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If a traffic collision turned your life upside down, a local car accident lawyer can help you protect your rights and get the medical care and financial compensation you deserve. Our law firm serves the Inland Empire—San Bernardino County and Riverside County—handling personal injury claims from first call to settlement or verdict. Before you speak to an insurance company or sign anything, get clear legal advice about fault, documentation, and the statute of limitations under California law. We coordinate treatment, organize evidence, and manage negotiation with insurers so you can focus on healing. Prefer to start by telephone, email, or text message? Reach out in the way that works for you; a local attorney or paralegal will respond quickly.
Call Redlands: 909‑915‑0181 • Call Palm Springs: 760‑835‑9353 • Request a Free Consultation
What to Do After a Crash (First 48 Hours) in the Inland Empire
Get medical care and first aid. Use emergency medical services if needed. Follow doctor orders, including physical therapy and medications. Save every bill and record.
Call law enforcement. A police officer from a local department, the Sheriff, or California Highway Patrol will document the scene. Ask for the report number and the highway patrol or PD radio ID if you can.
Document everything. Photograph both vehicles, the road, intersection, speed limit/stop sign signage, and your visible injuries (cuts, bruise, wound). Capture skid marks, debris, lane positions, and traffic signals.
Exchange information. Get driver license and insurance policy details. Collect witness names and numbers.
Report when required. Some traffic accidents must be reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles. We’ll advise whether an SR‑1 is required after your collision in Southern California.
Avoid recorded statements. Do not consent to a recorded statement or provide medical information to the other carrier without speaking to a lawyer.
Call our office. Early guidance preserves evidence, reduces risk, and can increase your claim value.
California Fault & Comparative Negligence
California follows comparative negligence. Each driver owes a duty of care; if a reasonable person would have acted differently, legal liability is assigned by percentage. Evidence of distracted driving, drunk driving/driving under the influence, drowsy driving, reckless driving, tailgating, road rage, unsafe speed, poor visibility, weather, or failure to obey signs can shift fault. Even if you were partly to blame, a plaintiff may still recover compensation reduced by that percentage. Our attorneys collect scene data, camera footage, black‑box downloads, and expert analysis to support your case in court if needed.
Common Injuries & Medical Issues in the Inland Empire (Back, Neck, Brain)
Car accidents can cause soft tissue injury, fractures and bone damage, spinal cord trauma, back and neck pain, concussion/brain injury, internal bleeding, disfigurement, burn injuries from an airbag, and chronic headache or anxiety affecting mental health and quality of life. We help coordinate treatment, from ER to specialists and therapy. Keep track of health insurance approvals, co‑pays, and payment receipts; these bills become part of your personal injury claim.
Damages You Can Pursue (Economic & Non‑Economic)
Damages typically include:
Economic: medical bills, future care, car rental, repair or property damage, lost income, out‑of‑pocket expense, and reimbursement of costs tied to treatment.
Non‑economic: pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of normal activities, and loss of consortium for a spouse/partner.
Punitive damages may be available in rare cases of extreme recklessness (for example, a high‑BAC alcohol DUI). We also bring wrongful death claim actions for families after fatal crashes.
Insurance, UM/UIM & Negotiation Strategy
Multiple policies may apply: the at‑fault driver’s liability insurance, your health insurance, your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and employer or commercial policies for a truck driver, delivery vehicle, or bus. We identify limits, analyze policy language, and handle negotiation with the insurance company. If a carrier violates duties, we explore insurance bad faith. In Riverside car accident and accidents San Bernardino corridors, we also see hit and run and motor vehicle cases involving Uber and Lyft; rideshare rules and coverage tiers differ, so prompt legal advice matters.
Our Process: From Claim to Court
Free evaluation with a local attorney or car accident lawyer; we explain timelines and next steps.
Investigation: collect photos/video, event data, scene measurements, surveillance when appropriate, and witness statements.
