Why Riverside Residents Trust Reardon Injury Law
A sudden injury can disrupt your life in an instant, leaving you with physical pain, emotional stress, and overwhelming financial burdens. At Reardon Injury Law, we understand that you’re not just dealing with a legal case; you’re trying to put your life back together. Our first priority is to provide compassionate, clear, and authoritative guidance to help you navigate this difficult time. We listen to your story, validate your concerns, and handle the legal complexities so you can focus on your recovery.
For residents of Riverside, choosing the right legal representation is critical. What sets Reardon Injury Law apart is our founder’s unique background. Before becoming an attorney, John Reardon practiced as a chiropractor for 20 years. This extensive medical experience gives him an unparalleled understanding of the physical trauma and long-term consequences of personal injuries. He can analyze medical records with a practitioner’s eye, understand the full extent of your injuries, and effectively communicate their impact to insurance companies, judges, and juries.
We are a California-based firm dedicated to serving communities like Riverside. We believe everyone deserves access to justice, which is why we offer free consultations and operate on a contingency fee basis. You won’t pay any attorney’s fees unless we win your case.
Accident Hotspots in Riverside
While an accident can happen anywhere, certain roads and intersections in Riverside have a known history of being particularly dangerous due to high traffic volumes, complex layouts, and speeding.
Magnolia Avenue and Tyler Street: This intersection is not only one of the most dangerous in Riverside County but ranks as the 12th most hazardous in all of California. Surrounded by shopping plazas and restaurants, it experiences a constant mix of commercial traffic and high foot traffic. Pedestrians are forced to cross six lanes, making it a hotspot for devastating pedestrian accidents.
Arlington Avenue and Indiana Avenue: Located near the Riverside Municipal Airport, this intersection is notorious for high-speed traffic. When combined with vehicles making turns, the risk of severe side-impact or “T-bone” collisions increases significantly. For pedestrians, navigating up to nine lanes of traffic here is an exceptionally dangerous undertaking.
University Avenue and Chicago Avenue: This area, situated near the I-215, is a major chokepoint for congestion. Frustration from constant traffic often leads to aggressive driving behaviors and a high number of rear-end crashes. It has been identified as a major hotspot for collisions resulting in serious injuries.
Van Buren Boulevard and Alessandro Boulevard: The wide design of this intersection can inadvertently encourage drivers to speed, making it difficult to judge the velocity of oncoming traffic. This poses a significant threat to both drivers making left turns and pedestrians attempting to cross safely.
Major Freeways (I-10, I-15, and the I-215/SR-91/SR-60 Interchange): Riverside’s major freeways carry a massive volume of traffic daily. Interstate 10 alone saw 31 fatalities in a single recent year. The convergence of the I-215, SR-91, and SR-60, known locally as the “Three Interchange,” is a complex web of on-ramps and off-ramps where weaving, congestion, and high speeds create a constant risk for serious truck accidents and multi-vehicle pile-ups.
Types of Cases We Handle in Riverside
At Reardon Injury Law, we have the experience and resources to handle a wide range of personal injury claims. Given Riverside’s traffic patterns—where improper turning and unsafe speed are the leading causes of collisions—we frequently represent clients injured in:
- Car Accidents: From rear-end collisions on Chicago Avenue to high-speed crashes on the I-15.
- Pedestrian Accidents: Assisting those injured in busy commercial areas like the Magnolia and Tyler intersection.
- Motorcycle Accidents: Advocating for riders who are often overlooked on Riverside’s wide, open roads.
- Truck Accidents: Handling complex claims involving commercial vehicles on major arteries like I-10 and I-215.
- Bicycle Accidents: Protecting the rights of cyclists who face significant risks from inattentive drivers.
- Rideshare Accidents: Navigating the intricate insurance policies involved in Uber and Lyft accidents.
If you have been injured in any type of accident caused by another’s negligence, please visit our practice areas page to learn more or contact us directly to discuss your case.
What to Do After an Accident in Riverside
The moments after an accident are chaotic and stressful. Taking the right steps can protect your health and your legal rights.
- Prioritize Safety: If possible, move your vehicle to the side of the road to avoid further collisions. Turn on your hazard lights. Check on yourself and your passengers for injuries.
- Call 911: Report the accident immediately. The Riverside Police Department will likely respond to accidents on city streets, while the California Highway Patrol (CHP) handles incidents on freeways like the I-10, I-15, and I-215. A police report is a crucial piece of evidence.
- Seek Medical Attention: Your health is the top priority. Even if you feel fine, some serious injuries have delayed symptoms. Get evaluated by paramedics on the scene and follow up with a visit to an emergency room, such as at Riverside Community Hospital or Kaiser Permanente, or your primary care physician. This creates a medical record linking your injuries to the accident.
- Document Everything: Use your phone to take pictures and videos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, skid marks, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. If there are witnesses, get their names and contact information.
- Exchange Information: Get the other driver’s name, contact information, driver’s license number, license plate number, and insurance policy information. Provide your information, but do not apologize or admit fault.
- Contact an Attorney: Before you speak with any insurance adjusters—even your own—consult with a personal injury lawyer. Insurance companies aim to minimize payouts. An attorney will protect your rights and handle all communications on your behalf.
Understanding Your Rights Under California Law
Navigating a personal injury claim requires an understanding of specific state laws. Here are some key California regulations that may impact your case:
- Pure Comparative Negligence: California follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident. However, your final compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault, your settlement would be reduced by 20%.
- Statute of Limitations: In most cases, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). However, there is a critical exception: if your claim is against a government entity (e.g., a city bus, a poorly maintained public road), you must file a formal claim within six months under the Government Claims Act. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar you from recovering compensation.
- California’s Minimum Insurance: The state’s minimum liability insurance requirement is just $15,000 for injury to one person, $30,000 for injury to multiple people, and $5,000 for property damage. In a serious accident, these amounts are often woefully inadequate to cover medical bills and other losses. We can help you explore all avenues for compensation, including your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage.
- Types of Compensation: As an injury victim, you may be entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover tangible financial losses like medical bills, future medical care, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity. Non-economic damages compensate you for intangible harm, such as pain, suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Contact Reardon Injury Law Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in Riverside, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. Let us put our unique combination of medical insight and legal expertise to work for you.
Contact Reardon Injury Law for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case. We are here to answer your questions and provide the support you need. Call us at (657) 522-7122 or fill out the form on our contact page. Remember, you pay nothing unless we win.
