Riverside Auto Accident Lawyers
We’ll tell you if you have a case or not, call (888) 488-1391 — We’re here 24 hours a day.
Dedicated Legal Guidance From Our Riverside Auto Accident Lawyers
In the United States, motor vehicle accidents are among the most frequent causes of personal injuries. Almost two million people are injured in motor vehicle crashes each year. Over 200,000 of them are in California alone. As the fourth most populous region in the state, Riverside County houses over 2,000,000 residents and can potentially be seen as one of the most dangerous places to drive in.
In 2017, Riverside alone reported 2,119 injuries and deaths from motor vehicle accidents on surface streets such as Jurupa Ave., Wells Ave., Pierce St., and more commonly on surrounding highways like the 91, 215, and the 60. It’s likely that many of them could have been avoided; almost 80 percent of all traffic collisions result from distracted driving behavior.
Traffic accidents happen everywhere, and their consequences can be far-reaching. Apart from potential injuries, victims can face other challenges, such as paying for medical bills and continuous treatment, missed earning opportunities, and emotional suffering. If a negligent driver injures you, let our Riverside auto accident lawyers review your case. We may be able to file a personal injury claim to help you seek compensation for your losses. Call us at (888) 488-1391.
Our client was driving with his wife and son on a two-lane highway when a drunk driver crossed the double yellow lines, causing a head-on collision that claimed the life of a loving wife and mother.– ARASH KHORSANDI
Experienced Riverside Auto Accident Lawyers
As any experienced Riverside auto accident lawyer can tell you, crash injuries in this state are likely to result in victims incurring losses like:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages and other income
- Car repair or replacement costs
The driver who caused the collision may be held legally liable for compensating injured drivers and passengers for their injuries or damages. In California, fault in a car crash is determined by whichever driver was negligent in causing the accident. Even if more than one driver is at fault, the injury victim might be able to seek damages from another driver.
Not all motor vehicle crashes in Riverside, California, are the result of negligent drivers. It’s also possible for them to be caused by defective car parts, hazardous road conditions, or even driverless vehicle malfunctions. If any of these are the cause of your accident, the vehicle or parts manufacturers or government agencies could be at fault for your crash.
Car accident injury victims may need to consult an auto accident lawyer to learn where and how to pursue compensation. In a small number of cases, the auto accident lawyer will need to file a personal injury lawsuit to get the liable party to pay for the injured individual’s damages. Compensatory damages available in an auto accident injury lawsuit may include:
- Lost income
- Loss of earning capacity
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
Before talking to the insurance company or accepting a settlement offer, consider speaking to the experienced auto accident lawyers at our law firm about your case.
Should You Contact An Auto Accident Attorney After A Car Accident?
Car accidents make up a substantial portion of California’s personal injury and wrongful death claims. While many of these collisions have similar factors, each one has unique details that have to be investigated thoroughly by an auto accident law firm to assist the injured individual in seeking damages.
Many minor accidents don’t often require the services of an automobile accident law firm. However, even if it turns out that you don’t need a car accident lawyer, initial consultations at our law firm are free. An experienced auto accident lawyer in Riverside can help you learn more about your legal rights and options after a crash, even if you only incurred minor injuries or losses. These may include the possibility of pursuing compensation.
Our Riverside auto accident lawyers at Arash Law are here to answer your questions. If we review your case and think you need an attorney, we’ll tell you why. If we don’t think you need an attorney, we’ll let you know that too. Either way, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about moving forward after an injury accident.
Common Types Of Auto Accidents In Riverside, California
Several common types of accidents can result in injuries for those involved. Here are some of the cases our Riverside auto accident lawyers deal with frequently.
Rear-End Accidents
A rear-end accident happens when one driver hits the vehicle directly in front of them. Rear-end accidents can range from minor to severe. It all depends on the speed at which the vehicles were traveling and the exact circumstances under which the accident happened.
Generally, the driver of the rear vehicle is at fault. These types of collisions often happen because the rear driver was following too closely or wasn’t paying attention. However, if the driver of the front vehicle was moving in reverse when the accident happened, it’s possible that the driver might be found liable for the accident.
T-Bone Accidents
Sometimes called side-impact collisions, a “T-bone” accident happens when another car’s front or rear hits a vehicle’s side. Broadside collisions may result in severe injuries for both parties.
Sideswipe Accidents
When the side of one vehicle collides with the side of another car, a sideswipe collision occurs. This accident usually happens while both vehicles are moving in the same direction. Sideswipe accidents can be caused by drivers who fail to check their blind spot before changing lanes, or drivers who are in parked vehicles re-entering moving traffic without checking if the lane is clear first.
A sideswipe collision at low speeds may only result in cosmetic damage to one or both vehicles. However, at high speeds, injuries can often be significant and severe.
