Car accidents in Riverside, California can be devastating. People can suffer severe injuries that require expensive medical care and rehabilitation. Property damage can also be substantial. In some cases, the injured party may be entitled to compensation for their losses, but it can be difficult to get the money they need without the help of an experienced Riverside car accident attorney.
Car Accidents in Riverside
Riverside is a populous city located in southern California. The city is home to a large number of drivers, and as a result, car accidents occur frequently. According to the California Highway Patrol, there were over 1,400 car accidents in the city in 2019. This number is fairly consistent with the number of car accidents in Riverside in previous years.
Benefits of Hiring a Riverside Car Accident Attorney
If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident in Riverside, it is important to take legal action. An experienced Riverside car accident attorney can help you seek compensation for your losses. They can help you understand the legal process and ensure that your rights are protected.
Types of Car Accidents
Car accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, including driver negligence, vehicle defects, and weather conditions. The most common types of car accidents include:
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions occur when one vehicle crashes into the back of another vehicle. This type of accident is typically caused by the following driver not paying attention or driving too close to the vehicle in front of them.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions involve two vehicles traveling in opposite directions colliding with one another. These accidents can be extremely severe, resulting in severe injuries and sometimes even death.
T-Bone Collisions
T-bone collisions occur when one vehicle crashes into the side of another vehicle, forming a âTâ shape. These accidents tend to be especially dangerous due to the high speed at which the vehicles are traveling.
Injury Types
Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to more serious injuries such as neck and back injuries and spinal cord injuries. In some cases, the injuries can be so severe that a victim may require long-term medical care and rehabilitation.
Legal Considerations
When seeking compensation for your losses, it is important to understand the legal process. An experienced Riverside car accident attorney can help you understand the legal process and ensure that your rights are protected.
Negligence
Negligence is a legal term that refers to someone failing to behave with the level of care that a reasonable person would use in the same situation. To bring a successful lawsuit, you must be able to prove that the other driver was negligent and that their negligence caused your injuries.
Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations is a law that sets a deadline for filing a lawsuit. In California, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of the accident.
Damages Recoverable
There are two types of damages you can recover in a personal injury lawsuit: economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages refer to the actual costs you have incurred as a result of your injuries, such as medical bills and lost wages. Non-economic damages refer to the intangible losses you have suffered, such as pain and suffering.
Insurance
It is important to understand the role of insurance in a car accident case. Insurance companies may deny your claim or offer you a settlement that is lower than what you deserve. An experienced Riverside car accident attorney can help negotiate with insurance companies to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.
Pre-Trial Process
Before a car accident case goes to trial, there is a pre-trial process that must be completed. This process can involve negotiations, discovery, and expert testimony.
Negotiations
Negotiations involve settlement negotiations between the parties in an attempt to reach an agreement before going to trial. An experienced Riverside car accident attorney can help you understand the negotiation process and ensure that your rights are protected.
Discovery
Discovery is the process of gathering evidence for your case. This can include obtaining documents, taking depositions, and interviewing witnesses.
Expert Testimony
Expert testimony is testimony from an expert witness who has specialized knowledge about specific topics related to your case. An experienced Riverside car accident attorney can help you understand the process of obtaining expert testimony.
Trial
If negotiations fail to settle, the case will proceed to trial. At trial, the jury will hear opening statements, witnesses, and closing arguments and then determine whether the plaintiff is entitled to compensation.
Jury Selection
Jury selection is the process of selecting the jury that will decide the case. An experienced Riverside car accident attorney can help ensure that the jury is impartial and fair.
Opening Statements
Opening statements are made by the attorneys for each side at the beginning