Unexpected car crashes can affect your life within an instant. A simple drive down Magnolia Avenue, making a turn onto Main Street, or even a trip along Interstate 15 can suddenly result in an accident, leaving you with severe injuries, property damage, and financial expenses.
At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we understand the complexities of car accident claims and the difference that dedicated legal support can make. Our Riverside car accident lawyers are committed to acquire full financial recovery for our clients. With more than 20 years of experience handling personal injury cases and over $1.7 billion in settlements recovered, we have established a reputation for holding negligent parties accountable.
We operate under a contingency-fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we settle your case. To book a FREE consultation, you can get in touch with us by calling (213) 927-3700 or completing our easy online contact form.
Types of Car Accidents Handled by Our Riverside Lawyers
Our Riverside personal injury attorneys can take on various types of cases:
- Rear-end collisions
- Head-on accidents
- T-bone crashes
- Rollover accidents
- Multi-vehicle pileups
- Truck accidents
- Uber and Lyft accidents
We also provide services for bicycle and pedestrian accidents that are caused by negligent drivers, as well as motorcycle accidents and claims involving distracted or impaired motorists. No matter the type, we focus on helping victims recover the best possible outcome. With our knowledge and expertise, we are prepared to defend your rights throughout each stage of the legal process.
What to Do After a Car Accident
Getting into a car accident can be frightening. Although it is easier said than done, try to remain calm and focus on fulfilling the following obligations will help ensure your safety and better your opportunity of acquiring full financial recovery:
- Check for injuries and contact 911 if anyone is hurt.
- If possible, move to a safe location to avoid further harm.
- Exchange information with all parties involved.
- Document the scene by taking photos of the accident scene, gathering witness information, and acquiring surveillance footage of the impact.
- Reach out to local law enforcement and be sure to get a copy of the police report.
- Seek medical attention, even if you think you are okay. Some injuries may appear later on.
- Consult with a Riverside car accident lawyer to know your legal rights and what steps you should take moving forward to get the best possible outcome.
What Is the Most Common Cause of Car Accidents?
The most common causes of car accidents involve human error. This particularly includes the following:
- Distracted driving: Texting or talking on the phone will shift your focus away from the road. Under CVC § 23123 and 23123.5, drivers cannot use a handheld wireless telephone unless it is designed to allow hands-free operations and is used in that manner. According to the updated no touch law, drivers are not allowed to hold electronic devices while operating a vehicle, even if they are viewing GPS directions or scrolling through a music playlist.
- Speeding: Going past the posted speed limit or driving too fast for road conditions will lessen a driver’s ability to react promptly to nearby hazards. Drivers must comply with CVC § 22350, meaning that they should not drive at a speed that is greater than is reasonable or prudent, having consideration for surrounding conditions.
- Impaired driving: Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol or a mixture of both will reduce a driver’s reaction time, judgement, and coordination, making it difficult for them to properly navigate themselves on the road. Drivers should not operate a vehicle under such conditions as they can not only heighten the risks of a crash, but will also face legal repercussions for violating CVC § 23152.
- Fatigued driving: Driving while drowsy can affect your concentration while on the road and may also worsen your reaction time to road obstacles ahead, similar to driving while under the influence. A study shared by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that being awake for 17 hours will impair your driving ability as much as a 0.05% blood alcohol concentration (BAC), and 24 hours with no sleep would equal to 0.10% BAC, which is above California’s legal limit.
What Is the Most Common Injury in Car Accidents?
Car accidents can cause minor to severe injuries. Some of the most common types include the following:
- Broken bones
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
If you sustained bodily harm due to a collision, you should get yourself immediately examined to check for any notable issues. Seeking medical attention from a professional can help you get an early diagnosis, and will also create a documented record. This can help prevent insurance companies from disputing your personal injury claim since your situation was addressed shortly after the car accident.
Where Do the Most Car Accidents Occur?
Car accidents in Riverside usually happen at busy intersections and popular roadways where traffic volume is high and complex layout designs are presented. Intersections, including Magnolia Avenue and Tyler Street and Main Street and Central Avenue, are known to be accident-prone due to the number of collisions that have occurred in those particular areas.
Highways, like I-15 and State Routes 74 and 371, have also seen a notable number of crashes caused by reckless driving. All motorists should exercise caution when on the road and follow California traffic laws to maintain safe conditions.
According to the nationwide data provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), deaths pertaining to rural car accidents commonly occurred on collector roads (44%) and local roads (19%), whereas urban crash deaths took place on arterial roads (60%) and interstates or freeways (19%). Only 12% of rural crash fatalities took place on interstates or freeways, compared to 19% in urban areas.
Speed limits also contributed to collisions. Approximately 72% of rural crash deaths happened on roads with speed limits of 55 mph or higher compared to 29% in urban areas. In 2023 alone, speeding accounted for 28% of deadly rural crashes and 30% for urban. When it came to roads with posted speed limits of 55 mph or more, speeding was involved in 25% of rural cases and 28% urban settings.
How Many People Die in Car Accidents Every Year?
In a 2023 report, the IIHS stated that a total of 40,901 fatal injuries occurred due to motor vehicle accidents in the United States. Several factors contributed to these cases, including alcohol consumption, speeding, and failing to wear seat belts.
About 59% of deaths were passenger vehicle occupants, 18% were pedestrians, 15% were motorcyclists, 3% were bicyclists, and 2% were truck drivers. Males were reported to have a higher crash death rate than females across all ages, specifically men who were 20 to 24 years old.
Under California Civil Code of Procedure § 377.60, the decedent’s surviving family members are entitled to file a wrongful death claim against the at fault driver. This specifically includes the following parties:
- Surviving spouse or domestic partner
- Children
- Grandchildren
- Anyone entitled to inherit the decedent’s property under intestate succession
Damages awarded in such cases may include funeral and burial costs, medical bills, and loss of consortium.
How Long Can Someone Sue After a Car Accident?
In Riverside, car accident victims are granted two years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at fault parties. However, if the crash involved a government vehicle, the timeline will be six months to submit an administrative claim. If you fail to meet legal obligations prior to the deadline, you will no longer be eligible to recover compensation.
Compensation Available for Car Accident Victims in Riverside
Compensation for car accident victims will vary depending on the extent of bodily harm incurred and the level of negligence contributed by all parties involved. Current and future medical bills and lost wages and earning capacity will also be considered. Generally, economic and non-economic damages will be awarded.
Economic damages are financial expenses you suffered in the aftermath of the car crash (medical expenses and property damage) whereas non-economic damages refer to subjective, non-monetary losses (emotional distress and pain and suffering).
To get an idea of what you could be entitled to in a car accident claim, you can use our personal injury settlement calculator by inputting the damages you sustained.
Involved in a Car Accident? Contact West Coast Trial Lawyers to Schedule a FREE Case Evaluation
If you were injured in a car accident because of someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible to file a claim to recover compensation. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our Riverside car accident lawyers will work diligently to negotiate with the opposing side, resolve liability disputes, and ensure you know what is going on with your case through clear communication.
To schedule a FREE consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer, we welcome you to reach out by calling (213) 927-3700 or filling out our quick online contact form.
