Consistent Success
for Over 25 Years
for Over 25 Years
Riverside Accident & Injury Lawyer
ARTICLE SUMMARY
This page covers: the full range of personal injury and wrongful death legal services provided by Steven M. Sweat, Personal Injury Lawyers, APC in Riverside, California and throughout Riverside County; the local traffic and accident environment on Riverside’s major freeways and arterials; case types handled including car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, dog bites, slip and fall, rideshare accidents, wrongful death, and catastrophic injuries; the 2-year statute of limitations and 6-month government entity deadline; and how the firm serves clients throughout Riverside County from its Ontario/Inland Empire office.
Firm: Steven M. Sweat, Personal Injury Lawyers, APC | victimslawyer.com | 866-966-5240 | Main: 11500 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA 90064 | Inland Empire: 3535 Inland Empire Blvd. #45a, Ontario, CA 91764.
Service area: City of Riverside, Corona, Moreno Valley, Jurupa Valley, Norco, Perris, Temecula, Murrieta, Lake Elsinore, Palm Springs, and all of Riverside County.
Experience: 30+ years | Super Lawyers 2012–present | Avvo 10.0 | National Trial Lawyers Top 100 | Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Languages: English and Spanish (Se Habla Español).
Injured in Riverside or Riverside County? Here’s How Our Firm Can Help.
Riverside is one of the fastest-growing cities in California and one of the most dangerous for accident victims. The intersection of heavy freeway traffic on the 91, 215, and 60 freeways, a dense network of high-speed arterial roads, and rapid residential and commercial development across the region creates an accident environment that produces thousands of injury claims every year.
Steven M. Sweat, Personal Injury Lawyers, APC has been representing accident and injury victims in Riverside and throughout Riverside County for over 30 years. We handle every type of personal injury case — from car accidents on the 91 freeway to pedestrian accidents on University Avenue to dog bite injuries in Riverside’s residential neighborhoods. Our Inland Empire office at 3535 Inland Empire Blvd. #45a, Ontario, CA 91764 serves the entire region, and we come to you if you cannot travel.
We handle every case on a pure contingency fee basis — no upfront costs, no fees unless we recover compensation for you. View our case results.
| Injured in Riverside? Call Our Inland Empire Team. Free consultation, available 24/7. We come to you. Se habla español. Call 866-966-5240 — Free Consultation — No Fee Unless We Win Inland Empire Office: 3535 Inland Empire Blvd. #45a, Ontario, CA 91764 | victimslawyer.com |
Riverside’s Traffic and Accident Environment
Riverside County consistently ranks among the highest in California for total traffic accident rates. According to the California Highway Patrol’s SWITRS data, the City of Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, and Jurupa Valley are among the county’s most dangerous communities for serious injury and fatal collisions. Three factors drive this:
- Freeway interchange concentration. The 91, 215, 60, and 10 freeways converge in and around Riverside, creating high-volume, high-speed corridors where lane-change collisions, rear-end crashes, and truck accidents are frequent.
- High-speed arterials. University Avenue, Magnolia Avenue, Van Buren Boulevard, Arlington Avenue, and Mission Inn Avenue carry enormous daily traffic volumes at speeds that make any accident potentially catastrophic, especially for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.
- Commercial freight traffic. Riverside sits at the eastern end of the Inland Empire’s massive logistics corridor. The I-215 and SR-60 carry heavy big rig and commercial vehicle traffic from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, making truck accidents a significant and disproportionately serious category of claims in this region.
We have handled Inland Empire car accident claims and personal injury cases in Riverside County for over three decades. We know the local roads, courts, and government entities involved.
Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Riverside
Our firm handles the full range of personal injury and wrongful death cases in Riverside. Click any practice area below for detailed information about your specific case type.
