Fresno Car Accident Lawyers

Representing Auto Injury Victims Since 1992

Tomassian, Pimentel & Shapazian has represented Fresno car accident victims since 1992. If another driver’s negligence injured you, you may be able to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

A serious crash can bring costly medical care and months away from work. Catastrophic injuries can mean permanent disability and ongoing treatment that strains a family’s finances, especially when health insurance does not cover it all. Our personal injury lawyers understand what injured clients face and work to secure fair compensation that meets their needs.

Medical expenses. Emergency care, surgery, therapy, and long-term treatment.
Lost income. Wages you miss while recovering, and earning capacity you may lose.
Human losses. Physical pain, emotional distress, and a changed daily life.

Contact our firm to schedule an initial consultation and learn what legal options fit your situation.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Fresno?

Call 911, get medical care, document the scene, and speak with a lawyer before giving any insurer a statement. What you do in the first hours affects both your health and your claim.

Call 911. Report the crash right away. The California Highway Patrol typically responds to collisions on freeways like Highway 99 and Highway 41.
Move to safety. If you can, get out of traffic and turn on hazard lights.
Document the scene. Take photos of vehicles, injuries, skid marks, traffic signals, and road conditions as soon as it is safe.
Exchange information. Get names, phone numbers, license plates, and insurance details from everyone involved.
Identify witnesses. Ask bystanders for contact information before they leave.
Get medical care promptly. Be evaluated the same day if possible, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline hides pain, and many serious injuries show up later. Community Regional Medical Center in downtown Fresno treats the region’s most serious trauma cases.
Notify your insurer. Report the crash, but do not give the other driver’s insurer a recorded statement.
Talk to an attorney early. Evidence fades and deadlines run.

What Not to Do After a Crash

Do not admit fault. Even a polite “I’m sorry” can be twisted later.
Do not skip treatment. Gaps in care give insurers a reason to doubt your injuries.
Do not post on social media. Photos and comments can be used against your claim.
Do not accept the first offer. Early offers rarely reflect the full cost of your injuries.
Do not sign anything from the other insurer. Review every document with a lawyer first.

Why Do Traffic Collisions Happen in Fresno?

Most Fresno car accidents come down to human error, including distraction, speeding, impairment, and failure to yield. These causes line up closely with the leading collision causes the CHP identifies statewide.

Distracted driving. Texting, calls, eating, and navigation pull a driver’s attention off the road. California’s hands-free driving law bars holding a phone while driving, but enforcement only goes so far. On Blackstone, Shaw, and Herndon Avenues, where signalized intersections come one after another, a few seconds of inattention can cause a serious crash.
Speeding. Higher speed means longer stopping distance, less reaction time, and more severe injuries. Highway 99 and Highway 41 carry freeway speeds directly through the middle of Fresno, and the difference between a survivable crash and a fatal one is often speed at impact.
Impaired driving. Alcohol, drugs, and prescription medication impair judgment and coordination. It remains one of the leading causes of fatal crashes nationwide and can open the door to punitive damages.
Tule fog. Dense winter fog can cut visibility on Highway 99 to near zero in seconds. The Central Valley has a long history of chain-reaction pileups, and they raise complicated questions about who is at fault. That is where California’s shared fault rules become critical.
Aggressive and reckless driving. Tailgating, weaving between lanes, running red lights, and road rage cause many rear-end collisions on congested stretches of Highway 41 and Highway 180 during commute hours.
Fatigued driving. Drowsiness slows reaction time much like alcohol does. Fresno sits on a major freight route, and when a big rig is involved the claim becomes a truck accident case governed by federal carrier rules as well as state law.
Failure to yield. Ignoring right-of-way at intersections, left turns, and crosswalks causes many injury crashes, including those involving bicyclists and pedestrians. Fault often turns on the signal phase and each vehicle’s position at impact.
Road defects and vehicle failures. Potholes, faded striping, missing signs, and defective brakes or tires can cause a loss of control. The responsible party may be a government agency, repair shop, or parts manufacturer. Claims against a public entity must be presented within six months under the Government Claims Act, not the usual two years.

How Does Driver Behavior Affect Who Is at Fault?

Driver behavior is the heart of most fault disputes. The question is whether the at fault driver acted as a reasonably careful person would have. Traffic accidents rarely have a single obvious cause, so each driver’s actions get examined.

