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CAR ACCIDENTS
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RIVERSIDE CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER

When To Contact a Local Riverside Car Accident Attorney

You should contact a local Riverside automobile accident lawyer that specializes in auto accident claims as soon as possible if you were hurt or a loved one was killed in a vehicle collision caused by someone who was driving any sort of motorized vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

When a medical crisis occurs, don’t ignore it. When you or a passenger require immediate medical attention, handle the situation as soon as possible. Treat every injury first, even if it means a trip to the hospital before examining and getting information regarding the accident as well as other insurance claims. However, in order to get the most out of your insurance claim, you should seek help from an experienced Riverside automobile accident lawyer. Call (760) 835-9353 for a consultation for free.

A vehicle accident lawsuit might help you pay medical bills and cover property damages. It can help you recover lost income due to disability leave or funeral expenses. Pursuing a claim may also assist prevent other drivers from suffering a similar fate.

After a car accident, many individuals are overwhelmed and unsure of who to go to for assistance. The amount covered by the at-fault party’s insurance may not cover medical expenses, missed wages, or property damage. This might result in you receiving additional bills and slowing down the process of getting your life back on track.
If you believe that you have not been compensated fairly for your car accident, contact a car accident lawyer. Our legal representation has helped families get their feet back on the ground. For a free consultation, call our personal injury law offices at 760-835-9353.

Our law offices work on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t be charged until we win your case.

Immediate Steps to Take Following a Car Accident

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, your actions in the immediate aftermath can have a significant impact on any legal claims you may need to make. Follow these steps to protect your interests:

Step 1: Prioritize Safety

Your immediate concern should be the safety of yourself and others involved in the accident. If it’s safe to do so, move your vehicle out of the flow of traffic to a secure location.

Step 2: Call 911

Even if the accident seems minor, it’s essential to report it to the police. Officers will document the incident, provide immediate assistance, and their report will serve as a vital piece of evidence should you choose to file a claim.

Step 3: Seek Medical Attention

Even if you believe you are uninjured, it’s crucial to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent due to adrenaline. A medical professional’s documentation can provide critical evidence of your injuries if you decide to pursue a claim.

Step 4: Document the Scene

If you are physically able, take photographs or videos of the accident scene, including damages to vehicles, location, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. This evidence can be invaluable for your attorney when negotiating with insurance companies.

Step 5: Gather Information

Collect the name, contact information, driver’s license number, and insurance details of the other driver involved in the accident. Also, gather the contact information of any witnesses.

Step 6: Notify Your Insurance Company

Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Be factual, but avoid making statements that could potentially be used against you later on.

Step 7: Consult with a Car Accident Attorney

Before accepting any settlement offer from the insurance company, consult with a car accident attorney. They can review the details of your case, advise on the best course of action, and work to secure the maximum possible compensation for your injuries and damages. Give our office a call and get your questions answered at 909-915-0181 or 760-835-8353.

Step 8: Keep a Record

Maintain a comprehensive record of any medical expenses, repair bills, lost wages, and other costs related to the accident. Also, keep a diary of your physical and emotional health following the accident. This can be used to demonstrate the impact of the accident on your life.

Step 9: Follow Up on Your Claim

Stay proactive in the claim process. Follow up with your attorney and insurance company to ensure your claim is being processed in a timely manner.

Remember, your actions following a car accident can significantly influence the outcome of any legal proceedings that may follow. It is imperative to consult with a skilled car accident attorney to guide you through this process and help protect your rights and interests.

Are My Car Accident Injuries Someone Else's Fault?

A branch of civil law known as “tort law” deals with personal injury claims. In tort law, if a person causes you harm, he or she is held liable.

Negligence: Negligence is a word that has two meanings. One is used every day in a general sense and the other means something specific to the law. The everyday definition of negligence is carelessness. The legal definition of negligence is a failure to act with the same level of care that someone with ordinary caution would have used under the same circumstances. Everyone in the United States is under a legal obligation to exercise reasonable care for others. The standard varies depending on the circumstances and the parties involved. For example, a surgeon has a higher duty to a patient on his operating table than to another patient waiting in the lobby. Nonetheless, he owes that patient in the lobby a duty of reasonable care. So the surgeon must take special precautions to keep all his patients safe at all.

Intentional torts: It’s natural to think that if someone can be held responsible for injuring you by accident, they should definitely be held responsible for doing so on purpose. You may be entitled to compensation if someone assaults you, purposefully damages your property, or murders a loved one on purpose. If you or a loved one is hurt in this manner, call an experienced Riverside personal injury lawyer immediately.