Rollover Accidents
When a vehicle is overturned as a result of an accident or leaving the roadway, a rollover accident occurs. These accidents are more likely to be severe, resulting in substantial injuries and possibly even death.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on accidents occur when two vehicles directly impact each other while moving in opposing directions. Even when the vehicles are traveling at modest speeds, these types of collisions can potentially cause severe injuries or even death.
Single-Vehicle Crashes
Single-vehicle accidents involve one vehicle. They might be the result of hitting a stationary object or veering off a roadway. Driver error caused by factors such as intoxication or fatigue might lead to these accidents, as can external factors like unsafe road conditions or bad weather.
Hit And Run Accidents
After any kind of auto accident in Riverside, California, all drivers are legally required to stop and stay at the scene to at least exchange information. Hit and run accidents are those in which one driver decides to leave the scene. Suppose the driver leaves the scene of the accident without giving their contact information to the other driver. In that case, their actions can result in a ticket and even criminal charges.
California Auto Collision Statistics
Our car accident lawyers manage many of the cases brought to our firm, which highlight the frequency at which these crashes occur. According to Traffic Safety Facts published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were an estimated 6.3 million police-reported vehicle crashes last year alone. Those collisions caused the injuries of 2.44 million people on America’s roads. Sadly, many of these happened due to the negligence of another person or party.
Several different organizations collect data on California’s auto collisions, including the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). The latest year statistics available are for 2018. During that year, the number of statewide traffic fatalities was 8.3 percent less than the previous year.
Traffic fatalities decreased from 3,884 to 3,563 across the entire state. California’s car accident death rate was nine per 100,000 people in 2018. Most concerning, car accidents are the primary cause of death related to unintentional injuries in this state.
- Across the U.S., statistics show 33,654 fatal vehicle accidents happened in 2018, which caused over 36,500 fatalities.
- In 2017, Los Angeles County alone reported 92,020 victims killed or injured in vehicle accidents. During the same year, 7,271 injuries and fatalities in LA County involved intoxicated drivers.
- In 2018, 1,069 people in California lost their lives in car accidents involving alcohol intoxication. Forty-two percent of all drivers who were killed in car accidents tested positive for drugs, both legal and illegal.
- Bicyclist fatalities in this state increased by nearly seven percent, from 145 deaths in 2017 to 155 deaths in 2018. In California, 893 pedestrians lost their lives in traffic accidents in 2018.
- There were 488 motorcyclist fatalities in 2018 in California. This represents a 15.57 percent decrease from 578 motorcyclist deaths in 2017. However, other motorcyclists suffered severe injuries in accidents.
- Around 955 of California’s fatal accidents occurred while the driver was speeding.
- An estimated 914 of California’s fatal accidents occurred while the driver was intoxicated.
In Riverside, California, auto accidents leave a significant number of people with severe, life-changing injuries and devastating losses of loved ones every year. Many of these accidents are preventable with due care among drivers and other roadway users and proper care by parties in charge of roadway safety and maintenance.
Common Injuries Resulting From Auto Accidents In Riverside, CA
Car accidents are among the most notable causes of personal injury in the U. S. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), an estimated 5 million car accidents occurred in the U.S. in 2019 alone. These accidents resulted in more than 39,000 ensuing fatalities and 4.4 million serious injuries.
Vehicle manufacturers continue to invent and implement life-saving safety features in their new vehicles. However, injuries due to car accidents are still a serious risk to everyone on American roadways. Here are some of the most common automobile injuries:
Broken Bones
The body’s limbs may be especially susceptible to injuries in the event of a car accident. Emergency and follow-up treatments might be required. Broken bones can potentially lead to infection, the need for surgery, and physical therapy. In particularly bad breaks, an amputation might be necessary, which can cause significant impairment and decreased quality of life.
Car accidents also commonly cause minor breaks and sprains. Though many of these injuries are not usually difficult to treat, some may need more prolonged periods of healing and rehabilitation to restore normal function in the area or body part.
Neck Injuries
Whiplash is among the most common types of neck injury caused by car accidents. Even though it’s a soft tissue injury, it may take a long time to heal. In an accident, the vehicle occupants’ heads can be thrown forward, backward, or even side to side.
The force of these movements might cause severe strain on the muscles and ligaments found in the upper neck and back. Most whiplash injuries will heal on their own after some time; however, some may leave permanent disabilities.
Disc herniation and skeletal trauma in the neck and the back are also injury concerns after a car accident, as well as damage to other soft tissues. Sometimes these types of injuries require surgery and rehabilitation. Others might lead to chronic pain and the need for physical or occupational therapy.
Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI)
Injuries to the spinal cord are one of the most severe types of injuries stemming from an auto collision. They can potentially be expensive and debilitating injuries. SCI might cause partial or total paralysis or even death.
Sometimes these injuries can’t be corrected entirely, leaving the victim with a permanent disability. If this occurs, they may be unable to care for their own basic needs, engage in typical everyday activities, or earn a living.
Brain And Head Trauma
Injuries to the brain and head also have the potential to be severe. Over 17 percent of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in the U.S. result from car accidents. Keep in mind that the brain isn’t fixed in a specific position in the skull. The forces and impacts of an auto accident can cause rapid movement of the head.
In turn, the brain might impact the hard inner surface of its skull. This action may cause skull fractures, bruising, bleeding, and soft tissue damage. Some TBI victims might exhibit other tell-tale signs of injury; others may not realize their injuries until later.
As such, emergency medical treatment is crucial. The sooner a TBI is diagnosed and treated, the better the potential outcome. These injuries require emergency care and diagnosis with tools like a CT scan or an MRI, as well as extensive follow-up treatments. Additionally, some victims may have significant impairment in cognitive function and could need lifetime rehabilitation.
Facial Injuries
Car accident victims might sustain minor or severe facial injuries, including cuts, scrapes, bruises, deep lacerations, fractures, burns, and damage to teeth or the jaw. Victims are likely to incur them since the face’s soft tissues are more vulnerable to trauma. The face could be injured by impact with parts of the inside of the car or objects made airborne in the accident, such as purses or broken glass. Puncture wounds can be caused by sharp objects.
Psychological Injuries
Sometimes, it’s the injuries that aren’t visible that impact car accident victims the most. An auto accident lawyer may be able to help victims seek compensation for these as well. Psychological injuries might also be present, no matter how minor or severe a victim’s physical injuries are.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is common among car accident victims. This disorder frequently requires treatment from a mental health professional following a car accident. Some victims only need a few therapy sessions, and others may need several years to help them deal with the potentially lasting impacts of living with PTSD.
Other psychological injuries resulting from a vehicle accident include generalized or acute anxiety, severe panic attacks, and depression. These may be caused by the trauma of the actual event or healing from the event.
Often, treating psychological injuries is difficult. Victims might need extensive therapy with a licensed professional, medication, or a lengthy treatment period to return to their normal mental and emotional state. The skilled auto accident lawyers at Arash Law can study how they may assist victims in pursuing compensation for emotional distress resulting from the car accident.
What Damages Can Injured Individuals Seek In A Vehicle Accident Lawsuit?
Damages in a car accident arise from the injuries and other losses suffered by the injury victim. When filing a personal injury claim, auto accident victims may be able to seek these damages from the negligent party or their insurance carrier.
Compensatory damages in personal injury litigation include both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages have an inherent and specific value, such as medical bills or car repair costs. Non-economic damages are more challenging to assign a value to. They typically include pain and suffering caused by the crash.
Although not all damages apply to every case, common compensatory damages in a California auto accident include:
- Medical expenses, including emergency medical treatment and physical or occupational therapy
- Vehicle repairs or replacement expenses
- Lost income from not being able to work
- Decreased future earning capacity
- Medication, medical equipment, and supplies
- Future medical care and treatment
- Pain and suffering
- The loss of limb, scarring, or disfigurement
- Loss of consortium (for a spouse or partner)
Depending on the circumstances, those injured in car accidents might also be able to seek punitive damages. Also called exemplary damages, they are only rarely available in instances when the at-fault driver was reckless, purposely tried to hurt someone, or committed a hit-and-run.
The Role Of A Riverside Auto Accident Lawyer
At its very core, the role of a Riverside auto accident lawyer from our firm is to be an advocate for their injured client. This means handling case-related communications and deadlines within the civil court system, the insurance companies, and keeping the client informed of all developments in their case.
Contact an experienced Riverside, California injury attorney at our firm for a free initial consultation on your case. During this free case review, you may get a better idea of what your claim might be worth. If it’s valid, we can also help you file and pursue it. Here are some of the ways a lawyer can advocate for you in a car accident claim:
1. Investigation
If the police responded to your accident, they probably conducted an investigation at the scene. This process usually includes:
- Sketching the scene to include the direction the vehicles were traveling in and where they landed after impact
- Obtaining statements from every involved party
- Getting witness statements, if there are witnesses available and willing
Whether the police responded or not, the applicable insurance carriers will talk to their customers to get their story about what happened in the accident.