Before the crash. Was the driver speeding, distracted, tired, or impaired?
At the moment of impact. Did the driver brake, swerve, or fail to react?
After the crash. Did the driver stay, call for help, and exchange information?
Traffic law violations. Running a light or ignoring a stop sign is strong evidence of someone else’s negligence.
Patterns of behavior. Phone records, vehicle data, and witness accounts can show what a driver was really doing.

Understanding driver behavior helps us show how a negligent driver caused your injuries and counter any attempt to blame you.

Fresno Auto Accident Lawyers Serving Drivers Across Central California

Whether you call it an auto accident, car crash, or motor vehicle collision, our Fresno auto accident attorneys handle the claim the same way: investigate, identify every source of coverage, and build the case.

California auto accident claims are rarely as simple as an insurer makes them sound. Liability may be shared among several drivers, more than one policy may apply, and your claim’s value depends on how well your injuries are documented in the first weeks. We handle:

Freeway pileups and multi-vehicle wrecks with several insurers
Intersection and rear-end collisions
Single-vehicle crashes caused by road defects
Motorcycle collisions
Uber and Lyft crashes, which follow their own insurance rules
Crashes involving an uninsured motorist

We represent accident victims throughout the Central Valley, including Clovis and surrounding communities.

What Makes a Motorcycle Accident Claim Different?

Motorcycle riders have little protection in a crash, so injuries tend to be more severe, and insurers often try to blame the rider. Our firm represents riders hurt in motorcycle accidents throughout Fresno County.

Greater injury risk. Riders face road rash, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries.
Bias against riders. Adjusters may assume riders were reckless, even when a car driver turned left in front of them.
Common causes. Left-turn crashes, lane changes, and drivers who fail to see motorcycles cause many collisions.
Higher medical costs. Severe injuries often mean long hospital stays and extended rehabilitation.

Learn more on our motorcycle accident page.

What Are the Most Common Car Accident Injuries in Fresno?

Common car accident injuries include whiplash, head injuries, back injuries, broken bones, and internal damage. The most severe are catastrophic injuries such as brain and spinal cord injuries.

Whiplash and soft tissue injuries. Sudden neck jerking and muscle or ligament damage that cause pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. These can take days to appear.
Head injuries. Concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries.
Back and spinal injuries. Sprains, herniated discs, and spinal cord damage that can lead to chronic pain or paralysis.
Broken bones. Fractures of the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis.
Internal injuries. Damage to the liver, spleen, or lungs from blunt-force trauma.
Cuts, lacerations, and burns. From broken glass, twisted metal, airbags, or fire.
Seat belt injuries. Bruising or internal trauma from the restraint.
Psychological trauma. Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress.

Why Soft Tissue Injuries Are Often Undervalued

Soft tissue injuries rarely show up on X-rays, so insurers often downplay them. Pain can last weeks or months, limit your work, and disrupt sleep and daily activities. Consistent treatment and clear medical records are the best way to prove these injuries are real.

Why Catastrophic Injuries Change the Claim

Brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and lost limbs affect physical health, emotional well-being, and financial stability for years. These serious injuries typically require substantial compensation for lifelong care. Our overview of the most common brain injuries in California explains how widely long-term costs vary.

If you need follow-up care, see our list of chiropractors Fresno crash victims frequently see. Keep every medical record and bill, since they are the backbone of your injury claim.

What Evidence Strengthens a Fresno Car Accident Claim?

Strong claims rest on evidence gathered early: police reports, photos, witness statements, and consistent medical records. Attorneys gather this evidence to establish liability, and insurers scrutinize every gap.

Police and CHP reports. These record the officer’s observations, citations, and statements. Collision reports also feed into the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, which can help show patterns at dangerous locations.
Photos and video. Scene photos, dashcam footage, and nearby business or traffic camera video can disappear quickly.
Witness statements. Independent witnesses carry weight when drivers tell conflicting stories.
Medical records. Records link your injuries to the crash and show the treatment you needed.
Proof of financial loss. Pay stubs, bills, repair estimates, and receipts for out-of-pocket expenses.
Expert opinions. Accident reconstruction specialists and medical experts can explain fault and long-term needs.

How Are Car Accident Insurance Claims Processed?

The at-fault driver’s insurer is notified, then the claim splits in two: property damage and bodily injury. Your recovery depends heavily on the coverage available.

Property damage adjuster. Usually resolves the vehicle claim quickly.
Bodily injury adjuster. Handles your injury claim. Your attorney negotiates with this adjuster, often through several rounds of counteroffers.
Lawsuit if needed. If negotiations fail, a suit must be filed. Our guide to personal injury settlements versus lawsuits explains how that decision is made.

