$8.5M
Bakersfield car accident settlement: a rear-end collision injured an occupant of one of the vehicles involved, leaving the occupant with a head injury.
Personal Injury
Riverside Car Accident Lawyer
Wilshire Law Firm’s Riverside office, 3880 Lemon St., Suite 410, represents drivers and passengers injured in car crashes across Riverside County and the Inland Empire; case reviews are free 24/7, and there are no fees unless you get paid. Our Riverside County car accident results include $5 million for a Lake Elsinore occupant hurt when a rear-end collision overturned the vehicle, and $900,000 for a Riverside motorist struck while exiting the freeway; past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Hablamos español.
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Key Takeaways
- Who takes the report: The CHP’s Riverside Area office patrols I-15, I-215, SR-60, SR-71, SR-74, and SR-91 across most of western Riverside County; inside the city, Riverside police handle street crashes, and the Traffic Bureau’s Major Accident Investigation Team investigates collisions that are typically fatal.
- Where cases are filed: Unlimited civil cases (more than $35,000) from every City of Riverside ZIP code are filed at the Riverside Historic Courthouse, 4050 Main Street, which since August 1, 2026, also takes them from Lake Elsinore, Hemet, Murrieta, Wildomar, Winchester, and Homeland.
- Local crash numbers: In its 2023 rankings, the state Office of Traffic Safety put the number of people killed or injured in City of Riverside crashes at 1,805; most freeway crashes aren’t included.
- Insurance minimums: Policies issued or renewed since January 1, 2025, must cover at least $30,000 per injured person and $60,000 per crash (Veh. Code § 16056), and your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage may help when the at-fault driver’s policy falls short (Ins. Code § 11580.2).
- Deadlines: You generally have two years from the crash to sue the at-fault driver (Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1); if a public agency’s vehicle or roadway played a part, a written claim to that agency is due within six months (Gov. Code § 911.2).
Understanding Your Riverside Automobile Accident Case
Explore essential resources on your rights, your options, and what to expect — everything you need to navigate the legal process, all in one place.
We meet clients by appointment at 3880 Lemon St., Suite 410, Riverside, CA 92501. Calls and online messages reach our intake team 24/7, in English or Spanish. For directions and the other Inland Empire cases we handle, see our Riverside office page.
Car accident cases our team resolved in Riverside and San Bernardino counties:
- $5 million (2020, Lake Elsinore): a rear-end collision overturned a vehicle, and an occupant suffered a traumatic brain injury and serious neck and arm injuries.
- $4 million (2022, San Bernardino County): a commercial pickup ran a red light and broadsided a driver whose light had turned green, causing serious head, neck, and back injuries.
- $3.8 million (2024, Menifee): a driver making an unsafe lane change struck a car, and a passenger suffered serious neck and back injuries.
- $3 million (2024, Riverside County): an oncoming pickup rear-ended another vehicle and pushed it head-on into a driver, who suffered serious leg injuries.
- $2 million (2025, Redlands): a left-turning driver sent another car into a sign pole, leaving its driver with neck, back, and arm pain.
- $2 million (2025, Hemet): a driver rear-ended a pickup waiting at a light, leaving the pickup undrivable and its driver with back, neck, leg, and arm pain.
- $1.3 million (2026, Riverside County): a sedan driver failed to slow on the 215 Freeway and rear-ended a motorist braking for traffic, causing neck and lower back pain.
- $900,000 (2026, Riverside): a driver turning left out of a parking lot struck a motorist coming off the freeway, totaling the car and causing head, neck, and back pain.
View more car accident results on our settlements and verdicts page. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different.
Freeway or street. The CHP's Riverside Area office, 8118 Lincoln Ave., patrols the 91, the 60, I-215, I-15, SR-71, and SR-74. Caltrans' 2024 traffic volumes show about 219,000 vehicles a day on the 91 at Spruce Street, and about 233,000 on I-215 at Central Avenue, where it runs together with the 60. Inside city limits, Riverside police handle crashes on city streets, and the department's Major Accident Investigation Team investigates collisions that are typically fatal.
