Published: September 22, 2026
By: Yaghmai Law Firm, APC
(Bakersfield, CA) – A pedestrian was left with major injuries after being struck by a vehicle on southbound Highway 99 near Panama Lane in Bakersfield on Monday evening, prompting lane closures, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The California Highway Patrol Traffic Incident Information Page indicated that at roughly 6:30 p.m., several vehicles had come to a stop around a person lying between the #2 and #3 lanes on the southbound side of Highway 99 near Panama Lane.
The traffic page reported that the pedestrian sustained major injuries after being hit by a vehicle. According to the same page, lanes 2, 3 and 4 were blocked at around 6:45 p.m.
The CHP noted that it was not clear how the collision took place or which vehicles may have been involved.
Know Your Rights After a Crash
After a serious crash, California law gives injured people and families limited time to act. Evidence like vehicle data, camera footage, and witness memories fades quickly. A free, no-obligation case review can help you understand your options. Call or text (888) 800-6731, or start a free case review online. Asistencia en español disponible.
Analysis of the Highway 99 Pedestrian Collision
When a pedestrian is struck on a freeway, investigators generally work to determine the sequence of events, the speed and position of any vehicle involved, and where the pedestrian was located when the impact occurred. Because the CHP has stated the circumstances remain unclear, no conclusions about fault can or should be drawn at this early stage.
California law places overlapping duties on both drivers and pedestrians. Under Civil Code section 1714(a), every person must use ordinary care to avoid injuring others, and a driver may bear responsibility for harm resulting from a lack of reasonable care. The Basic Speed Law, Vehicle Code section 22350, prohibits driving faster than is reasonable given road, traffic and visibility conditions, and investigators often examine speed when a person is struck.
Pedestrians also carry legal duties. Because a freeway is not a crosswalk, Vehicle Code section 21954, which requires a pedestrian crossing outside a crosswalk to yield to vehicles that are close enough to be an immediate hazard, could become relevant depending on the facts developed by the CHP. That statute still preserves a driver's separate obligation to exercise due care. If evidence were to show that a traffic law was violated, Evidence Code section 669 can allow a presumption of negligence when the violation causes the type of injury the statute was meant to prevent and the injured person falls within the class it protects. Should a claim proceed, damages in California are measured under Civil Code section 3333 to compensate for all detriment proximately caused, while Civil Code section 1431.2 allocates non-economic damages according to each party's share of fault.
What Injured Pedestrians and Their Families Can Do
Anyone hurt in a freeway crash should focus first on medical care and follow-up, since serious injuries are not always immediately apparent. It also helps to obtain a copy of the CHP collision report, preserve any available evidence such as photographs, vehicle information and witness contacts, and be mindful of legal deadlines – California generally allows two years from the date of injury to file a personal-injury claim under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. A driver involved in an injury crash also has reporting duties, including a written report to the CHP or police within 24 hours under Vehicle Code section 20008 and a DMV report under Vehicle Code section 16000. Because the facts here are still developing, families weighing their options may find it useful to speak with an attorney.
Were you, or someone you love, involved in this crash? A California pedestrian accident attorney at Yaghmai Law Firm can explain your options and deal with the insurance companies for you. Call or text (888) 800-6731 or request a free case review.
About the Author
Houtan Yaghmai, Esq., President & Managing Attorney of Yaghmai Law Firm, APC. California State Bar No. 298487. Speaks English, French, and Persian. The firm represents personal injury clients throughout Southern California – consultations by phone, text, or video, no office visits required.
This post was assembled with AI assistance from publicly reported news sources cited below. All California Vehicle Code references were verified against leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Facts were re-checked via additional web searches before publication. This post is based on initial news reports and may be updated as new facts develop. Nothing in this article is legal advice. Yaghmai Law Firm, APC is not associated with the investigating agencies and does not represent any party named in this post unless explicitly stated.
Sources:
1. KGET 17 – Man struck by vehicle on SB Hwy 99, lanes closed