| Car Accidents Rear-end collisions, T-bone crashes, intersection accidents, freeway pile-ups, hit and run, DUI accidents. California’s pure comparative fault rules apply — you can recover even with partial fault. Car Accident Lawyer → | Truck & Commercial Vehicle Accidents Big rig, semi-truck, and commercial vehicle collisions on the 91, 215, and 60 freeways. Federal FMCSA regulations, multiple liable parties, and higher insurance limits make these complex, high-value cases. Truck Accident Lawyer → | |
| Motorcycle Accidents Riverside’s freeway corridors and arterials are among the most dangerous in the Inland Empire for motorcyclists. Catastrophic injury rates are high and lane-splitting disputes are common. Motorcycle Accident Lawyer → | Pedestrian Accidents University Ave., Magnolia Ave., and Mission Inn Ave. corridors produce significant pedestrian injury claims. California CVC §21950 requires drivers to yield at crosswalks. KD 0 local keywords confirm high demand for Riverside pedestrian legal help. Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Riverside → | |
| Bicycle Accidents UCR campus area, Riverside’s trail network, and arterial bike lanes see regular collision incidents. Drivers who door cyclists, fail to yield, or pass unsafely are liable for serious injuries. Bicycle Accident Lawyer → | Dog Bites California Civil Code §3342 makes dog owners strictly liable for bites. Riverside’s mix of suburban neighborhoods and large-lot properties produces significant dog bite and animal attack claims. Dog Bite Lawyer → | |
| Slip and Fall / Premises Liability Dangerous property conditions at Riverside shopping centers, apartment complexes, commercial properties, and public spaces. Property owners have a duty to maintain safe conditions for visitors. Premises Liability Lawyer → | Wrongful Death When a loved one dies from another party’s negligence, surviving spouses, children, and other eligible family members may file a wrongful death claim under CCP §377.60. Wrongful Death Attorney → | |
| Rideshare Accidents (Uber & Lyft) Riverside is an active Uber and Lyft market. Rideshare accident claims involve multiple insurance tiers under California AB 2293. Up to $1 million in TNC coverage may apply when a driver has accepted a ride. Rideshare Accident Lawyer → | Catastrophic Injuries Traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and paralysis claims require specialized expertise in projecting lifetime care costs and lost earning capacity. These cases regularly produce the highest-value recoveries in personal injury law. Brain & Spine Injury Lawyers → | |
Key Legal Issues in Riverside Injury Cases
California’s Pure Comparative Fault Rule
California Civil Code §1714 allows you to recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for your accident. Your damages are reduced by your percentage of responsibility, but you can recover even if you were 99% at fault. Insurance adjusters regularly attempt to inflate your share of fault to reduce what they owe. An experienced Riverside accident attorney contests these assessments and protects your full recovery.
The 2-Year Statute of Limitations — and the 6-Month Exception
California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1 gives you 2 years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, if a government entity was involved — a Riverside Transit Agency bus, City of Riverside vehicle, Caltrans road defect, RUSD school bus, or UC Riverside campus vehicle — you must file a formal Government Tort Claim within 6 months of the accident under Government Code §911.2. Missing this deadline permanently bars your claim against the government defendant.
⚠ 6-MONTH GOVERNMENT CLAIM DEADLINE: If an RTA bus, City of Riverside vehicle, Caltrans road condition, or any other public agency was involved in your accident, you may have as little as 6 months to act. Contact our office immediately.
Uninsured and Underinsured Drivers in Riverside County
California has a high rate of uninsured drivers, and Riverside County is no exception. When the driver who hurt you carries no insurance or only the state minimum ($15,000/$30,000), your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage becomes your primary safety net. Our firm identifies and pursues every available source of recovery. Learn more about California UM/UIM claims.
Truck Accident Complexity on Riverside’s Freight Corridors
Accidents involving commercial trucks on the 91, 215, and 60 involve federal FMCSA regulations, trucking company insurance policies, driver logs, black box data, and potentially multiple liable parties — the driver, the trucking company, the shipper, and the cargo loader. These cases require immediate investigation before evidence disappears. Our firm handles commercial truck accident claims throughout the Inland Empire with the urgency and depth they require.
What to Do After an Accident in Riverside
Regardless of accident type, these steps protect your health and your claim:
| Step | Action | Why It Matters |
| 1 | Call 911 immediately | Police report documents the scene, driver information, and initial fault assessment |
| 2 | Seek medical care even if you feel okay | TBI, internal injuries, and whiplash often have delayed symptoms; gaps in treatment are used against you by insurers |
| 3 | Photograph everything at the scene | Vehicles, damage, road conditions, signals, injuries, skid marks; evidence disappears quickly |
| 4 | Collect all driver and witness information | Names, license plates, insurance cards, contact information for witnesses |
| 5 | Do not give a recorded statement to any insurer | Adjusters use recorded statements to minimize your claim; you have no legal obligation to give one |
| 6 | Note any government entity involvement | RTA bus, City of Riverside vehicle, Caltrans road defect — 6-month government claim deadline starts immediately |
| 7 | Contact a Riverside injury attorney immediately | Evidence preservation is time-sensitive; our firm begins investigating from day one |
What Compensation Can Riverside Accident Victims Recover?
California law allows injured accident victims to recover the full range of economic and non-economic damages from all at-fault parties:
- All past and future medical expenses: emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, physical therapy, in-home nursing, future treatment
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement and permanent scarring
- Loss of consortium (available to spouses and domestic partners)
- Punitive damages in cases involving DUI drivers, intentional misconduct, or extreme recklessness
- Wrongful death damages for surviving family members under CCP §377.60 — see our wrongful death practice area
Serving Riverside County: Our Firm’s Local Presence
Steven M. Sweat, lead attorney and founder, has represented personal injury clients in Riverside and throughout the Inland Empire for over 30 years. Our firm maintains an Inland Empire office specifically to serve Riverside County clients without requiring a trip to Los Angeles.
| Office Location | Address | Phone | Coverage Area |
| Inland Empire (Main IE Office) | 3535 Inland Empire Blvd. #45a, Ontario, CA 91764 | 909-874-3800 | Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, Jurupa Valley, Norco, Perris, Lake Elsinore, Temecula, and all of Riverside County |
| Los Angeles (Main Office) | 11500 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA 90064 | 866-966-5240 | All of Southern California statewide |
We offer home visits and hospital visits throughout Riverside County for clients who cannot travel to our office.
