Car Accident Lawyer in Riverside, CA

After a serious crash on the 91 or Interstate 215, your repair bills and medical costs could stack up quickly. If someone else is to blame for your accident and injuries, you need a car accident attorney you can trust to help you seek compensation.

The Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas proudly serve the people of Riverside County. Our law firm offers free consultations, and clients only pay us if we can secure a settlement or win in court. In addition, our team offers legal services in Spanish.

To discuss your crash with our car accident lawyers in Riverside, CA, contact our law firm today. You can also reach our team by phone at (909) 982-0707.

Where Car Accidents Happen In Riverside

In addition to the major highways in the area, like I-215 and the 91, here are some of the most dangerous roads in Riverside.

Magnolia Avenue: Heavy traffic and high speeds along Magnolia Avenue mean a high risk of collisions, especially at busy intersections or near driveways.
Van Buren Boulevard: Plenty of people drive on Van Buren Boulevard as part of their daily commute or to run errands, leading to a risk of collisions.
University Avenue: There’s plenty of dense commuter, pedestrian, and bicyclist traffic along University Avenue, especially near UC Riverside and parts of downtown.
Arlington Avenue: The mix of faster and slower segments of Arlington Avenue could result in rear-end crashes if drivers are not aware of where the speed limit changes.

How Common Are Car Accidents in Riverside?

According to data from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), there were 1,805 auto accidents in Riverside in 2023 that resulted in injury or death.

When expanding our scope to Riverside County, OTS recorded 15,177 vehicle accidents in 2023 that resulted in injury or death.

Why You Need an Experienced Riverside Car Accident Attorney

After a collision, it’s best to seek legal representation from a law firm in the area. These are the advantages of hiring a local car accident attorney:

Knowledge of Local Accidents and Traffic Laws: When you work with car accident lawyers near you in Riverside County, you have attorneys who know where crashes tend to happen, factors that may have contributed to the collision, and potentially relevant local ordinances.
Connection to Resources for Collision Victims: Many accident victims are not sure what to do after a crash and how to seek compensation. A local law firm can guide you through the legal process and point you toward resources to help with medical care and more.
Close Attention to Your Case (Unlike National Firms): Many national law firms treat clients like they’re just case numbers. Not us. A local Riverside law firm like the Law Office of Fernando D. Vargas takes every car accident case seriously, offering close, personal attention to every client.

Common Causes of Auto Accidents in Riverside County

Below are some of the most common causes of car accidents in this part of the Inland Empire.

Speeding endangers drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians. The same is true of reckless driving, which includes tailgating, refusing to yield the right of way, aggressive lane changes/overtaking, and failing to use blinkers.

Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs can affect a person’s reaction times and decision-making. Our Riverside car accident lawyers can sue intoxicated drivers, helping families affected by DUI accidents.

Driver distractions can take many forms, such as texting behind the wheel, looking up directions, adjusting vehicle settings on a screen or console, or rubbernecking. These actions take their hands off the wheel and divert attention from the road.

We often think of driver fatigue in the context of tractor-trailer collisions, but exhaustion can also contribute to commuter accidents. If a driver has dulled reaction times, poor decision-making skills, or falls asleep behind the wheel, it can result in a catastrophic or potentially fatal crash.

Driver error is not the only cause of car accidents. When vehicles are poorly designed, safety systems malfunction, or vehicle parts are defective (e.g., tires and brake systems), automakers and part companies can be held accountable for contributing to a car crash.

Broken streetlights, malfunctioning traffic signals, major potholes, and unsafe road design can all contribute to a serious car crash. If these issues have been present for some time and not been addressed, Riverside County or the state of California can be held accountable.

Common Injuries Sustained in Riverside Car Wrecks

A major accident could result in catastrophic injuries that have lifelong repercussions.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): From concussions to brain bleeds, any blows to the head can lead to long-lasting damage, often impacting the quality of a person’s life and ability to work.
Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI): Injuries to the spinal cord can result in partial paralysis, paraplegia, or quadriplegia.
Second-, Third-, and Fourth-Degree Burns: Major burns can cause severe pain, permanent disability, and physical disfigurement.
Fractured Bones and Joint Dislocations: Compound fractures, severely broken bones, and crushing injuries can lead to extended recovery times and limited mobility.
Loss of Limbs: Some collisions may result in dismemberment at the accident site or the need for amputation as part of emergency care.

If you lose a family member in a fatal crash, the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas can help you file a wrongful death lawsuit to seek compensation for funeral expenses, grief counseling, and the lasting effects on your household.

