Most people are not prepared for what happens after a serious car accident. The crash may last only a few seconds, but the disruption that follows can affect nearly every part of your life. You may be missing work, attending medical appointments, relying on family members for help, or dealing with daily pain that was never part of your life before the collision. Meanwhile, the insurance company is focused on closing the claim as quickly and cheaply as possible. You shouldn’t have to fight an insurance company while you’re still trying to recover from your injuries.
For nearly two decades, Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates has helped injured people in Corona and Riverside County take action after serious crashes. Our attorneys understand the challenges accident victims face and the pressure that often follows a life-changing collision. Below, we explain how car accidents happen, who may be responsible, what compensation may be available, and how a Corona car accident lawyer can fight for the financial recovery and accountability you deserve.
Car Accident Lawyer in Corona
A car accident claim is about more than fixing a vehicle. It is about holding the at-fault party accountable and securing the resources you need to move forward. For nearly two decades, Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates has fought for injured Californians and recovered more than $400 million for victims. Get Samer on Your Side. Contact Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates by calling (951) 432-5531 or contacting us online for a free consultation.
Major Types of Car Accidents
Rear-End Collisions — These crashes happen when the front of one vehicle strikes the back of another vehicle traveling in the same direction. They are especially common in stop-and-go traffic, near intersections, and on Riverside County’s heavily traveled freeways. Some involve relatively low speeds, while others occur at highway speeds and result in significant vehicle damage.
T-Bone Accidents — Most often occurring at intersections, this type of crash involves the front of one vehicle impacting the side of another. The collision typically creates a “T” shape between the vehicles. Traffic signals, turning movements, and crossing traffic frequently play a role in how these accidents occur.
Head-On Collisions — Unlike crashes involving vehicles traveling in the same direction, these accidents occur when vehicles collide front-to-front. They are commonly associated with two-lane highways, rural roads, and situations where a vehicle crosses into an oncoming lane.
Multi-Vehicle Accidents — Rather than ending with a single impact, these crashes develop into a chain reaction involving three or more vehicles. They frequently occur on busy highways and freeways where large numbers of vehicles travel close together and have limited time to react to sudden traffic changes.
Rollover Accidents — Instead of remaining upright during a crash sequence, a vehicle tips onto its side or roof. Some rollovers begin with a collision, while others occur after a vehicle leaves the roadway or makes a sudden maneuver that causes it to lose stability.
Hit-and-Run Accidents — What distinguishes these incidents is that a driver leaves the scene after being involved in a collision. The accident itself can take many forms, including crashes involving moving vehicles, parked vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists.
Top Causes of Car Accidents in Riverside County
Distracted Driving — Taking your eyes, hands, or attention away from driving remains one of the leading causes of car accidents in Corona. Common distractions include texting, using a phone, adjusting navigation systems, eating, and interacting with passengers. Even a brief lapse in attention can prevent a driver from reacting to changing traffic conditions.
Speeding — Driving too fast reduces reaction time and increases stopping distance. Higher speeds also make collisions more likely when traffic suddenly slows, road conditions change, or unexpected hazards appear.
Driving Under the Influence — Alcohol and drugs can impair judgment, coordination, concentration, and reaction time. Impaired drivers often struggle to safely operate a vehicle and respond appropriately to roadway conditions.
Fatigued Driving — Drowsiness can affect a driver’s awareness and decision-making abilities in much the same way as impairment. Fatigued drivers may react more slowly to hazards or fail to recognize dangerous situations.
Following Too Closely — Leaving insufficient space between vehicles increases the risk of a collision when traffic slows or stops unexpectedly. This behavior is a common factor in rear-end accidents throughout Corona.
Failure to Yield the Right-of-Way — Many crashes occur when drivers fail to yield while turning, entering traffic, approaching intersections, or encountering pedestrians and other road users.
Unsafe Lane Changes — Accidents frequently occur when drivers change lanes without checking blind spots, signaling, or ensuring there is enough room to move safely into another lane.
Serious Injuries Car Accidents Can Cause
Traumatic Brain Injuries — A sudden blow or jolt to the head can disrupt normal brain function. These injuries range from concussions to severe brain trauma that affects memory, concentration, speech, and other cognitive abilities.
Spinal Cord Injuries — Damage to the spinal cord can interfere with communication between the brain and body. Depending on the severity and location of the injury, victims may experience partial or complete loss of movement and sensation.
Neck and Back Injuries — The force of a collision can strain muscles, damage ligaments, and injure spinal discs. These injuries may cause pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, and ongoing physical limitations.
Broken Bones — Fractures commonly affect the arms, legs, ribs, hips, and other parts of the body. Some breaks heal with immobilization, while others require surgery and extensive rehabilitation.
Internal Injuries — The impact of a crash can damage internal organs and blood vessels. Because symptoms are not always immediately apparent, prompt medical evaluation is often important.
Psychological Trauma — Some victims experience anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, or post-traumatic stress disorder following a serious collision. Emotional injuries can affect daily life long after physical wounds begin to heal.
