Horseback Riding Accident Attorney in Bakersfield

Horseback riding is a very common recreational activity in Bakersfield. Bakersfield municipal code allows property owners to have horses on their property. Although horseback riding is a calming activity,  horseback riding accidents could be a very traumatic experience. Horses are considered wild animals and could lose their calm and attack the horseback rider or other bystanders nearby.

Many horseback riders have bonds with their horses. Although horseback riding is a great way to let go of stress, the rider could suffer severe injuries in the event that the horse collides with the rider or throws the rider off their back.

Bakersfield Horseback Riding Laws

Bakersfield has specific types of laws when it comes to horseback riding. Below are just some examples of these different types of laws.

• Horses can be on highways and roads. However, horseback riders must follow all laws, including the speed limits in certain areas. Horseback riders must yield the right of way to pedestrians who are crossing streets, and to bicyclists who may be riding in the bike lane.
• Horseback riders can ride in the same lane as a vehicle. 
• It is illegal to drink and ride a horse. Drinking could lead to substantial impairment, which could be dangerous not only for the horseback rider when controlling their horse but also for other pedestrians and passengers in vehicles. If you are riding a horse under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you can get charged with a DUI in Bakersfield.
• Horse owners must have a license for their horses. Their horse must be registered with the city.
• Riding the horse could be a great time. But, if proper safe steps are not taken, horseback riding accidents could lead to catastrophic injuries.

If you or someone you know has been injured while horseback riding, contact us today. You could suffer horseback riding injuries as:

• A horseback riding customer that has purchased a ticket for the horseback riding activity
• A horseback rider who is practicing for a competition
• An employee who is responsible for working with the horses

Horse And Vehicle Accident

Unfortunately, because of how common horses are in Bakersfield, the likelihood of a horse and vehicle collision is also very high. If you own a horse that has been injured by another vehicle, you could hold the driver of the vehicle responsible for property damage. Livestock horses are very common in Bakersfield, and property owners could hold vehicle drivers responsible. Contact our attorneys for a free consultation to discuss how you could get compensation and hold negligent drivers responsible. 

How can I establish liability in a horseback riding accident?

Every horseback riding case is different, especially because there are various different uses that a horse may have in Bakersfield. While many may use it for leisure activities, others may have professional horses that they enter into competitions with. Below are some examples of the different types of lawsuits that you could file in the event that you have been injured by a horse:

• Premises liability: Premises liability is a legal term used to refer to compensation you could recover from a property owner. For example, if you were riding your horse on another person’s property, and they had a dangerous condition on their property that led to the horseback riding accident, you could hold the property owner responsible for failing to make the property safe. Property owners, under Bakersfield law, have a duty to make sure that their property is safe for all its visitors. When they fail to do so, visitors could suffer catastrophic injuries.
• Negligence: If the horse owner, horseback riding employee, or horseback riding company takes negligent actions, you could hold any of those parties responsible under a negligence lawsuit. When proving negligence, you must have to show:
• The other party had a duty to the horseback riding accident victim
• The other party failed to follow their duty and take safe steps
• An accident occurred because of the other party and the breach of their duty
• The accident victim then suffered injuries from the accident
  • For example: if you were a customer who purchased tickets for horseback riding, and while horseback riding your saddle was not secured properly by the horseback riding instructor, you could hold the horseback riding instructor responsible, along with the horseback riding company.
• Product liability: Product liability goes for defective products. Horseback riders ken suffer accident injuries if the accident was caused by a defective product, such as a defective saddle. There are three different types of defects when it comes to product liability cases: design defects, failure to warn defects, and manufacturing defects. Usually, design defects are very common in horseback riding product liability lawsuits since products may not be designed properly, and lead to injuries. 

What are examples of injuries from a horseback riding accident in Bakersfield?

Falling off a horse, or getting stomped on by a horse could cause permanent life-threatening injuries. The following are examples of injuries that could result from a horseback riding accident:

• Traumatic brain injuries: when a Bakersfield horseback rider falls off the horse, their head could hit the ground, leading to brain injuries.
• Spinal cord injuries: spinal cord injuries could be very severe and leave the accident victim permanently paralyzed. Spinal cord injuries must be medically treated for several months, sometimes even years. Spinal cord injuries occur when a horseback rider falls off the horse and injures their back when hitting the ground.
• Facial injuries: injuries such as broken bones, scarring, and lacerations could result in the event that a horse tramples and stomps on a horseback rider.
• Broken bones: broken bones are one of the most common types of injuries that result from a horseback riding accident in Bakersfield. When a horseback rider falls off the horse at such a high area, they could suffer fractures.

How much is my horseback riding accident case worth?

If you believe that another party was responsible for your horseback riding injuries, you have the right to hold the negligent party responsible in a lawsuit or claim. But, the amount that you could receive in compensation depends on the circumstances of the accident and the responsibility of the negligent party. That is why we recommend that you contact us today to discuss your specific horseback riding case. 

Our attorneys will work tirelessly to make sure that you get the compensation you need for your injuries, and to move forward with your life. Keep in mind that with any lawsuit, there’s a deadline on when you should file your horseback riding claim. Under california law, you have two years from the date of the horseback riding accident in Bakersfield to file a Bakersfield lawsuit. If a government entity is responsible, this could be 6 months. Do not wait too long, and call us today to schedule your complimentary case review. 

Bakersfield Equestrian Lawyer

The Central Valley is known to have horseback riders, especially because the area is very agricultural and responsible for providing produce and goods to almost every major city in california. But, horseback riding could not go as planned, and many parties could get injured. The personal injury attorneys at Heidari Law Group are ready to help you; contact us today!