Best Car Accident Lawyers in Visalia

Frequently Asked Questions

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

  The non-emergency contact number for the Visalia Police Department is (559) 734-8116.

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

  People can request and obtain accident reports from the Visalia Police Department's Records & Court Services Unit, which is open from Monday to Friday, from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. They can also contact the unit for inquiries at (559) 713-4222. On average, reports become available after around four to eight weeks from the date of an accident.

• How is liability determined in a car accident involving an Uber or Lyft driver in Visalia?

  In Uber and Lyft car accident cases in Visalia, an offending driver is deemed solely liable if he/she had not yet logged into a ridesharing app when the accident took place. Conversely, the ridesharing company in question is deemed fully liable if the driver was logged on and had accepted a ride or was already transporting a passenger. If the driver was on the app but had not yet accepted a passenger request, the company is only partially liable.

• Can a rental car company in Visalia be held liable if their vehicle is involved in a car accident?

  In Visalia, a rental car company can only be held liable if it can be proven that their negligence contributed to the accident. This occurs if the vehicle they rented was involved in an accident as a result of poor maintenance and defective parts, or if they rented it to a driver who has a suspended license and is thus unable to drive. Otherwise, a rental car driver is generally held liable for the accident's damages.

• How does Proposition 213 in California affect car accident settlements in Visalia?

  Victims of car accidents in Visalia are barred from claiming non-economic damages if they fail to comply with Proposition 213, which requires all California motorists to carry liability insurance. There are some exceptions if a victim was injured by a drunk driver, if he or she has insurance but was driving an uninsured vehicle, or if the accident occurred on private property. Passengers who are not the owner of an uninsured vehicle involved in an accident are also exempt.

• When can the spouse of a car accident victim in Visalia file a claim for loss of consortium?

  The spouses of car accident victims in Visalia can file claims for loss of consortium if the accident has negatively impacted their relationship. This can include the loss of intimacy, companionship, moral support, and the ability to have children, as well as the enjoyment of sexual relations. However, such claims are only deemed valid if the victim and his/her spouse are already married or have a registered domestic partnership by the time the accident occurred.

• Can a car accident victim in Visalia be held liable for not wearing a seatbelt?

  Yes, victims of Visalia car accidents can still be held liable if they were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident, as required by California law. This does not preclude them from pursuing damages claims, but their potential settlements are reduced in accordance with the state's pure comparative negligence mandate.