Riverside Car Accident Lawyers

Types of Collisions Our Riverside Car Accident Attorneys Can Help With

Many types of car accidents happen along Riverside’s roads, each with its own unique circumstances and challenges when it comes to establishing liability. Here are just some examples of car collisions our Riverside car accident lawyers can handle:

• Rear-end collisions caused by tailgating or distracted driving
• T-Bone accidents that impact vehicles from the side
• Multi-vehicle crashes
• Bicycle and motorcycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Sideswipe accidents involving larger vehicles, like trucks, buses, and other commercial vehicles
• Hit-and-run accidents
• Rideshare accidents involving transport network vehicle services, like Uber or Lyft

No matter what type of car accident caused your injuries, we’re here to help you make sense of the legal process and get you the compensation you need to recover.

What Causes Car Accidents in Riverside?

As the county seat and a mix of urban and residential zones, the City of Riverside can get busy and crowded, especially on the road. With so many vehicles trying to get from one place to another in and around the city, accidents become more common. These accidents are caused by a range of reasons, most often tied to one party’s negligent actions. Here are some of those common reasons car accidents happen in the city:

• Traffic violations like running a red light or ignoring stop signs
• Distracted driving when a driver is texting, eating, or looking at something else instead of the road
• Speeding, which makes it difficult to slow down in time before a crash
• Failing to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, bikes, or other motorists
• Driver fatigue, as sleepiness can make drivers less alert on the road
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Defective vehicle parts, such as brake failure and tire blowouts
• Poorly maintained roads with potholes, faded lane marks, or a lack of street signs

Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate your specific case to uncover what truly caused the car accident that led to your injuries. From there, we work to establish who was at fault for the incident and demand justice on your behalf.

When Should You Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer in Riverside?

It’s always best to contact a car accident lawyer as soon as you can after getting involved in a road crash. Ideally, you should reach out to a trusted firm like Thompson Law within days of the accident. That way, our experienced team of personal injury lawyers can tell you all your legal options and rights, and guide you through the process of whatever route you choose.

Early representation also ensures that we can work on your behalf by gathering critical evidence, obtaining police reports, interviewing witnesses, and talking to insurance companies as your legal counsel.

The earlier you get a lawyer to represent you, the sooner you can take the legal weight off your shoulders. We’ll handle all the paperwork, liaise with insurance companies, and coordinate with local authorities in your place. That way, you can focus on complete healing without the added stress of legal proceedings.

Learn more about what else we can do to strengthen your case and get you the compensation you deserve when you book a FREE CASE REVIEW with our team.

Compensatory Damages: How Much Can My Car Accident Claim Be Worth?

The amount you receive in damages depends on the circumstances of the car accident you were involved in. Usually, the severity of your injury is the biggest factor that determines the value of your claim. Our Riverside car accident lawyers can help you assess your losses and estimate the true value of your claim. Here are just some of the damages you’re entitled to based on those losses:

• Hospital bills, including any future medical costs
• Lost wages if you had to miss work because of your injuries
• Pain and suffering from the trauma of the accident
• Property damage if your car and other belongings were destroyed in the crash
• Loss of enjoyment of life if you sustained permanent disabilities
• Emotional distress in the form of anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other psychological conditions
• In fatal car accidents, wrongful death expenses, such as funeral costs

Establishing Liability in a Car Accident in Riverside

Our team of experienced car accident lawyers leaves no stone unturned to pinpoint exactly who is at fault for your injuries. We do this by going through all available evidence and interviewing witnesses. By clearly establishing that a negligent party is responsible for causing your injuries, we can strengthen your case and increase your chances of getting maximum compensation for your losses.

To prove that someone is at fault for your injuries, we first establish that they had a duty of care to uphold to you on the road as a fellow motorist. Then, we show evidence like surveillance footage and witness reports to prove that they breached that duty of care, which directly caused your injuries. From there, we assess all the damages you incurred and demand compensation that reflects the full extent of them.

Liability doesn’t have to fall on just one person. Multiple parties can also be responsible for the car accident that harmed you. Complexities like these make it even more crucial to have an experienced team of car accident lawyers on your side.

What If I’m Partially to Blame for the Car Accident?

If you’re partly to blame for the car accident, you could still be entitled to compensatory damages. Riverside follows California’s comparative negligence rule, which mandates that your total damages are reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you for the accident

For example, if the court awards you $200,000 in damages, but you were found to be 50% to blame for the car crash, you would end up bringing home $100,000.

Our expert legal team can help defend your case and minimize your fault for the accident, allowing you to take home the maximum compensation possible.

Accident-Prone Roads and Intersections in Riverside

Car accidents can happen anywhere in Riverside if one party is driving recklessly. However, there are some intersections that are especially accident-prone and have been the site of many car crashes throughout the years. Here are three of the riskiest intersections in the city where all drivers should exercise vigilance and care to avoid getting into a collision:

• Arlington Avenue and Van Buren Boulevard:  This intersection is very close to the city’s shopping centers, so traffic is always high-volume. It might look safe at first, but it has plenty of lanes, which can cause congestion and collisions when people try to change lanes illegally. There are also crosswalks on each side of the intersection, making it more likely for pedestrians to get into an accident.
• Magnolia Avenue and Tyler Street:  There are up to six lanes on just one side of this intersection, making it very crowded with motorists. There are also many businesses, gas stations, and other establishments around the area, making it a crowded hotspot. That said, there are no bike paths in the area, which can lead to accidents.
• Interstate 215 and California State Route 91:  Smack in the middle of Riverside, this huge intersection of major state and interstate highways sees a lot of traffic every day. Vehicles on these roads typically run at high speeds, making accidents more likely when drivers are reckless.

