Why Delano Residents Trust Reardon Injury Law
A serious accident can turn your life upside down in an instant. One moment you are driving on SR 99 or running errands in town, and the next you are facing physical pain, mounting medical bills, and the overwhelming stress of not knowing what to do next. The team at Reardon Injury Law understands the profound disruption an injury causes—to your health, your family, and your ability to work. Our first priority is to provide the compassionate support and clear guidance you need to navigate this difficult time.
We believe that to effectively fight for an injured person, you must fully understand the injury itself. That is where our firm offers a unique advantage. Founding attorney John Reardon practiced as a chiropractor for two decades before becoming a lawyer. This deep medical background gives him an unparalleled ability to understand the mechanics of your injuries, assess their long-term impact, and communicate their severity to insurance companies and juries. We don’t just see a case file; we see the full picture of your pain and the path to recovery.
We are dedicated to helping Delano residents secure the justice and compensation they deserve. We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay absolutely nothing unless we win your case. Your fight is our fight, and we are ready to stand with you.
Accident Hotspots in Delano
While any road can be dangerous, certain areas in and around Delano present a higher risk due to traffic volume and driver behavior. Kern County’s intersection crash rate is unfortunately higher than the California state average, and Delano’s roadways contribute to this statistic.
The most significant hazard is State Route 99 (SR 99), which cuts directly through the city. As a primary artery connecting Bakersfield, Visalia, and Fresno, SR 99 carries a constant flow of commuters and commercial trucks. The on-ramps and off-ramps within Delano are frequent sites of high-speed collisions. In 2022 alone, the city saw 133 fatal and injury crashes, many of which were related to speed or occurred at night.
County-wide data reveals that the most common cause of intersection crashes is a failure to yield the right-of-way, often resulting in devastating broadside (T-bone) collisions. This makes intersections along major commuter thoroughfares in Delano particularly dangerous. If you have been injured in a crash on SR 99 or another local road, you may be the victim of a serious car accidents or a complex truck accidents.
Types of Cases We Handle in Delano
Our firm is equipped to handle a wide range of personal injury claims. We combine legal expertise with medical insight to build the strongest possible case for every client. Our practice areas include:
- Car Accidents: With heavy traffic on SR 99 and local streets, car crashes are a leading cause of injury in Delano. We handle everything from rear-end collisions to multi-vehicle pile-ups.
- Truck Accidents: The high volume of commercial trucking through Kern County means big rig accidents are a serious concern. These cases are complex, often involving federal regulations and multiple liable parties.
- Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable on busy highways and at intersections. We are dedicated to protecting the rights of injured riders.
- Pedestrian Accidents: The mix of residential, commercial, and agricultural areas in Delano can create risks for those on foot, especially near school zones and busy crosswalks.
- Bicycle Accidents: We advocate for cyclists who have been injured by negligent drivers.
- Rideshare Accidents: Accidents involving Uber or Lyft have unique insurance complexities that require experienced legal guidance.
No matter the circumstances of your injury, we are here to help you understand your legal options.
What to Do After an Accident in Delano
The steps you take immediately following an accident are critical for both your health and your potential legal claim.
- Prioritize Safety: If possible, move your vehicle out of traffic to a safe location. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
- Call 911: Report the accident to law enforcement. Depending on the location, the Delano Police Department or the California Highway Patrol (CHP) will respond. A police report is a vital piece of evidence.
- Seek Medical Attention: Your health is the top priority. Even if you feel fine, some serious injuries like whiplash or internal bleeding may not show symptoms immediately. Get evaluated at an emergency room at a local hospital like Adventist Health Delano or Delano Regional Medical Center as soon as possible.
- Document Everything: Use your phone to take pictures and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s) and get contact details for any witnesses.
- Do Not Admit Fault: Avoid saying “I’m sorry” or accepting blame. Stick to the facts when speaking with police. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company, even your own, without first consulting an attorney.
- Contact a Delano Personal Injury Lawyer: An experienced attorney can protect your rights, handle communication with insurance companies, and begin building your case while you focus on recovery.
Understanding Your Rights Under California Law
Navigating the legal system after an injury can be confusing. It is important to understand the key California laws that will affect your claim.
- Pure Comparative Negligence: California follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. This means you can still recover financial compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. Your final award will simply be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault, you can still collect 80% of the total damages.
- Statute of Limitations: There are strict deadlines for filing a lawsuit. For most personal injury cases, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a claim (California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). However, the deadline is much shorter if your claim is against a government entity (e.g., a city-operated vehicle or a dangerous public road). In these cases, you must file a formal notice of claim within six months under the Government Claims Act.
- California’s Minimum Insurance: The state’s minimum liability insurance requirements are just $15,000 for injury to one person, $30,000 for injury to multiple people, and $5,000 for property damage. These low limits are often insufficient to cover the costs of a serious injury, making it essential to identify all possible sources of compensation.
- Types of Compensation: As a victim, you may be entitled to recover compensation for a variety of damages, including:
- Economic Damages: Medical bills (past and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and property damage.
- Non-Economic Damages: Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.
Contact Reardon Injury Law Today
You do not have to face the aftermath of an accident alone. At Reardon Injury Law, we provide the powerful combination of legal skill and medical knowledge to fight for the full and fair compensation you need to rebuild your life.
We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and answer your questions. You pay no fees unless we win. Call us today at (657) 522-7122 or fill out the form on our contact page to get the help you deserve.