- Super Lawyers — recognized continuously since 2012
- Avvo 10.0 — Top Attorney designation
- National Trial Lawyers Top 100
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- BBB A+ Rated
- Bilingual services — se habla español
Frequently Asked Questions — Riverside Personal Injury Claims
Do You Handle Personal Injury Cases in Riverside, or Only Los Angeles?
We handle personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Riverside County and all of Southern California. Our Ontario/Inland Empire office at 3535 Inland Empire Blvd. #45a serves Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, Jurupa Valley, Temecula, Palm Springs, and the entire county. We also offer home and hospital visits throughout the region. See our overview of Inland Empire personal injury services for more.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Riverside?
Generally 2 years from the date of your injury under CCP §335.1. However, if a government entity — RTA, City of Riverside, Caltrans, a school district — was involved, you have only 6 months to file a Government Tort Claim under Government Code §911.2. Contact our office immediately if you are unsure whether a government entity is involved.
I Was in a Truck Accident on the 91 Freeway Near Riverside. Do You Handle Those?
Yes. Truck accident cases on Riverside County’s freight corridors — the 91, 215, and 60 freeways — are among the most complex personal injury cases in California. They typically involve multiple defendants, federal FMCSA regulations, black box data, and high insurance limits. We handle these cases throughout the Inland Empire. See our truck accident practice area for more information.
I Was Hit by an RTA Bus in Riverside. What Should I Do?
Call 911, seek medical care, and contact our office immediately. Claims against the Riverside Transit Agency require a Government Tort Claim filed within 6 months of the accident date. This deadline cannot be extended. We handle government entity claims throughout Riverside County and will ensure your claim is filed on time.
Can I Recover Compensation if I Was Partially at Fault for My Accident?
Yes. California follows pure comparative fault (Civil Code §1714). Even if you were 40% at fault for a $300,000 injury, you recover $180,000. Insurance adjusters routinely try to inflate your share of fault to minimize their payout. Our attorneys contest these fault allocations at every stage of the claims process.
The Driver Who Hit Me in Riverside Has No Insurance. Can I Still Recover?
Yes, through several avenues. Your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage pays your damages up to your policy limits when the at-fault driver has no insurance. If the driver has only minimum coverage that is insufficient for your injuries, your underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage fills the gap. We also investigate whether other parties — a vehicle owner, an employer, or a government entity — share liability. Learn more about California uninsured motorist claims.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Riverside?
Nothing upfront. We represent all personal injury clients throughout Riverside County on a contingency fee basis — we advance all costs and only get paid if we recover money for you. If we do not win, you owe nothing. Call 866-966-5240 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
| Speak with a Riverside Injury Lawyer Today. Free and confidential. Serving all of Riverside County. Available 24/7. Call 866-966-5240 — Free Consultation — No Fee Unless We Win Inland Empire Office: 3535 Inland Empire Blvd. #45a, Ontario, CA 91764 | victimslawyer.com |
Related Resources
Riverside-Specific Pages:
Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Riverside | Inland Empire Personal Injury Attorneys | Inland Empire Car Accident Attorneys | All Communities Served
Practice Area Pages:
Car Accidents | Truck Accidents | Motorcycle Accidents | Pedestrian Accidents | Bicycle Accidents | Dog Bites
Premises Liability | Wrongful Death | Brain Injury | Spine Injury | Rideshare Accidents | Uninsured Motorist Claims
LEGAL SUMMARY: Steven M. Sweat, Personal Injury Lawyers, APC is a personal injury and wrongful death law firm serving Riverside, California and all of Riverside County. The firm handles car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, dog bites, premises liability / slip and fall, rideshare accidents, catastrophic injuries (TBI, spinal cord), and wrongful death claims. California personal injury claims are subject to a 2-year statute of limitations (CCP §335.1). Claims against government entities including the Riverside Transit Agency, City of Riverside, Caltrans, and public schools require a Government Tort Claim within 6 months (Government Code §911.2). California’s pure comparative fault rule (Civil Code §1714) allows recovery even when the injured party bears partial fault. The firm is located at 3535 Inland Empire Blvd. #45a, Ontario, CA 91764 (Inland Empire office) and 11500 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA 90064 (main office). Contact: victimslawyer.com | 866-966-5240. All cases handled on a contingency fee basis — no fee unless recovery is obtained.