The numbers. OTS figures show 1,805 people killed or injured in the City of Riverside in 2023, compared with 1,764 in 2022. Of the 2023 total, 275 were hurt or killed in speed-related crashes and 185 in hit-and-runs. OTS uses state crash records for incorporated cities, so most freeway crashes aren't in these counts.
The police report. A Riverside police collision report costs $20 at the front counter, 10540 Magnolia Ave., Suite B, or by mail with a check payable to the City of Riverside. Online copies come through LexisNexis eCrash for an added $10 convenience fee, though reports on fatal crashes and on-duty emergency vehicles aren't available online. Most are ready in about 10 working days.
The courthouse. Riverside Superior Court files unlimited civil cases, those over $35,000, from every City of Riverside ZIP code at the Riverside Historic Courthouse, 4050 Main Street, a 1903 building that now serves civil and probate cases. Since August 1, 2026, unlimited civil cases from Lake Elsinore, Hemet, Winchester, Homeland, Wildomar, and Murrieta are filed there as well.
Public agency claims are due within six months (Gov. Code § 911.2):
- City of Riverside: the City Clerk's Office, 3900 Main Street, online, in person, or by mail; the City Attorney's office processes it.
- County of Riverside: the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, Attn: Claims Division, P.O. Box 1147, Riverside, CA 92502-1147, or in person at 4080 Lemon Street, 1st Floor. Only a signed paper claim is accepted, not email or fax.
- Caltrans District 8 (state highways in Riverside and San Bernardino counties): claims of $12,500 or less on form DOTLD-0274 to 464 West 4th Street, San Bernardino; larger claims go to the state's Government Claims Program.
- Transit: a crash with a Riverside Transit Agency bus is a claim against a public agency, so the same six-month deadline applies.
Rear-end and freeway crashes. Half of the results above began with a rear-end collision, one of them on the 215. California drivers may not follow more closely than is reasonable and prudent (Veh. Code § 21703) or drive faster than is reasonable for the traffic, weather, and road (Veh. Code § 22350).
Vehicles driven for work. Our $4 million San Bernardino County result involved a commercial pickup that ran a red light. An employer is responsible for an employee's negligence while the employee is doing the employer's business (Civ. Code § 2338). Separately, an owner who lets someone else drive is liable for that driver's negligence (Veh. Code § 17150), up to $15,000 per injured person when the claim doesn't rest on an employment or agency relationship (§ 17151).
When the other driver's insurance is too small. Some drivers carry only the legal minimum, now $30,000 per person (Veh. Code § 16056). Underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy can pay up to the difference between your coverage limit and what the other driver's insurer paid, once that policy's limits are used up (Ins. Code § 11580.2(p)). If the driver fled, uninsured motorist coverage may apply when the vehicle made contact, the crash was reported to police within 24 hours, and a sworn statement reached your insurer within 30 days (§ 11580.2(b)).
The evidence. We gather the police report, photos, and medical records, and we handle the insurance companies. We may also ask nearby businesses for video, request the cars' event data, and bring in a reconstruction engineer when the facts are disputed.
We also take car cases from across San Bernardino County, where the reports, claims, and courts work a little differently in each city.
San Bernardino. The CHP's San Bernardino Area office, 2211 Western Ave., patrols I-10, I-15, I-215, and SR-210 and lists the city among those it covers; Caltrans' 2024 figures show about 216,000 vehicles a day on I-215 at Orange Show Road. San Bernardino police reports are requested in the Records Bureau lobby, 710 North D Street, with a form and photo ID, at 25 cents a page; allow about 10 days. A claim against the City goes to the City Clerk within six months, in person at 201 North E Street, Building A, or by mail to 290 North D Street.
Fontana. I-10 at Sierra Avenue carries about 178,000 to 185,000 vehicles a day (Caltrans, 2024), and the CHP's San Bernardino and Rancho Cucamonga Area offices both list Fontana. On city streets, the police department's Traffic Bureau investigates. A report costs $18 in person at 17005 Upland Avenue, by mail, or through LexisNexis BuyCrash, and takes two to three weeks. Claims against the City go to the City Clerk by mail or hand delivery.
