This page was written and reviewed by Michael J. Cefali, Esq. Attorney Cefali is a founding partner of Cefali & Cefali, APC, based in San Juan Capistrano, CA. He holds a Juris Doctor from Chapman University Fowler School of Law and a B.A. in Global Studies & Maritime Affairs from the California Maritime Academy. Widely recognized for his advocacy in personal injury law, he has secured multi-hundred-thousand-dollar settlements in motorcycle accidents, hit-and-runs, and red-light collision cases. He maintains a perfect 10.0 “Superb” rating on Avvo.
Beyond his legal practice, Mr. Cefali actively supports his community through the Rotary Club of San Juan Capistrano, contributes to housing and meal programs for those in need, and enjoys fishing and spending time with his rescue dogs.
The date below reflects when this page was last reviewed for accuracy. Please see our Editorial Guidelines.
A car accident can be a traumatic and life-altering event. The sudden impact can cause physical injury, emotional distress, and financial strain that is difficult to manage while you are also trying to recover. At Cefali & Cefali, our Moreno Valley car accident lawyers help injured people and their families hold negligent drivers accountable and recover the full compensation they are owed under California law.
Our firm focuses exclusively on personal injury. That focus lets our car accident attorneys in Moreno Valley concentrate on the medical providers, insurance carriers, defense firms, and Riverside County courts that decide these cases. We offer every client a free consultation to review the crash, explain your options, and determine whether you have a claim, with no obligation and no fee unless we recover money for you.
Cefali & Cefali has recovered substantial settlements and verdicts for injury victims across Riverside County and Southern California, from straightforward rear-end collisions to catastrophic-injury and wrongful death cases. Because we prepare every file as if it will go to trial, insurance carriers know our demands are backed by a real willingness to litigate, which is one of the biggest factors in driving up settlement value. You can review a sample of our results on our case results page.
If you were hurt in an auto accident in Moreno Valley, call Cefali & Cefali today at (949) 325-7790 for a free consultation, available 24/7.
Serving Moreno Valley and Riverside County
Moreno Valley is the second-largest city in Riverside County after the city of Riverside, and its rapid growth and heavy commuter traffic produce a steady volume of serious collisions. Most of the worst crashes happen on the two freeways that cut through the city. State Route 60 (the Moreno Valley Freeway) and Interstate 215 carry commuters across the Inland Empire, and the SR-60 / I-215 interchange is one of the busiest and most collision-prone chokepoints in the area. On surface streets, high-traffic arterials such as Perris Boulevard, Alessandro Boulevard, Sunnymead Boulevard, Ironwood Avenue, and Heacock Street see frequent intersection crashes, left-turn collisions, and pedestrian and bicycle accidents.
Moreno Valley does not operate its own police department. Law enforcement, including collision investigation on city streets, is provided by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department through the Moreno Valley Station, which has served the city under contract since 1985. Crashes that occur on SR-60 and I-215 are investigated by the California Highway Patrol. Knowing which agency responded matters, because it determines where the collision report comes from and how the investigation was documented, both of which can be decisive when fault is disputed.
Injured drivers and passengers in Moreno Valley are often treated at the Riverside University Health System (RUHS) Medical Center on Cactus Avenue, the county hospital serving the area, or at Kaiser Permanente Moreno Valley. Severe trauma cases may be transported to Loma Linda University Medical Center, the region's Level I trauma center. Our firm works directly with these providers to obtain medical records and properly document treatment costs in your claim.
Car accident lawsuits arising in Moreno Valley are filed in the Riverside County Superior Court. Unlimited civil personal injury cases are generally heard at the Riverside courthouses, while the Moreno Valley courthouse on Heacock Street handles limited civil and traffic matters. Our attorneys understand Riverside County court procedures, scheduling timelines, and the insurance defense tactics common in this jurisdiction.
Proving Negligence in a Moreno Valley Car Accident Claim
Almost every California car accident claim turns on negligence. Under California Civil Code section 1714, every person is responsible for harm caused by their failure to use reasonable care. To recover compensation, an injured plaintiff must prove four elements:
Duty of care. Every driver owes a legal duty to operate their vehicle safely and to obey the California Vehicle Code.
Breach of duty. The at-fault driver violated that duty, for example by speeding in violation of the basic speed law (Vehicle Code section 22350), texting while driving (Vehicle Code section 23123.5), running a red light (Vehicle Code section 21453), or following too closely (Vehicle Code section 21703).
Causation. The breach actually caused the collision and your injuries. The standard is whether the harm would have occurred but for the driver's conduct.
Damages. You suffered actual losses, such as medical bills, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering.
A violation of the Vehicle Code can establish negligence per se, which shifts the focus to whether that violation caused your injuries. Our Moreno Valley personal injury attorneys investigate each of these elements thoroughly, using police and CHP reports, physical evidence, witness statements, and, when needed, accident reconstruction.
