Accident victims with traumatic and life-threatening injuries would likely be sent to Kern Medical’s Level II Trauma Center. Accident victims on the eastern side of the county may be taken to Ridgecrest Regional Hospital, where a Level IV Trauma Center is in place.
Victims who need more sophisticated care to give them the best chance of survival could be rushed to the Level I Trauma Center located in Fresno or to one of several Trauma Centers in L.A.
Locating the Trauma Centers in Kern County
In Kern County, there are two trauma centers in place to give patients the best chance of survival after a frightening accident.
Victims hurt closer to Bakersfield would probably first receive care at Kern Medical in Bakersfield. It’s a Level II Trauma Center that’s been in operation since 2001. The staff treats over 3,000 trauma patients a year.
Bakersfield, CA 93306
Accident victims hurt along the eastern edge of Kern County would probably receive treatment or be evaluated at Ridgecrest Regional. They treat patients coming in from across the Southern Sierra region.
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Level I Trauma Centers Outside Kern County
Level I trauma centers provide the highest level of care for patients with life-threatening injuries. They are also home to the most specialized surgeons and nurses.
Victims assessed in Bakersfield or Ridgecrest may be flown to Fresno or Los Angeles hospitals.
Fresno is home to the only Level I Trauma Center between Los Angeles and Sacramento. It’s the Level I facility at Community Regional Medical Center.
Table Mountain Rancheria Trauma Center at Community Regional Medical Center
2823 Fresno Street
Fresno, CA 93721
Some patients may be rerouted to Los Angeles County for care at one of the area’s several Level I Centers. Victims may receive care at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
What Does a Trauma Center Do?
Trauma centers are designed as a step above emergency rooms to provide care to those with traumatic injuries. The patients are often at risk of death and in need of assistance from the best medical staff and the best medical equipment to have a chance of survival.
Traumatic injuries usually involve an injury caused by a powerful, blunt force trauma blow, like those suffered in a car accident or a fall from a great height. Victims may also suffer a blow that’s penetrating (like a stabbing or gunshot) and need immediate medical attention. Burn victims are sometimes taken to trauma centers.
Trauma Centers offer 24/7 care and have specialized surgeons (e.g., neurosurgeons and cardiothoracic surgeons) and the most cutting-edge medical devices available.
Trauma centers earn their designation from either the California Emergency Medical Services Agency (EMSA) or the American College of Surgeons (ACS). The designations go from Levels I through IV. A Level I trauma center would be able to provide the highest level of care. There are also Pediatric Trauma Centers. You can find a full list of our state’s Trauma Centers here.
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Traumatic Injury in Kern County?
If you have a serious injury, and someone else contributed to the cause of your accident, it’s wise to talk over your case with a Bakersfield Personal injury lawyer. A traumatic injury would certainly qualify as a serious injury.
A lawyer can be an important protection for you when blame is sorted out in your accident. You want to make sure the fault stays in the right place, so that you don’t pay for the medical bills involved with an accident you didn’t cause. A skilled attorney can also often secure much more for you, more than you could earn by handling your case yourself.
Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Bakersfield offers a free case consultation for all Kern County victims and their family members. It’s a confidential, no-obligation review of your case with a real lawyer.
We also realize that right after a major injury, you may not have the money to hire a lawyer. That’s okay. If you need us, our lawyers don’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then, our fee comes out of the settlement check you earn from an insurer.
