Bakersfield Personal Injury Attorneys
Bakersfield Rear-End
Car Accident Lawyers
Rear-ended at a light, in traffic, or on the 99? The insurer will call it “just a fender bender.” We turned a $410,000 offer into a $4.4 million recovery for a crash neck injury. That’s the Valero difference.
“Valero Law has the most knowledgeable and supportive staff that helped me through my accident journey. I cannot say enough about Attorney Kyle Valero and Eric Sapir! Would give a 10/10 if I could!”
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“Just a Fender Bender” Is What the Insurer Wants You to Believe
Rear-end collisions happen constantly on Bakersfield’s stop-and-go corridors — Ming Avenue, Stockdale Highway, the on-ramps of Highway 99 and Highway 58. Most are caused by distracted driving, following too closely, speeding, or neglected brakes. And while some are harmless bumper taps, plenty end in whiplash, concussions, and herniated discs that don’t show up until days later.
If someone rear-ended you, the fault question may seem obvious — but insurers still find ways to blame you, minimize your injuries, and lowball your claim. A Bakersfield rear-end car accident lawyer levels the playing field. We investigate the crash, prove liability, and negotiate — or litigate — for full value. If your crash wasn’t a rear-end collision, start with our main Bakersfield car accident page. Your first consultation is free.
The California Laws That Decide Rear-End Accident Claims
Proving fault usually comes down to showing the other driver broke a traffic law. When police cite a driver for one of these violations, that citation can establish negligence per se — the violation itself is evidence of careless driving.
Vehicle Code §21703
Following Too Closely
A driver may not follow another vehicle "more closely than is reasonable and prudent" given speed, traffic, and road conditions. Tailgating is the single most common violation behind rear-end crashes — and a citation for it is powerful evidence of fault.
Read the statuteVehicle Code §22350
The Basic Speed Law
No one may drive faster than is reasonable or prudent for the weather, visibility, traffic, and road surface. A driver going too fast to stop in time can be at fault even if they were under the posted limit.
Read the statuteVehicle Code §22105
Unsafe U-Turns
A U-turn is illegal without an unobstructed view for 200 feet in both directions. A driver who whips a U-turn into traffic and gets hit from behind may be the one at fault — not the driver who struck them.
Read the statuteWho Is at Fault in a Rear-End Accident?
Usually — but not always — the rear driver. Under California Vehicle Code §21703, every driver must leave a reasonable, prudent following distance. A driver who hits the car ahead was usually tailgating, speeding, or looking at a phone — which is why the rear driver is presumed careless in the typical case.
California also follows pure comparative negligence: you can recover damages even if you were partly — or mostly — at fault, with your award reduced by your share of the blame. Expect the other side to push as much fault onto you as possible. Refuting exaggerated shared-fault claims is a core part of what we do.
Proving what really happened takes evidence: the police report, photos and video, witness statements, vehicle damage patterns, medical records — and when needed, accident-reconstruction experts. We build that case before the insurer builds theirs.
When the Rear Driver Is Not at Fault
Position doesn’t decide fault — negligence does. The lead driver can carry some or all of the blame when:
- The lead driver cut in and braked before a safe gap existed
- The lead driver suddenly reversed — in traffic or out of a driveway
- A third car pushed the rear vehicle forward in a chain-reaction pileup
- The lead driver made an unsafe U-turn into oncoming traffic
- The lead vehicle had broken or missing brake lights
Unsafe U-turns are a classic example: under Vehicle Code §22105, a U-turn is illegal without a clear 200-foot view in both directions — and a driver who turns into traffic can cause the very rear-end crash they’re blaming on you.
$410,000 Offer. $4.4 Million Recovery.
A client with a crash neck injury — the signature rear-end injury — came to us after the insurance company offered $410,000. Most people would have taken it. We didn’t. We took the case all the way — and recovered $4.4 million.
$4.4M
Car crash — neck injury
The insurer’s prior best offer was just $410,000. We did not settle. We recovered $4.4 million.
$5M
Auto accident
Brachial plexus injury in a motor-vehicle collision.
$3M
Auto accident
Back and neck injury settlement.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different.
What to Do After a Rear-End Accident
What you do in the hours and days after a crash can make or break your claim. Here’s how to protect your health — and your case.
Call 911 and get checked out
Report the crash and see a doctor even if you feel fine — whiplash and disc injuries often don’t show symptoms until days later.
Document the scene
Photos of both vehicles (especially the point of impact), skid marks, the road, and your injuries — plus witness names and the police report number.
Don’t talk to the other insurer
The at-fault driver’s insurance company is not on your side. Anything you say can be used to shift blame onto you.
Call Valero
We handle the investigation, the paperwork, and the negotiations — and we can come to your home or hospital.
Don’t forget the DMV: under California Vehicle Code §16000, you must file an SR-1 report within 10 days if anyone was hurt or property damage exceeds $1,000. We can take care of that filing for you.