California's Pure Comparative Negligence Rule
Insurance companies frequently argue that the injured person was partly to blame for a crash. California follows the rule of pure comparative negligence, established by the California Supreme Court in Li v. Yellow Cab Co. Under this rule, you can still recover compensation even if you were partly at fault, but your recovery is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. If your total damages are $100,000 and you are found 20 percent at fault, you can still recover $80,000. Even a plaintiff who is largely at fault is not completely barred from recovering. Because insurers use fault-shifting to cut what they owe, we push back hard with investigation and evidence to keep your share of fault as low as the facts allow.
When more than one driver or party is responsible, California law divides their liability under Proposition 51 (Civil Code section 1431.2). Multiple defendants are jointly and severally liable for your economic damages, such as medical bills and lost wages, meaning any one of them can be pursued for the full amount. For non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, each defendant is responsible only for their own proportionate share of fault. Identifying every liable party, which can include another driver, an employer, a vehicle or parts manufacturer, or a government entity responsible for a dangerous road, is often the difference between a full recovery and a partial one.
Statute of Limitations for Moreno Valley Car Accident Claims
California sets strict deadlines for taking legal action after a car accident. Missing the deadline that applies to your case usually means losing the right to recover compensation entirely, so it is important to understand which one governs your claim.
Personal injury: two years. Under California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit for your injuries. This is the deadline to file suit in court, not the deadline to notify an insurer, which your own policy typically requires you to do promptly.
Property damage: three years. Under Code of Civil Procedure section 338, claims for vehicle and other property damage have a three-year deadline.
Claims against a public entity: six months. If a city, the county, Caltrans, or another public agency contributed to your crash, for example through a dangerous road condition or a government vehicle, the California Government Claims Act requires you to file an administrative claim within six months before you can sue.
Certain situations can shorten or extend these deadlines, so the safest course is to speak with a car accident attorney in Moreno Valley as soon as possible after the crash while evidence is still fresh and witnesses can be located.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Moreno Valley
Most Moreno Valley collisions are preventable and trace back to driver negligence. The causes we see most often include:
Distracted driving. Texting, phone use, eating, and other distractions are a leading cause of crashes. California law prohibits handheld phone use and texting behind the wheel under Vehicle Code sections 23123 and 23123.5.
Speeding. Excessive speed on SR-60, I-215, and fast arterials like Alessandro Boulevard reduces reaction time and increases the severity of every impact. The basic speed law (Vehicle Code section 22350) requires drivers to travel at a safe speed for conditions.
Impaired driving. Alcohol and drugs impair judgment and reaction time. Driving under the influence violates Vehicle Code section 23152 and can support punitive damages in a civil claim.
Reckless and aggressive driving. Tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and running lights or stop signs cause a large share of intersection and rear-end collisions throughout the city.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Moreno Valley
The steps you take after a crash can protect both your health and the value of your claim. If you are able to do so safely:
Check for injuries and call 911. Report the crash so the Moreno Valley Sheriff's Station (or CHP, if you are on SR-60 or I-215) creates an official collision report.
Get medical attention right away. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries. Prompt treatment at RUHS Medical Center, Kaiser Moreno Valley, or another provider also ties your injuries to the crash in your records.
Document the scene. Photograph vehicle positions, damage, skid marks, traffic signals, and visible injuries.
Exchange information and identify witnesses. Collect names, phone numbers, insurance details, and license plates, and get contact information for any independent witnesses.
Notify your insurer, but be careful what you say. You must report the crash to your own insurer, but you are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company. Decline that request until you have spoken with an attorney.
Keep records and contact a lawyer. Save medical bills, repair estimates, and proof of missed work, and speak with a Moreno Valley car accident lawyer before signing anything or accepting an early offer.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Car crashes can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor to catastrophic. The injuries we handle most often include:
Traumatic brain injuries, which can cause lasting cognitive and physical impairment.
Spinal cord injuries, including damage that leads to partial or complete paralysis.
Broken bones and orthopedic injuries, which often require surgery and lengthy rehabilitation.
Internal injuries, which can be life-threatening and may not be obvious immediately after a crash.
Whiplash and soft tissue injuries, which can cause chronic pain despite appearing minor at first.
Always seek medical attention after a crash, even if you feel fine. Prompt care protects your health and creates the medical documentation your claim depends on.
Compensation Available in a Moreno Valley Car Accident Claim
California car accident victims are entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages compensate measurable financial losses, including current and future medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and vehicle and property damage. Non-economic damages compensate the human costs of a serious injury, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, and loss of consortium.
Unlike medical malpractice cases, which are subject to a statutory cap on non-economic damages under MICRA, ordinary car accident and personal injury claims in California have no cap on general damages. The value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries, the strength of the liability evidence, and the full scope of your losses. In cases involving egregious conduct, such as a drunk driver, California Civil Code section 3294 may allow punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct.
