A simple drive down 24th Street or along Union Avenue is sure to be worrisome at some points of the day. In the event you are in a collision, knowing what to do is critical. One important step in the process is knowing how to report car accidents in Bakersfield, California properly. Reporting the accident and moving your case along is possible with a few specific steps.
Before you make the decision to file a claim for your car accident, connect with a car accident attorney in Bakersfield, CA. The right legal representation minimizes the risk that you will seek or accept compensation that is lower than you deserve, putting you at a disadvantage for the future. An attorney can offer guidance on reporting the crash, obtaining the crash report, and more.
How to Report a Car Accident in Bakersfield, California
In nearly all cases, you have the obligation to report the car accident to the police, even if you believe it was no big deal or one party promises to pay the other out of pocket. Under the state of California’s laws, you must report an accident if anyone is hurt or killed in the accident or there is at least $1,000 worth of damage to property. Even if this does not apply, it is still important to report the accident to the police to create documentation for your claim.
You have a few options for doing so. The key is to ensure the police learn of the incident, all parties involved, and what took place. In Bakersfield, you may need to file reports with up to three organizations.
You might report to the California Highway Patrol or the Bakersfield Police Department, depending on the specific location of the accident, such as whether it was on a city-maintained street or a highway maintained by the state. You might also need to report to:
- California Department of Motor Vehicles
- Your auto insurance company
The first step is to contact the police at the accident scene. If the police do not come to the scene, you still need to make a police report with the proper authority. This should be done whenever possible within 24 hours of the accident in the jurisdiction where the incident took place.
This process is easier now than ever, as you have options. You can:
- Go to the local police department to complete an in-person police report. This option may be beneficial if you want to talk to someone directly. The traffic department office is at the Westside Substation located at 1301 Buena Vista Road in Bakersfield.
- Report the police accident to the Bakersfield Police Department online. You can submit documentation of what occurred on the police department’s website.
- If you have questions about your police report or need help with the process, email the department. You can email any traffic-related questions to the Bakersfield Police Department Traffic Section.
- You can also call the department if you have any traffic-related questions or encounter any errors. You can reach them at 661-326-3882.
The objective in this situation is to provide the police with the information they need to complete a thorough and accurate report. This is particularly important as insurance companies often give significant weight to police reports when determining liability.
Why Call a Car Accident Lawyer After Filing an Accident Report in Bakersfield?
After filing a police report, it is critical that you take steps to protect your rights. That includes seeking out a legal team to begin representing you and handling the entire legal process. Doing this early makes a difference for many reasons, including preserving evidence, meeting deadlines, and giving you greater peace of mind.
Determining Fault
Police officers may give their opinion on fault in their accident report, especially if they were on the scene. Without a solid accident report, you might face unfair blame from insurance companies. If this happens, you need an experienced car accident lawyer who can prove fault in your claim. Whenever possible, your attorney can present evidence demonstrating this accident was not your fault.
Navigating Insurance Claims
Another important step\ after filing a police report is to report the accident to your insurance company. Even if the other party is at fault, you need to contact your insurance company to alert them to the possibility of a claim. However, that is all you should do. You do not want to file an actual claim yet, nor do you want to submit photos or provide a statement. It is wise to have your car accident attorney handle this notification in case the insurer starts asking in-depth questions about the accident or your injuries.
Your attorney will begin preparing and filing a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurer, since Washington is a “tort” or “fault” state for auto insurance. Your car accident attorney then goes to work to negotiate a settlement for you.
Things start moving quickly after you file a police report. Insurance companies can be engaged in the process fairly soon, so it is critical to contact your car accident attorney in Bakersfield right away. Doing so helps to protect your rights moving forward.
When You Must File an Accident Report in Bakersfield After a Car Accident
It is critical to know when you must file a police report with the Department of California Highway Patrol or the local police department. In situations where there is an injury of any significance or a death in a car accident, you must file a police report under Section 20008 of the California Vehicle Code. You only have 24 hours to take action. You can contact either of those organizations to learn more.
When You Must File an Accident Report with the California Department of Motor Vehicles
Another potential requirement is to report the accident to the California Department of Motor Vehicles in some situations. Remember that just because you filed a police report with the city or state does not mean you can skip this part.
You must file a police report with the DMV in situations where the accident resulted in an injury or a death, or there was $1,000 or more in property damage. Ten days from the time you were in the accident, you have to alert the DMV. You can do this by filling out Form SR 1.