Ontario. I-10 at Haven Avenue carries about 228,000 vehicles a day, and I-15 at Jurupa Avenue about 204,000 (Caltrans, 2024). The CHP's Rancho Cucamonga Area office lists Ontario. The police department's Traffic Services Division handles injury and fatal collisions and hit-and-runs, and its reports are available online through BuyCrash. A claim against the City goes to the City Clerk's Records Management office, 303 East B Street, online with an e-signature or as a mailed hard copy.
Court and county claims. San Bernardino Superior Court lists San Bernardino, Fontana, and Ontario among the areas served by the Civil Division of its San Bernardino District, at the San Bernardino Justice Center, 247 West 3rd Street; the Fontana courthouse doesn't take unlimited civil cases. San Bernardino County's Risk Management Division, 222 W. Hospitality Lane, 3rd Floor, takes claims against the County on a printed, signed form sent by mail. More local detail is on our San Bernardino personal injury and Fontana personal injury pages.
A car accident claim can include medical bills and future treatment, lost pay and reduced earning ability, the damage to your car, and pain and emotional distress. If a crash took the life of someone in your family, our wrongful death lawyers can explain a family's claim. Our guide to car accident time limits goes into more detail.
Deadlines at a glance:
- Injury lawsuit: two years from the crash (Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1).
- Vehicle and property damage: three years (Code Civ. Proc. § 338(c)(1)).
- Claim to a city, the county, a transit agency, or Caltrans: six months (Gov. Code § 911.2).
- Lawsuit after a written claim rejection: six months from the date the notice is mailed or delivered (Gov. Code § 945.6(a)(1)).
Meet Our Riverside Automobile Accident Attorneys
Nationally Recognized Powerhouse, Fighting for the Justice You Deserve
Our award-winning attorneys have recovered billions for clients while taking on insurance companies and major corporations.
Learn more about the team
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Colin M. Jones, Esq.Senior Partner and Senior Trial Attorney, Chair of the Personal Injury Litigation Department
Jennifer P. Burkes, Esq.Senior Partner & Strategic Advisor, Personal Injury Litigation Department
Mary Lee Caruso, Esq.Senior Partner
Ryan Casey, Esq.Senior Partner and Trial Attorney
Tae-Yoon Kim, Esq.Senior Partner
Mike Wellen, Esq.Partner
Philip Andonian, Esq.Partner and Trial Attorney
Alivia E. Abreu, Esq.Partner
Shervin G. Ghanoongooi, Esq.Partner
Christopher Goodroe, Esq.Partner
Nathan A. Guest, Esq.Partner and Trial Attorney
Brian M. Jacobson, Esq.Partner
Ariella Perry, Esq.PartnerRecent wins
1 of 68
$7.1M
San Diego County car accident settlement: a crash with a pickup on a state highway left a driver hospitalized with a traumatic brain injury and other serious injuries.
$5.8M
San Diego County car accident settlement: a rear-end collision broke a passenger's seat, leaving the passenger with a serious neck injury and back pain.
$5.0M
Lake Elsinore car accident settlement: a vehicle occupant suffered a traumatic brain injury, serious neck injuries and arm injuries when a rear-end collision overturned the vehicle.
$4.1M
Santa Monica car accident settlement: a commercial pickup ran a red light and hit a car crossing on green, leaving the driver with headaches, dizziness and leg pain.
$4.0M
California car accident settlement: a driver whose light had turned green suffered serious head, neck and back injuries when a commercial pickup ran a red light and broadsided the vehicle.
$3.8M
Menifee car accident settlement: a driver making an unsafe lane change struck a car carrying a passenger, who suffered serious neck and back injuries.
$3.5M
California car accident settlement: a motorist unable to stop in slowing rainy-day traffic on the 101 rear-ended a pickup, and its driver reported leg, neck and lower back pain.
$3.3M
Los Angeles car accident settlement: a commercial vehicle struck a stopped car, injuring the person inside and leaving the car a total loss.
$3.1M
El Monte car accident settlement: a commercial vehicle collided with a car in a major-impact crash, leaving an occupant with serious neck and lower back injuries.