What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Riverside

Not sure what to do after being involved in a car crash? Here are the next steps you should take after collecting your bearings to protect yourself and your rights:

1. Check yourself and anyone else you’re with for injuries. If you see anyone hurt, don’t attempt to move them. Call 911 and get paramedics to the scene of the accident to give medical attention to everyone.
2. Call the police to get local law enforcement at the scene as well. California law requires everyone to file a police report for any car accident if someone gets hurt, but the police can do this on your behalf.
3. Exchange information with the other driver or pedestrian, but don’t admit fault. Get their name, contact number, and their insurance provider.
4. Take as many photos and videos of the accident as you can. Document how each car looks, your injuries, the road conditions that day, and more.
5. Talk to witnesses at the scene of the accident and get their contact information. Their statements could serve as evidence later if you choose to pursue legal action against the negligent party.
6. If you have insurance, report the incident to them right away.
7. Reach out to car accident lawyers in Riverside. Hire legal counsel that are knowledgeable of local traffic laws so they can help you piece together the story and defend your case in court. This is a must if you want to protect your legal rights, be treated fairly by insurance adjusters, and get the right compensation for the damages you incurred.

Riverside Police Stations That Can Help After a Car Accident

Keeping in touch with the Riverside Police Department is crucial when you make a personal injury claim after a car accident. The police can assist in filing reports about the accident, gathering witness statements, releasing personal property (if your vehicle was impounded after the crash), and more. You can reach the local police by contacting one of their three stations:

• Orange Station (4102 Orange St.):  The headquarters of the Riverside Police Department, where the Office of the Chief of Police can be found.
• Magnolia Station (10540 Magnolia Ave.):  In the southern part of the city and along Magnolia Ave., a frequent site of car accidents in the city.
• Lincoln Station (8181 Lincoln Ave.):  Another police station that serves the eastern part of Riverside.

The Importance of a Police Report After a Car Accident

A police report is a key piece of evidence that your lawyers will use to strengthen your case and legal strategy should you file a lawsuit against the negligent party. This report includes the details of the accident, such as the date, time, location, who was involved, witness information, descriptions of what occurred, the injuries all parties sustained, and more. Some might even include diagrams of the scene of the car accident.

Basically, a police report shows proper documentation of the car accident, which your lawyers can use to help establish liability later on. This helps you get maximum compensation against these parties, which can help cover your medical bills and other losses after the accident.

It’s always in your best interest to obtain a copy of the police report after a car accident in Riverside. If you call the police to come to the scene of the accident, they will file the report for you. If not, you are required to file it yourself.

Why You Shouldn’t Admit Fault After a Car Accident

One of the biggest mistakes you can make that weakens your case later is apologizing or admitting fault after a car crash. Whether you say it to the other party or their insurance company, admissions of guilt can be used against you to minimize your payout.

Even if you think you were partly to blame for the accident, you should never say it out loud to anyone other than your attorney. It’s also possible that you weren’t at fault at all.

To ensure that you don’t harm your chances of getting the highest compensation possible, don’t talk to insurance adjusters about the details of the accident. Instead, direct them to us and say that your lawyer will be handling all communications on your behalf. We’ll negotiate for fair compensation for you without accepting low offers. Our goal is to make sure you recover financially, and that means fighting tooth and nail to get you the compensation you deserve.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Riverside?

Riverside follows the California statute of limitations for personal injury claims after a car accident. That means you have two years after the date of the car crash to make any necessary claims or file legal paperwork to hold other parties accountable. If you miss this deadline, you could lose your right to demand compensation, even if the other party is clearly at fault for your injuries.

If you were to sue a government entity like the City of Riverside for poor road conditions that caused the car accident, that deadline would be shortened to just six months.

In cases where victims only seek damages for property damage, like for a totaled car, the statute of limitations is three years after the accident.

Although the deadlines for filing a claim are long, it’s always in your best interest to take legal action as soon as possible. Waiting too long to file your claim can potentially mean dealing with lost evidence or witnesses not remembering what happened during the accident, which can weaken your case later.

When you work with our team of dedicated car accident lawyers, we make sure you don’t miss any of these strict legal deadlines. That way, you can fully recover without worrying about the legal paperwork you need to file.

Our Lawyers Are Ready to Advocate for Your Rights

Your future is worth fighting for, and our team of Riverside car accident lawyers won’t stop advocating for your rights until you get the financial compensation you deserve. From gathering evidence to turning down minimal payouts from insurance adjusters to representing you in court, we’re in your corner. Leave the legal processes to us so that you can concentrate on healing physically and emotionally.

If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, it’s important to know your legal options. Learn the value of your case and how we can help you get maximum compensation to cover your losses when you book a FREE CASE REVIEW today!

FAQs About Car Accidents in Riverside

How much does it cost to hire a car accident lawyer in Riverside?

Most car accident lawyers in Riverside won’t actually cost you anything upfront. These attorneys, ours included, work on what is called a contingency fee basis. Instead of paying hourly or fixed rates for legal services, lawyers only get paid if they win your case. They take a small percentage of your court-awarded damages or final settlement. That way, you can focus on the legal procedures and complete healing without added financial worries.

How long will my car accident case take?

The length of each case varies depending on its unique circumstances. Straightforward cases with minor injuries and clearly established fault can settle quickly, in just a few weeks or months. Meanwhile, more complex cases that involve serious injuries and have disputed liability can take longer, sometimes lasting over a year.

Can a lawyer help if the insurance company denies my claim?

Yes, our lawyers can help you navigate your next steps if an insurance company denies your claim. We’ll help you review why it was rejected and gather stronger evidence as to why you should be compensated for your injuries. We’ll negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to make sure they don’t lowball you. And if a fair settlement isn’t reached, we can file a lawsuit on your behalf and take your case to trial.