Car Accident Lawyer Riverside

Auto accidents are among the leading causes of death and injury in America. In an instant, your life can be changed forever by a distracted, careless, or drunk driver.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a serious car collision, a car accident lawyer in Riverside can help.

A Riverside auto injury attorney from MVP Accident Attorneys can help you navigate the legal process in the aftermath of an auto accident and ultimately, receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and other losses. We're proud of our commitment to personal injury law and have a high success rate in all of our cases. Legal representation during this time can be crucial.

Don't go through this process alone, speak with one of our auto accident lawyers today to learn more about your legal options.

Why Choose MVP Accident Attorneys for Your Auto Accident Claim?

From rollovers to rear-end collisions, the Riverside auto accident attorneys at MVP Accident Attorneys can handle your case. An auto accident claim can be very complex and involves a thorough investigation, which you may not have the resources to handle on your own. The insurance company's job is to attempt to settle the case as quickly as possible, for the lowest settlement amount possible. The insurance company represents the negligent driver, so your interests are not their concern.

Our California auto accident lawyers can guide you through every step of the legal process, protecting you against the common strategies an insurance adjuster will employ to compel you to make an impulsive decision, signing an agreement that's not in your best interest.

Our firm has the necessary resources to thoroughly gather and assess all evidence that's pertinent to your case, from the details of the accident to eyewitness statements, and the impact the accident has had on your finances, future, and health.

Recovering Damages in a California Auto Accident

An auto accident victim needs to gain a solid understanding of the many categories of compensation they can obtain through the help of an experienced California auto accident lawyer. Our legal experts are prepared to guide accident victims through the process of assessing their damages to pursue the financial recovery they need to reclaim their lives.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are awarded to an auto accident victim as a means to make the victim financially whole after an accident that has resulted in a significant monetary loss.

There are many distinct types of economic damages that the car accident victim can recover, such as:

Medical expenses, including past, current, and future treatment, such as:

• Hospitalization
• Surgical procedures
• Doctor’s bills
• Prescriptions
• Imaging studies
• Emergency room treatment
• Ambulance transportation
• Rehabilitation

Other economic damages that the accident victim can pursue can include lost wages from work and property damage. In most cases, economic damages are easier to obtain since they have a dollar amount assigned to them. Because of this, you must hang onto all of your receipts and billing statements for treatment and losses that are directly related to the accident.

Non-Economic

An accident victim is usually able to recover significant compensation for non-economic damages, however, it can be more difficult for these types of losses to be calculated accurately for purposes of monetary award. Common categories of non-economic loss that stems from a car accident include:

Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering entail the discomfort and agony that results directly from the accident and include emotional and mental trauma, grief, and anxiety.

Loss of Consortium

Loss of consortium is related to the reduction or inability of the spouse to enjoy a sexual relationship, affection, or companionship with their spouse following an accident.
Most Common Causes of California Auto Accidents

While auto accidents are very common in America, many of them are preventable. Unfortunately, many car accidents are the result of driver error or negligence. Some of the most common types of auto accidents include:

Rear-End Collisions

A rear-end accident occurs when a vehicle crashes into another vehicle that's in front of it. Typically, a driver who rear-ends another motorist is responsible for the crash, because these types of accidents are usually caused by a driver driving too closely behind another car. Another cause of a rear-end accident is a driver failing to notice that a car has stopped or slowed down.

Side-Impact

A side impact auto accident occurs when the rear or front of another vehicle hits the side of a second car. This type of accident is also referred to as a T-bone. These accidents often result in serious injuries to the people in the car which is struck.

Sideswipe

Sideswipe accidents usually occur when a couple of vehicles traveling in parallel make contact with each other. The results of these accidents can vary but can often result in serious injuries as the car can be pushed into oncoming traffic or may roll over due to the force of impact. If the accident causes a driver to lose control, the results of the accident can include severe injuries and/or fatalities.

Rollovers

When a car that's been hit flips over onto its side or roof this is known as a rollover. Vehicles such as SUVs, and other types of vehicles that have a high center of gravity are at much higher risk of rolling over in an accident, however, any type of vehicle can roll over under the right type of circumstances. This type of accident can lead to permanent or serious injuries.

Head-On Collisions

A head-on collision can occur when the front end of two cars collide. It can also occur if one vehicle runs into a fixed object such as a building, tree, or pole. Serious injuries, such as brain or head injuries, can result in this type of accident.

Multi-Vehicle Collisions

A multi-vehicle collision is more likely to occur on highways or freeways. Depending on the number of cars involved, in addition to the circumstances of the accident, a car can be hit multiple times. Cars may be smashed together, with a risk for fire, which can spread from one car to the next. Complicated multi-car accidents often require an in-depth investigation to determine which driver or drivers are responsible.

What Types of Injuries are the Most Common in Car Accidents in Riverside, CA?

