Bakersfield, CA – Two lives were lost and a young child was hospitalized after a devastating car crash involving a Bakersfield Police Department patrol car early Sunday morning, October 13, 2024, according to KBAK.
The accident occurred at 5:40 AM at the intersection of Niles Street and Kern Street. A vehicle, traveling northbound on Kern Street, collided with the police patrol car after reportedly failing to stop at a posted stop sign. The impact caused the driver of the vehicle, who has not yet been identified, to be ejected from the car. Emergency responders pronounced the driver dead at the scene.
A woman who was seated in the front passenger seat of the vehicle was rushed to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries and tragically passed away shortly after her arrival. Her identity has not yet been released as officials work to notify her family. A 2-year-old child, also in the vehicle, was transported to the hospital for treatment.
Witnesses reported that the vehicle was speeding before it collided with the police patrol car. The officers involved in the crash were treated for minor to moderate injuries and are expected to recover.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, including whether drugs or alcohol may have been factors. The Kern County Coroner’s Office will release the identities of the victims once the families have been notified.
Wrongful Death Claims
Losing a loved one in a traffic accident is devastating, and the pain can be made worse by the financial strain that often follows. Medical bills, funeral costs, and the loss of income to support dependents of the deceased can leave families struggling.
Filing a Wrongful Death claim against those responsible can provide compensation to help with these expenses. However, insurance companies will always try to pay as little as possible, making it difficult for families to receive the full amount they deserve.
This is why having an experienced personal injury attorney is essential so that they can fight to make sure you receive fair compensation and justice for your loved one.
Passenger Liability
Driver liability insurance covers both those outside the vehicle and passengers inside. While it can be emotionally difficult to file a Wrongful Death or injury claim against someone close to the victim, the financial challenges after an accident can be overwhelming.
A skilled personal injury attorney can help families pursue proper compensation for their loss by handling these legal complexities and negotiating with insurance companies, who always try to reduce payouts on claims they cannot deny.
Stop Sign Laws
California Law requires drivers to come to a complete stop at a Stop sign (California Vehicle Code 22450). Drivers may only enter the intersection when it appears safe for all parties to do so (California Vehicle Code 21802).
