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 you have been injured because of someone else's negligence in Riverside, you are facing medical bills, lost wages, insurance pressure, and uncertainty about your legal rights all at once. Cefali & Cefali Personal Injury Lawyers represents injured victims throughout Riverside and the surrounding Riverside County communities. We fight to recover the compensation you need for medical care, lost income, and pain and suffering, and we do it on a contingency fee basis so you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Call our firm today at (949) 325-7790 for a free consultation, available 24/7. No fee unless we win.
Serving Riverside and the Surrounding Riverside County Communities
Cefali & Cefali represents injured victims throughout the City of Riverside and the surrounding Riverside County cities of Moreno Valley, Corona, Hemet, Perris, San Jacinto, and Lake Elsinore. Our firm operates an office at 211 N State Street, Suite 111 in Hemet, which gives us a direct local presence in Riverside County and direct familiarity with the courts, hospitals, law enforcement agencies, and roadway conditions that affect your case.
Personal injury cases in Riverside frequently arise from accidents on the major freeways that crisscross the county. The 91 Freeway (SR-91) runs east-west through the heart of Riverside and is consistently rated among the most congested commuter corridors in Southern California. The 215 Freeway (I-215) runs north-south connecting Riverside to Moreno Valley, Perris, and points south. The 60 Freeway (SR-60) connects Riverside to Moreno Valley and east to Beaumont. The 15 Freeway (I-15) handles heavy truck traffic between Corona, Norco, and the Inland Empire. These corridors see a high volume of rear-end collisions, multi-vehicle pileups, and truck-involved accidents.
Injured victims in Riverside are typically treated at Riverside Community Hospital at 4445 Magnolia Avenue or at Riverside University Health System Medical Center at 26520 Cactus Avenue in Moreno Valley. Both facilities serve as Level II trauma centers. The most severe trauma cases (catastrophic injuries, major burns, severe head and spinal trauma) are typically transferred to Loma Linda University Medical Center, the closest Level I trauma center. Our firm works directly with these hospitals to obtain medical records and properly document treatment costs in your claim.
Personal injury lawsuits arising from accidents in Riverside are filed in the Riverside County Superior Court at the Riverside Historic Courthouse, located at 4050 Main Street in downtown Riverside. This is a separate jurisdiction from the Orange County Superior Court where many of our other cases are heard. Our attorneys are familiar with the procedures, judges, and scheduling practices specific to the Riverside County court system.
The University of California, Riverside (UC Riverside) campus, located in the Canyon Crest neighborhood, has more than 25,000 students and generates significant pedestrian, bicycle, and rideshare traffic. The areas around University Avenue, Canyon Crest Drive, and Watkins Drive see regular accident-related claims. The Galleria at Tyler shopping district off the 91 Freeway is another high-volume area for both vehicle accidents and slip-and-fall incidents.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Riverside
Cefali & Cefali handles a wide range of personal injury claims for clients throughout Riverside County. Our practice areas include:
Car accidents on the 91, 215, 60, and 15 freeways and Riverside surface streets
Truck accidents involving commercial vehicles, big rigs, and delivery trucks
Motorcycle accidents on Riverside County roads and freeways
Pedestrian accidents, particularly in dense corridors like University Avenue near UC Riverside and downtown Riverside
Bicycle accidents involving cars, trucks, or hazardous road conditions
Uber and Lyft rideshare accidents, including the unique three-period insurance coverage rules under California Public Utilities Commission regulations
Boat accidents on Lake Elsinore, Lake Perris, and Lake Mathews
DUI and DWI accident claims against impaired drivers
Dog bite injuries under California Civil Code section 3342 strict liability
California Personal Injury Law and Statute of Limitations
Understanding the legal framework that governs your personal injury claim is the first step toward recovering compensation. The key California laws that apply to most Riverside personal injury cases include:
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims
Under California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For property damage claims, California Code of Civil Procedure section 338 gives you three years. These deadlines are strict. Missing them usually means losing the right to recover compensation entirely.
Government Claims Act: The Six-Month Rule
If your accident involved a government vehicle (such as a Riverside Transit Agency bus, a county vehicle, or a police car), a government employee acting in the course of their duties, or a defective public roadway, you must file a government tort claim within just six months under the California Government Claims Act. This is dramatically shorter than the standard two-year deadline. Missing this window typically eliminates your right to sue the government entity entirely.
Pure Comparative Negligence
California follows the doctrine of pure comparative negligence. Even if you were partially at fault for your injury, you can still recover compensation. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20% at fault and your total damages were $100,000, you would recover $80,000. Insurance companies frequently try to inflate the injured party's percentage of fault to reduce what they owe. Our attorneys push back hard against these tactics.
Negligence Under California Civil Code Section 1714
The legal foundation for most personal injury claims is California Civil Code section 1714, which establishes that every person is responsible for injuries caused by their lack of ordinary care. This statute provides the basis for recovering damages from any negligent party, whether an at-fault driver, a property owner, a business, or a manufacturer.