The consequences of an accident between vehicles will usually depend on many factors, from vehicle type, speed at the time of impact, and the level of protection that was provided by the airbags or seat belts. Following an accident, it's crucial to seek immediate medical treatment both for your potential claim and health. Some of the most common injuries that are sustained in auto accidents include:

Neck Injuries

When the neck is violently shaken from the side or jolted forward this can result in a neck strain or sprain. It can also potentially affect the disc in the neck. These types of injuries can resolve over time; however, they often require surgery or long-term therapy.

Broken Bones

If you're driving at higher speeds and collide with something, the force is often equal to what you would experience if you drove off a twelve-story building. A bone fracture is a common injury that is suffered in auto accidents. These types of injuries can range from compound fractures to stress fractures.

Back Injuries

The significant amount of force can create stress on the back and spine, and the consequences can be very severe and may include quadriplegia, paraplegia, or paralysis.

Brain Injuries

The brain is very delicate. If the head strikes the steering wheel or a window, or it's violently shaken upon impact, this can result in bleeding from torn blood vessels. It can also result in damage to the brain caused by the impact and may require surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions About Auto Accidents in Riverside, CA

There are many factors to consider after you or a loved one has been injured in a serious auto accident due to the negligence of another.

Below you'll find some of the most frequently asked questions our California auto accident attorneys have encountered from those who have been injured in a serious accident.

Do I Need to Contact the Police After an Car Accident?

Yes. Once you have been in an auto accident, it's always a good idea to contact the police to have them visit the scene of the accident and write up a police report. The police will create this official accident report which can be used as evidence in your claim. The report will document the facts of the accident and what evidence was found at the accident scene. Even if the accident is considered minor, you should still call law enforcement to protect your legal rights in any subsequent disputes that may arise over liability.

Should I Speak an Insurance Company?

An insurance company is always looking to limit their liability, lowering the amount of money that they will have to pay out to cover the expenses of the accident. When speaking to the at-fault driver's insurance company, keep in mind that the insurance adjuster will be looking out for the best interests of their employer. When you speak with an insurance adjuster, they may use any statements that you make against you. The insurance company will be looking for ways to limit its liability as much as possible. The insurance adjuster will be searching for any information that they can use to shift partial blame for the accident on you.

Because of this, having a car accident lawyer right from the outset of the claims process is always a smart idea. An attorney will be looking out for your best interests and will take over communication with the insurance adjuster to ensure you receive fair compensation from the responsible party's insurance company.

When Should I Contact an Riverside Car Accident Lawyer?

Contact an auto accident lawyer immediately after you have been involved in a car accident. A lawyer can help you through the complex claims process, handle all communication with an insurance adjuster, and can represent you in court if you choose to file a lawsuit against the party that is responsible for your injuries.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit Against the Driver Responsible for My Car Accident?

If you're considering filing a lawsuit, one thing you must keep in mind is the statute of limitations. The amount of time that you have to file the lawsuit will depend on the type of claim it is. The time limit for personal injury lawsuits is two years from the date of the accident. The statute of limitations for property damage is three years from the time of the accident.

Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?

Whether or not you file a lawsuit will depend on the circumstances and facts of your case. You only need to file a lawsuit if the insurance company has outright denied paying your claim or they are refusing to pay a settlement amount that will cover the cost of damages in your claim. A lawyer can guide you through your legal options and may encourage you to file a lawsuit if the insurance company is refusing to play ball in settlement negotiations. Keep in mind, most lawsuits do not go to trial. The majority of civil cases are often settled before going to trial. So, while you may need to file a lawsuit to preserve the statute of limitations, or you have decided to file a lawsuit because the insurance company is unwilling to settle on an agreement outside of court, this does not necessarily mean you will be going to trial. In many cases, once an insurance company realizes that you are serious about receiving the compensation you deserve, they will often go back to settlement negotiations with your attorney. A trial is very costly and time-consuming and it's something insurance companies want to avoid.

What is My Car Accident Claim Worth?

In an auto accident case, the damages that you're able to recover through a settlement agreement are designed to compensate you for your injuries and other financial losses. There are a few main categories of damages in auto accident cases:

• Economic damages
• Non-economic damages
• Punitive damages

The first two categories of damages are designed to compensate an accident victim for any losses that are directly related to the accident as well as the injuries the accident victim has suffered.

Economic damages usually include things such as past, current, and future medical treatment expenses and past and future lost wages from work. Non-economic damages usually include things such as loss of consortium, mental distress, and pain and suffering.

Punitive damages are more difficult to recover and are meant to punish the negligent party for their bad behavior and to deter people from committing the same acts in the future.

Riverside Auto Accident Attorneys Near Me

If you have been involved in an auto accident in Riverside CA, contact a knowledgeable auto accident lawyer at MVP Accident Attorneys as soon as possible and let us guide you through this type of complex legal process and build the best case possible for you. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation and learn more about your legal options.