Kern County has a lot of long, straight highways. They can lull already drowsy motorists right to sleep, causing devastating crashes. It can happen day or night.
The people at most risk are often the occupants of other vehicles who are suddenly rammed by an out-of-control car.
If you are hit, you’ll want to gather as much evidence as possible showing a drowsy driver was at fault. It’s the best way to keep the blame in the right place. Evidence is also the way to force a car insurance company to accept liability for damages and injuries.
Falling Asleep at the Wheel in Bakersfield
Drowsy drivers present a frightening hazard on local roads. They often lose control of their vehicles, and they also don’t often have the presence of mind to steer clear of a collision or slam the brakes to reduce the impact.
Bakersfield also has plenty of routes that go in straight lines for miles and miles, with scenery that doesn’t change much. For drivers who allow themselves to become fatigued, it can lead to scary situations.
These are a few of the types of accidents sleepy drivers can cause:
- Drowsy drivers veering out of a lane and into head-on traffic, like along Brundage Lane.
- Drowsy drivers getting on the highway, like Route 58, going the wrong way.
- Drowsy drivers who don’t stop for a stop sign.
- Drowsy drivers who don’t stop for red lights.
- Drowsy drivers who don’t slow down before collisions, causing more powerful impacts.
Taking Action at the Scene After a Drowsy Driver Accident
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that, officially, 644 victims were killed in U.S. accidents blamed on drowsy drivers in 2024. But that number is probably misleading, because drivers don’t always admit they were drowsy or fell asleep before a crash. It may also be impossible for investigating officers to know for sure.
It’s another reason why you may need all the evidence they can gather at the scene. First, you should contact 911 and call for an ambulance if anyone is hurt.
But then, if you are able to walk around safely, you should start gathering details at the scene:
- Let paramedics examine every injury and go to the ER if they think you should.
- Pull out your cellphone to take pictures and video. Show damage to the vehicles. Show the surroundings, street signs, debris, and lane markings. Take pictures of any of your injuries that are visible.
- Find out what witnesses observed. Get their contact information.
- Exchange information with the driver if a California Highway Patrol officer or a Bakersfield Police officer doesn’t provide it to you.
- Don’t make any statements about fault in the accident or how badly you are hurt to other drivers. These statements can be used against you later.
- Contact your insurance agent, even if you weren’t at fault.
- Schedule a doctor’s appointment. Do everything your physician recommends, including visiting specialists. Keep your medical receipts.
- Schedule a free consultation with a Bakersfield Lawyer if you come away with serious injuries.
An experienced lawyer would also investigate your case and secure further evidence. That can include witness testimony that becomes key in proving a driver was fatigued or asleep. The findings of an accident reconstruction team might also reveal the uncontrolled moves that expose a driver nodding off at the wheel.
When Do I Need a Lawyer’s Help?
If you suffer only very minor injuries, or just car damage, you may not need a lawyer’s help. But if your injuries are more serious, you could probably benefit from having a Bakersfield Car Accident Lawyer on your case.
A serious injury might include broken bones, a neck or back injury, or a Traumatic Brain Injury. As medical costs rise with these major injuries, car insurance companies fight harder against accepting blame.
They’ll make it harder to prove that their driver fell asleep. They question your injuries even more, trying to establish that you won’t need all that much care in the future. A lawyer can fight back with the evidence. Your lawyer also has a great chance to earn you much more in a settlement than you could usually win on your own.
Contact a Bakersfield Car Accident Attorney
Motorists struck by careless, drowsy drivers should get all of the medical bills paid in full. They should be able to count on the replacement of the paychecks they’ve had to miss at work. They must also receive support for the pain and the emotional distress they’ve had to endure.
Maison Law wants to help you through this difficult time and make sure you get what you need to return your life to normal.
Maison Law offers free case reviews to all injured Kern County car accident victims and their families. If you need our help to earn more, you should know that there’s no upfront fees. We don’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the settlement check a car insurance company must write.
