Riverside Car Accident Attorney

In an instant, your life can change. A driver gets distracted or does not hit the brakes in time, and a moment later you may have sustained severe injuries or the loss of a loved one. Every 12 to 15 seconds a car accident in the United States causes a fatality.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports car crashes as the leading cause of death for Americans between ages 16 and 24. Half of the 2.5 million people injured each year from crashes are left permanently disabled. Some impairing injuries might include brain damage or spinal cord injury. If you were injured in a car collision, our Riverside car accident attorneys can guide you through the legal process and recover compensation for your damages.

Meet Brian Panish, Adam K. Shea & Rahul Ravipudi – Your Riverside Car Accident Attorneys

At Panish | Shea| Ravipudi LLP, our partners Brian Panish, Adam K. Shea & Rahul Ravipudi have consistently earned recognition for excellence from fellow trial lawyers, legal organizations, and national publications. The firm has been honored with a “Tier 1” ranking in Plaintiffs Personal Injury Litigation by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers®, the highest level awarded. Additionally, the National Law Journal ranks us among the nation’s top 12 Plaintiff’s law firms.

With billions secured in settlements by our top Riverside accident lawyers, we’re confident we can handle any case you have for us. Let us help you receive the compensation and the justice that you deserve.

How Can a Riverside Car Accident Lawyer Help?

If your life has changed significantly due to a traffic accident, you may want to call an accident attorney to help you with your car accident claim and gain compensation for your losses. Whether your losses include property damages or medical expenses, the loss of a loved one, property loss, lost income, or other losses, our Riverside personal injury attorneys are experienced in car accident claims and can help you win the compensation you need to get you back on your feet.

Insurance companies are only interested in offering the lowest possible settlement so make sure you speak to an attorney before you settle early on with an insurance company. The financial assistance you gain from a car accident lawsuit can help fund medical treatments and cover property losses. It can compensate you for lost income due to disability leave or help you pay for funeral arrangements. Pursuing a lawsuit can also help protect other drivers from being inflicted with similar loss.

If you were injured in a crash in LA, speak to our Los Angeles car accident attorneys.

Common Causes of Car Accidents In Riverside

Some of the top driver-related causes of traffic accidents in the nation include:

• Speeding: Driving over the speed limit or too fast for road conditions is a leading cause of accidents. It reduces the driver’s ability to react to sudden hazards.
• Reckless Driving: Aggressive driving behaviors, such as tailgating, making unsafe lane changes, or running red lights, often lead to collisions.
• Driving While Drowsy: Fatigue impairs judgment, reaction time, and awareness, contributing to accidents.
• Distracted Driving: Using a cell phone, eating, or engaging in other distractions while driving can lead to accidents as drivers take their attention off the road.
• Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol or drugs impair coordination, judgment, and reaction time, making impaired driving a major cause of accidents. Speak to a drunk driving lawyer in Riverside for more information.
• Inexperienced Drivers: Novice drivers may lack the skills or judgment to handle unexpected situations, increasing the risk of accidents.

In addition to driver-related causes, road, and weather conditions can also contribute to accidents:

• Road Conditions: Poor road conditions, such as sharp turns, potholes, or poorly marked intersections, can lead to accidents.
• Weather Conditions: Ice, snow, rain, or fog can reduce visibility and road traction, making accidents more likely.
• Vehicle Defects: Issues with vehicle design, manufacturing, or maintenance, such as tire blowouts, can cause accidents.

Understanding these common causes is crucial for accident attorneys when forming a case. The opportunity for a lawsuit depends on who was involved in the accident and the circumstances surrounding it. Right-of-way laws and other regulations will guide your Riverside car accident attorney’s approach.

Additionally, knowing these crash types promotes defensive driving, helping you reduce the likelihood of being involved in an accident.

Common Riverside Car Accident Injuries

Car accidents in Riverside, CA, can result in a wide range of injuries, from minor cuts to life-threatening conditions. The severity and type of injury depend on factors such as the speed of the crash, the nature of the collision, and the use of safety equipment like seatbelts. Below are some of the most common injuries sustained in car accidents, each of which can have significant impacts on a victim’s health and recovery. Understanding these injuries is important for both seeking proper medical treatment and pursuing legal action.

