Pedestrian Accident in Bakersfield. California law, local courts, and the deadlines that apply here.

Pedestrian Accident in Bakersfield

Pedestrian accident claims give injured walkers all Vehicle Code protections applicable on California roads. Vehicle Code section 21950 requires drivers to yield in all crosswalks. Pure comparative fault applies even to pedestrians who cross outside marked crosswalks.

California Law That Applies

California's pure comparative fault system under Civil Code section 1714 applies to pedestrian accident cases in Bakersfield. Recovery is reduced proportionally by the claimant's fault percentage but is never fully barred. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1.

Claims against the City of Bakersfield, GET (Golden Empire Transit), or Kern County require a government tort claim within six months of the incident under Government Code section 945.4. This shorter deadline runs concurrently with, and is separate from, the two-year personal injury SOL. Missing the six-month government tort claim deadline permanently bars claims against government entity defendants regardless of when the lawsuit is filed.

Courts and Procedures in Bakersfield

Pedestrian Accident personal injury claims from Bakersfield are filed in Kern County Superior Court — Metropolitan Division at 1215 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93301. This courthouse handles unlimited civil cases from Bakersfield and Kern County. Personal injury cases in this court typically reach trial in 12–18 months from filing.

Key Deadlines for Pedestrian Accident Claims in Bakersfield

Two years from the accident date to file suit against a private party under CCP section 335.1. Six months from the incident to file a government tort claim against the City of Bakersfield, GET (Golden Empire Transit), or Kern County under Government Code section 945.4. Both deadlines run from the date of the accident, subject to the discovery rule and tolling exceptions.