Strict liability: In California, a car accident is the other driver’s fault even if they tried to avoid any accidents. If you get hurt in the accident, you will be able to sue the person who hurt you. For example, if you fell on someone’s property and injured yourself, then the owner may be held responsible. It doesn’t matter if the property owner caused the injury, they may still be held liable.

If you want to establish your claim, you must prove that you are entitled to compensation based on the following four criteria:

  • Your injury caused you some kind of loss, otherwise known as “damages”
  • That breach caused you an injury
  • The defendant had a duty of reasonable care
  • The defendant breached that duty of reasonable care

 

In conclusion, understanding the legal nuances surrounding car accidents is pivotal in determining who is at fault. Whether it’s negligence, intentional torts, or strict liability, these legal principles can establish the liability of another party in causing your injuries. However, proving these aspects in a court of law requires expertise, making it crucial to enlist the services of a proficient personal injury lawyer. An experienced attorney can help navigate the complexities of tort law, ensuring that your rights are upheld and that you secure the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

What Happens If I Am At Fault In A Car Accident?

If you cause a car accident and are found to be at fault, you will be held liable for any property damages and any physical injuries that the other people involved suffer. It is essential to hire a lawyer after an accident to ensure liability is properly determined. Without hiring an experienced lawyer, you may be found liable to pay more damages than you originally planned.

What Happens If I Am Partially At Fault In A Car Accident?

Don’t worry if you are partially to blame for a car accident. California uses a technique known as Pure Comparative Fault or Pure Comparative Negligence to address this issue. This approach lowers the compensation paid to car accident victims based on their level of responsibility for the incident. For example, if you are found 20% responsible for an accident, then your total amount of compensation will be decreased by 20%. The best thing you can do is call an experienced attorney and get legal counsel from The Law Offices of Edgar Lombera. We are here to help you with your car accident settlement and any questions you might have.

Compensation For Your Damages

If you’ve been hurt in a car accident caused by someone else’s carelessness or negligence, you’re entitled to compensation for your medical expenses and losses.

Minor incidents may have long-term consequences; injuries might take months, if not years, to recover from, and missed pay and other expenses can begin to accumulate quickly.

You may be eligible for the following compensation if you have been hurt in a car accident:

  • General Damages – Physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium
  • Specific Damages – Medical expenses (past and future), lost income (past and future), repairs for essential home or vehicle modifications, child care or housekeeping charges needed because of damages.

The most essential component in proving a successful car accident claim is determining who the liable party or parties are. There are several possible people who may be found liable for the losses you have incurred, depending on the facts of your case, including:

  • Car owners
  • Other drivers
  • Drivers employer (if the other driver was on the clock)
  • Shipping companies/Manufacturers/Retailers

Another point to consider is if the negligent driver does not have car insurance. If the at-fault driver does not have car insurance, it may be a problem for you. Unfortunately, there are many drivers on the road in California who are uninsured or underinsured, according to several insurance industry studies.

It’s critical that you have uninsured motorist coverage because there are so many uninsured drivers. This way, if you’re involved in a car accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, you can get your money directly from your insurer rather than going through the whole process of submitting a claim to a third party. You may not be able to recoup any of your losses if you don’t have underinsured/uninsured motorists coverage.

Speak To A Car Accident Lawyer Before Accepting Any Offers

The majority of drivers have insurance since it’s required by law. When you’re entitled to compensation, it is usually the insurance company that pays you. The insurance company will want to resolve their claim with you as quickly as possible. They will try to pay you as little compensation as possible. Under all circumstances, do not accept any offers from the insurance company until you have a car accident lawyer on your side! The insurance company has their own lawyer and you should too.

Why Do Most Cases Never Go To Trial

There are many instances when a car accident claim does not go to trial. The majority of claims are settled out-of-court between the parties. Insurance companies have specialists who specialize in these kinds of negotiations and have attorneys on their sides. However, if you’ve been in an accident and suffered significant property damage (such as repairing or replacing your automobile), you should anticipate a lawyer to fight for you. If you’re injured, they will undoubtedly try to minimize the problems you have, including major injuries such as spinal cord or brain traumas, which can cost the insurer a lot of money (much more than simply replacing your vehicle that was declared a total loss).

The bottom line is that you deserve the same level of skill and representation on your side throughout these negotiations as the insurance company! Personal injury attorneys specialize in these sorts of cases, so look for an experienced car accident lawyer that will be able to recover money that you deserve.

