Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers in Riverside, CA

Being involved in a motor vehicle accident can be frightening, stressful, and overwhelming. Taking care of your injuries should be your top priority; however, worrying about medical expenses and lost wages can often cause additional stress that hinders the recovery process. You do not need to handle this alone.

The motor vehicle accident attorneys of Heiting & Irwin want to help you by dealing with the insurance company and shielding you from the stress of a motor vehicle accident claim so that you can focus on getting back on your feet physically and financially. Our personal injury attorneys represent injured victims in a variety of motor vehicle accidents including:

Car Accidents

Car accidents are the most common type of personal injury claims. There are approximately six million car accidents each year in the United States resulting in over three million injuries and about 33,000 deaths. Common causes of car accidents include distracted driving, speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and reckless driving. Even a low impact rear-end collision can result in traumatic injuries that leave the accident victim with permanent disabilities that result in substantial medical costs and other damages.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents are not as numerous as car accidents probably because there are not as many motorcycles on the road as cars; however, motorcycle accidents can be significantly more dangerous. Motorcyclists do not have the same level of protection as occupants in other motor vehicles. Without the protective barriers that cars provide, motorcyclists receive the full impact of the collision. This results in catastrophic injuries for the rider. Most motorcycle accidents are not caused by the rider but by other drivers failing to yield the right of way or failing to see the motorcycle. Because insurance companies like to blame the rider, it is important to hire an experienced Riverside motorcycle accident attorney to protect your right to receive compensation for your injuries and damages.

Truck Accidents

A fully loaded tractor trailer can weigh 80,000 pounds. Travelling at speeds of 65 miles per hour, it takes the length of about two football fields for a truck to come to a complete stop. Because of the great difference in size and weight, over 70 percent of the victims in truck accidents are the occupants of the other vehicles involved in the accident. Truck companies and their insurance carriers aggressively fight truck accident claims because the damages are so high. You need a team of truck accident attorneys on your side who understand the complicated laws and regulations that govern the trucking industry. Our attorneys conduct a comprehensive truck accident investigation to identify and preserve evidence to establish fault, and all possible defendants who are responsible for your injuries.

Uninsured Motorists

California vehicle law requires that every driver provide proof of financial responsibility. Financial responsibility is the ability to pay compensation to an accident victim if you cause a motor vehicle accident. Unfortunately, many drivers ignore the law and drive without insurance. When this happens, the accident victim is left to pay his or her own damages including medical bills, property damage, and lost wages. You may be entitled to receive compensation from your own insurance company under your uninsured motorist coverage. Beware — even though you are dealing with your own insurance company, the company will treat you as any other claim. It will try to pay you the lowest amount possible to settle the claim. Consult with an experienced uninsured motorist accident attorney to ensure you are receiving full compensation for your accident claim.

Common Carrier Accidents

Common carriers are vehicles that transport people from one place to another including buses, trains, planes,subways, and even elevators and escalators. If you suffer an injury due to the negligence of a common carrier and/or the operator, the liable parties should pay you compensation for your damages including lost wages, medical bills, emotional suffering, and physical pain. Because common carriers can be owned and operated by different individual companies or big corporations, you need an attorney who has the experience and the resources to determine all responsible parties for your damages and to prosecute your case to maximize your recovery.

Bus Accidents

Millions of people in Riverside and throughout California depend on public transportation each day. With so many buses on the road, bus accidents are certain to happen. Common causes of bus accidents include driver error, poor maintenance, bad weather, road hazards, and design and parts defects. If you are injured while riding a bus, you may be entitled to receive compensation from the owner of the bus, the operator of the bus, and other parties. An experienced bus accident attorney can help you identify the responsible party(ies) so that you can receive compensation.

Bicycle Accidents

Bicycles are an excellent form of inexpensive transportation, exercise, and recreation. Unfortunately, many drivers do not pay enough attention to bicyclists on the road resulting in accidents. Bicyclists are often very seriously injured when a driver fails to yield the right of way or fails to obey traffic rules regarding bicycles. If you are injured by a negligent driver, you may be entitled to receive compensation under personal injury laws. Consult with an experienced bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.

Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents are more common than you might believe. Drivers often fail to yield the right of way to pedestrians causing serious injuries, many times resulting in permanent disability. Pedestrians victims should hire a good personal injury attorney to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the driver to recover compensation for damages including pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

Distracted Driving Accidents

Distracted driving is a huge problem in the Inland Empire, Southern California, and throughout the United States. Distracted driving is the number one reason for motor vehicle accidents. Even though California prohibits texting while driving, many drivers ignore the law, and the results are devastating. Anything that takes attention off the task of driving is considered distracted driving including texting, talking on the cell phone, eating, grooming, and tending to something other than driving, including other passengers. If you are injured by a distracted driver, you need an experienced attorney to conduct a thorough investigation, obtain the evidence to prove fault, and get you the compensation you deserve.

Road Hazard Accidents

Did you know that you may be able to file a lawsuit if you are injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by a road hazard? Road hazards such as poorly marked construction zones; misleading roadway signs; poorly maintained roads; and defects in road designs can cause motor vehicle accidents. Because road hazard accidents may involve government entities and different laws than other, you need an experienced personal injury attorney who understands and has experience with the complexities of suing a government entity.

Ride Share Accidents – Uber & Lyft

Ride share and accidents involving Uber and Lyft drivers is an area of personal injury law. Because these drivers maybe “independent contractors” with their own automobile insurance coverage, or may be an employee of a large corporation, the question of whether the driver is solely responsible or if the ride share company is also responsible can be complicated to determine. You need an experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer to sort out the facts and the relevant law to determine all parties responsible for your injuries and to get the maximum amount you could recover after for your accident.

Do You Need A Riverside Auto Accident Lawyer?

If you have been injured in any type of motor vehicle accident, call Heiting & Irwin at 951-682-6400 or contact our office online to schedule a free consultation with a motor vehicle accident lawyer.