Why Taft Residents Trust Reardon Injury Law
Life in a close-knit community like Taft can be shattered in an instant by a serious accident. One moment you are commuting on the Taft Highway or running errands, and the next you are dealing with physical pain, emotional trauma, and a growing stack of medical bills. The confusion and stress can be overwhelming, leaving you unsure of where to turn for help. At Reardon Injury Law, we understand the profound disruption an unexpected injury causes not just for you, but for your entire family. Our first priority is to listen with compassion and provide the steadfast support you need to navigate this difficult time.
We are dedicated to serving communities throughout California, including Taft. Our firm is led by attorney John Reardon, who brings a truly unique perspective to personal injury law. Before becoming an attorney, John practiced as a chiropractor for 20 years. This extensive medical background gives him an unparalleled understanding of the physical toll an accident takes on the human body. He can decipher complex medical records, anticipate long-term care needs, and effectively communicate the true extent of your injuries to insurance companies and juries. This combination of medical insight and legal expertise allows us to build powerful, comprehensive cases aimed at securing the full compensation you deserve.
We believe that everyone deserves access to justice, regardless of their financial situation. That is why we operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney’s fees unless we win your case. Your initial consultation is always free, giving you the opportunity to get answers and understand your legal options without any risk or obligation.
Accident Hotspots in Taft
While Taft may be a small city, its location in Kern County and proximity to major industrial and commuter routes create significant traffic dangers. Kern County’s overall crash rate is alarmingly 32% higher than the state average, and local roads present their own unique risks.
One documented trouble spot is the intersection of Taft Highway and Old River Road. This rural junction has seen numerous crashes due to drivers traveling at high speeds, failing to yield at stop signs, and making unsafe turns. The high-speed nature of Taft Highway makes any collision there potentially devastating.
The primary artery through the city, State Route 33 (Taft Highway), is a major source of concern. It carries a heavy volume of local traffic, commuters heading towards Bakersfield, and large commercial vehicles serving the surrounding oil fields. The constant presence of heavy trucks increases the risk of serious truck accidents, which often involve catastrophic injuries and complex liability issues.
For residents who commute, the nearby corridors of State Route 99 and State Route 58 are notoriously dangerous. These major highways are burdened with a mix of freight traffic and passenger vehicles, leading to frequent congestion and a high rate of severe car accidents and motorcycle accidents.
Types of Cases We Handle in Taft
At Reardon Injury Law, our team has the experience and resources to handle a wide range of personal injury claims. We are prepared to advocate for Taft residents who have been harmed by another’s negligence. Our practice areas include:
- Car Accidents: We represent victims of collisions caused by distracted driving, speeding, DUIs, and other reckless behaviors on local roads and major highways like SR 33 and SR 99.
- Truck Accidents: Given the heavy oil field and agricultural traffic in Kern County, we have a deep understanding of the complex federal and state regulations that govern the trucking industry and are skilled at holding negligent trucking companies accountable.
- Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable on the road. We fight to protect the rights of riders who have been injured by inattentive or aggressive drivers.
- Pedestrian Accidents: We help pedestrians who have been struck and injured seek justice and compensation for their medical care and suffering.
- Bicycle Accidents: Our firm advocates for cyclists injured in collisions, working to ensure they receive fair compensation for their injuries.
- Rideshare Accidents: Accidents involving Uber or Lyft can be complicated by multiple insurance policies. We know how to navigate these complex claims to protect our clients’ interests.
If you have been injured in any type of accident, do not hesitate to reach out for a free, no-obligation review of your case.
What to Do After an Accident in Taft
The actions you take in the minutes, hours, and days following an accident are critical for protecting your health and your legal rights.
- Prioritize Safety and Call 911: If you are able, move your vehicle to a safe location off the road. Check on yourself and others involved. Call 911 immediately to report the accident and request medical assistance. The Taft Police Department or the Kern County Sheriff’s Office will likely respond to the scene.
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Your health is the top priority. Even if you feel fine, some serious injuries have delayed symptoms. Get a full medical evaluation at a local facility like Taft Community Hospital. For more severe or life-threatening injuries, you may be transported to a regional trauma center like Kern Medical Center or Adventist Health Bakersfield.
- Document the Scene: If you are able, use your phone to take pictures and videos of everything: vehicle positions, property damage, skid marks, traffic signals, weather conditions, and your visible injuries.
- Exchange Information: Get the names, contact information, driver’s license numbers, and insurance details of all drivers involved. Also, be sure to get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
- File an Official Report: The responding officers will create a traffic collision report. This report is a crucial piece of evidence. You can typically obtain a copy from the law enforcement agency that responded a week or two after the crash.
- Contact an Attorney Before Speaking to Insurers: Before you give a recorded statement to any insurance company—even your own—it is vital to speak with a qualified personal injury lawyer. An attorney can protect you from tactics adjusters use to minimize or deny your claim.
Understanding Your Rights Under California Law
Navigating the legal system after an injury can be confusing. An experienced attorney can guide you through the process and ensure your rights are protected under California law.
- 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. However, your total compensation award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault, your final settlement will be reduced by 20%.
- Statute of Limitations: In California, you have a limited time to file a legal claim. For most personal injury cases, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the injury (California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). However, a critical exception exists for claims against government entities (e.g., a city-owned vehicle, a dangerous road condition). In these cases, you must file a formal claim with the public entity within six months of the incident. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar you from recovering compensation.
- California 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. In any serious accident, these amounts are often woefully inadequate to cover the full cost of medical bills, lost income, and other damages.
- Types of Compensation: As an injury victim, you may be entitled to recover compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. This can include medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, property damage, and non-economic damages for pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
Contact Reardon Injury Law Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in Taft, you do not have to face the aftermath alone. Let us handle the legal burdens so you can focus on what matters most: your recovery. At Reardon Injury Law, we combine deep medical knowledge with proven legal strategies to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
Contact us today at (657) 522-7122 or visit our contact page to schedule a free, confidential consultation. We are here to help.