Give us a call and tell us about your car accident at 909-915-0181. The Law Offices of Edgar Lombera provides free consultations to help you decide if you have a case.

Why Do Car Accidents Happen

It’s clear that automobile manufacturers are investing in technologies to prevent accidents and keep drivers and passengers safer. With features like automated braking, lane-keep assist, and forward-collision warning becoming available in the last two decades, drivers are becoming safer every day.

In reality, automobiles are safer than they’ve ever been. Despite the many safety-related innovations introduced throughout the last two decades, an estimated 7.2 million vehicle accidents were recorded by law enforcement in the United States in 2016, a 15 percent increase over 2015.

Even with cars being safer than ever before, driving a car is still the most dangerous activity that most people usually do. One of the key contributing elements, without a doubt, is human error. Car accidents also occur for the following reasons:

  • Distracted Driving – Drivers on their cell phones, talking with passengers, or it can be something simple like changing the radio station which can result in a vehicle accident.
  • Alcohol Use – In 2017, 29% of all road death occurrences were due to alcohol-impaired drivers.
  • Recklessness – In 2016, speeding was linked to more than 10,000 traffic deaths, the highest number since 2012.
  • Poor/Unsafe Road Conditions – Rainfall and a strong wind can both cause collisions. Cars may hydroplane, lose control, or swerve into the path of another vehicle because of the bad weather conditions. Additionally, inadequate road maintenance by government authorities might lead to car accidents.
  • Mechanical Defect – If a vehicle is not maintained properly, or if it contains faulty components, then a mechanical failure can lead to a motor vehicle accident.

 

Regardless of the reasons, there are specific types of accidents that occur more frequently than others. Consulting with a Riverside auto accident lawyer who has experience with car accidents can make all the difference in your personal injury case.

Common Types of Car Accidents

A motor vehicle accident can happen in a variety of circumstances. Some car accident situations are limited to a single driver, while other cases include the involvement of many drivers or even pedestrians. The following are some of the most typical sorts of vehicle collisions:

  • Side-impact collisions: When a motorist fails to yield the right of way to another vehicle, this type of accident happens. These collision types are caused by one vehicle not following road signs at intersections. At higher speeds, the severity of the collision and any injuries it causes may be more severe. Some vehicles have side airbags that can help protect occupants from injury caused by side-impact collisions. In either case, these sorts of wrecks are more likely to involve many different collisions before motion finally stops. The person on the side of the car that was hit is more likely to suffer significant injuries.
  • Rear-end collisions: In a rear-end collision, one vehicle collides into the back of another. A rear-end accident happens when the first car’s speed abruptly drops, preventing the vehicle behind from braking in time. 2* In rear-end collisions, whiplash, spondylolisthesis (slipping of the vertebrae), and herniation of the spine are common injuries. The rearmost passengers are most likely to suffer severe injuries in these incidents. The driver of the vehicle that collides with another automobile is considered to be at fault unless there are specific circumstances.
  • Rollovers: When a car falls over on its side or its roof, this is referred to as a rollover accident. Rollover accidents have a far higher fatality rate than any other form of vehicle accident. There are two types of rollover accidents: tripped and untripped. A tripped rollover occurs when another object, such as a curb or a collision with another vehicle, causes the vehicle to rollover. The most frequent scenario is when a car is sliding sideways and rolls over when it collides with a curb. Untripped rollovers are caused by rapid speed, dangerous driving conditions, and the vehicle’s tires losing touch with the ground during cornering. During cornering, tall SUVs and trucks can become unstable due to drivers making sharp turns that flip their vehicle over. Vehicles must be built with safety in mind in order to prevent structural collapse during a rollover, but these incidents might still result in significant bodily damage.
  • Head-on collisions: When two vehicles are traveling in opposite directions and the front ends of the cars collide. These are the most serious types of car accident since the speed of both vehicles are combined, resulting in significant forces during the impact. These head on collisions can result in severe bodily damage and sometimes death.

 

A wrongful death lawsuit may be filed against a driver who is held responsible for causing a fatal vehicle accident. The surviving family members of someone killed in an automobile accident might be able to sue the negligent party for damages. Contact a Riverside car accident lawyer to talk about your situation if you’ve been the victim of one of these types of accidents.