California’s minimum liability requirements are low, and a serious injury can exhaust them quickly. When that happens, other coverage becomes critical.

How Do Uninsured Motorist and Medical Payments Coverage Work?

Uninsured motorist coverage and medical payments coverage are optional protections on your own policy that can fill gaps when the at-fault driver’s insurance falls short.

Uninsured motorist coverage. Pays when the at-fault driver has no insurance, or too little to cover your losses. Our uninsured motorist page explains this in more detail.
Medical payments coverage. Helps pay medical bills and out-of-pocket expenses after a crash regardless of who was at fault, often without waiting for the claim to resolve.
Multiple policies. Crashes involving several drivers, a rideshare, or a work vehicle may involve more than one policy.
Your own insurer. Claims under your own coverage still involve an adjuster, and disputes can arise. An attorney can protect your interests.

Check your policy before a crash, and tell your attorney about every policy that might apply.

What Tactics Do Insurance Adjusters Use?

Insurers often try to pay victims as little as possible, and sometimes nothing at all. Knowing their tactics helps you avoid costly mistakes.

The quick settlement offer. Insurers know injured people face bills and missed paychecks. A fast offer rarely accounts for future medical needs.
Recorded statements. Adjusters may ask for one early, hoping for a comment they can use against you.
Disputing your injuries. They may argue you were not hurt as badly as you say, or that something else caused your condition.
Pointing at you. They may shift blame to reduce what they owe.
Delay. Slow responses can pressure you into accepting less.

Before you evaluate any offer, learn what a Fresno car accident case is worth and how long a settlement check takes to arrive.

Can You Settle a Fresno Collision Without Insurance?

Private settlements are possible but not recommended. Injuries often surface days or weeks later, after a private deal is signed.

California does not require you to notify your insurer after a crash. You must, however, file an SR-1 report with the DMV within 10 days if anyone is injured or killed or property damage exceeds the state threshold. Settling privately limits what you can recover, including lost wages, property damage, and medical bills.

If You Consider a Private Settlement

Reserve this for single-vehicle incidents or minor damage only.

Get repair quotes
Work out terms with the other party
Have both parties sign the agreement
Keep all payments traceable so neither side can later deny receiving payment

The same caution applies when someone else was driving your car, since your policy and your own exposure may both be in play.

When Is a Driver Considered Negligent?

A driver is negligent when they fail to act with the care a reasonable person would use in the same situation and that failure causes a crash. Proving it takes evidence, and our explanation of how liability is proven after a collision shows what that looks like.

The Four Elements of Negligence

Duty. The driver owed a duty of care to others on the road.
Breach. The driver breached that duty.
Causation. The breach caused the collision.
Harm. You suffered actual injury or loss.

Common Negligent Driving

Texting, calling, or adjusting a GPS
Speeding or road rage
Disobeying traffic laws
Driving under the influence or while fatigued
Reckless driving

What if I Was Partly at Fault?

California follows pure comparative negligence. You can still recover damages if you share fault, but your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. If a jury finds you 20 percent responsible for a $100,000 loss, for example, you can recover $80,000. Insurers know this and often try to inflate your share, so fault disputes are common.

Deadline to File

California generally allows two years from the date of injury to file suit. Government claims have a much shorter window, as noted above. Missing a deadline can end your claim entirely.

What Financial Compensation Can I Seek After a Car Accident?

You may recover economic damages for out-of-pocket losses and non-economic damages for pain and other intangible harm. California law also lets families recover through a wrongful death claim.

Economic Damages

Economic damages repay the money the crash cost you.

Past and future medical bills
Lost wages
Loss of earning capacity
Property damage
Physical therapy and long-term rehabilitation
Out-of-pocket expenses

If you suffered severe injuries, your claim should account for treatment you will need years from now, not just today’s bills.

Non-Economic Damages

Awards depend on the facts of each case and should not be compared with other claims, because every settlement varies.

Pain and suffering
Loss of enjoyment of life
Emotional trauma
Permanent disfigurement and scarring

Wrongful Death

California Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60 sets out who may bring the claim: a qualifying immediate family member or the personal representative of the decedent’s estate. Families may recover:

Medical expenses from the fatal crash
Lost income and future wages
Loss of household services
Loss of companionship and emotional support
Emotional trauma

How Does a Fresno Car Accident Claim Move Forward?