Be cautious of an insurer's first offer. Early settlement offers are frequently made before the full extent of an injury is known and are almost always lower than a claim's true value. We calculate the complete cost of your injuries, including future care and lost earning capacity, before we negotiate.
Hit-and-Run and Uninsured Driver Crashes in Moreno Valley
Not every at-fault driver stops or carries insurance. If you were hurt by a hit-and-run driver or by a driver with no coverage, you may still have a path to compensation through your own uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. These claims are often more complex than they appear, because you are now negotiating against your own insurance company, and strict notice requirements apply. To learn more about your obligations after a hit-and-run, see our guide to California hit-and-run law. Our team handles UM/UIM and hit-and-run claims for Moreno Valley drivers and works to preserve every source of recovery available to you.
Why Choose Cefali & Cefali?
Our experienced Moreno Valley car accident lawyers are dedicated to providing top-tier, personalized representation for individuals and families affected by serious collisions. We keep our clients informed at every stage, and we are trial-ready in every case, which strengthens our position in settlement negotiations.
We take car accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover money for you. Your free case evaluation is the first step toward the justice you deserve.
Contact Our Moreno Valley Car Accident Lawyers
If you have been injured in a car crash, you need an experienced auto accident lawyer in Moreno Valley who knows Riverside County and will fight for the compensation you deserve. We have represented people hit by drunk, speeding, and distracted drivers, pedestrians and cyclists struck by cars, and victims of hit-and-run and uninsured drivers. We know the insurance claims process, and if the insurance company will not deal fairly, we are prepared to take them to court.
Contact Cefali & Cefali today via our online contact form or call us directly at (949) 325-7790 for a free consultation, available 24/7. No fee unless we win.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moreno Valley Car Accident Claims
How much does a Moreno Valley car accident lawyer cost?
Nothing upfront. Cefali & Cefali handles car accident cases on a contingency fee basis, so you owe no attorney fees unless we win your case. The fee is a percentage of your final settlement or judgment, and your initial consultation is free with no obligation. If we do not recover money for you, you owe us nothing.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Moreno Valley?
Under California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. Property damage claims have a three-year deadline under section 338. If a public entity such as the City of Moreno Valley, the county, or Caltrans contributed to your crash, you must file an administrative claim within six months under the California Government Claims Act. These are court deadlines, and are separate from your insurer's requirement to be notified promptly. Because deadlines can vary, it is best to speak with an attorney quickly.
What is my Moreno Valley car accident case worth?
The value depends on the severity of your injuries, the strength of the liability evidence, and the full extent of your losses, including medical bills, lost wages, future care, and pain and suffering. California places no cap on damages in ordinary car accident claims, unlike medical malpractice cases. We calculate the complete cost of your injuries, including future losses, before negotiating, and we caution clients against accepting an insurer's first offer, which is usually far below a claim's true value.
What if I was partly at fault for the crash?
You can still recover. California follows pure comparative negligence under Li v. Yellow Cab Co., which means your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault but is not eliminated. For example, if you were 20 percent at fault and your damages total $100,000, you can recover $80,000. Insurers often try to inflate an injured person's share of fault to reduce what they pay, so we investigate carefully to keep your fault as low as the evidence supports.
What if the other driver was at fault?
If another driver caused the crash, their insurance company is generally responsible for your damages. That does not mean the process is easy, since insurers routinely delay, dispute, or lowball claims to protect their bottom line. An experienced Moreno Valley car accident attorney gathers the evidence, documents your losses, and negotiates from a position of trial readiness to pursue the full compensation you are owed.
What should I do after a car accident in Moreno Valley?
If you can do so safely, call 911 so the Moreno Valley Sheriff's Station or CHP creates a collision report, get medical attention right away, photograph the scene, exchange information with the other driver, and collect contact details for any witnesses. Notify your own insurer, but do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company, and do not sign anything or accept an offer before speaking with a lawyer.
What if I was hit by a hit-and-run or uninsured driver?
You may still be able to recover through your own uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. These claims put you in the position of negotiating against your own insurance company and carry strict notice deadlines, so it is important to act quickly and get legal guidance. Our team handles hit-and-run and uninsured driver claims for Moreno Valley residents and works to identify every available source of recovery.
Michael Cefali is a dedicated accident attorney based in San Juan Capistrano, California, committed to securing justice and fair compensation for accident victims.
A graduate of Newport Harbor High School, he went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Global Studies and Maritime Affairs from the California Maritime Academy, followed by his Juris Doctor from Chapman University School of Law.
Deeply invested in his community, Michael is an active member of the Rotary Club of San Juan Capistrano, contributing to efforts that provide meals, housing, and support to those in need. Outside of his legal work and volunteer service, he enjoys fishing in Dana Point and spending time with his three rescue dogs—a Chihuahua, a Spaniel mix, and a Shepherd mix.
Driven by his strong belief in justice and fairness, Michael remains steadfast in advocating for individuals harmed by the negligence or inaction of others.
