Riverside Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents happen for many reasons every day, but when one driver’s negligence or intentional misconduct behind the wheel results in a damaging collision, anyone harmed by their actions has the right to hold them accountable for their damages. If you believe any other driver is responsible for an accident you recently experienced, a Riverside car accident attorney is the appropriate resource to consult to determine how you can recover your losses.

Easton & Easton has a team of experienced Riverside personal injury attorneys who have helped many past clients throughout the state recover from damaging motor vehicle accidents. We know the challenges you are likely to face as you attempt to recover losses that another driver caused through negligence or intentional misconduct. Our firm has the professional resources, skills, and experience you require to approach your recovery efforts confidently.

It’s technically possible to resolve a car accident on your own without legal counsel. You could file an auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver and even pursue a civil claim for damages without an attorney, and if liability is perfectly clear, you may even win on your own. However, the chances of the average person accomplishing this would be very slim, and any car accident case could raise unique questions you may not be able to answer on your own.

If you managed to succeed with your recovery efforts without an attorney, there is no guarantee that you would recover close to as much compensation as an attorney could have obtained on your behalf. In addition, you would face the incredible challenge of managing all of your recovery efforts unassisted while also managing your medical needs after your accident. Ultimately, choosing an experienced Riverside car accident attorney for your case allows you to recover peacefully and significantly improves your chances of success with all the recovery efforts you pursue.

Easton & Easton has a team of attorneys providing comprehensive and compassionate legal representation to clients throughout the Riverside area and surrounding communities. We know the most common causes of car accidents in the area, how local insurance carriers process claims for compensation, and the challenges you are likely to face in your recovery efforts. Our team can help you make sense of your options after another driver has injured you.

The first step in determining liability for a recent car accident is to identify the driver or driver responsible for causing the collision. Some of the common causes of car accidents in the state that generate substantial damages and complex civil claims include:

• Distracted driving. No matter how brief, any form of distraction behind the wheel can potentially cause a devastating crash. Distracted driving is one of the top causes of car accidents throughout the United States, and although the state has implemented a cell phone ban while driving and taken other steps to combat inattentive driving, distracted drivers remain a top cause of all motor vehicle accidents in the country year after year.
• Intoxicated driving. It is illegal for anyone to operate a vehicle while impaired by drugs and/or alcohol. Driving under the influence (DUI) will likely lead to criminal prosecution of the impaired driver, and if they caused an accident while under the influence, they are liable for the damages they caused as well.
• Speeding. Drivers must obey posted speed limits at all times. Speeding greatly diminishes the time and space a driver has to slow down or stop to adjust to changing traffic patterns or avoid a crash. Accidents that happen at higher speeds are most likely to result in horrific or fatal injuries.
• Moving violations. If a driver disrupts the flow of traffic in any way or disregards posted traffic signs and signals, they can easily cause a serious accident. Running a red light, failing to stop for a stop sign, performing an illegal turn or U-turn, or going the wrong way down a one-way street are just a few possible examples of moving violations that can cause accidents, and any such actions taken intentionally may qualify as reckless driving.
• Intentional misconduct. Reckless driving, aggressive driving, and willfully putting others at risk can lead to civil liability for resulting damages and criminal prosecution of the at-fault driver. If the driver responsible for causing your recent accident in Riverside did so willfully, your Riverside car accident attorney could advise you as to how this may influence your civil claim proceedings.

Most of the car accident claims filed in the state revolve around acts of negligence. The state’s fault system requires the at-fault driver to take responsibility for the damages they caused, and their auto insurance is the victim’s first source of compensation after the accident.

When a defendant has caused a car accident through any type of intentional misconduct, the resulting legal proceedings are likely to be more complicated. The judge handling the civil claim from the injured plaintiff may award punitive damages to reflect the severity of the defendant’s actions. If they face criminal charges, the judge handling their sentencing could include restitution to the victim as an element of their punishment. The plaintiff could also be asked to testify against the defendant in criminal court.

An experienced Riverside car accident attorney is an invaluable asset when it comes to proving how your recent crash happened. When a defendant’s actions are likely to influence your recovery, and you face more than just a civil claim for damages, your attorney will advise you as to how this will affect your case. So, when you select Easton & Easton to represent you after a car accident in the Riverside area, you can rest assured we’ll gather all evidence you require to prove fault for the incident and establish the full scope of your claimable damages.

The state’s auto insurance laws require all drivers to have auto insurance that meets the state’s minimum coverage requirements. These requirements include at least $15,000 in bodily injury liability coverage for each person injured in an accident caused by the policyholder, with a minimum of $30,000 in total accident liability coverage. In addition, an auto insurance policy must also provide at least $5,000 in property damage liability coverage.

These coverage amounts could be enough to resolve a minor car accident, but if your recent crash resulted in any serious harm, more extensive legal recourse is likely necessary to ensure your full recovery. Once you determine which driver is responsible for causing your accident, you can file a claim against their auto insurance policy. Unfortunately, while many drivers are able to resolve their auto insurance claims relatively easily, others are not so fortunate and encounter all types of problems with the responsible drivers’ insurance carriers.

Having an experienced Riverside car accident attorney assisting you with your recovery makes filing your insurance claim much easier and more likely to generate the results you hope to see. In addition, when the insurance claim adjuster assigned to your case sees that you have an attorney representing you, they will be encouraged to process your claim as efficiently as possible. If successful, you should receive a settlement check within a few days to weeks of filing your claim.

Unfortunately, many car accidents result in devastating injuries and substantial economic losses. A victim may not be able to immediately discern the entirety of their damages, and insurance alone may not fully compensate all of them. After you have exhausted your recovery options through insurance, you can proceed with a personal injury claim against the driver who caused your accident.