$3.0M
Riverside County car accident settlement: an oncoming pickup rear-ended another vehicle and pushed it head-on into a driver, who suffered serious leg injuries and other injuries.
$3.0M
California car accident settlement: a commercial vehicle and a car collided, and the person in the car suffered a serious back injury.
$3.0M
Concord car accident settlement: a speeding motorist cut across several 680 Freeway lanes and struck a driver, causing leg and other injuries along with neck and back pain.
$2.9M
San Francisco car accident settlement: a driver swerving into a U-turn struck a motorist head-on as the motorist waited to turn right, causing hip and head pain.
$2.9M
Los Angeles County car accident settlement: a heavy-duty work pickup rear-ended a stopped driver on the 405 Freeway in a four-vehicle crash, causing neck, back, arm and leg pain.
$2.8M
Fresno County car accident settlement: a driver ran a stop sign and broadsided another car, spinning it several times and leaving its driver with neck, back and arm pain.
$2.7M
Palmdale car accident settlement: a three-vehicle collision at an intersection totaled a car and left its driver with serious head, arm, leg and other injuries.
$2.5M
Kings County car accident settlement: a driver passing other cars on a two-lane highway hit another driver head-on, causing multiple serious injuries, including leg injuries.
$2.4M
San Jose car accident settlement: a left-turn collision involving three cars left a vehicle occupant with hip and lower back injuries.
$2.4M
Bakersfield car accident settlement: a left-turn collision injured a vehicle occupant, who reported that the crash set back their recovery from an earlier hip condition.
$2.3M
Santa Ana car accident settlement: a red-light runner hit a motorist turning left on a green arrow, totaling the car and causing neck, arm and leg pain.
$2.3M
California car accident settlement: a driver rear-ended a stopped car, pushing it into the vehicle ahead and leaving the motorist inside with a lower-back injury.
$2.3M
Contra Costa County car accident settlement: a commercial van rear-ended a driver stopped in traffic on Highway 24, causing neck, arm and lower-back pain and difficulty walking.
$2.3M
California car accident settlement: a car turned left in front of a vehicle going through a green light, leaving its occupant with a back injury.
$2.3M
California car accident settlement: a company car rear-ended a motorist on a freeway, leaving the motorist with neck and back pain.
$2.0M
Long Beach car accident settlement: a three-car rear-end collision left an occupant of one vehicle with a traumatic brain injury and several other serious injuries.
$2.0M
Santa Fe Springs car accident settlement: another driver rear-ended a motorist stopped at a red light, causing neck and upper-back pain and a sprained arm.
$2.0M
Lake Elsinore car accident settlement: a rear-end collision flipped over a vehicle carrying an occupant, causing head, arm and leg injuries.
$2.0M
La Puente car accident settlement: a rear-end collision left a vehicle occupant with sprains and strains of the neck and back, headaches and other injuries.
$2.0M
Los Angeles car accident settlement: a vehicle occupant involved in a collision suffered serious injuries that required a stay in the hospital.
$2.0M
Los Angeles car accident settlement: a truck rear-ended a driver stopped in freeway traffic and ended up on top of the car, causing neck, arm and head pain.
$2.0M
San Mateo County car accident settlement: a driver ran a stop sign and T-boned the passenger side of a vehicle, leaving a passenger with neck, back and leg pain.
$2.0M
Visalia car accident settlement: a driver ran a stop sign and struck the vehicle another motorist was driving, spinning it around and causing serious back injuries.
$2.0M
Monterey County car accident settlement: a vehicle T-boned an SUV crossing an intersection and pushed it toward railroad tracks, leaving its driver with back, hip and arm pain.
$2.0M
Redlands car accident settlement: a left-turning driver struck another car and sent it into a sign pole, leaving its driver with neck, back and arm pain.
$2.0M
Los Angeles car accident settlement: a rideshare driver cutting in from the parking lane set off a three-car collision, leaving a passenger with back pain and fogginess.
$2.0M
Los Angeles car accident settlement: a motorist crossed into oncoming traffic and hit another motorist head-on, causing neck and back injuries. Defendants included a rideshare company.