Causes of Car Accidents in California

  1. Distracted driving ( Illegal cell phone use while driving)
  2. Driving under the influence
  3. Failure to comply with traffic laws
  4. Reckless driving
  5. Rain and other weather conditions
  6. Driving below the speed limit
  7. Neglect or lack of car maintenance

 

It is critical for all drivers to not only obey the posted speed limit, but also to change their speeds according to the traffic, road, and weather conditions. When pedestrians, bicyclists, and other motorists try to enter an intersection or execute a turn, many drivers do not give them the right-of-way.

Stop signs and traffic lights are frequently ignored in intersection collisions. In addition, cell phone users are less likely to be paying attention to the road. Distracted driving results in more than 500,000 accident injuries each year across the United States.

Other things that can cause a vehicle accident are poor road conditions, such as rain or snow. Bad weather and poor road conditions might make it harder for drivers to see everything clearly. This can result in car accidents.

Another major issue for motorist and pedestrian safety is parking lot accidents. Parking lots have a higher incidence of accidents than any other location. This is because people break fundamental motor vehicle laws in parking lots and parking garages. This is a highly disputed point between defense and plaintiff attorneys over who was to blame.

Finally, operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs might be extremely hazardous and may result in deadly accidents.

As you may imagine, attorneys need information that will assist them in determining the best course of action for your case. Something as minor as failing to follow the proper procedure at an intersection or a motorist’s failure to use their turn signal when changing lanes might be crucial data attorneys require to make informed judgments.

Understanding the most typical reasons for car accidents can help lawyers build your case. Who and what was involved in the car accident are two key factors that help determine whether or not you have a good lawsuit. Right-of-way rules, as well as other legislative constraints, will influence your Riverside car accident attorneys strategy. It is possible to avoid accidents and minimize their effects by knowing how most car collisions occur. By being more aware of the risks while driving, you can be safer.

Common Types of Car Accident Injuries in Riverside

Injuries in a vehicle accident can range from minor cuts and scrapes to serious spinal cord injuries. If your back was hurt in a collision and you suffered a spinal cord injury, an experienced spinal cord injury lawyer may assist you with the legal process. Different types of injuries can be caused by vehicle collisions, depending on their speed, severity, and circumstances. The most typical car accident injuries seen at The Law Offices of Edgar Lombera include:

The most frequent types of car accident injuries that our experienced car accident attorney sees are:

  • Head and brain injuries
  • Neck injuries
  • Back injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Spinal cord Injuries
  • Internal Injuries
  • Burns
  • Lacerations
  • Wrongful death

 

The most serious injuries are those that impact the skull and brain, such as concussions and traumatic brain injuries. Following an accident, neck discomfort (whiplash) is frequently experienced. If you experienced whiplash in a riverside car accident, then you probably have pain and stiffness in your neck and could also have sustained more injuries.

Symptoms of a head or brain injury include:

  • Memory loss
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Confusion
  • Blurry Vision

Spinal Cord Injuries

Your spinal cord is made up of nerves that travel down your back from your brain. Your spine protects the cord, which is a group of nerves. A devastating and expensive spinal cord injury can occur if you suffer severe back damage. Small fragments of vertebrae might get caught in the spinal cord, and large chunks can cause a significant wound or slice. It’s uncommon for someone’s spinal cord to be completely sliced, although it can happen. The spinal cord does not regenerate like other cells in the body, so anything more than a bruise often results in permanent damage that causes some degree of paralysis.

The type of functional loss someone experiences is determined by the site of the injury. When the brain is injured, it can prevent communication with parts of the body. If someone’s back injury is near their brain, then they might be paralyzed. Spinal cord injuries might leave people confined to a wheelchair and necessitate constant, costly therapy.

Brain Injuries

Brain injuries are one of the most life-changing personal injuries that can happen in a car accident. Even when they are minor, patients can suffer residual problems with memory, cognition, speech, senses, and balance. Some traumatic brain injury victims also struggle with impulse control and personality alterations, particularly increased aggressiveness.

Children who have suffered a brain injury from a car accident are more likely to experience developmental difficulties that may last their entire lives. Brain injury to the head can occur at birth, but the most frequently reported causes are car accidents and slip and fall incidents. The Law Offices of Edgar Lombera understand the importance of a brain injury and help clients get the compensation and care they require.

Burn Injuries

Burn injuries are among the most costly of Riverside personal injuries, especially when they cover a large portion of the body. House or building fires, combustible materials, and hot liquids are the most typical causes of burns but they can also occur from a car accident. Chemical exposure, electricity, and radiation can also cause burns. Individuals who suffer severe burns might have to spend weeks or months in a burn unit recovering. Even those who survive burn injuries might find that they have to go through a lifetime of expensive treatments and therapies. Proper legal representation is essential in burn injury cases.