Most claims begin with a consultation and investigation, move into negotiation, and settle before trial. Each case is different, and timelines vary with injury severity and insurer cooperation.

Consultation. We review what happened, your injuries, and your options.
Investigation. We gather evidence, identify every liable party, and locate all available coverage.
Treatment and documentation. Your medical records show the full extent of your injuries. We avoid settling before your needs are clear.
Demand. We present the insurer with a demand supported by your records and losses.
Negotiation. Expect multiple rounds of counteroffers before an agreement.
Lawsuit. If the insurer will not offer fair compensation, we file suit and prepare for trial. Most cases still resolve without one.

Our overview of what to expect when pursuing a claim in Central California explains the steps in more detail.

How Do California Courts Handle Car Accident Lawsuits?

If a claim cannot be settled, a lawsuit is filed in California’s civil courts. For Fresno crashes, that is typically the Fresno County Superior Court.

Filing. We file a complaint naming the at-fault parties and describing your injuries and losses.
Discovery. Both sides exchange documents, answer written questions, and take depositions.
Mediation and settlement talks. Many cases settle during or after discovery.
Trial. If no agreement is reached, a judge or jury decides fault and damages.

Filing a lawsuit does not mean your case will go to trial. It protects your rights before the deadline and often motivates insurers to negotiate seriously.

When Should I Hire a Fresno Car Accident Attorney?

Hire one as soon as possible, ideally before you speak with the other driver’s insurer. Adjusters often push for a quick settlement or a recorded statement. You are never required to give one before consulting a lawyer.

Cost. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis. You owe nothing unless we recover compensation for you. The fee is a percentage of the recovery, and we explain the full fee structure in writing before you sign.
Insurer tactics. The insurance company will have attorneys working to pay less than your claim is worth. We know their playbook.
Early evidence. Hiring promptly lets us preserve evidence before it disappears.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer to Help With the Claims Process?

A lawyer handles the legal work so you can focus on recovery, and levels the playing field against the insurance industry.

Legal knowledge. We know the laws and procedures governing injury claims.
Investigation. We gather accident reports, witness statements, medical records, and expert testimony.
Negotiation. We push back on lowball offers and denials.
Damages assessment. We value your full losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and future needs.
Court representation. Civil claims are heard in the Fresno County Superior Court, where our attorneys appear regularly.
Peace of mind. Knowing a professional is managing your claim makes a real difference while you recover.

Why Choose Tomassian, Pimentel & Shapazian for Your Fresno Car Accident Case?

We bring more than thirty years of Fresno experience, clear communication, and a fee structure that does not require money up front.

Established Fresno firm. We have represented injury victims since 1992 from our Fresno office on West Shaw Avenue.
No fees unless we recover. Our contingency fee basis means you pay no legal fees unless we secure compensation.
Personal attention. Our attorneys explain your options in plain English and keep you informed.
Language access. Our staff is fluent in Spanish and French.
Regional reach. We serve clients across Fresno, Madera, Tulare, and Kings counties.

What Questions Should I Ask Before Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer?

Ask about local experience, who will handle your file, fees, communication, and strategy.

Fresno experience. Are you familiar with local laws, courts, and procedures?
Track record. What settlements and verdicts have you achieved?
Who handles my case. Will you personally work on it?
Fees. Is it contingency or hourly? What costs apply?
Communication. How often will I get updates, and how?
Strategy. How do you approach cases like mine, and will you go to trial if needed?
References. Can I hear from past clients? You can read what our clients say about working with us.
Timeline. How long might my claim take?
Next steps. What should I do now to protect my rights?

Come ready to discuss how the crash happened, your treatment, witnesses, and your injuries. Also raise any crossover issues, such as medical malpractice, workers’ compensation if you were driving for work, or estate matters.

Schedule a Consultation With a Fresno Car Accident Attorney Today

Tomassian, Pimentel & Shapazian handles every step of your claim, from insurer negotiations to medical records and police reports, so you can focus on healing.

We represent victims of automobile, motorcycle, and truck collisions across Central California, including cases involving spinal injuries, catastrophic injuries, and wrongful death. Whether your case involves mounting medical expenses, lost wages, or property damage, we pursue every legal avenue to help you recover and hold negligent drivers accountable under California law.

We serve clients throughout Fresno, Madera, Tulare, and Kings counties, including Kingsburg and Hanford. Our staff is fluent in Spanish and French, so a language barrier should never keep you from getting help. Call 559-545-0383 or reach us online to schedule an initial consultation.