The state’s personal injury laws enable a plaintiff to seek full compensation for all the economic losses they suffered because of the defendant’s actions. You can seek compensation for both immediate and long-term damage resulting from their misconduct or negligence, including:

• Hospital bills, ambulance fees, prescription medication costs, and any medical expenses related to ongoing treatment you need for a severe injury. The defendant is liable for any and all medical expenses you incur because of their actions until you reach maximum medical improvement. If their actions cause permanent medical complications, they are responsible for the costs of treating and managing them in the future.
• Lost income and lost earning potential. The injuries you suffered could prevent you from working for an extended time, and the defendant is responsible for your lost wages in this situation. In addition, if they have left you permanently disabled, they are also responsible for your lost future earnings. An experienced Riverside car accident attorney will be essential for accurately calculating these future lost wages.
• Property damage, such as the cost of replacing a vehicle. The at-fault driver’s insurance may only have a minimum of $5,000 in property damage liability coverage. If your vehicle is worth more than this and was a complete loss from the accident, they are liable for the actual cash value of your vehicle.

When you hire the right Riverside car accident attorney to manage your case, you are far more likely to recover the full amount of economic damages you are entitled to claim under state law. Additionally, the state also allows the plaintiff in a car accident claim to seek compensation for the pain and suffering they experienced.

There is no limit on pain and suffering compensation in car accident claims in the state. It may seem hard to determine a fair amount of compensation to reflect the physical and psychological/emotional pain you experienced from your accident. If you developed any permanent disabilities from your injuries, these are likely very difficult to accept and manage.

Your Riverside car accident attorney can ensure the court gives your experience and the pain you suffered appropriate consideration. For example, your attorney might seek a large lump sum of pain and suffering compensation if you sustained a permanent injury, or they may seek an ongoing “per diem” arrangement that awards compensation every day until you reach maximum medical improvement from your injuries.

Most of the personal injury cases filed in the state pertaining to car accidents settle outside of court. Once liability is clear, it is almost always in the defendant’s best interest to resolve the case as quickly as possible. Settlement is also an opportunity for the plaintiff to secure the compensation they need to recover much faster than litigation would allow. The parties meet privately with their respective attorneys to discuss mutually agreeable terms for resolving the matter. If the defendant denies liability, disputes the damages sought by the defendant, or if the defendant claims the plaintiff caused the accident, settlement may not be an option. If you must proceed to court with your personal injury claim, it’s essential to have an attorney prepared for intense litigation.

It’s important for anyone intending to file a civil claim for damages in the state to understand its statute on pure comparative negligence. This law comes into play when multiple parties share fault for causing damages cited in a civil claim. While this often applies to multiple defendants sharing liability for a plaintiff’s damages, plaintiffs may also incur partial liability for their damages. Therefore, when a plaintiff has a fault percentage in a civil claim, they lose this portion of their case award.

Ultimately, the best thing you can do after an accident to streamline your recovery efforts and make them more likely to succeed is to secure legal counsel you can trust as soon as possible. The more time your legal team has to work on your case, the better your chances are of maximizing the final compensation you obtain.

Q: How Do I Win My Auto Accident Case?

A: Success with your recovery efforts after a car accident will depend on your ability to prove fault for the accident. The state uses a fault-based system to resolve car accidents, and the at-fault driver is liable for all damages they cause. Therefore, you may need to file both an auto insurance claim and a personal injury claim to fully recover your damages, and an experienced Riverside car accident attorney can help you devise an effective legal strategy for securing maximum compensation from the defendant.

Q: What Should I Do First After a Car Crash?

A: Your health and safety and that of your passengers should be your primary concern after any collision. Call 911 if no one else has already done so and wait for first responders. Remember that all drivers in the state must report accidents resulting in property damage, injury, or death and remain at the scene of their accidents until the police allow them to leave. Once the police allow you to leave and address your medical needs, you should speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible.

Q: How Much Compensation Can I Recover for My California Car Accident Claim?

A: State law allows you to seek full repayment of all the economic losses you suffered because of the defendant’s misconduct or negligence. Additionally, you can claim recompense for your pain and suffering. If you suffered any type of permanent damage from the incident, the total compensation you could recover might be much more than you initially expected. An experienced Riverside car accident attorney is the right resource to consult for an accurate estimate of your case’s total potential value.

Q: How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Riverside Car Accident Attorney?

A: When you are struggling with the economic impact of an accident someone else caused, you should hire an attorney to aid in your recovery. You may worry that the cost of hiring them would exceed your case’s total value; however, the attorneys at Easton & Easton accept personal injury cases on a contingency basis, meaning you only owe our firm a legal fee once we win your case, and the contingency fee is a percentage of your final compensation.

Q: Is It Worth Hiring Riverside Car Accident Lawyers?

A: The right attorney can have a tremendous positive impact on the outcome of all your recovery efforts following a car accident in Riverside. They can help you file your auto insurance claim and build a personal injury case on your behalf while you rest and recover from your injuries. You are not only more likely to succeed with your recovery efforts with an attorney’s help but also more likely to secure as much compensation as state law allows.

Easton & Easton has a team of experienced attorneys with years of successful cases behind us. We take time to learn each client’s unique needs and goals for their recovery efforts. If you’re unsure what to do after another driver has injured you, our team can help you maximize the compensation you obtain through their insurance and/or a personal injury claim. Contact Easton & Easton today to schedule your consultation with an experienced Riverside car accident attorney you can trust to guide you through your recovery efforts.