In the most severe situations, doctors may need to put a patient into a coma to allow them to heal without suffering. Even after many cosmetic operations and skin transplants, burn victims frequently have permanent scars and may never again appear exactly as they did before their injuries.

Burn injuries can cause serious physical impairment, disfigurement, and significant scarring, which makes it necessary for an attorney to seek compensation for medical costs. Some victims can suffer lung damage from smoke inhalation during a fire or receive burns on their airways and windpipes that can lead to respiratory problems later in life. Burn victims should consult with The Law Offices of Edgar Lombera as soon as possible after being injured so we can begin gathering evidence to support your case.

Wrongful Death

Personal injury attorneys in Riverside also assist surviving family members in obtaining compensation for the lost income, healthcare expenses, and other losses incurred as a result of a loved one’s death.

There are two types of wrongful death lawsuits in California: a wrongful death action lawsuit and a survivor action lawsuit. Each type has different criteria, but both allow family members to sue negligent people and companies for the loss of a loved one. A Riverside personal injury lawyer analyzes the circumstances and events that led up to death, determines clients’ eligibility to file a claim, and advises families on the best course of action.

Any of the above injuries might drastically change a person’s life. When a person suffers a catastrophic injury as a result of someone else’s carelessness, he or she may be forced to make significant changes in their lifestyle and living environment. We are committed to ensuring that negligent parties are held liable at The Law Offices of Edgar Lombera. We know that there is a price to pay for unwarranted suffering and pain.

California Car Accident Statistics

There were 193,564 car accident injuries and 3,582 fatal car accidents in California during 2017. On average, a fatal or injury traffic crash was reported every 3 minutes and 1 person was killed every 2 hours and 14 minutes.

Below are some more statistics on car accidents in California:

  • Total Car Accident Injury Crashes: 193,564
  • Total Car Accident People Injured: 277,160
  • Total Car Accident Fatal Crashes: 3,582
  • Total Car Accident People Killed: 3,904
  • Total Motorcycle Accident Injury Crashes: 14,148
  • Total Motorcycle Accident People Killed: 566
  • Total Truck Accident Injury Crashes: 2,967
  • Total Truck Accident People Killed: 84
  • Alcohol or Drug-Related Car Accident Injuries: 18,569
  • Alcohol or Drug-Related Car Accident Fatalities: 1,167
  • People Injured by Alcohol or Drug Related Car Accidents: 26,967
  • People Killed by Alcohol or Drug Related Car Accidents: 1,294

 

California roads and highways are filled with millions of cars. There are more than 32 million motor vehicle registrations and more than than 27 million licensed drivers. 3,904 people were killed because of the 3,582 deadly car accidents that occured. This is an average of 1.1 deaths per fatal crash.

There are over 1.8 million registered vehicles and over 1.56 million licensed drivers in Riverside County. According to data supplied by the CHP, Riverside has the second highest number of fatal traffic incidents in all of California. In 2017 there were 10,511 car accident injuries which resulted in 283 fatalities. Here are some more statistics for Riverside County:

Riverside County Car Accident Statistics

  • Total Car Accident Injuries: 10,511
  • Total Car Accident Fatalities: 283
  • Alcohol or Drug-Related Car Accident Injuries: 1,139
  • Alcohol or Drug-Related Car Accident Fatalities: 108
  • Total Motorcycle Accident Injury Crashes: 820
  • Total Motorcycle Accident People Killed: 47
  • Total Bicycle Accident Involved Injuries: 374
  • Total Bicycle Accident Involved Fatalities: 9
  • Total Property Damage: 16,201
  • Pedestrian Involved Injuries: 471
  • Pedestrian Involved Fatalities: 73

 

Back and spinal cord damage (including whiplash when a bigger vehicle plows into a smaller vehicle), traumatic brain injury, bicycle accidents, and pedestrian incidents are among the common results of car crashes we see in California and Riverside County.

You are not alone if you get into a car accident. The Law Offices of Edgar Lombera have represented a number of car accident victims and those who have lost loved ones as a result of car accidents. Take the time to learn about your legal rights and the choices available for obtaining compensation if you have been involved in a car accident with the help of a Riverside car accident lawyer from The Law Offices of Edgar Lombera.

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