1. Berg Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, traumatic brain injuries, wrongful death, boat accidents, nursing home negligence, slip and fall injuries, defective products, railroad accidents
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, commercial truck accidents, hit-and-run accidents, uninsured motorist claims, catastrophic injury cases, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, burn injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, medical lien resolution, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, social security disability assistance
Background: Berg Injury Lawyers has served clients in Northern California since 1981 and has recovered over $1 billion for clients. The firm employs a No Fee Guarantee policy where clients pay nothing unless they win. The firm maintains offices in Fresno, Sacramento, Modesto, and Alameda. Attorneys are familiar with Highway 99 accidents and Central Valley traffic patterns.
Location: 516 W Shaw Ave Suite 200, Fresno, California 93704
Contact: (559) 228-3200 | (800) 400-2374 | https://www.berginjurylawyers.com/fresno/
Consultation: Free 24/7 consultation, contingency fee basis (no fee unless recovery is obtained)
2. Tomassian, Pimentel and Shapazian
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, rideshare accidents, uninsured motorist claims, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, wrongful death, construction accidents, workplace injuries
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, distracted driving accidents, speeding accidents, DUI accidents, hit-and-run cases, catastrophic injury cases, multi-vehicle collisions, pedestrian accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, evidence gathering, medical records collection, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm has been seeking justice for auto accident victims since 1992. The attorneys include Gerald M. Tomassian, Paul J. Pimentel, Larry H. Shapazian, and Christina Cardenas-Gonzalez. The firm serves Fresno, Madera, Tulare, Kingsburg, and Hanford counties. Staff is fluent in Spanish and French.
Location: 3419 W Shaw Ave, Fresno, California 93711
Contact: (559) 545-0383 | https://www.tpslawfirm.com/personal-injury/car-accident/
Consultation: Free initial consultation, contingency fee basis
3. Grossman Law Offices
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, farming accidents, defective products, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, commercial vehicle accidents, agricultural equipment accidents, hit-and-run cases, uninsured motorist claims, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, evidence gathering, medical records review, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims
Background: The firm serves Central Valley communities from Bakersfield to Sacramento and Northern California. The Fresno office provides face-to-face attention with attorneys rather than videoconferencing. The firm handles cases in both English and Spanish. Clients pay nothing unless they win their case.
Location: Fresno, California (contact for specific address)
Contact: Contact through website | https://personalinjuryattorney-fresno.com/personal-injury/car-accidents/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis
4. GJEL Accident Attorneys
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, wrongful death, brain injuries, paralysis injuries, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Multi-vehicle pile-ups (including Highway 99 tule fog accidents), rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, commercial truck accidents, catastrophic injury cases, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, wrongful death cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident reconstruction, expert witness coordination, medical bill management, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims
Background: GJEL has spent four decades studying Fresno’s accident patterns and has built relationships with local accident reconstruction experts. The firm reports a 99% success rate and has recovered over $950 million for clients. In 2023, they secured a $2.2 million settlement for a family involved in a 27-car pile-up near the Highway 99/Highway 180 interchange during heavy fog conditions.
Location: Fresno, California (contact for specific address)
Contact: (559) 266-2244 | https://www.gjel.com/fresno
Consultation: Free case review, contingency fee basis (no payment unless case is won)
5. Fowler Helsel Vogt
Practice Focus: Personal injury, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, premises liability, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, commercial truck accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, catastrophic injury cases, spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, wrongful death from auto accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, evidence gathering, medical records review, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims
Background: The firm has more than 40 years of combined experience handling injury cases. Each member of the firm has been recognized by inclusion in the Northern California Rising Stars list by Super Lawyers. The firm has been honored with the Fresno County Verdict of the Month on multiple occasions. Notable results include a large commercial work truck rear-end collision case resulting in cervical spine surgery.