• Whiplash: Whiplash occurs when the neck is suddenly jolted forward and backward, commonly in rear-end collisions. It can lead to neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and dizziness, and sometimes chronic discomfort.
• Fractures and Broken Bones: Impact from a car accident can cause broken bones in the arms, legs, ribs, or pelvis. These injuries can be severe and often require surgery, casting, and a lengthy recovery period.
• Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): A blow to the head during a crash can cause concussions or more severe traumatic brain injuries. Symptoms can include confusion, memory loss, headaches, dizziness, and in severe cases, long-term cognitive or physical impairment. Speak to a Riverside brain injury lawyer for more information.
• Spinal Cord Injuries:
  Injuries to the spinal cord can lead to partial or full paralysis, depending on the location and severity of the injury. These injuries often require immediate medical intervention and long-term care. Our spinal cord injury attorneys in Riverside are here for you.
• Soft Tissue Injuries:
  Soft tissue injuries include damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Sprains, strains, and contusions can cause pain, swelling, and bruising. While these injuries may heal over time, they can cause long-term discomfort.
• Internal Injuries:
  Car accidents can cause damage to internal organs, such as the liver, kidneys, or spleen, often resulting in internal bleeding. These injuries may not be immediately visible and require emergency medical attention to prevent life-threatening complications.
• Lacerations and Cuts:
  Shattered glass, metal, or debris from a collision can cause deep cuts and lacerations. In severe cases, these can lead to scarring or permanent disfigurement. Some injuries may require stitches or plastic surgery.
• Burns:
  Burns can occur from vehicle fires, exposure to hot surfaces, or chemicals released during the crash. Severe burns may require skin grafts, surgery, and long-term rehabilitation.
• Emotional and Psychological Injuries:
  Car accidents can lead to emotional trauma, such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or depression. Psychological recovery is just as important as physical healing and may require therapy or counseling.

What Are the Top Causes of Collisions in Riverside?

According to data from the California Highway Patrol, there were a reported 26,443 motor vehicle collisions in Riverside County in 2017. So what were the actual numbers for each? See the table below for more details:

Car Accidents on Riverside Freeways & Roadways

In 2018, 292 fatalities occurred in Riverside due to car accidents and other traffic-related causes, down from 305 the previous year. Fatalities are most concentrated along the 91 and 60 freeways. Hot spots include the 90 to 60 interchanges and surrounding areas, the 60 and 15 freeway interchanges, and the 60 and 215 freeway interchanges.

Surface streets Arlington Avenue and Jurupa Avenue near the municipal airport, and the Canyon Crest have also seen recent fatalities. Higher concentrations of car accident fatalities occur closer to downtown areas. If a loved one has died as the result of a car crash, do not hesitate to contact our Riverside wrongful death attorneys to help with your case.

What Happens If I Am at Fault in a Car Accident?

If you were in a motor vehicle accident and you are found to be at fault for it, then you will be held responsible for property damages and any accident injuries that the other parties sustained. It is important to hire a skilled Riverside car accident lawyer after an accident to make sure that liability is accurately determined.

Contact A Car Accident Attorney in Riverside, CA

When we partner with you, your cause becomes ours. It is more likely that we will win your compensation than not. Our Riverside auto accident lawyers address every type of car accident case, including those involving:

• Motorcycle accidents
• Commercial vehicles
• Product defects
• Truck accidents
• Vehicle recalls
• Pedestrian accidents
• Poor roadway planning or maintenance.
• And more.

We take leadership roles in national class-action lawsuits and have been nominated repeatedly for professional honors, including Trial Lawyer of the Year. Our car accident lawyers in Riverside are experts in helping accident victims. Call us at (951) 363-2410 or contact us online for your free, no-obligation legal consultation in Riverside.

What Our Clients Have To Say About Our Work

“When we lost our Dad from substantial injuries to negligence we were devastated. Even though we knew that the Defendants accepted fault, it was still a fight like David and Goliath with us going against the City of Bakersfield at trial. Yet we had the strength and courage with Panish Shea Ravipudi on our side. They fought this battle with professionalism, dedication and integrity. Through perseverance and prayer, Goliath went down and we won the victory with one of the highest wrongful death verdicts in Kern County…On behalf of the Morataya family, words cannot explain the gratitude. Thank you to the most warmest staff a legal firm can have. You were all very welcoming from the beginning to the end. From the bottom of our hearts, Thank you again for believing in us.”

-Erika and Cindy Morataya