Medical documentation: organize records, tissue/imaging results, and treatment plans, including physical therapy for back pain and other symptoms.
Demand & negotiation: present damages and liability with exhibits and citations to California law.
Filing a complaint: if no fair offer, we file the complaint naming each defendant and proceed to discovery, depositions, mediation, and—if necessary—trial before a judge or jury.
Resolution: settlement or verdict; we address liens so your net recovery is clear.
Timelines, Statutes & Reporting Duties
Deadlines apply under the statute of limitations for personal injury in California. Some public‑entity claims require rapid notice under specific statute sections. We track dates so you don’t miss them. Seat‑belt use, medication lists, and follow‑through on care help prove causation and reduce defense arguments about behavior or gaps in treatment. When required, we file the SR‑1 with the Department of Motor Vehicles after a traffic collision in the United States. Guidance from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration can help you understand crash dynamics and safety basics.
Local Patterns & Resources (IE Roads, PD, CHP)
The Inland Empire road network—I‑10, I‑215, SR‑210, SR‑60, and SR‑91—sees frequent Riverside car accidents and accidents San Bernardino commuters face. Law enforcement agencies and California Highway Patrol publish collision data and reminders about seat belt use, brake maintenance, and avoiding cell‑phone distraction. If you need a copy of a report, we can obtain it from the PD or CHP office. Hospitals and urgent‑care clinics across the region handle crash‑related emergency care; we can refer you to appropriate health care providers.
Related Practice Areas You Might Need
While this page focuses on car crashes, some injuries involve other claims: motorcycle collisions, truck accidents, bicycle and pedestrian injuries, product liability (defective airbag or brake), premises liability (unsafe property), and dog bite cases. If the facts point to a wrongful death claim, our attorneys will explain damages available to the family.
How We Communicate & What It Costs
You can reach us by telephone, email, web form, or text message—whatever improves communication while you recover. We work on a contingency fee: no upfront payment, and you owe nothing unless we obtain compensation. During the case, our law offices keep you updated and pay close attention to treatment, scheduling, and insurer requests for consent forms or statements.
Why Choose a Local Lawyer from the Inland Empire
A local attorney understands Southern California roads, law enforcement practices, and court scheduling. We know how a complaint proceeds in regional courts and how a judgment or verdict is enforced. Our team includes paralegal staff and trial counsel with experience handling complex motor vehicle cases, including truck driver and commercial‑policy matters. We value our community and focus on clear advice that helps you make decisions with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need a lawyer if the insurer already called me?
Yes. An adjuster works for the carrier. A car accident lawyer protects your rights, handles legal liability issues, and keeps you from saying something that harms your case.
How are medical bills paid after a crash?
Depending on the case: health insurance, MedPay, the at‑fault driver’s liability insurance, or reimbursement at settlement. We help organize bills and request reimbursement.
What if the crash involved drunk or drug impairment?
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drug impairment can support punitive exposure and shifts in fault. Call for legal advice right away.
What if it was a hit and run?
We can pursue UM/UIM and other avenues. Prompt reporting to law enforcement and California Highway Patrol helps.
What damages can I recover?
Medical expenses, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, and—in rare cases—punitive damages. We also explain loss of consortium.
What happens if we file suit?
We file the complaint, the defendant answers, and the case moves through discovery, depositions, mediation, and possibly trial before a jury.
Do you handle Riverside car accident and San Bernardino cases?
Yes. We routinely handle Riverside car accident claims and accidents San Bernardino commuters face across the IE.
Talk With an Inland Empire Car Accident Lawyer Today
If a traffic collision has caused injury, property damage, or the death of a loved one, get answers now. A local attorney will review fault, coverage options, treatment, and next steps. Start by telephone at 909‑915‑0181 (Redlands) or 760‑835‑9353 (Palm Springs), or email us to schedule a consultation.
Attorney advertising. This information is general and not legal advice. Deadlines vary; contact a lawyer promptly.