Location: Fresno, California (contact for specific address)
Contact: (559) 900-1280 | https://www.fhvlaw.com/
Consultation: Free no-obligation consultation, contingency fee basis (no payment unless case is won)
Car Accident Laws and Regulations in California
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Two years from the date of the accident under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. Failure to file within this timeframe results in losing the right to pursue compensation through the court system.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Three years from the date of the accident under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 338.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: Two years from the date of death.
Government Entity Claims: Claims against government entities must be filed within 180 days of the accident under California Government Code Section 911.2.
Fault vs. No-Fault Insurance State Status: California is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver who caused the accident is financially responsible for damages through their liability insurance. Injured parties can file claims with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or pursue a lawsuit.
Comparative Negligence Rules: California follows a pure comparative negligence system under California Civil Code Section 1714. Injured parties can recover damages even if they are 99% at fault, though their recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault. For example, if found 30% at fault for a $100,000 claim, the recovery would be $70,000.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: California requires drivers to carry liability insurance with minimum coverage of $15,000 per person for bodily injury, $30,000 per accident for bodily injury when multiple people are injured, and $5,000 per accident for property damage (15/30/5).
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: California presumes all drivers have uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage unless specifically waived in writing. This coverage protects drivers if involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured at-fault driver.
Accident Reporting Requirements: Drivers involved in accidents resulting in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000 must report the collision to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 10 days using Form SR-1. Failure to report can result in license suspension.
Damage Caps: California does not have statutory caps on economic or non-economic damages in personal injury cases. However, California law prohibits uninsured drivers from recovering non-economic damages (pain and suffering) regardless of who is at fault.
Dram Shop Liability Laws: California has limited dram shop liability. Generally, establishments that serve alcohol are not liable for injuries caused by intoxicated patrons, except when serving obviously intoxicated minors.
Vicarious Liability Rules: Vehicle owners can be held liable for accidents caused by drivers operating their vehicles with permission under certain circumstances, particularly for minors driving with parental permission.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in California?
California law provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims from car accidents under Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. This deadline begins on the date of the accident or, in limited circumstances, the date the injury was discovered. For property damage claims, you have three years to file. If you are filing a claim against a government entity (such as when a city vehicle was involved), notice must be filed within 180 days. Missing these deadlines typically results in losing your right to pursue compensation through the court system.
How does California’s pure comparative negligence law affect my car accident claim?
California follows a pure comparative negligence system, which means you can recover damages even if you were substantially at fault for the accident. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 40% responsible for the accident and your damages total $100,000, you would receive $60,000. Unlike modified comparative negligence states, California does not bar recovery even if you are more than 50% at fault. This system applies in both insurance claim negotiations and court proceedings.
What are the minimum auto insurance requirements in California?
California requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance coverage of $15,000 per person for bodily injury, $30,000 per accident for bodily injury when multiple people are injured, and $5,000 per accident for property damage. These minimums may not cover all damages in a serious accident, so many drivers carry additional coverage. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is presumed unless specifically waived in writing, providing protection if you are hit by a driver with insufficient insurance.
What should I do immediately after a car accident in Fresno?
If involved in a car accident in Fresno, first ensure everyone’s safety and call 911 if there are injuries. Move vehicles out of traffic if possible. Exchange insurance information with all parties involved. Document the scene by taking photographs of vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, and injuries. Collect witness contact information. Request a copy of the police report. Seek medical attention even if injuries seem minor, as some injuries may not be immediately apparent. Do not admit fault or sign any documents from insurance companies before consulting with an attorney. Report the accident to the DMV within 10 days if there was injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000.
Can I recover compensation if the other driver was uninsured?
If the at-fault driver was uninsured, you may still be able to recover compensation through several avenues. First, check if your own auto insurance policy includes uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, which California presumes all drivers have unless specifically waived. You can file a claim under your UM coverage to compensate for your injuries and damages. You may also pursue a personal injury lawsuit directly against the at-fault uninsured driver, though collecting may be difficult if they lack assets. An attorney can help you evaluate all available options and determine the most effective strategy for your situation.