- San Bernardino, with a population of 220,813 as of 2022, has a diverse community and significant economic activity.
- San Bernardino has seen a rise in accident-related injuries and fatalities, with 16,123 people affected in 2019 alone. Additionally, crime statistics revealed an increase in Part-1 crimes of 2% in 2023, including significant numbers of vehicular thefts, burglaries, and violent crimes, highlighting the importance of legal support in the city.
- If you are involved in an accident in San Bernardino, a personal injury lawyer can help you recover damages resulting from these incidents.
San Bernardino was named by Franciscan missionary Father Dumetz in 1810, and the name is still used today. The city has been recognized for its beauty and strategic location, attracting thousands of tourists every day who seek to experience the rich culture in the city. Today, the city of San Bernardino serves as the county seat and is the largest city in San Bernardino County. Here, we’ll discuss an overview of the city’s progress, its ongoing developmental projects, crime statistics, and the reasons why it may be beneficial to work with a San Bernardino personal injury lawyer.
The San Bernardino Locals
Population Growth in San Bernardino
In 2022, San Bernardino had a population of 220,813 with a median age of 30.3 years and an average household size of 3.4. The median household income was $52,416. In terms of education, roughly 27% of residents had not completed high school, while 31% were high school graduates. Additionally, 27% had some college experience, and 14% held a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 6,527 total businesses with 85,713 employees.
The Government of San Bernardino
The City Mayor is elected citywide by the residents of the City to a four-year term as the executive leader of the City of San Bernardino. As of 2022, the elected mayor is Helen Tran and she is assisted by seven City Council members. The Mayor Pro Tem and fourth ward of the city is Fred Shorett. The remaining City Council members are the following: Theodore Sanchez, Sandra Ibarra, Juan Figueroa, Ben Reynoso, Kimberly Calvin, and Damon L. Alexander.
San Bernardino Police Department
The San Bernardino Police Department is acclaimed at both state and national levels for its award-winning community-oriented policing programs. It is dedicated to preventing crime, identifying and apprehending offenders, and preserving community peace for a safe environment for its residents. SBPD focuses on optimizing resource use to deliver the best possible municipal police services to the community. The Department is led by Chief of Police Darren Goodman.
Progress in San Bernardino, California
Ranked as One of the Best Cities for Outdoor Activities in America
San Bernardino sees thousands of tourists every day due to the wide variety of activities the city has to offer. They have different attractions to cater to different interests, including the First Original McDonald’s Museum, San Bernardino National Forest, Pillars of God, and others. The city also has a lot of parks including the Glen Helen Regional Park, Colony Park, Blair Park, Lionel E. Hudson Park, and Jack Reilly Park. For all of these reasons, Niche has ranked San Bernardino as the 85th out of 229 best cities for outdoor activities in America.
Exciting Developments in the City
There are several development plans in the city that will improve opportunities in San Bernardino because of job openings, economic activity, and an eventual increase in the tourist population. There is a planned multi-tenant office park located on the East Side of Sierra Way, approximately 200 feet south of E. Rialto Avenue where a building containing approximately 30,805 sq ft has been approved. A Chipotle branch was approved by the Planning Commission on March 12, 2024, to develop, establish, and operate a 2,325 sq ft restaurant with a drive-thru.
Other developments include a 20-unit family residential facility located on the East side of Ferndale Avenue, South of East 39th Street, Beyond Food Mart at 0278-063-12, Southwest corner of E. Baseline Street and N. Del Rosa Drive, and an assembly facility to be used for religious purposes at 1316 W. 13th Street.
Notable Government Infrastructures
City Hall
The office of the City Council is at 290 North D Street, 3rd Floor, San Bernardino, CA 92401 and can be reached through their number at 909-384-5188.
Library
The Feldheym Library is located at 555 West 6th Street, San Bernardino, CA 92410. They are open on Monday & Tuesday from noon to 8 pm, Wednesday & Thursday from 10 am to 6 pm, and Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and their phone number is 909-381-8201.
Fire Protection Services
The San Bernardino County Fire Division 6 Headquarters is at 200 East 3rd Street, San Bernardino, CA 92410. You may call them through their phone numbers: 909-918-2200 for the Fire Administration Department, 909-918-2201 for Fire Prevention, and 909-356-3805 for Dispatch.
Police Station
The SBPD is located at 710 North D Street, San Bernardino, CA 92401 and can be contacted through their phone numbers 909-383-5311 and 909-384-5742.
Safety in San Bernardino, California
Crime Incidence in the City
According to a report by the San Bernardino Police Department, there were 9,365 Part-1 crimes reported in 2023, which was a 2% increase compared to the previous year. Notable findings include 1,665 cases of reported motor vehicular theft, 1,224 cases of burglary, 667 robberies, and 2,352 violent crimes.
Accident Statistics Report
According to the San Bernardino County page, there were 16,123 people injured or killed in vehicle collisions in San Bernardino County in 2019, a 6% increase from the previous year, and up a total of 35% since 2010. The California Office of Traffic Safety ranked San Bernardino City 9 out of 60 based on the OTS Crash rankings in terms of fatal and serious injuries (FSIs). They reported 1,433 FSIs resulting from these crashes where 182 involved DUI, 172 were speed-related, and 185 were hit-and-run.
Who Do I Sue if I Was in a Truck Accident Involving The USPS?
You can sue the United States Postal Service (USPS) under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) if you are seeking compensation for injuries caused by negligent actions of USPS employees. However, your claim must follow FTCA procedures and comply with the laws of the state where the incident occurred.
The first thing to determine is if the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) covers your case. If it doesn’t, sovereign immunity may prevent you from suing. The FTCA lets you get compensation if a government employee’s wrongful or negligent actions caused you harm. The state law where the incident happened must also allow such a claim.
To help you navigate this extremely complicated scenario, we recommend seeking the advice of a San Bernardino truck accident lawyer. They can help you determine whether your case is covered by the FTCA and strategize a case plan to help you receive compensation for your injuries.
What Do I Do After a Car Accident in San Bernardino?
If you have been in an accident in San Bernardino, the first thing you must prioritize is your own safety. Often, people disregard their own well-being and think about saving other people, but you can only do that when you’ve made sure that you’re alright. So assess yourself and tend to your injuries first, then move to a safer area. Afterward, contact 911 or have other people call them so that a team will be dispatched to the area. Seek prompt medical attention in the nearest emergency department or urgent care.
Once everything has settled and your injuries have been tended to, you may contact a San Bernardino personal injury lawyer to help you recover damages. They can help you receive compensation for the injuries you may have sustained during a car accident to pay for the medical bills, treatment expenses, lost wages due to your inability to work caused by the accident, and probable rehabilitation costs.
Who Pays For My Medical Bill Before I Receive Compensation?
Before receiving compensation, your medical bills will be covered by your insurance depending on your coverage plan. Your health insurance coverage will likely cover some of your medical expenses regardless of fault or the place where the injury occurred. Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that they will cover everything so you would probably have to pay some copays and deductibles out of pocket, which can cause you significant financial losses. Some insurance plans include Personal Injury Protection for auto accidents, workers’ compensation insurance for work-related accidents, and Medical Payments Coverage, also known as MedPay.
How Much Do Personal Injury Lawyers Charge?
Personal injury lawyers often charge on a contingency basis. This means that they follow a “No Recovery, No Fee” system where if you do not get compensation, then you do not have to pay lawyer fees. However, you may still have to pay for some miscellaneous expenses like court costs, travel expenses, expert hiring fees, and others. You may contact a personal injury law firm to learn more about their payment scheme and their services.