$2.0M
California car accident settlement: a parked commercial vehicle tried to turn around in front of a driver, who struck its side. The driver had serious neck and back injuries.
$2.0M
Hemet car accident settlement: another driver rear-ended a pickup waiting at a light, leaving the pickup undrivable and its driver with back, neck, leg and arm pain.
$1.9M
Dublin car accident settlement: a pickup set off a four-vehicle chain-reaction rear-end crash, leaving a driver with arm injuries and a neck injury that worsened an existing condition.
$1.8M
Citrus Heights car accident settlement: a van traveling at high speed rear-ended a vehicle stopped on a boulevard, leaving its occupant with several leg injuries.
$1.3M
Tulare County car accident settlement: another motorist pulled out from a stop sign into a minivan's path, leaving its driver with leg pain and swelling.
$1.3M
Pasadena car accident settlement: another driver rear-ended a motorist who was stopped and signaling a left turn into a gas station, causing a neck injury.
$1.3M
Riverside County car accident settlement: a sedan driver failed to slow and rear-ended a motorist braking for traffic on the 215 Freeway, causing neck and lower back pain.
$1.2M
Bellflower car accident settlement: a company pickup turned left into a driver's path at an intersection, causing arm and lower back injuries and totaling the driver's car.
$1.0M
Fremont car accident settlement: an oncoming vehicle cutting across the road struck a motorist's car on the driver side, causing a serious leg injury with expected loss of mobility.
$1.0M
Los Angeles car accident settlement: a driver rear-ended a rideshare car stopped at a red light, leaving a passenger with whiplash, neck and head pain and worsened prior injuries.
$991K
Los Angeles car accident settlement: a driver turning into traffic caused a three-vehicle collision that left a motorist driving through a green light with back and neck pain.
$949K
Long Beach car accident settlement: a rideshare driver who fell asleep rear-ended a car stopped at a red light, leaving its driver with neck and back pain.
$900K
Riverside car accident settlement: a left-turning driver leaving a parking lot struck a motorist exiting the freeway, totaling the motorist's car and causing head, neck and back pain.
$750K
Los Angeles car accident settlement: a car turned left across a solid line into a driver's path, and the collision left that driver with numbness and other injuries.
$682K
Nevada County car accident settlement: a driver making a U-turn cut off a pickup with no room to stop, leaving its driver with neck and upper back pain.
$675K
San Diego car accident settlement: a pickup rear-ended a car stopped in traffic and pushed it into the vehicle ahead, leaving the driver with back, neck and leg pain.
$641K
Napa car accident settlement: a red-light runner struck a rideshare driver going through an intersection, leaving the driver with neck and leg pain.
$626K
Modesto car accident settlement: an oncoming vehicle turned left across a rideshare driver's lane at a green light and hit the driver's side, causing arm and other injuries.
$600K
Contra Costa County car accident settlement: a merging truck failed to brake in heavy highway traffic and rear-ended a driver, who had soft-tissue neck and back pain.
$500K
Glendale car accident settlement: a driver rear-ended a motorist stopped at the freeway divider with hazard lights on, causing a traumatic brain injury.
$500K
Alameda County car accident settlement: a pickup rear-ended a work truck at a red light, leaving the driver with neck and back pain, nausea and a suspected head injury.
$500K
Riverside County car accident settlement: a work pickup hit another vehicle, jumped the curb and rear-ended a driver, causing an arm injury and neck and back pain.
$499K
Los Angeles car accident settlement: a sedan rear-ended a driver stopped at a red light, pushing the driver's car into the one ahead and causing leg and hip pain.
$375K
Oakland car accident settlement: a driver rear-ended a stopped vehicle on the freeway, leaving an occupant with back, neck and leg pain that overlapped earlier injuries.
$300K
Riverside County car accident settlement: a three-vehicle chain-reaction crash sent a motorist's car into a pickup that had stopped suddenly, resulting in soft-tissue back and arm pain.
$300K
Buena Park car accident settlement: a driver swerved into a freeway carpool lane and struck a car, leaving a passenger with arm pain and other soft-tissue pain.
