Best Personal Injury Lawyers in Berkeley

Frequently Asked Questions

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

  (510) 981-5900 is the Berkeley Police Department's non-emergency contact number.

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

  You have two options for requesting reports from the Berkeley Police Department's Records Bureau: in person or by mail. You can drop by the station located at 2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley, CA 94704, or you can mail your request to the address mentioned above.

• Can you still pursue compensation after a vehicle accident in Berkeley even if you delayed seeking medical attention?

  Yes. In California's "pure comparative fault" system, even if your injury worsens due to delayed treatment, you can still get compensation from the responsible party. A plaintiff in Berkeley, even if partially liable, can recover damages from the defendant with the amount reduced based on the jury's percentage of negligence determination. For example, if the jury finds the plaintiff 40% responsible for injury severity due to delayed treatment, their recovery from the defendant would be reduced by 40%.

• What are the different factors that influence the compensation amount in a Berkeley wrongful death case?

  The different factors that can affect the compensation amount in Berkeley wrongful death settlements are:

  • Age and income of the deceased person: younger individuals may receive a higher settlement amount
  • Pain and suffering: compensation may be awarded for the pain and suffering experienced by the deceased
  • Lost benefits: compensation may be granted for lost benefits such as health insurance, retirement benefits, or pension plans
  • Medical and funeral costs: expenses incurred by the deceased can be included in the settlement
  • Punitive damages: in cases of severe wrongdoing, punitive damages may be granted

• What happens if you were driving in Berkeley without insurance and you get involved in an accident?

  If you were involved in a car accident in Berkeley and did not have the required minimum $15,000 auto liability policy limits, your rights to recover damages are limited by Prop 213. This law, passed by California voters in 1996, restricts drunk drivers, fleeing felons, and uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages resulting from a collision, even if the other driver is entirely at fault. It is important to note that Prop 213 applies only to drivers and not to passengers.

• What are the grounds for a product liability claim in Berkeley?

  If someone is injured or dies due to a dangerous or defective product in Berkeley, it may be possible to bring a product liability case against the manufacturer and/or distributor. These cases can be complex and involve multiple parties. Examples of situations that may warrant a product liability case include injuries resulting from a manufacturing or design defect, manufacturer negligence, a lack of instructions or warnings, or a failure to fulfill warranty terms by the manufacturer.

• What portion of the compensation is given to you as a parent of a child who was injured in Berkeley due to the negligence of others?

  While some damages—such as the value of the injured child's pain and suffering, disfigurement, and future lost wages—belong solely to the child, a significant percentage of economic damages may also belong to the parents. For instance, if parents in Berkeley have already spent a significant amount of money on medical costs, or will pay medical bills until the child turns 18, these damages belong to them. Parents can also seek compensation for attorneys’ fees, lost income from caring for a child, and any pertinent out-of-pocket expenses associated with their kid's case.