[06-20-2023] Kern County, CA – 1 Person Killed Following Two-Vehicle Collision Sending Car Into Canal in South Bakersfield

At least one person was killed after a two-vehicle collision that ended with a car submerged in a canal in south Bakersfield on Tuesday morning, June 20, 2023.

According to the Bakersfield Police Department, the incident occurred near the intersection of H Street and Berkshire Road that morning.

One of the vehicles went through a fence and submerged into a canal after the collision. The events leading up to the collision were unknown.

The man trapped in the submerged vehicle was extricated but could not be revived by the responding officers. The other driver was not injured in the collision or its aftermath.

There was no information regarding the identities of the drivers.

Dedicated Car Accident Lawyers in Bakersfield

If a driver’s negligence causes a fatality or severe injury, the victim or the victim’s family may be entitled to compensation. You should consult a personal injury lawyer if you are involved in an unintentional car accident.

Your free consultation will include a discussion of your case with one of our lawyers, the next steps to take, and any factors affecting your settlement.

Our relentless Bakersfield car accident lawyers at Arash Law, led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., have the recognition and vast experience to advocate for accident victims, with awarded compensation totaling $750 million as of yet.

Contact (888) 488-1391 or complete the “Do I Have a Case?” form on our website to schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers.

What to Do After a Car Accident

Although car accidents cannot be predicted, they can be prepared for. Staying calm after an accident might be easier with a checklist in the glove compartment. It can help you determine what to do, what to avoid, and how to protect yourself. Here are some guidelines to help you get started:

• Stay calm and remain at the scene to ensure safety. You should check yourself for injuries before helping others.
• Get to a safe location and wait for the authorities. Pull over any vehicles that cannot move to the side of the road. To prevent further collisions, activate your hazard lights.
• Call 911 to report your collision. Call the police unless the collision was minimal, no one was hurt, and no property was damaged. The police can investigate by speaking with prospective witnesses and gathering evidence.
• Exchange information with all parties involved. Document everything, from your injuries to the weather, road conditions, and the vehicle that hit you.
• Do not admit fault to the police. Simply give the police officer an honest account of events.
• Seek medical attention. See a specialist or your primary care physician as soon as possible. Receiving immediate medical care can lessen the severity of injuries.
• Report it to your insurance company. Insurance companies in California have different deadlines for reporting accidents.
• Contact insurance adjusters. You can talk to a claims adjuster but only share the necessary information with them. You should consult a lawyer before accepting a settlement offer or providing a recorded statement to an insurance company.
• Create a file. Gather and file all paperwork related to the incident, such as the police report, medical bills, details about the other driver, and plans for treating any injuries, in a case file.
• Seek immediate legal counsel from an experienced California car accident lawyer.

Fatal Two-Vehicle Accident Statistics

It is estimated that almost two million deaths and ten million injuries occur due to automobile accidents each year in the United States.

National Safety Council reports traffic fatalities nationwide increased by 8.3% in 2020. The number of traffic-related deaths in 2021 reached 46,980. A total of 39,107 people died in car accidents in the United States in 2019. The number was 42,338 in 2020.

California traffic accidents resulted in 3,847 deaths in 2020. A total of 2,260 people died as a result of one-car accidents, or 59% of all deaths. The death toll from multiple-vehicle collisions topped 1,600 (or 41%).

Two vehicles were involved in most collisions (72% of all collisions, 71% of collisions that resulted in injuries, and 77% of all injuries). A total of 8,000 people were killed and injured in angle collisions in 2020.

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