Types of Compensation Available for Car Accident Victims

Accident survivors and their families can seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages. Our Riverside car accident lawyers will help you maximize your compensation.

Medical Bills: Past hospitalization and emergency care, current medical procedures, and future estimated cost for rehabilitation or reconstructive surgery.
Property Damage: Repair bills or the cost of replacing a totaled vehicle, and damage to any other belongings during the accident.
Lost Income: Lost wages due to time off from work or extended leave as you heal.
Loss of Future Earnings: Loss of future income if your accident diverted career plans or resulted in a disability.
Pain and Suffering: Chronic pain, emotional distress, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Reduced Quality of Life: Loss of interest in hobbies and reduced sense of contentment or overall well-being.

How California’s Pure Comparative Negligence Laws Affect Your Settlement

In California, you can receive compensation even if you are partly or mostly at fault in a crash. This is because the state follows a pure comparative negligence rule. Your share of liability is deducted from your compensation.

For example, say that you were in an accident on Magnolia Avenue and Tyler Street and received $100,000 in compensation, but you are found to be 20% at fault. Due to pure comparative negligence, you would still get $80,000.

How to Maximize Compensation After a Car Crash in Riverside County

What you do after a car accident can have a major impact on how much your claim is worth. Our attorneys would like to briefly go over things you should and shouldn’t do after a car wreck.

What to Do After a Car Crash in Riverside County

Here are things you can do to protect yourself and the value of your claim after a collision.

Call 911: Call local authorities so injured people can be helped and so there can be a police report of the crash.
Exchange Contact Info: Get the insurance and contact information from other drivers. You should also get the information from any witnesses to the accident.
Document the Accident Site: If you can, take photos and videos of the crash, the accident site, your injuries, and any important evidence.
Get Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine, see a doctor after your crash. Some injuries may not be apparent immediately, and having medical documentation can help with your claim.

What You Should Not Do After a Car Crash

Here are things you should avoid doing since they can affect the value of your accident claim.

Apologize or Admit Fault: Saying you’re sorry could mean you share the blame, which can reduce your compensation for the accident.
Post About the Collision on Social Media: Posting about a crash or your injuries on a public forum could backfire on you, so it’s best to avoid oversharing on social media.
Accept an Initial Settlement Offer: Insurance companies know that you’re hurting and may offer you far less than your case is worth. Speak with a car accident lawyer first.

Frequently Asked Questions About Riverside Car Accident Claims

These are some of the most common questions we’ve received from people who’ve been in collisions throughout the Inland Empire.

How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Riverside?

In the state of California, you usually have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. You cannot take legal action once the two-year statute of limitations has expired.

While there are exceptions to this two-year deadline, it’s best to speak with a Riverside car accident lawyer as soon as possible.

How long will it take to settle my car accident case in Riverside?

That depends on numerous factors, including the severity of your injuries, how long it takes to reach maximum medical improvement (MMI), the lasting effects of your injuries, and the parties involved. Some cases may be resolved in a few months, while others may take much longer.

If you ever wonder why it’s taking so long to settle your claim, our attorneys can provide updates as your case unfolds.

Can I receive punitive damages if I was in a serious car crash?

This depends. Under California Civil Code Section 3294, punitive damages (aka exemplary damages) are only awarded in cases of oppression, fraud, or malice, which may not apply to your collision. As our lawyers work on your case, we can discuss if punitive damages are possible and how much your car accident claim is worth.

Why Locals Trust the Law Office of Fernando D. Vargas After a Car Accident

Vargas lawyers

If you’ve been seriously hurt in a collision, you need dependable legal help as soon as possible. Here’s why Riverside County chooses the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas when they need strong representation.

We Know How Insurance Companies Work: Fernando D. Vargas began his legal career in 1987 as a defense attorney for insurance companies. He uses this experience ot build stronger cases and negotiate better settlements for clients.
Hablamos Español – Legal Services in Spanish: Many of our team members are fluent in Spanish. This allows us to help the Spanish-speaking community throughout Riverside County.
Free Legal Consultations: You don’t need another bill after a car accident. Our law firm offers free case evaluations so you can speak with a qualified legal professional and learn about your legal options.
You Don’t Pay Unless We Win: Our law firm operates on a contingency fee basis. That means clients only pay legal fees if we secure a settlement or win damages in court. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.

Contact Our Riverside Car Accident Attorneys Near You

If you were hurt in a car wreck in the Inland Empire, you need the Law Office of Fernando D. Vargas on your side. We’re ready to help. To request a free case review with our Riverside car accident lawyers, contact our law firm today. You can also reach us by calling (909) 982-0707.