A slip in a grocery store, a car crash at an intersection, or an unleashed dog lunging at you on your walk. These terrifying moments leave you shaken, injured, and searching for clarity. How will you afford medical care? What about missed work? Who’s going to fight for you while you try to heal?
In times like these, you need a seasoned Riverside personal injury lawyer. At the Law Offices of Steers & Associates, we’ve helped over 3,000 injured clients across California regain control of their lives. Our personal injury attorneys in Riverside offer compassionate support, honest legal guidance, and fierce advocacy when you need it most. Contact us today for a free consultation.
What Types of Personal Injury Cases Do We Handle?
A personal injury case arises when someone’s careless or reckless actions cause harm. At the Law Offices of Steers & Associates, we represent victims in a wide range of injury cases and tailor our approach to meet each client’s unique circumstances. Here are some of the most common cases we handle.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car crashes remain one of the leading causes of personal injury in Riverside. We represent drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians who have been injured in collisions caused by speeding, distracted driving, DUIs, and other negligent behaviors.
Premises Liability Cases
You may have a claim if you were hurt on someone else’s property, such as a store, apartment complex, or parking lot. Property owners and managers must keep their premises safe by fixing hazards like spills, broken railings, poor lighting, or uneven flooring. They may be liable if they fail to repair or warn of these hazards and someone is injured.
Dog Bite Cases
Dog owners have a legal duty to control their pets. California law may hold an owner liable if you were bitten or knocked down by their dog. These cases can be traumatic, especially for children, and we work to recover full compensation for physical and emotional injuries.
Rideshare Accidents
Injured while riding an Uber or Lyft or hit by a rideshare driver? These cases involve unique insurance policies and rules. We know how to navigate these laws and hold the appropriate parties accountable.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover?
If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for a range of financial and personal losses, depending on the facts of your case. These damages can include:
- Medical expenses. You can recover costs for ER visits, surgeries, specialist care, rehab, medication, and any future treatment your injuries require.
- Lost wages. If your injury kept you from working, you can make a claim for the income you missed.
- Reduced earning capacity. If your injuries diminish your ability to work in the future, you may also seek compensation for reduced earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering. These damages account for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injury.
- Property damage. If personal property (like your vehicle or bicycle) was damaged in the incident, you can seek compensation for repair or replacement.
- Loss of enjoyment of life. If your injury prevents you from doing activities you once enjoyed, you can seek damages for this loss.
- Scarring or disfigurement. Visible injuries can impact your self-esteem and daily life, and the law allows you to recover from those harms.
- Punitive damages. In rare cases involving malicious, oppressive, or fraudulent conduct, additional damages may be available to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior.
Together, these damages help restore financial balance, recognize personal suffering, and support your recovery journey. Our Riverside injury lawyers will work to identify every applicable category and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Should I Speak with the Insurance Company?
After an accident, it’s common to receive a call from an insurance adjuster. While they may sound helpful and courteous, their priorities often don’t align with yours. Insurance companies are focused on minimizing payouts. Below are a few reasons why avoiding direct communication is best and seeking legal representation is vital.
Misleading Questions
Insurance adjusters are trained to guide conversations in ways that protect the company, not you. They may ask leading or vague questions to get you to say something that sounds like an admission of fault, even if you weren’t responsible.
Offer a Quick, Low Settlement
After an injury, insurers often make a quick settlement offer. These early offers are usually far below what the claim is worth and come before a full investigation into liability or a clear picture of your medical needs. If you haven’t reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), it’s too soon to know how your injuries will affect your ability to work, your daily life, or your future expenses. Accepting a low offer too early can leave you without the necessary resources for ongoing care and recovery.
Using Your Statement Against You
If you agree to give a recorded statement, adjusters can use your own words to dispute or reduce your claim. Even innocent comments can be twisted or taken out of context to limit their liability. Never speak to an insurance representative without an attorney present.
Delaying or Denying Legitimate Claims
Insurers are notorious for using tactics such as asking for unnecessary documents, failing to return calls, or dragging out investigations. These strategies are designed to wear you down and force you to accept less or give up entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read on to learn more about what to expect from personal injury claims.
How Do I Prove a Personal Injury Claim?
To win a personal injury case, your lawyer must establish the following four elements of negligence:
- Duty of care. The defendant owed you a legal duty to act with the same care a reasonable person would exercise under similar situations.
- Breach of duty. The defendant failed to meet that duty by acting carelessly or recklessly.
- Causation. The defendant’s actions directly caused your injury.
- Damages. You suffered actual harm (physical, emotional, or financial) as a result.
Evidence must support each element, such as witness statements, accident reports, photos, expert testimony, or medical records.
How Long Do I Have to Bring a Personal Injury Claim?
In California, you generally have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. Your case may be barred if you do not file by this deadline. Speak with a Riverside personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to preserve your right to compensation.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?
At the Law Offices of Steers & Associates, we work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront. And we only get paid if we win your case.
Will My Personal Injury Case Go to Trial?
Most personal injury cases are resolved through negotiated settlements. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair deal, we’re fully prepared to go to trial. Our attorneys have years of courtroom experience and won’t hesitate to take your case as far as needed to fight for fair compensation.
Contact a Riverside Personal Injury Attorney Today
You shouldn’t face the legal system, insurance companies, or mounting bills alone. The Law Offices of Steers & Associates is here to lighten the load. With over 40 years of combined legal experience, we know how to fight for justice and treat you with care and respect.
If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence in Riverside, don’t wait. Contact us today for a free consultation. We’re ready to help you move forward with strength, clarity, and the legal support you deserve.
