Personal Injury
Lawyer
in Bakersfield

Accidents disrupt lives. At the Law Office of Brian P. Azemika, we have represented countless people hurt in surprising accidents. Some were injured in motor vehicle collisions while others were hurt walking down a grocery store aisle. Our clients all share one thing in common: they are suffering with painful, expensive injuries—and they need help.

Our Bakersfield personal injury lawyer has the experience you need to investigate your accident and determine fault. Based on what we find, we can then negotiate a settlement with the defendant for financial compensation. Contact our firm today. We have obtained millions of dollars for injured clients just like you, and we are eager to explain the process in person.

We Accept All Types of Personal Injury Cases

Hundreds of people are injured each year in Bakersfield due to the negligent or reckless conduct of other people. Our clients have many questions about what steps they should take to obtain compensation.

We can help if you were hurt in:

• Car accidents. California requires that motorists purchase liability insurance to register a vehicle. We can make a claim on the driver’s policy for negligent driving.
• Truck accidents. Commercial trucks cause hundreds of injuries in the state. They are so big that many people are badly hurt and need compensation for medical care and to repair their vehicles. We can sue the trucker, trucking company, and/or another party who is to blame.
• Motorcycle accidents. Motorcyclists are vulnerable when struck or driven off the road. Helpfully, a driver’s liability policy should cover a motorcycle accident when the driver is at fault.
• Pedestrian accidents. Pedestrians are completely undefended and might suffer catastrophic injuries in a crash. Our firm can build a claim for the maximum compensation.
• Medical malpractice. When a doctor or other medical provider injures a patient, we can hold them responsible for their negligence and mistakes. We can sue physicians, nurses, anesthesiologists, hospitals, and clinics.
• Slip and falls. People can slip in public or private buildings, including grocery stores and other businesses. We might sue if the property owner did not fix a known hazard or failed to warn you of one.
• Premises liability accidents. Many different hazards can injure people, including fires or electrocution or a lack of security.
• Defective products. Manufacturers recall dozens of defective products each month for dangerous defects which can cause bodily injuries.
• Sporting accidents. Participants in sporting events might suffer bodily injuries due to rough play or a failure to enforce the rules. We can make a claim on your behalf.

Common Personal Injuries

Our clients suffer painful bodily injuries that require immediate medical care. If lucky, they can recover in a couple months. Other clients, unfortunately, continue to struggle with disability and pain for years.

Some major injuries include: 

• Fractures, including rib fracture, cervical fracture, and a fractured skull;
• Neck injuries, including whiplash and pinched nerves;
• Head injuries, such as concussion, traumatic brain injury, bleeding in the brain, and lesions;
• Lacerations and cuts, including road rash, abrasions, and infected wounds;
• Back injuries, such as herniated disc, spinal column fracture, or spinal cord injury;
• Burns, including second- and third-degree burns, as well as burns that lead to amputation;
• Catastrophic injuries, such as blindness, amputation, paralysis, and more.

Bodily injuries also have an emotional or psychological dimension. Many of our clients struggle powerfully with fear, anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder. We strongly encourage clients to get all the medical help they need, including mental health counseling or behavioral therapy, where needed.

What Does a Personal Injury Claim Look Like?

The personal injury claims process is opaque to many. We can shed light in a consultation about how we handle your claim. There are certain steps to follow:

• Evidence collection. We need to prove someone else has legal responsibility for your accident and injuries. That’s called liability. We rely on witnesses, physical evidence, and video to reconstruct what happened.
• Ongoing treatment. Your job is to avail yourself of necessary medical treatment so you can improve as much as possible. If you don’t, then the other side could reduce their financial liability.
• Negotiation. Once we understand liability, we will reach out to the defendant and his insurer and demand compensation. Negotiation is usually a back-and-forth process, and it can take months.
• Mediation. We might participate in mediation to help whittle down the issues in dispute. Mediation is held in front of a neutral third party.
• Litigation. We often file a lawsuit to protect your rights if the statute of limitations period is ending. In California, a victim typically has two years to sue for most personal injuries, but medical malpractice cases could have shorter deadlines. We need to file suit before then. In most situations, we can happily settle your case without need for a trial.

This is a general overview. Your case might differ, so call our firm to schedule a consultation. 

Your Right to Financial Compensation after an Accident

Personal injuries are expensive. Someone suffering a back injury might need surgery, rest, and months of grueling rehabilitation. They cannot work, and the bills continue to arrive daily in the mailbox.

Our Bakersfield personal injury attorney will seek financial compensation for expenses and non-financial losses, such as:

• Medical expenses for treating your injuries
• Any future medical expenses if you have permanent disabilities
• Property damage (such as a damaged car or motorcycle)
• Pain and suffering
• Lost income or wages
• Loss of consortium
• Exemplary (punitive) damages, where appropriate

A frequent question is, “How much is my case worth?” The answer is always, “It depends on the facts of your case.”

Some of our clients are permanently disabled after a devastating truck accident. They could have decades of future medical expenses and lost earning capacity. Other clients have less dramatic (though still serious) injuries. We fully review all medical records and bills to come up with a fair amount to include in our demand letter.

Arrange Your Consultation Today with a Bakersfield Personal Injury Lawyer

Brian P. Azemika has served the Bakersfield community and surrounding areas for nearly two decades. He has honed his skills helping injured men and women access the justice system and obtain meaningful compensation. If you have questions, please request a consultation with our Bakersfield personal injury attorney.