Riverside Car Accident Lawyer

Experiencing a sudden car accident can disrupt your life unexpectedly. Navigating the legalities of an open dispute can become just as distressing as dealing with immediate injuries and auto repairs after an accident. This part of the process can be very overwhelming, especially when dealing with insurance companies or determining who is liable for causing the crash. If this has happened to you, you need the support of a Riverside car accident lawyer.

At Gonzales Law Offices, we stay in the fight for our clients from day one to ensure they obtain the compensation they deserve. From investigating every last detail of the accident to representing our clients in court, we proudly take on every aspect of a car accident case with precision and care. We are happy to take on the bulk of the legal responsibilities so you can spend more time focused on recovering and moving forward from this tragic incident.

How Is Fault Determined in a Riverside, California, Car Accident?

To successfully establish who is at fault for causing a car accident in California, a combination of evidence, legal principles, and an active investigation can offer greater insight. It is very important to establish fault in a car accident case, as that will determine who is responsible for paying for any victim’s damages and injuries.

Here are several factors that generally help determine fault:

Police Reports

Police officers are often some of the first individuals called to a car accident scene after it happens. When they respond, they will create an official accident report that details their findings. This report may include basic information, such as when and where the accident happened, as well as more detailed notes about their observations and inferences on what happened. It may also note weather conditions, road hazards, and the positions of the vehicles.

One of the most significant reasons why this report is so valuable is because it includes the officer’s preliminary determination of fault. For example, if one of the drivers admitted to running a red light, this can significantly influence how fault is determined. While these reports are generally seen as credible, they are not the final word in liability. Rather, attorneys and insurance companies can use them as a starting point in their own investigations.

California’s Comparative Negligence Rule

California operates under a comparative negligence system. This means that when an accident like a car crash happens, it is possible for fault to be divided between multiple parties. With this system, injured parties are allowed to recover damages even if they are partially at fault for causing the accident. For example, if you were deemed 30% responsible for an accident because you were speeding, you could still receive 70% of the damages awarded.

This is a more flexible system that recognizes how complicated assigning fault can be. Comparative negligence encourages a thorough examination of all actions that led up to the collision to ensure that liability is distributed fairly. Work with an attorney to ensure you are assigned the appropriate percentage of fault. They can combat any disputes or claims against you and help to maximize your final compensation award.

Evidence From the Accident Scene

Any evidence that you can gather directly from the scene can be extremely helpful in determining fault in your case. This can include tire skid marks, broken glass, vehicle damage, or debris on the road. Taking photos or videos to show the layout of the scene, including how the vehicles were positioned, can help provide much-needed context about how the crash occurred.

You should also consider taking photos of the damage to both vehicles, your injuries, and the condition of the road. This can help recreate certain events to support the investigation process. For example, if you provide a picture of a damaged guardrail, it could show how that specific external factor contributed to the crash. If you can obtain surveillance footage from a nearby business or dash cam, that can show a real-time account of what happened.

Witness Testimonies

Being able to provide witness testimonies can also add a lot of value to your case, as their words are often viewed as a more unbiased account of what happened when compared to a plaintiff or defendant’s words. For example, a witness may be able to testify that they saw the defendant speeding or running a red light. This could support a plaintiff’s claim that they witnessed the same behavior and remove the suspicion that the plaintiff was fabricating events.

To maximize the value of a witness testimony, gather their contact information at the scene of the accident if you can. All witnesses should be prepared to provide a detailed account of what they observed, such as how each driver was behaving, the sequence of events, and the condition of the road. Some witness statements may be recorded during a deposition.

Traffic Laws and Violations

Another common indicator of fault in a car accident case is when someone violates a traffic law. Drivers who fail to obey traffic signals, yield the right of way, or follow posted speed limits could be found liable for causing a car crash. For example, if surveillance footage shows that one of the drivers in the accident made an illegal U-turn and then hit someone, this can strongly support the victim’s claim.

Gathering evidence to prove these violations happened is critical. This can include camera footage from a nearby business, photographs of the traffic signals, or copies of any citations that were issued by law enforcement at the scene. When you hire an attorney, they can look into all of this information and find evidence to demonstrate how the violation led directly to the accident. This can help strengthen your overall chances of earning compensation.

Accident Reconstruction

If your case is proving to be challenging, an accident reconstructionist can be called in to provide their professional opinion on the collision. These professionals are trained to use different scientific methods to examine the accident scene, vehicle damage, the angle of impact, and braking distance to try and recreate the chain of events that led to the accident.

For example, in scenarios where multiple cars are piled up, an accident reconstructionist can try to analyze the sequence of impacts to identify where the initial point of collision occurred. This can help them confidently determine which party or parties may be at fault for the accident. When these findings are presented in court, they are treated as expert testimony, which can be instrumental in establishing liability when the evidence is unclear or disputed.

FAQs

If you have recently been involved in a car accident and are unsure where to turn for help, contact us today. We have helped so many others who have been in similar scenarios, and we would be happy to apply our experience in those cases to your case. We look forward to sharing more about how we can be of service to you.