Types of Compensation Available
Depending on the facts of your case, you may be entitled to recover:
Medical expenses, including emergency response, hospitalization, surgery, and rehabilitation
Lost income and reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work
Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and post-traumatic stress
Property damage to your vehicle or personal belongings
Future medical care and ongoing rehabilitation costs
Loss of consortium for spouses and family members
Punitive damages under California Civil Code section 3294 in cases involving extreme recklessness (such as DUI accidents)
Wrongful death damages in fatal accident cases
Why Choose Cefali & Cefali for Your Riverside Personal Injury Case
Cefali & Cefali Personal Injury Lawyers has represented injured victims throughout Riverside County and across California for decades. What sets our firm apart for your Riverside case:
Local Riverside County presence. Our Hemet office at 211 N State Street, Suite 111 gives us a direct local foothold in the county, not just a phone number with a out-of-area address.
Direct experience with Riverside County Superior Court. We regularly file and litigate cases at the Riverside Historic Courthouse and know the local procedures, judges, and scheduling.
Trial experience. Many personal injury firms settle every case. Insurance companies know which firms will go to trial and which will not, and they adjust their settlement offers accordingly. Our attorneys have tried cases to verdict.
Contingency fee. You pay no attorney fees unless we win your case. The standard contingency fee is a percentage of your final settlement or judgment. Your free consultation is free with no obligation.
Direct attorney communication. Your case is handled by an attorney, not paralegals or case managers who pass messages back and forth.
Free case evaluation 24/7. Call (949) 325-7790 at any time, including nights and weekends, to discuss your case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Riverside Personal Injury Claims
What is the statute of limitations for personal injury in Riverside?
Under California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, you generally have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Riverside. For property damage claims, California Code of Civil Procedure section 338 gives you three years. If your injury was not immediately apparent at the time of the accident (the "delayed discovery" rule), the clock can sometimes start running from the date you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) the injury. If a government vehicle or employee was involved, you must file a government tort claim within just six months under the California Government Claims Act. These deadlines are strictly enforced.
Where are Riverside personal injury cases filed?
Personal injury cases arising from accidents in Riverside are filed in the Riverside County Superior Court at the Riverside Historic Courthouse, located at 4050 Main Street in downtown Riverside. This courthouse handles civil personal injury litigation for the City of Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, Norco, Jurupa Valley, and surrounding Western Riverside County communities. Cases arising in the Hemet, San Jacinto, or Murrieta areas may be filed at other Riverside County Superior Court locations depending on the specific facts. Our attorneys regularly appear in Riverside County courts and understand the local procedures.
What if I was partly at fault for my Riverside accident?
California follows the doctrine of pure comparative negligence. Even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover compensation. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20% at fault and your total damages amounted to $100,000, you could recover $80,000. Insurance companies often try to inflate the injured party's share of fault to reduce what they owe. An experienced personal injury attorney can push back against this tactic by gathering proper evidence, witness statements, and accident reconstruction if needed.
How much does it cost to hire a Riverside personal injury lawyer?
Nothing upfront. Cefali & Cefali handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case. The standard contingency fee is a percentage of your final settlement or judgment. Your free consultation is just that, free, with no obligation. If we do not recover money for you, you owe us nothing.
What if a government vehicle or employee caused my Riverside accident?
If your accident involved a Riverside Transit Agency bus, a Riverside County vehicle, a city vehicle, a police car, a government employee acting in the course of their duties, or a defective public roadway, you must file a government tort claim within just six months of the accident under the California Government Claims Act. This is dramatically shorter than the standard two-year personal injury deadline. Missing this six-month window typically eliminates your right to sue the government entity entirely. If you suspect government liability, contact an attorney immediately.
What if the at-fault party does not have insurance?
You may still have a path to recovery. If the at-fault driver has no insurance, you can file a claim under your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. If the at-fault driver has insurance but the policy limits are too low to cover your damages, you can file a claim under your underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. California requires insurers to offer this coverage with every auto policy, though drivers can decline it in writing. For non-vehicle accidents (like dog bites or slip-and-fall claims), the responsible party's homeowner's insurance, renter's insurance, or business liability insurance often covers the claim. Our attorneys investigate every available source of recovery in your case.
How long does a Riverside personal injury case take to resolve?
Resolution time varies based on injury severity, liability complexity, and the insurance company's willingness to negotiate. Straightforward claims with clear liability and modest injuries may settle in several months. Cases involving serious injuries, disputed fault, multiple parties, or ongoing medical treatment can take a year or more. Cases that proceed to trial in Riverside County Superior Court typically take longer because of the court's docket. Our team will give you a realistic timeline at your free consultation based on the specifics of your case.
Should I talk to the other driver's insurance company without an attorney?
No. Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions designed to minimize your claim. They may try to get you to admit partial fault, downplay your injuries, or settle quickly for less than your case is worth. You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company, and you should not do so before consulting with a personal injury attorney. Your own insurance company is a separate matter (your policy usually requires you to cooperate with your own insurer), but even there, an attorney can advise you on what to say and what not to say. Our consultation is free, and we handle all communication with insurance companies on your behalf.
Contact Our Riverside Personal Injury Lawyers
If you or a loved one has been injured in Riverside or anywhere in Riverside County, do not face the insurance process alone. Cefali & Cefali Personal Injury Lawyers fights to recover full compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Call (949) 325-7790 for a free consultation available 24/7, or contact us today through our online form. Our Hemet office serves as a direct local presence in Riverside County, and we travel throughout the county to meet with clients who cannot come to us. No fee unless we win.
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.
