Nobody climbs into a car expecting to be involved in any sort of car accident. However, because motor vehicles are a way of life in Riverside and the cornerstone of transportation in the area, collisions are unfortunately an all too common part of life for locals. Riverside’s location near the busy 10, 15, and 215 freeways, combined with its status as a hub for workers commuting to urban areas like Los Angeles and San Diego from a more affordable city make the roads of Riverside an area of high risk for motorists to be involved in car accidents and suffer injuries.
Unfortunately, most crashes that occur in and around Riverside are caused by negligent motorist behavior exhibited by drivers almost daily. Traffic violations like speeding, tailgating, failure to yield, unsafe lane changes, texting and driving, and driving under the influence all contribute to otherwise avoidable accidents that can result in a variety of severe, life-altering injuries for victims fortunate enough to survive. If you were injured in a car accident, you should speak with a Riverside Car Accident Injury Lawyer right away to see if you may be entitled to compensation for the harm you suffered due to someone’s negligent behavior.
Riverside Car Accident Statistics
California’s Office of Traffic Safety reported that 2,119 people were hurt or killed in Riverside traffic accidents in 2017 alone, and many collisions result in multiple injuries and casualties at once. Earlier this year, 2 motorists were seriously injured on the 91 freeway at La Sierra Avenue – in total five people were injured an one was trapped in their vehicle as a result of the collision. This just goes to show how quickly someone’s life can end or be turned upside down in a split second because of someone’s careless or reckless behavior behind the wheel
Common Injuries from Car Accidents
Car accident victims commonly report a variety of injuries that range from bumps and bruises up to catastrophic, lifelong injuries. The type and severity of a victim’s injury often depends on the size of the vehicles colliding, speed of impact, type of accident, point of impact, number of vehicles involved, and any secondary impacts or collisions resulting from the initial impact. Depending on the factors at play, victims have reported injuries including:
- Head and brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries such as paralysis
- Back injuries
- Whiplash
- Soft tissue injuries
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Internal injuries
It’s critical to seek medical evaluation and treatment for any injuries as soon as possible after an accident – some injuries present no symptoms for days but can be fatal if left untreated, so it’s important to be screened, understand the cause and scope of any injuries you sustained, and receive treatment.
What’s My Case Worth?
It’s normal to wonder what your car accident injury case is worth. Courts recognize that victims may incur immense medical bills, face a permanent inability to work, and potentially need a lifetime of care and therapy, so they may award damages against a wrongdoer for physical, mental, emotional, and financial damages inflicted during a car accident. Among other things, victims can recover damages for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Funeral expenses or burial costs
- Disability, disfigurement, or scarring
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
In some cases, victims may be entitled to punitive damages designed to punish a defendant’s vile, reprehensible behavior; however, it’s unusual to receive these damages because they’re entirely discretionary and require satisfying a high burden of proof.
What Steps Should I Take After a Riverside Car Accident?
Car accidents are often very traumatic events, so it’s understandable that the idea of acting quickly afterwards overwhelms many victims. However, even following a simple plan of action and a few steps can increase the health of any claim you make for recovery as well as help you recover fully from your injuries. It’s important not to delay too long, or you may permanently lose your ability to file a claim for damages in court. California has a 2-year statute of limitations to file a lawsuit for compensation that begins running from the date you were injured. After the 2-year window closes, you’re barred from filing a suit seeking compensation for your injuries in court.
- Seek immediate medical attention whether or not you believe you were injured.
- Follow all treatment plans and medical recommendations exactly, take all medication as prescribed, and attend all follow-up appointments.
- Notify law enforcement, give them a statement, and get a copy of the completed report from your local police department, courthouse, or insurance company.
- After the accident, don’t apologize, admit fault, give speculative statements such as “I think…” or say you’re “fine” or “okay” when asked if you were hurt. Don’t agree to give a recorded statement to your insurance company without speaking to an attorney.
- If possible, photograph the accident scene, traffic controls present, evidence such as skid marks, your vehicles, all property damage, and your injuries.
- Get contact information for any eyewitnesses to the accident.
- Keep records of all medical treatment, as well as all bills, receipts, and paystubs showing expenses related to your injuries, repair costs, lost income, etc.
- Contact an experienced Riverside car accident injury lawyer without delay.
- Speak to an Attorney
If you or a loved one were hurt during a car accident, you know how devastating the consequences can be for every aspect of your life and to your loved ones. Contact the experienced Riverside Car Accident Injury Lawyers at Walton Law, APCto put the best foot forward on your case and help get your life back on the right track. Our skilled attorneys have years of experience providing victims just like you with comprehensive, dedicated representation and delivering results; we’ve recovered millions of dollars in compensation on their behalf. Contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (866) 338-7079 or online through our Contact Us webpage to set up a no risk, no obligation confidential case review. The initial consultation is free, and don’t pay until we win your case. Let our attorneys evaluate the facts of your case and help you secure the best possible outcome from this unfortunate situation.