[09-29-2024] Kern County, CA – 16-Year-Old Boy Dies After Crashing Into Canal in Bakersfield

A 16-year-old Lamont boy died after crashing into a canal in southwest Bakersfield early Sunday morning, September 29, 2024.

The California Highway Patrol reported that at around 1:22 a.m., officers were called to a report of a vehicle in a canal. A preliminary investigation found that a 2014 Toyota was traveling southbound on Cottonwood Road, south of Panama Lane, at an undetermined rate of speed.

Authorities stated that the Toyota veered off the main portion of the roadway in a southwesterly direction and crashed into the canal, submerging underwater.

The driver of the Toyota, identified as a 16-year-old boy from Lamont, sustained major injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The passengers of the Toyota, identified as an 18-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman, were able to exit the vehicle.

CHP is investigating whether alcohol and/or drugs played a role in the crash.

No further details were immediately available.

Call Our Esteemed Car Accident Lawyers In Bakersfield, CA

You may be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one has been injured in a vehicular accident. Ask one of our personal injury attorneys, under the supervision of Arash Khorsandi, Esq., for advice regarding your car accident case. Our Bakersfield injury law firm is here for you!

Schedule a free consultation with our esteemed Bakersfield car accident lawyers, who will review your case, discuss the next steps, and examine all the variables that could affect your settlement amount. Additionally, they can assist you if obtaining further information or a police report proves challenging.

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What To Do After A Car Accident In Bakersfield, CA

No one can predict a car crash or collision, but you can prepare for one. A car accident checklist can help you stay calm and organized after a car crash. It can tell you what to do, what not to do, and how best to protect your rights. You aren’t alone after a collision, no matter how big or small you think it may be.

Whether you are the injured victim or the family of a deceased loved one, here’s what to do after a car accident:

1. Stay Calm – Stay on the scene and make sure everyone is okay. Check yourself for injuries first, and then check others. Remain calm, and try your best to regain composure.
2. Get to a Safe Location – Move your vehicle or pull over to the side of the road if you can. Put your emergency flashers on to warn other motorists of the accident. This gives them a heads-up to slow down as they approach. Get somewhere safe to wait for the police.
3. Call 911 – Call the authorities to report your accident as soon as possible. The police can document the incident, gather information, and make it part of an official record.
4. Exchange Information – Swap names, phone numbers, and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved in the accident. If possible, take photos of the vehicles, license plates, and other vital details.
5. Do Not Admit Fault – This is a common mistake people make following any vehicular accident. Stick only to the facts of what happened when speaking with a police officer, but never admit fault or say “sorry.” Nevertheless, be as detailed as possible in your description of the collision.
6. Seek Medical Attention – Go to the hospital or your primary doctor immediately. Immediate medical care can help reduce the damage you suffer from injuries. Tests and scans can identify internal injuries that may not show symptoms yet.
7. Report to Your Insurance Company – Most insurers have time limits for how soon you must report an accident in California. Call quickly and follow the agent’s directions to report your crash.
8. Speak to Insurance Adjusters – As soon as the day of your accident, you may receive a phone call from the other party’s insurance company. You may speak to the claims adjuster, but do not give away any more information than is necessary. Do not record a statement or accept an insurance settlement offer until you speak to an attorney.
9. Create a File – Keep accident-related documents together and organized. Your file should include a copy of the police report, medical bills, the other driver’s information, injury treatment plans, and any other documents you’ve collected regarding the incident.
10. Call Our Car Accident Lawyers – When in doubt, call us at (888) 488-1391. We offer free consultations so you can discuss your car crash without risk or obligation. We can determine whether your case has merit, help you talk to insurance companies, and assist you in filing a personal injury claim if necessary. Our California car accident lawyers are here for you. Our team answers the questions and concerns of many victims.

I HAD AN ACCIDENT

Car Accident Statistics

Based on data released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2021, motor vehicle accidents accounted for 21% of the total preventable injury-related deaths in the US. Approximately 19,515 deaths involving traffic crashes were recorded from January to June 2023, which is 3.3% less than the total 20,190 deaths reported in the first half of 2022.

For the first half of 2023, the NHTSA recorded 2,061 fatalities in California due to motor vehicle accidents. The state had a total of 160,819 fatal and injury crashes in the previous year.

According to the latest Transportation Injury Mapping System data, 1,496 crashes resulted in injuries or fatalities in Bakersfield in 2023.