Common Rear-End Collision Injuries We Handle
Rear impacts throw your head and neck backward and forward in a fraction of a second. Even a “low-speed” crash in stop-and-go traffic can cause real, lasting injuries.
Whiplash & Neck Injuries
The violent back-and-forth snap of a rear impact strains muscles, ligaments, and discs in the neck. Symptoms often surface days after the crash and can linger for months.
Concussions & Brain Trauma
Your brain can strike the inside of the skull even without hitting your head on anything. Rear impacts are a leading cause of crash-related concussions.
Herniated & Bulging Discs
The sudden compression of a rear-end collision can rupture discs in the neck and lower back, causing pain, numbness, and sometimes surgery.
Spinal Cord Damage
High-speed rear impacts can injure the spinal cord itself, sometimes causing partial or permanent loss of mobility.
Wrist, Arm & Shoulder Injuries
Drivers instinctively brace against the steering wheel. The impact travels up the arms, causing sprains, fractures, and torn rotator cuffs.
Seat Belt & Airbag Injuries
The equipment that saves your life can still bruise ribs, injure the chest, and cause burns or facial injuries when it deploys.
No matter how minor your injuries seem at first, see a doctor and document everything. Whiplash, disc injuries, and concussions often don’t show symptoms until days after the crash — and a gap in treatment is exactly what insurers use to deny claims.
Compensation After a Rear-End Accident
California law lets injured drivers and passengers recover two kinds of damages — and once you settle or a judgment is entered, there is no second chance. Getting the number right the first time is everything.
Economic Damages
Calculable, out-of-pocket losses you can prove with bills and records.
- Emergency care, imaging, surgery, and hospital bills
- Ongoing physical therapy and chiropractic care
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Vehicle repair or replacement
Non-Economic Damages
The human cost of your injuries — subjective, but very real.
- Pain and physical suffering
- Emotional distress and anxiety behind the wheel
- Loss of consortium and companionship
- Lost enjoyment of life
There is no cap on damages in California car accident cases. One exception to know: under Civil Code §3333.4, an injured driver who didn’t carry the required insurance generally cannot recover non-economic damages — even when the other driver was entirely at fault.
Why Injured Drivers Choose Valero Law Group
We Turn Lowball Offers Around
A $410K offer became a $4.4M recovery. We don’t let insurers undervalue your claim.
No Fee Unless We Win
You pay nothing up front. We only get paid when we recover money for you.
We Speak Spanish
Hablamos Español. You’ll always understand your case and your options.
Available 24/7
Day or night, a real person is here when you or your family need help.
We Come to You
Injured and can’t travel? We’ll meet you at home or in the hospital.
$500M+ Recovered
Over 20 years fighting for the injured, including the largest PI settlement in Kern County.
See What Our Clients Are Saying...
“The first time I came into the office they welcomed me like I was family, and made sure to go over the whole process slowly and with great detail. My experience with this law firm was truly incredible and I can guarantee any client who decides to hire them will see exactly what I experienced.”
Jacob D.
Auto Accident
“Valero injury law firm made me feel comfortable like family and answered my questions no matter how small. They are completely committed to making sure you are taken care of. They are honest, they communicate with you, and they treat you like family.”
Elizabeth M.
Auto Accident
“After searching for an attorney, they truly were the only ones that looked at me as a person not just an easy case. Any question, no matter how small was answered. Any missed call was quickly returned. Even though they have many clients I never felt like I was not a priority.”
Nathan J.
Personal Injury
Serving Drivers Across Bakersfield & Kern County
Stop-and-go traffic on Ming Avenue, sudden slowdowns on Highway 99, red lights on Rosedale Highway — we know exactly where Bakersfield’s rear-end crashes happen. We help injured drivers and passengers across all of Kern County.
Local Office
(661) 486-411924/7 Line
(877) 639-8888Rear-End Accident FAQ
Who is at fault in a rear-end accident in Bakersfield?
Is the rear driver always at fault in California?
Can I recover money if the rear-end crash was partly my fault?
How long do I have to file a rear-end accident claim in California?
Do I have to report a rear-end accident to the DMV?
Is there a cap on what I can recover after a rear-end accident?
What does a rear-end accident lawyer cost?
Sources: Cal. Veh. Code §21703 (following too closely) · Cal. Veh. Code §22350 (basic speed law) · Cal. Veh. Code §22105 (U-turns) · Cal. Veh. Code §16000 (DMV accident report) · Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §335.1 (2-year deadline) · Cal. Civ. Code §3333.4 (uninsured-driver limits).
Rear-Ended in Bakersfield? Let’s Talk Today.
Let our team handle the investigation, the insurers, and the legal deadlines so you can focus on recovering. Your first consultation is free — and you pay nothing unless we win.
This page provides general information about California rear-end accident law and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. For advice about your specific situation, speak with a licensed attorney.