To gain a clearer picture of the crash and how it may have occurred, your accident lawyer can perform their own investigation. This task includes:
- Examining the police accident report
- Reviewing the insurance company’s report
- Interviewing eyewitnesses
- Getting surveillance videos of the scene, if any are available
- Assessing records of past problems at that location
- Investigating the other people involved and their driving records and previous accidents
- Inspecting the scene of the accident
- Going through medical records
- Hiring outside experts to review the records when necessary
With a thorough investigation, your attorney can better understand what caused the collision, who was likely at fault, and why the other person may be held liable for their negligence.
2. Managing Your Treatments
Sometimes, victims of an injury accident downplay their injuries. Car wreck injuries can be frequently complicated and change over time. Even if a driver feels okay after the car crash, neck stiffness and pain, decreased mobility, headaches, and other concerning symptoms can appear days or even weeks later. Your vehicle accident attorney can assist clients in getting treatment to help prevent their injuries from worsening.
Some injury victims may not seek medical care due to financial concerns. If another driver caused the crash, that driver might be held legally responsible for paying for your damages. Your car accident attorney may encourage and help you to get proper treatment after an accident. If you’re eligible, they could also help you seek compensation for your medical bills from the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
3. Writing And Sending A Settlement Demand Letter
In accordance with California civil law, one of the first things that must be done after an accident to seek damages is to write and send a demand letter. The demand letter provides a detailed outline of the claim and the reasoning for the other driver’s liability. The demand letter typically includes:
- The names and contact information for the parties involved
- The facts and circumstances of how the accident occurred
- The property damage and medical injuries caused by the accident
- Losses and expenses related to the wreck
- A formal demand for compensation from the insurance provider
In most cases, the demand letter is also the beginning of negotiating with the insurance adjuster. Your attorney will take care of these communications for you if you have a valid claim.
4. Negotiating With The Insurance Provider
One of the most crucial steps in seeking damages after a car accident is negotiating with the insurance adjuster. Without an experienced attorney, it can also be one of the most challenging parts of a claim.
If you talk to the other driver’s insurance company without your attorney present, you may accidentally say things that damage your claim. Enlisting the assistance of an attorney can help you avoid making such mistakes during the negotiation process.
It’s usually up to the injured individual to determine whether or not to accept the insurance company’s settlement offer. Your Riverside personal injury lawyer can discuss your options with you. Suppose these negotiations prove unproductive. In that case, your accident lawyer may litigate the claim in civil court with your permission.
5. Filing A Personal Injury Lawsuit
If negotiations with the insurance company fail, your lawyer can file a personal injury lawsuit in the applicable California civil court. They will work to prepare your case for litigation so they may advocate for your right to pursue compensation in front of a judge or jury.
A car accident lawsuit can take some time to go to trial. However, personal injury lawsuits may be settled before the trial date arrives.
Settlement in a motor vehicle accident involving a commercial agricultural defendant – client suffered spinal injuries.– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
Do You Have A Car Accident Claim?
After an injury accident, it’s common to have confusion about whether or not you have a valid claim for compensation. To be eligible to seek damages from the at-fault party, your case must meet both of these criteria:
- The vehicle collision was at least partly caused by another party’s negligence.
- The vehicle collision resulted in you or a family member suffering documented physical injuries or other losses.
The Riverside auto accident lawyers at Arash Law can answer any questions you may have about what establishes negligence and what it means for injuries to be “severe.” If, after your free initial consultation, your car accident attorney determines that your claim meets both of these criteria, we can begin building your case.
When The Insurance Company Calls You
After receiving notification of the accident, adjusters or representatives from your insurance company or the at-fault driver’s insurance company might call you. They have the right to do so. However, you aren’t required to speak with them without a lawyer. Only responding to them once you have legal representation may help you avoid unconsciously or accidentally making statements that weaken your claim. Our auto accident lawyers in Riverside are used to managing communications with the insurance company on our clients’ behalf.
You also don’t have to feel pressured to accept any initial settlement offers. You may receive these early on after your accident, at which point you may not yet understand the full extent of your losses. When you work with a Riverside auto accident lawyer, they’ll consider your current and future medical bills, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket expenses, so that you can better evaluate whether settlement offers might cover the real costs resulting from your car accident.
When the insurance company calls, politely tell them it’s not a good time or let them know you are represented by an auto accident lawyer. You can then consider contacting us right away. If you have a valid claim, we’ll help you figure out if a settlement offer is fair, and we’ll talk to the insurance company on your behalf.
Are You Searching For An Experienced Lawyer For An Auto Accident “Near You” In Riverside?
If you are looking for an experienced auto accident lawyer for your case, consider consulting one from our law firm. For decades, our knowledgeable attorneys have helped clients suffering from car accident injuries in San Francisco, Riverside, San Jose, San Diego, Sacramento, Sherman Oaks, and all throughout California pursue compensation.
You can call the car accident attorneys from Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 or use our online form to book your free, no-obligation first consultation.
Latest Traffic Reports in California
