Best Car Accident Lawyers in Berkeley

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Berkeley, California?

  The Berkeley Police Department's contact number is (51) 981-5900, Telecommunication Device for the Deaf is (510) 981-5799.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Berkeley, California?

  Police reports can be requested from the Berkeley Police Department's Records Bureau in two ways:

  1. Visiting in person - The bureau accommodates visitors Mondays through Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  2. Send in a request via mail at the following address: Berkeley Police Records Bureau 2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Way Berkeley, CA 94704 The bureau can be contacted at (510) 981-5750 or policerecords@cityofberkeley.info to check if your report is available.

• Do I have to report a car accident that happened in Berkeley to the DMV?

  If you were involved in a car accident that caused injuries to people and damage amounting to or more than $750, you are legally mandated to accomplish and submit an SR-1 form to the DMV within 10 days of the incident. This is required, even if you are not at fault or the accident occurred on private property. The purpose of this procedure is to check if both drivers are insured.

  SR-1 Form Copy: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/uploads/2020/05/sr1.pdf

• What happens if I get into a car accident in Berkeley but am not covered by insurance?

  There will be legal repercussions for driving a vehicle and then crashing it if you are uninsured. Your driving privileges will be mandatorily revoked for a year which can only be reinstated after you have maintained an SR-22 and provided proof of financial responsibility for three years. There will also be a fine of $100 to $200 and penalty assessments ranging from $260 to $520. There are instances when the court orders the vehicle to be impounded.

• Why am I being required to maintain or provide an SR-22 after I get into a car accident in Berkeley?

  Individuals are required to submit or provide an SR-22 after committing driving-related violations such as recklessness, driving under the influence, and getting into accidents while driving uninsured. It may look like an insurance policy, but it is actually a certificate of financial responsibility that states that you are now covered by an auto insurance policy that meets the minimum state law requirements.

• Am I going to be liable if somebody else crashed my car in Berkeley?

  It depends on to whom you gave your permission. If it is to an insured, law-abiding individual, then the "permissive use" doctrine applies, which means that your insurance coverage will extend to the driver as the primary coverage until it is exhausted. After that, if there are still liabilities to pay, the driver's insurance policy will take over. However, if you negligently entrusted your vehicle to someone who should not be driving (e.g. drunk people, minors, unlicensed individuals, etc.), your insurance coverage will not trigger. The victim of the accident can hold you directly liable for their losses. Additionally, entrusting your vehicle to a minor is a misdemeanor in Berkeley.

• What is the time limit for filing a car accident claim in Berkeley?

  It is generally advised to start taking appropriate steps to make a claim for damages as soon as possible after a car accident. If you are unable to, you have two years from the date of the accident until the deadline, which is when the court dismisses your case. However, there is an applied extension if the claimant is a minor and must wait until 18. If wrongful death occurs as a result of the accident, and if the case is now based on that, then the statute of limitations runs from the date of death. You have a much shorter time if your claim is against government entities, as you only have six months from the date of the accident to file a case.