Best Car Accident Lawyers in Pleasant Hill

Frequently Asked Questions

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

  Residents can contact the Pleasant Hill City Police Department at (925) 288-4600 for non-emergency inquiries.

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

  Copies of reports for accidents within Pleasant Hill are available at the Records Unit of the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff located at 1850 Muir Road, Martinez. The unit's contact number is 925-335-1570. People can also obtain traffic collision investigation reports from the Danville Police Department online at https://policereports.lexisnexis.com/. They can call LexisNexis' customer support service at 1-866-215-2771 for additional inquiries.

• Are motorists in Pleasant Hill required to report car accidents to the DMV?

  Yes, drivers who are involved in car accidents in Pleasant Hill are required by state laws to report an accident to the California DMV using an SR1 form within 10 days. This applies if the accident resulted in any form of injury or fatality, or if property damage exceeds $1,000 in total. Motorists can have their driving privileges suspended if they fail to report or if they have no insurance coverage.

• Who is at fault in a car crash involving multiple vehicles in Pleasant Hill?

  Multiple drivers can be charged for their respective negligence in an accident involving three or more vehicles in Pleasant Hill. As a result, it is possible for victims to recover settlements from multiple parties in such cases. However, they can also have their potential compensation reduced if they are also partially to blame. Each driver's liability is determined based on evaluations of eyewitness accounts and surveillance camera footage, as well as physical evidence from the scene of the accident.

• What counts as damages related to pain and suffering in car accident cases within Pleasant Hill?

  Pain and suffering in car accident cases within Pleasant Hill may include post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and loss of consortium. They can be proven using medical records and therapist findings, as well as written proof of lost work time due to psychological distress and testimonies from family members and friends. California law prevents uninsured drivers and vehicle owners from recovering or being indemnified for such damages, though exceptions apply to the latter for damages caused by drunk drivers.

• Does pure comparative negligence apply to victims who failed to wear seatbelts in car accidents within Pleasant Hill?

  Yes, plaintiffs in Pleasant Hill are deemed partially liable for their own injuries in a car accident if they fail to wear their seatbelts. This is because California law requires all drivers and passengers of automobiles to wear seatbelts. Failure to do so does not bar a plaintiff from seeking compensation in a car accident case but reduces their potential settlements in accordance with the state's pure comparative negligence mandates.

• What are the chief causes of car accidents within Pleasant Hill?

  Distracted, intoxicated, and impaired driving are cited as leading causes of car accidents in Pleasant Hill and other parts of California. This is according to the California Highway Patrol, the California Office of Traffic Safety, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Speeding is also identified by the Berkeley Safe Transportation Research and Education Center as a common cause of crashes. Other factors that influence accidents include tailgating and automobile defects, as well as poor visibility due to inclement weather.