$300K
San Bernardino County car accident settlement: an SUV ran a stop sign and broadsided a dump truck, leaving the truck's driver with back pain and other soft-tissue pain.
$250K
Carlsbad car accident settlement: a driver who said a dog had jumped into their lap rear-ended a stopped car, leaving an occupant with soft-tissue neck and back injuries.
$250K
Sand City car accident settlement: a car pulled out from a stop sign without yielding, and the motorist who broadsided it had arm and hip pain.
$200K
Buena Park car accident settlement: a driver swerving to avoid another car hit a motorist in a 91 Freeway carpool lane, causing back pain.
$138K
Los Banos car accident settlement: a driver leaving a parking lot cut off a motorist making a protected left turn. The airbags deployed, and the motorist had leg pain.
*Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Each case is unique and evaluated on its own facts.
View more resultsHow Do I Protect My Claim After a Riverside Crash?
See a doctor the same day, even if the pain seems minor. Photograph both cars, the plates, the intersection or freeway sign nearest the crash, and your injuries. Exchange insurance information, get witnesses' names, and ask the CHP or Riverside police for the report number. Don't give the other driver's insurer a recorded statement or sign a medical release before you talk to us.
Send it to someone who could use it, or copy it into ChatGPT, Gemini or your notes.
Start Your Free Riverside Automobile Accident Case Review
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Winners of #1 Settlements in California
Our attorneys have recovered billions of dollars, including some of the biggest settlements in California.
17#1 Settlements in California, 2022–2024*
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#1 Truck v. Pedestrian Accident Settlement
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#1 Multi-Vehicle Accident Settlement
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#1 Equipment Malfunction Settlement
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#1 Car v. Stationary Object Collision Settlement
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#1 Bus v. Passenger Accident Settlement
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#1 Whistleblower Retaliation Settlement
2023
#1 Underinsured Motorist Settlement
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#1 Slip & Fall Accident Settlement
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#1 Negligent Security Settlement
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#1 Ladder Accident Settlement
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#1 Hotel Premises Liability Settlement
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#1 Car v. Car Collision Settlement
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#1 Bicycle Accident Settlement
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#1 Pregnancy Discrimination Settlement
2022
#1 Age/Disability Discrimination Settlement
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#1 Wrongful Termination Settlement
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#1 Meal & Rest Breaks Settlement
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*#1 settlements in California have been awarded by TopVerdict.com. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
Riverside Automobile Accident FAQs
Our Most Frequently Asked Questions
We've answered the most common ones below. If yours isn't here, call us — we're available 24/7.
Local results, a way to reach the firm at any hour, and a lawyer who explains each step. Wilshire Law Firm has resolved car accident cases across the Inland Empire, including $5 million in Lake Elsinore, $3.8 million in Menifee, and $900,000 in Riverside, from our office at 3880 Lemon St.; past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Ask, too, who your day-to-day contact will be.
At the Riverside Historic Courthouse, 4050 Main Street, for unlimited civil cases (over $35,000) from the City of Riverside. Since August 1, 2026, the courthouse also takes unlimited civil cases from Lake Elsinore, Hemet, Murrieta, Wildomar, Winchester, and Homeland.
An injury lawsuit generally has to be filed within two years of the crash (Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1), and a claim for the damage to your car within three (§ 338(c)(1)). Claims against the City of Riverside, Riverside County, or Caltrans come due much sooner: six months (Gov. Code § 911.2).
Your own policy may help. Uninsured motorist coverage may apply when the other driver had no insurance or fled, and underinsured motorist coverage can pay up to the difference between your limit and what the other driver's insurer paid (Ins. Code § 11580.2). The legal minimum for policies issued or renewed since January 1, 2025, is $30,000 per person and $60,000 per crash (Veh. Code § 16056).
The CHP. Its Riverside Area office, 8118 Lincoln Ave., patrols SR-91, I-215, SR-60, I-15, SR-71, and SR-74. Crashes on city streets are handled by Riverside police, whose Major Accident Investigation Team investigates collisions that are typically fatal.
Nothing up front. Wilshire Law Firm handles car accident cases on contingency, so there are no fees unless you get paid. Case reviews are free and available 24/7.