Maison Law helps people in Bakersfield when they’ve been injured in car accidents. Even though most drivers understand that a car accident can happen at any time, looking at the statistics behind them is a great way to further understand the issue–and can also help prepare you for what you should do afterward. If you’ve been in a car accident in Bakersfield, we can help. Set up a free consultation with our team today.
How Many Car Accidents Happen Per Year in Bakersfield?
With Bakersfield being one of the largest cities in Kern County–and a major hub for traffic in Central California–it’s no surprise that car accidents happen here frequently. In fact, recent data from the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Record System (SWITRS) shows just how common these accidents are year after year. Over the last five years, Bakersfield has averaged:
- 1,423.2 accidents.
Here’s how the yearly numbers break down:
- 2020 – 1,470 accidents
- 2021 – 1,412 accidents
- 2022 – 1,314 accidents
- 2023 – 1,500 accidents
- 2024 – 1,420 accidents
Of course, statistics don’t tell the whole story. Every accident is different. Some lead to serious injuries, while others result in only minor damage–or none at all. So if you’ve been in one, you might be wondering: Do I really need a lawyer?
That depends on your situation. The more severe your injuries or complications are, the more it helps to have someone on your side. Our team can support you by:
- Looking into how the crash happened
- Collecting key evidence
- Explaining your legal options in plain English
- Dealing with the insurance company to seek a fair outcome
Car accidents might be common in Bakersfield–but that doesn’t make them any easier to deal with. What’s more, not every car accident is the same when it comes to the severity.
How Serious Are Car Accidents in Bakersfield?
Car accidents in Bakersfield can range from minor fender-benders to collisions with life-altering consequences. But when a crash turns fatal, it leaves lasting devastation for the people left behind. And the data shows these tragic events are not uncommon in our city.
Between 2020 and 2024, SWITRS recorded the following number of fatal car accidents in Bakersfield:
- 2020 – 50 accidents
- 2021 – 63 accidents
- 2022 – 69 accidents
- 2023 – 53 accidents
- 2024 – 25 accidents
Even when you’re doing everything right behind the wheel, a split second can change everything–especially in certain types of accidents. The risk of serious injury or death goes up during certain times of the day–but even more so in certain types of accidents. That’s why it’s so important to understand the risks on Bakersfield’s roads–and how prevalent these types of accidents are.
What Are the Most Prevalent Types of Car Accidents in Bakersfield?
Obviously, no two car accidents in Bakersfield are alike. And there’s nothing inherent about the city or area that makes them more or less likely. With that being said, there’s certain types of car accidents that are more prevalent, as laid out by TIMS data.
Of the 6,910 car accidents in Bakersfield between 2020 and 2024, the most prevalent types were:
- Broadside collision – 2,817 (40.7%)
- Rear-end collision – 1,769 (25.6%)
- Hitting an object – 732 (10.59%)
- Hitting a pedestrian – 616 (8.91%)
- Sideswipe – 542 (7.84%)
- Head-on collision – 283 (4.10%)
- Rollovers – 151 (2.19%)
No matter how serious the crash is, it’s important to know what to do next. Here are a few key steps that can help protect your health and your legal rights:
- Call 911 and get checked out – Even if you think you’re okay, it’s smart to get looked at. Some injuries take hours–or even days–to show up. The police can also create a report, which can be important for your case later on.
- Share your insurance and contact details – Trade names, contact info, and insurance details with the other driver. If there are witnesses, get their info too. The officers at the scene can help with this if things are chaotic.
- Take pictures and videos – If you’re able, snap some pictures of the cars, any visible injuries, and the scene in general–like street signs, skid marks, or anything else that looks important.
- Be clear and honest – Whether you’re talking to the police or an insurance company, just stick to the facts. Don’t guess or exaggerate–just explain what you saw and experienced.
Car accidents are stressful, especially in a busy area like Bakersfield. You can do everything correctly and still end up facing the aftermath. It’s still a good idea to be prepared, though, and part of that is looking at when car accidents are more likely to happen.
When Do Car Accidents Usually Happen in Bakersfield?
Car accidents in Bakersfield can happen at any time, but the data shows that certain days and times are more dangerous than others. Whether it’s due to rush hour traffic, weekend driving habits, or late-night distractions, some patterns tend to repeat.
Looking at the numbers helps us see when accidents happen most often–and why being extra cautious during those times can go a long way. Once we break down the TIMS data by day of the week, some clear trends start to appear:
- Monday – 926 accidents
- Tuesday – 991 accidents
- Wednesday – 1,103 accidents
- Thursday – 983 accidents
- Friday – 1,108 accidents
- Saturday – 1,001 accidents
- Sunday – 888 accidents
One thing that can be taken from these numbers is that they’re fairly consistent. But one key thing stands out–more accidents happened between Wednesday and Saturday. This stands to reason, given that:
- Wednesdays mark the middle of the workweek, when roads are busy with commuters and routines start to slip. People may be distracted, stressed, or simply fatigued by this point in the week.
- Fridays are another peak day, likely because of increased evening traffic, people rushing to finish work, and others heading out for weekend plans. There’s usually more congestion, and drivers may be less focused as they transition into “weekend mode.”
- Thursdays and Saturdays also stay high, showing that both weekday traffic and weekend activities–like shopping, social outings, or late-night driving–contribute to the risk.
These patterns suggest that a mix of routine rush hours, distracted driving, and heavier traffic later in the week all play a role in the higher number of accidents.
Maison Law Can Make the Aftermath of a Bakersfield Car Accident Easier
Getting into a car accident in Bakersfield can turn your day–and your life–upside down. Between the injuries, the paperwork, and the insurance hassle, it’s hard to know where to start. That’s where we come in. Our team at Maison Law knows what the aftermath of a car accident feels like, and we can walk you through your options, take on the legal side of things, and make sure you’re not left dealing with everything alone. Don’t wait–reach out today to set up a free consultation.
