Personal Injury Lawyer in Covina, California

Why Covina Residents Trust Reardon Injury Law

A sudden injury can turn your world upside down. One moment you’re commuting on the I-10 or running errands on Arrow Highway, and the next you’re dealing with physical pain, mounting medical bills, and the stress of a damaged vehicle. The confusion and anxiety that follow an accident are overwhelming, and the path to recovery can feel uncertain. We understand that you’re not just a case number; you’re a Covina resident whose life has been unfairly disrupted, and you need compassionate guidance to navigate what comes next.

At Reardon Injury Law, we combine legal expertise with a unique medical perspective. Our founding attorney, John Reardon, practiced as a chiropractor for 20 years before becoming a lawyer. This dual background gives our firm an unparalleled understanding of the physical trauma and long-term consequences of an injury. We don’t just see the legal claim; we see the full picture of your medical journey—the pain, the therapy, and the challenges you face in your daily life. This insight allows us to build stronger, more comprehensive cases that accurately reflect the true cost of your injuries.

We are dedicated to serving communities like Covina throughout California. Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay absolutely nothing unless we win your case. Your initial consultation is always free, giving you a no-risk opportunity to understand your rights and options. We handle the complexities of the legal system so you can focus on what matters most: your health and your family.

Accident Hotspots in Covina

While any road can be dangerous, Covina’s position in the San Gabriel Valley and its proximity to major freeways create specific areas of risk for drivers, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. The daily flow of nearly 51,000 residents, combined with regional commuter traffic, contributes to congestion and accidents.

Key areas of concern in and around Covina include:

• The I-10 (San Bernardino Freeway) Corridor: As a primary east-west artery connecting Los Angeles to the Inland Empire, the I-10 sees a massive volume of traffic. The on-ramps and off-ramps within Covina are frequent sites for high-speed collisions, especially during rush hour. These incidents often involve multi-vehicle pile-ups, devastating truck accidents, and serious motorcycle accidents.
• The I-210 (Foothill Freeway) Corridor: Running along Covina’s northern edge, the I-210 is another critical commuter route. The transition between freeway speeds and local street traffic at exits can lead to dangerous rear-end collisions and sideswipes as drivers fail to adjust their speed.
• Badger Avenue/Foothill Boulevard (SR-66): This historic route serves as a major local thoroughfare. With numerous intersections, businesses, and pedestrian crossings, it is a common location for T-bone crashes, accidents involving drivers making unsafe turns, and unfortunate pedestrian accidents.
• Arrow Highway: As another busy surface street, Arrow Highway experiences heavy traffic and is prone to intersection collisions and accidents involving cyclists who share the road with vehicles.

If you were injured in a crash in one of these areas, it is crucial to have an advocate who understands the dynamics of these specific locations.

Types of Cases We Handle in Covina

Reardon Injury Law is equipped to handle a wide range of personal injury claims. Our deep understanding of both the medical and legal aspects of an injury allows us to effectively represent clients in even the most complex cases.

We frequently assist Covina residents with claims involving:

• Car Accidents
• Truck Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Bicycle Accidents
• Rideshare Accidents (Uber & Lyft)
• Slip and Fall Injuries
• Wrongful Death

Given Covina’s reliance on major freeways like the I-10 and I-210, collisions involving cars, commercial trucks, and motorcycles are especially common. We have the experience to tackle the complex insurance and liability issues that arise in these high-stakes cases. For a complete overview of our services, please visit our practice areas page.

What to Do After an Accident in Covina

The steps you take immediately after an accident are critical for protecting both your health and your legal rights. If you are involved in an accident in Covina, try to follow this guide:

1. Prioritize Safety and Call 911: Your first priority is safety. If possible, move your vehicle out of traffic. Check on yourself and others for injuries and call 911 immediately. This will dispatch police and emergency medical services to the scene. The responding agency will likely be the Covina Police Department or, if on a freeway, the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
2. Seek Immediate Medical Evaluation: Even if you feel fine, adrenaline can mask serious injuries. It is vital to be evaluated by a medical professional. Paramedics can assess you at the scene, and you should follow up with a visit to an emergency room at a local hospital like Citadel Regional Medical Center or Foothill Presbyterian Hospital. This creates an official medical record of your injuries.
3. Document the Scene: If you are able, use your phone to take extensive photos and videos of the accident scene, including vehicle positions, damage to all cars, skid marks, traffic signals, and any visible injuries.
4. Exchange Information: Get the names, contact information, driver’s license numbers, and insurance details from all drivers involved. Also, collect contact information from any witnesses who saw the crash. Do not discuss fault.
5. File an Official Report: The responding officer will create a Traffic Collision Report. This report is a crucial piece of evidence. You can typically obtain a copy from the Covina Police Department or the local CHP office a few days after the incident.
6. Contact an Attorney Before Speaking to Insurers: Before you give a recorded statement to any insurance company—even your own—speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and an attorney can protect you from saying something that could harm your claim.

Understanding Your Rights Under California Law

Navigating a personal injury claim requires understanding key California laws. An experienced attorney can guide you, but here are some fundamental principles that may apply to your Covina injury case:

• Pure Comparative Negligence: California follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. This means you can still recover financial compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. However, your final award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault, your compensation will be reduced by 20%.
• Statute of Limitations: In California, you have a limited time to file a personal injury lawsuit. For most cases, the deadline is two years from the date of the injury (California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). However, a critical exception exists for claims against government entities (e.g., a city bus, a poorly maintained public road). In these cases, you must file a formal claim within six months under the Government Claims Act. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar you from seeking compensation.
• California’s Minimum Insurance Requirements: The state requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance of only $15,000 per person for bodily injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage. In a serious accident, these minimums are often not enough to cover all your medical bills and other losses. A skilled attorney can investigate all possible sources of recovery, including underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage and potential third-party liability.
• Compensation You Can Recover: A successful personal injury claim can provide compensation (known as “damages”) for your losses, which may include economic damages like medical expenses, future medical care, lost wages, and loss of future earning capacity. You may also be entitled to non-economic damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Contact Reardon Injury Law Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in Covina, you do not have to face the legal and financial aftermath alone. Let Reardon Injury Law put our unique medical and legal expertise to work for you. We will handle the insurance companies and legal proceedings so you can concentrate on your recovery.

We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and explain your rights. Call us today at (657) 522-7122 or visit our contact page to schedule your appointment. Remember, there are no fees unless we win your case.