Riverside Car Accident Attorney

Car Accident Lawyer in Riverside, CA

If you suffered injuries and losses in a car accident, you should take timely steps to protect your legal rights. Working with a dedicated Riverside, CA car accident attorney costs you nothing upfront as we work on a “no-win-no-fee” contingency fee basis. Moreover, when an attorney handles your case, you have the time to concentrate on healing and recovery.

Do not wait too long to seek legal help. California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1 generally only allows you to file a personal injury claim within two years after your crash. One of our seasoned car accident attorneys can advise you on your legal options and start gathering the relevant evidence to build your case immediately.

Contact the experienced and compassionate legal team at Russell & Lazarus today for a free case review. Call (888) 539-3154 or text (949) 309-0990.

Our Auto Accident Practice Areas

The experienced and dedicated personal injury attorneys at Russell & Lazarus can handle all types of motor vehicle and traffic accidents, including:

• Car Accidents
• Truck and Bus Accidents
• Motorcycle and Scooter Accidents
• Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents
• Rideshare and Taxi Accidents
• Amazon and other Delivery Driver Accidents
• Wrongful death

Car accidents can cause devastating and expensive injuries that can impact the rest of a victim’s life. A car accident attorney from our firm can help you fight for the compensation you need to go on with your life.

Compensation You Could Receive

Since all car accidents are different, there is no average settlement with a collision. However, victims could recover a variety of damages, depending on their unique case, including but not limited to:

• All medical expenses now and in the future
• Income losses and future expected loss of income
• Medical devices
• Physical therapy and other rehabilitation therapies
• Medications
• Modification to a home and vehicle
• Assistance with daily living and household tasks
• Pain and suffering
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Permanent disability

It is important to note that compensation will depend on your particular circumstances, and you could potentially receive other or additional types of compensation with a car accident lawsuit. Occasionally, when the at-fault party acted particularly recklessly or egregiously in causing the accident, victims could recover punitive damages on top of any compensatory damages.

An experienced car accident attorney at Russell & Lazarus can advise you on the potential worth of your case. Call or text us today to find out more.

What Causes Most Car Accidents in Riverside, CA?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) established that most accidents (up to 94 percent) happen due to critical driver errors. Driver-related motor vehicle accidents can involve, among other behaviors:

Speeding

Reckless speeding can cause serious and sometimes fatal accidents. However, even if a driver remained under the posted speed limit but did not adjust their speed to road or weather conditions, they may be at fault for your accident. If a motorist drove too fast, causing your accident and injuries, you could potentially hold them accountable.

Driving Distracted

Texting while driving and other distracted driving behaviors cause numerous accidents on our roads every day. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), eight people die in a distracted driving accident every day. Distracted driving can include eating and drinking, interacting with passengers, adjusting the GPS, and other behaviors. A car accident attorney from our firm can advise you if your crash was caused by a distracted driver.

Driving While Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol

Impaired or intoxicated drivers cause many accidents. If the driver in your accident was drunk or under the influence of drugs at the time of your crash, you could potentially have a strong case for recovering compensation.

There can be other reasons for driver negligence in accidents, such as drowsy driving or knowingly driving a defective vehicle. Working with an experienced car accident attorney could help you prove a claim and fight for an adequate settlement from the at-fault party or their insurance company.

Top Questions About Car Accidents in Riverside

Should I Call the Police After a Car Accident in Riverside, CA?

As a general rule, by law, you are required to call the police after a motor vehicle crash in California, particularly if there were any injuries or fatalities. In fact, according to California law, if you were involved in an accident with injuries, whether involving car occupants, bicyclists, or pedestrians, you must contact law enforcement and make a written report within 24 hours of the collision. In addition to informing the police, you should also report your car crash to the California Department of Motor Vehicles within ten days if the accident involved injuries, deaths, or more than $1,000 in property damage.

In any case, having law enforcement at the accident scene can be advantageous. A police officer will write up a traffic collision report at the scene, recording valuable data from the accident and the contact details of all parties and eyewitnesses. The report will most likely also offer an opinion as to who was at fault. Police accident reports can provide victims with excellent evidence, helping them to recover their due from an insurance company or a defendant.

What If the At-Fault Driver is Uninsured?

Although California law requires all vehicle owners to carry adequate car insurance, not all drivers comply. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), almost 17 percent of drivers in California were uninsured in 2019.

Finding out that the at-fault driver in your accident does not carry car insurance can be frustrating and worrying. However, you could still have options for receiving compensation.

Coverage for Medical Payments

Your private health insurance or MedPay could cover your medical expenses if you get injured in a car crash with an uninsured driver. MedPay can pay for your medical costs even if you are at fault for the accident. However, MedPay is generally limited to the amount of coverage you purchased.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage can reduce the financial burden if you get into an accident with an uninsured driver in California. If you have uninsured motorist coverage as part of your overall car insurance policy, you could recover compensation up to the maximum amount.

Although you could have several options for recovering damages after a car accident, you could still be left out of pocket if you suffered significant injuries. An important step after getting into an accident with an uninsured driver is to consider contacting an experienced car accident attorney in Riverside, CA, who can walk you through all your potential legal options.

You could potentially file a lawsuit against the uninsured driver, forcing them to pay for your medical costs, car damage, and other losses. Your lawyer could also help you receive a higher insurance settlement from your own insurance company.

How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help Me?

Car accident claims can get convoluted without having an experienced attorney by your side to take the weight off your shoulders. A car accident lawyer can help you with:

Communicating with Insurance Companies

Communicating directly with the at-fault party’s insurance company can prove challenging for car accident victims. An attorney can communicate with adjusters and negotiate for an adequate settlement on your behalf. In many instances, having an attorney represent you can signal to the insurance companies that you are serious and determined about recovering your due.

Recovering Evidence of Liability

A determined Riverside, CA, car accident attorney can help gather the necessary evidence for proving liability in your car accident. In some instances, your attorney will return to the scene of an accident and research the facts of your crash comprehensively. They may also draw on the expert opinion of technical specialists and accident reconstruction professionals to help with building your case.

Obtaining Evidence of Your Damages and Losses

Recovering the critical documentation showing your injuries and financial losses can be challenging and time-consuming. However, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you pull together all the evidence for your damages.

Moreover, your medical records may not show a clear connection between the accident and your injuries, or they may be incomplete. A medical professional’s priority is treating you, not providing proof of damages for insurance companies and lawsuits. However, your lawyer can communicate with your medical providers to obtain the relevant records and physician statements required to prove your injuries, damages, and potential future expenses.

Negotiating With Lien Holders

If another party paid for your medical treatments, for example, health insurance or workers’ compensation, they will look to recover reimbursement when you receive compensation. A seasoned attorney can negotiate effectively with your lien holders to help you retain as much of your settlement as possible.

An experienced car accident attorney in Riverside, CA, can help you in a number of other ways, depending on your needs and the circumstances of your case. Most of all, perhaps, having a personal injury attorney from our firm in your corner can provide you with an advocate who has your best interests at heart, giving you peace of mind.

Our Injury Attorneys Can Fight for You

You do not have to deal with an insurance company dragging its heels or a complicated lawsuit on your own. Russell & Lazarus can fight for what you deserve. Contact us now to find out if you could recover compensation. Call (888) 539-3154 or text (949) 309-0990.