Where Car Accidents Commonly Happen in Riverside County
Major Freeways — Interstate 15 and State Route 91 are the primary highways serving Corona and are among the area’s busiest roadways. Heavy commuter traffic, commercial vehicles, congestion, and higher travel speeds contribute to many serious car accidents.
Busy Surface Streets — Major roads such as Ontario Avenue, Main Street, Magnolia Avenue, McKinley Street, and Foothill Parkway experience steady traffic throughout the day. Frequent intersections, turning vehicles, and merging traffic increase the risk of collisions.
Busy Intersections — Some of Corona’s most dangerous crashes occur at busy intersections where drivers are turning left, changing lanes, or failing to yield. Intersections along the Interstate 15 and State Route 91 corridors often experience particularly heavy traffic.
Commercial and Retail Areas — Popular destinations such as The Shops at Dos Lagos, Corona Hills Plaza, and Crossings at Corona generate constant vehicle traffic. Parking lot entrances, exits, and nearby intersections are common locations for car accidents.
Roadways Throughout Riverside County — Drivers throughout Riverside County regularly travel between Corona and neighboring communities using major highways and arterial roads. Heavy commuter traffic, commercial vehicles, and daily congestion contribute to collisions across the county.
Residential Neighborhoods — Car accidents also occur on local streets throughout Corona’s neighborhoods. School traffic, parked vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, and frequent turning movements can all increase the likelihood of collisions close to home.
Who May Be Held Responsible for a Car Accident
Another Driver — If another motorist caused your car crash, you may have a claim under California Civil Code § 1714, which generally holds people responsible for injuries caused by their failure to use reasonable care. A driver’s violation of California traffic laws may also serve as evidence of negligence. Depending on the circumstances, the crash may involve unsafe speed under California Vehicle Code § 22350, unsafe turns or lane changes under California Vehicle Code § 22107, reckless driving under California Vehicle Code § 23103, or driving under the influence under California Vehicle Code § 23152.
The Vehicle Owner — You may also have a claim against the owner of the vehicle if the at-fault driver had permission to use it. California Vehicle Code § 17150 can make a vehicle owner responsible for injuries caused by a permissive driver, while California Vehicle Code § 17151 places limits on that owner’s financial responsibility in certain situations.
An Employer — If the driver was working at the time of the crash, the employer may share liability. For example, California law can hold truck companies responsible when employees cause truck accidents while acting within the course and scope of their employment.
A Vehicle or Parts Manufacturer — Sometimes a collision is caused or made worse by defective brakes, tires, airbags, steering components, or other vehicle parts. In those situations, the manufacturer or another company involved in designing, producing, or distributing the product may be liable under California product liability law.
A Government Entity — Dangerous road conditions can contribute to serious accidents. Under California Government Code § 835, a public entity may be liable when a dangerous condition of public property substantially contributes to an injury. Examples may include defective roadway design, malfunctioning traffic signals, missing signs, inadequate warnings, or hazardous road conditions.
Multiple Parties — More than one person or entity may be responsible for a crash. California law allows liability to be shared among multiple parties when their actions contribute to the same accident. This is particularly common in multi-vehicle collisions and other complex crash scenarios.
Know the Deadline for Filing Your Claim — California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 generally gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a government entity may be liable, California Government Code § 911.2 generally requires an administrative claim to be filed within six months of the incident.
How a Corona Car Accident Attorney Builds a Strong Case
Investigate the Crash — Your lawyer gathers police reports, witness statements, photographs, video footage, vehicle damage, and other evidence needed to determine exactly how the accident occurred.
Deal With Insurance Companies — Insurance adjusters often try to minimize payouts. Your attorney handles communications, negotiations, and settlement discussions while protecting your interests throughout the claims process.
Identify All Available Compensation — A personal injury lawyer looks for every available source of recovery, including liability insurance, uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage, and other insurance policies that may apply.
Prove the Value of Your Losses — Your attorney documents medical expenses, lost wages, future treatment costs, pain and suffering, and other damages to pursue the full compensation your case may warrant.
Handle Wrongful Death Claims — When a fatal car accident occurs, a Riverside County car accident lawyer can help eligible family members with a wrongful death claim, pursuing compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and the loss of companionship.
Take Your Case to Court if Necessary — If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer can file a lawsuit and represent you throughout the litigation process. Whether your accident occurred in Corona or elsewhere in Riverside County, an experienced attorney can fight to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Contact Corona Car Accident Lawyers
After a serious car accident, you may be worried about far more than repairing your vehicle. You may be wondering how you will pay your bills, support your family, recover from your injuries, and deal with an insurance company that does not have your best interests in mind. You do not have to face those challenges alone.
For nearly two decades, car crash victims in Corona and Riverside County have turned to Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. The firm has recovered more than $400 million for injury victims and earned recognition from Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, AVVO, America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators, and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Get Samer on your side. Contact Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates by calling (951) 432-5531 or contacting us online for a free consultation.