Taking Legal Action After a Fiery Crash in Riverside County
If you have survived a fiery crash in Riverside County, you may have various options for legal action. The same applies to families who have lost loved ones to fatal, fiery car accidents. A recent incident in Riverside shows how deadly and catastrophic vehicle fires can be – especially in dry conditions.
The Knez Law Group, LLP is an established Riverside car accident law firm – see our many testimonials. Our experienced car crash lawyers include Fred J. Knez, who has over 40 years of experience helping injured plaintiffs. During his time at Pepperdine University School of Law, he became chairman of the Honor Board and a member of Law Review.
Catastrophic Scenes After Four-Car Crash in Riverside
In September of 2024, ABC News reported a three-car crash in Riverside County that killed six people. Authorities initially stated that a vehicle “ran out of room” before triggering the crash – but later reports suggest that this driver was illegally passing vehicles on the shoulder. After hitting a guardrail, the driver swerved back into oncoming traffic and caused a three-car “chain-reaction” crash.
The driver of this vehicle died after the initial impact, while his passenger was critically injured. One of the other vehicles veered off the road before catching fire in a field. This collision and subsequent fire claimed the lives of three people inside – including two children. The fire was so intense that it spread to the nearby vegetation – and it could have easily sparked a wildfire that endangered even more lives. Thankfully, it burned through “only” about 4 acres before being extinguished.
Two other people died under unclear circumstances, and authorities only discovered their bodies after searching through the mangled wreckage of other vehicles. Along with the passenger of the first vehicle, three other people were hospitalized with various injuries.
Legal Options After Fiery Crashes
Victims and surviving family members may have various legal options after fiery crashes. A wrongful death lawsuit can help them cover funeral expenses, lost future income, and unpaid hospital bills. If you have survived a crash of this nature, car accident attorneys may be able to help you pursue compensation for additional damages. For example, disfigurement is a legitimate non-economic damage in California – and it may apply to those who have suffered serious burns.
As the recent crash highlights, fiery crashes are often sparked by negligent drivers. While reckless driving could make it easy to establish liability, lawsuits could be complicated by the deaths of negligent drivers. In some cases, it may be necessary to sue their family estate if they have perished in the crashes they caused.
Contact an Established Car Accident Law Firm in Riverside
Experienced car accident lawyers in Riverside may be closer than you think. Although online research is a positive first step, time is of the essence after a fiery crash. The statute of limitations may prevent you from suing if you wait too long – so call 951-742-7681 to contact Knez Law Group, LLP and our experienced car accident attorneys today.
Matthew J. Knez graduated from the University of Redlands in California with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing. He then pursued his law degree at the University of La Verne College of Law in Ontario, California, where he earned various awards, including the CALI Award in Torts, and was on the Dean’s List. During his time in law school, Mr. Knez was a member of the Justice and Immigration Clinic, working with individuals seeking asylum in the United States from countries where they faced persecution or threats of persecution. Additionally, he was an Associate Editor for the Law Review and published an article on California family custody move-away cases. Learn more here.