near CSU Bakersfield also sees campus-adjacent pedestrian incidents involving students crossing University Avenue and Stockdale Highway. The California Office of Traffic Safety crash rankings publishes county-level data on these patterns.

What Are Important Local Resources for Bakersfield Pedestrian Accident Victims?

After a crash, you may need medical care, police reports, or crash documentation. The resources below are frequently useful. Listing them is not an endorsement of any provider, and we have no financial relationship with any organization listed.

• Bakersfield Police Department. Non-emergency: (661) 327-7111.
• California Highway Patrol Bakersfield Area Office. Phone: (661) 396-6600.
• Kern County Sheriff’s Office. Non-emergency: (661) 861-3110.
• Kern Medical Center. Phone: (661) 326-2000. Level II trauma center.
• Adventist Health Bakersfield. Phone: (661) 395-3000.
• Mercy Hospital Downtown. Phone: (661) 632-5000.
• Kern County Public Health Services Department. Injury prevention and community health resources.
• Kern Council of Governments. Regional transportation planning and safety.
• Kern County Superior Court. Phone: (661) 868-7300.

Contact Rulsky Law Group

Initial consultations are free and confidential, and we respond quickly to new inquiries. During your consultation, we’ll review the crash, evaluate liability and damages, and explain what to expect from the claims process. We handle cases in English, Russian, and Spanish. Contact us to request a case review.