Motorcyclists injured in accidents in Bakersfield may be transported to one of several hospital emergency rooms in the city. They may receive care at Dignity Health Memorial or Dignity Health Mercy. They could end up at Adventist Health Bakersfield. Victims with traumatic injuries may be taken to the Level II Trauma Center at Kern Medical Hospital for specialized care.
Selecting Emergency Room Care for Bakersfield Motorcycle Accident Victims
Motorcycle accidents can be serious, especially when unprotected riders are struck by fast-moving, much larger cars, SUVs, or trucks.
Injured victims don’t always get to select the hospital where they are transported. If the rider has serious injuries, paramedics will usually make the call based on the closest hospital that provides the level of care needed.
In some cases, victims with less serious injuries who are left able to communicate can request a certain Bakersfield emergency room over another.
These factors may help them decide:
- Victims could request to go to a hospital that’s closer to their home address
- Victims may choose a hospital that their family doctors are affiliated with
- Victims may choose a hospital where they’ve received care in the past
- Victims may choose a hospital they feel has a better reputation
Bakersfield Emergency Room Options
Whoever is left with the decision of where to go, others may need to be made aware of this choice. Family members of injured riders will want to rush to the proper hospital to support and care for a loved one.
These is a list of hospitals offering emergency departments in Bakersfield:
Trauma Care for Motorcycle Accident Victims in Bakersfield
In some cases, motorcycle collision victims are left with life-threatening injuries and require more intensive care than a normal emergency room can provide. Some hospitals have designated trauma centers as part of their emergency departments.
Trauma Centers offer access to specialized surgeons and staff at a moment’s notice to give motorcyclists the best chance of survival. These facilities also have the best medical equipment available for the benefit of victims.
Trauma Centers across California are assigned a level between I and IV, with I being centers able to deliver the best care.
Fortunately, Kern Medical on Mount Vernon Avenue is home to a Level II Trauma Center. It’s the only center of its kind between Fresno and Los Angeles. The department treats up to 3,000 patients a year.
In some cases, Kern Medical serves as a staging and evaluation center for patients with severe injuries. If they require care from a Level I trauma center, they could be flown to centers in Los Angeles or Fresno.
For more information on the Trauma Centers located in Kern County and in other nearby cities, visit our Kern County Trauma Center Guide.
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Motorcycle Accident in Kern County?
If you have a serious injury, and a reckless driver is to blame, it’s wise to talk over your case with a Bakersfield motorcycle accident lawyer. Unfortunately, when medical bills run high, car insurance companies fight even harder to limit the support they must pay injured riders.
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.
