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.
When a careless driver causes a crash in Riverside, that driver and their insurer are responsible for your medical bills, lost wages, vehicle damage, and pain and suffering. A Riverside car accident lawyer proves who was at fault, deals with the adjusters, and makes sure a quick settlement offer does not leave out the treatment and income you will lose in the months ahead.
Cefali & Cefali represents car accident victims across Riverside County from our Hemet office at 211 N. State Street, Suite 111. Call (949) 325-7790 for a free consultation. You pay no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.
How a Riverside Car Accident Lawyer Helps After a Crash
The first few weeks after a crash decide a lot about your claim. The other driver's insurer will ask for a recorded statement, request access to your medical history, and may offer a payment before you know whether you need surgery or months of therapy. Anything you say in that period can be used to argue you were partly to blame or that your injuries came from something else.
We take over those conversations. We collect the collision report, photos, and any traffic or business camera video before it is overwritten, document your treatment and lost income, and identify every insurance policy that could pay. When the insurer will not make a fair offer, we file suit in Riverside County Superior Court and prepare the case for trial.
Where Car Accidents Happen in Riverside
Riverside sits where three major freeways meet, and much of the city's serious crash traffic runs through that junction and the arterials that feed it:
SR-91 (Riverside Freeway). The main commuter route to Orange County, with heavy stop-and-go traffic that leads to rear-end and lane-change crashes, especially near the 91/60/215 interchange downtown.
SR-60 and I-215. Carry commuters and a large share of the region's warehouse truck traffic between Riverside, Moreno Valley, and San Bernardino. Merges and sudden slowdowns at the interchange are frequent crash points.
Magnolia Avenue, Arlington Avenue, and Van Buren Boulevard. Long, busy corridors with frequent signals, driveways, and turning traffic, where broadside and left-turn crashes are common.
University Avenue and the UC Riverside area. Heavy pedestrian, bicycle, and student traffic mixes with drivers heading to and from I-215.
La Sierra Avenue, Alessandro Boulevard, and Central Avenue. Fast arterials linking neighborhoods to the freeways, with speeding and red-light crashes.
According to California Office of Traffic Safety crash rankings, 1,805 people were killed or injured in traffic crashes in the city of Riverside in 2023, ranking it 6th worst out of 15 large California cities of similar size. Alcohol was involved in crashes that killed or injured 159 people that year.
Who Investigates Your Crash
The Riverside Police Department investigates most collisions on city streets. The California Highway Patrol's Riverside Area office handles crashes on SR-91, SR-60, and I-215, and on roads in unincorporated parts of the county. The agency that took the report tells us where to request the collision report, diagrams, photos, and any body camera footage. Our guide on how to get a police report for a car accident walks through the request.
Where Injured Drivers Are Treated
Riverside Community Hospital downtown is a Level II trauma center and receives many of the city's most serious crash patients. Depending on where the crash happened and how badly people are hurt, patients may instead go to Kaiser Permanente's Riverside Medical Center, Parkview Community Hospital, or the trauma center at Riverside University Health System Medical Center in Moreno Valley. We request the complete records and bills from each provider so nothing is missing when your claim is valued.
California Law That Applies to Riverside Car Accident Claims
Proving the Other Driver Was at Fault
A car accident claim is a negligence claim: you must show the other driver failed to use reasonable care and that this caused your injuries. When a driver breaks a traffic safety law, Evidence Code section 669 lets the court presume negligence. Laws that come up often in Riverside crashes include the Basic Speed Law (Vehicle Code 22350), following too closely (Vehicle Code 21703), running a red light (Vehicle Code 21453), unsafe lane changes (Vehicle Code 22107), and driving under the influence (Vehicle Code 23152). For rear-end crashes, see our guide to rear-end collision fault in California.
Pure Comparative Negligence
California follows pure comparative negligence under Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975). If you were partly at fault, your compensation is reduced by your share of the blame, but you can still recover. A driver found 25% at fault for a $200,000 loss can still recover $150,000. Learn more about pure comparative fault in California.
Insurance Minimums and Uninsured Drivers
Since January 1, 2025, California drivers must carry at least $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage, plus $15,000 for property damage. That rarely covers a serious injury. Your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage under Insurance Code section 11580.2 can make up the difference, and it also applies when the at-fault driver flees. In a hit-and-run, report the crash to police within 24 hours and notify your insurer within 30 days to protect that coverage. Our California hit and run law guide explains the rest.
If You Were Driving Without Insurance
Under Proposition 213 (Civil Code section 3333.4), an uninsured driver generally cannot recover pain and suffering, though medical bills and lost wages are still recoverable. The rule does not apply if the driver who hit you was convicted of DUI for that crash.
Compensation You Can Recover
Medical expenses: ambulance, emergency care, surgery, imaging, physical therapy, and future treatment
Lost income: wages missed during recovery and reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to the same work
Vehicle and property damage: repair or fair market value, a rental car, and damaged belongings
Pain and suffering: physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive damages: available under Civil Code section 3294 when the driver acted with malice, as in many DUI crashes
Common Riverside crash injuries include whiplash and other neck injuries, back and disc injuries, concussions and traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and internal injuries that may not show symptoms right away. There is no average value that fits every case, but our guide to car accident settlement values explains what drives the number.
Deadlines for Riverside Car Accident Claims
You generally have two years from the date of the crash to file an injury lawsuit under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, and three years for property damage under section 338. If a government vehicle or a dangerous public road was involved, such as a City of Riverside truck or a Caltrans defect on SR-91, you must usually file a government claim within six months under Government Code section 911.2. Separately, California requires you to report a crash to the DMV on form SR-1 within 10 days if anyone was hurt or property damage exceeded $1,000.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Riverside
Call 911, move to safety if you can, and ask for police to respond.
Get medical care the same day, even if you feel fine.
Photograph the vehicles, plates, skid marks, signals, and your injuries.
Exchange license and insurance information, and get witness names and phone numbers.
Do not apologize or guess about fault at the scene.
Write down the report number and which agency responded.
Decline a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer until you have advice.
Keep every bill, receipt, and record of missed work.
Frequently Asked Questions About Riverside Car Accidents
How much does a Riverside car accident lawyer cost?
We work on a contingency fee. The consultation is free, you pay nothing upfront, and you pay no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Riverside?
Most injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the crash. Claims involving a government vehicle or public road usually require a government claim within six months, so do not wait.
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes. California's pure comparative negligence rule reduces your compensation by your percentage of fault but does not bar recovery, even if you were mostly at fault.
What if the driver who hit me had no insurance or drove off?
Your own uninsured motorist coverage usually pays. For a hit-and-run, report the crash to police within 24 hours and notify your insurer within 30 days to protect that coverage. Read more about California hit and run law.
Should I talk to the other driver's insurance company?
You can give basic information, but decline a recorded statement and do not sign a medical release until you have legal advice. Adjusters use those statements to dispute fault and the cause of your injuries.
Where are Riverside car accident lawsuits filed?
In Riverside County Superior Court. The court assigns each civil case to one of its courthouses, and we handle every filing and court appearance for you.
Talk to a Riverside Car Accident Lawyer
If you were hurt in a crash in Riverside or anywhere in Riverside County, you do not have to handle the insurance company on your own. Call (949) 325-7790 or contact us online for a free consultation, and we will explain your options and next steps.
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.