Keep in mind that in some situations, your auto insurance representative will file this report on your behalf. However, if you are not ready to file a claim with the insurance company, you should still report the accident to the DMV.
Pursuing Legal Action Against the At-Fault Party
There are certainly a lot of steps to take to report the accident to the city and state. However, as a crash victim, there are many additional things you should do to protect your rights. Because you should focus on your injuries and treatment, enlist a car accident attorney to begin pursuing legal action against the driver and any other at-fault parties. This support can be invaluable in a stressful time.
Is a Simple Insurance Claim Enough?
In some situations, your lawyer files an insurance claim, receives a fair settlement relatively quickly, and you can move on. This might be the case when there is no lasting injury or significant damage. However, you still want a car accident attorney handling even seemingly straightforward claims. You likely would not receive the same result if you pursued the insurance claim alone.
The following are some more reasons to turn to an attorney for help through the legal process:
- You have injuries that require you to visit an emergency room or doctor’s office
- You have significant property damage to your vehicle or other assets
- You lost time from work because you suffered an injury
- You are facing ongoing limitations to your health and mobility from the accident
- You have not only an injury but also are facing emotional trauma
These are just some situations where insurance companies are not your advocate and will usually not offer the fair compensation you are owed. You may be losing out on significant compensation if you do not know what your case is worth or how to fight for it. Your car accident lawyer understands all of this.
Types of Car Accident Cases Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help You With
A car accident attorney works closely with clients following many types of car accidents. This includes cases such as:
- Car vs. car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Driver fell asleep at the wheel
- Aggressive driving or road rage
You need an attorney to protect your rights in these situations. Insurance companies may wish to reduce any compensation provided to you, but with the help of your attorney, you gain the leverage to seek a maximum settlement.
You should always seek help from an experienced car accident attorney if you suffered severe injuries. The following are some examples, but not all, of the potential injuries a car accident client might have:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage with or without paralysis
- Broken or shattered bones
- Road rash and infections
- Burns
- Disfigurement
- Loss of limb
- Internal organ injury
Many of these injuries require significant treatment and therapy; in some situations, that means a long time working toward recovery. You may be owed compensation for the losses you have, including:
- Lost income: If you were out of work for any length of time due to your injuries
- Medical expenses from the accident: This includes emergency care, hospitalization, surgeries, and other immediate treatments
- Ongoing medical expenses: Specialist care, rehabilitation, long-term care and support, modifications to your home, and transportation
- Pain and suffering: Car accidents can create severe pain and suffering both at the time of the incident and on an ongoing basis
- Emotional trauma: if you experienced an injury that led to the onset of post-traumatic stress disorder or other emotional trauma
Having a car accident attorney guide you is critical. Not only does your attorney help determine if you have a case, but they also fight hard to help maximize the compensation you receive. Those are funds you need to recover from what you are facing through no fault of your own.
Your Lawyer Handles the Insurance Company, So You Do Not Have To
Insurance companies are for-profit organizations that are dependent on reducing the claims they pay out as much as legally allowable. They will not acknowledge all your losses, nor will they accurately provide you with insight into what your case is worth. Rather, they will try to quickly process a claim for less or even deny your claim if they feel they can pressure you into a lower amount.
Let a car accident attorney handle the legal process for you, starting with the car insurance claims process. When they do, you can breathe easier knowing you have legal support, minimizing the risk that you will be taken advantage of.
What to Do After a Car Accident
As noted, after getting medical care, report your car accident to the Bakersfield Police Department, the DMV, and the insurance company. Then, start logging how you feel and your injury’s impact on your quality of life in a journal each day. Make sure to follow up with all of the medical care your doctors recommend. Most importantly, make sure you contact your attorney right away.
Set Up a Free Consultation with a Car Accident Attorney Now
Car Accident Lawyer, Mickey Fine
Contact a car accident attorney for a free consultation to discuss your case. Let a skilled car accident attorney pursue full and fair compensation for you while also helping you file the necessary police reports to document your accident. You can trust a Bakersfield car accident attorney to be there for you.
Don’t delay in seeking a skilled Bakersfield personal injury lawyer after a car accident. By setting up a free consultation with a car accident lawyer now, you can begin to take control of your situation and work toward securing the compensation you deserve. Remember, the initial consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by seeking professional legal advice.