Why Clovis Residents Trust Reardon Injury Law
An unexpected injury can turn your life upside down in an instant. One moment you are driving down Clovis Avenue or running errands on Shaw, and the next you are dealing with physical pain, mounting medical bills, and the stress of a damaged vehicle. The confusion and anxiety that follow an accident are overwhelming. You may be unable to work, facing financial pressure while trying to heal. We understand that this is more than just a legal problem—it’s a profound disruption to your life, your family, and your future.
At Reardon Injury Law, we meet you where you are, with empathy and understanding. Our first priority is to listen to your story and validate the challenges you’re facing. Only then do we begin to build a legal strategy tailored to your specific needs. We believe that to effectively fight for your rights, we must first understand the full impact the injury has had on your life. This compassionate approach is the foundation of our practice.
What truly sets our firm apart is our founder’s unique background. Before becoming an attorney, John Reardon practiced as a chiropractor for 20 years. This deep, practical medical knowledge gives our firm a distinct advantage. We don’t just read medical records; we understand them on a clinical level. This allows us to grasp the full extent of your injuries, anticipate future medical needs, and effectively challenge insurance companies when they try to downplay the severity of your condition. We serve clients throughout California, including Clovis, and work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Accident Hotspots in Clovis
While Clovis is known for its high quality of life, its growing population and busy commercial corridors contribute to a significant number of traffic collisions. In fact, Clovis saw a 13% increase in crashes in 2023 over the previous year, with injury-causing accidents also on the rise. Many of these incidents are concentrated in specific, high-risk areas.
The stretch of Shaw Avenue is particularly notorious due to its dense concentration of shopping centers, restaurants, and retail stores. This constant flow of commercial and residential traffic creates severe congestion, leading to a high frequency of car accidents, pedestrian accidents, and rear-end collisions.
Some of the most dangerous intersections in Clovis include:
- Shaw and Willow Avenues: This intersection had the highest number of crashes in Clovis in 2023, with 34 separate incidents recorded due to its massive traffic volume.
- Shaw and Clovis Avenues: Surrounded by retail outlets, this intersection is a constant site of congestion and collisions, with 22 crashes reported in 2023 alone.
- Shaw and Fowler Avenues: Located near a Walmart, a school, and other businesses, this intersection is a hotspot for serious accidents, including those resulting in severe injuries and even fatalities.
- Herndon and Clovis Avenues: Another major intersection that experiences frequent collisions, with 17 crashes occurring here in 2023.
Accidents involving motorcycle accidents and bicycle accidents are also a concern in these busy areas, where visibility can be limited and drivers are often distracted.
Types of Cases We Handle in Clovis
Reardon Injury Law is a full-service personal injury firm dedicated to helping victims of negligence recover the compensation they deserve. Our extensive experience, combining legal expertise with medical insight, allows us to handle a wide range of complex cases.
We regularly represent Clovis residents who have been injured in:
- Car Accidents: From fender-benders on local streets to serious collisions on major routes like State Route 168 and State Route 180.
- Truck Accidents: The high volume of commercial traffic on SR-168 and SR-180 means that collisions with large commercial trucks are a serious risk. These cases are complex and require a deep understanding of federal and state trucking regulations.
- Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to serious injury. We fight to protect the rights of riders who have been harmed by negligent drivers.
- Pedestrian Accidents: With busy commercial zones like the area around Shaw Avenue, pedestrians are often at risk. We hold negligent drivers accountable for causing pedestrian injuries.
- Bicycle Accidents: We advocate for cyclists injured by careless drivers who fail to share the road safely.
- Rideshare Accidents: Accidents involving Uber and Lyft can have complicated insurance issues. We have the experience to navigate these unique claims.
If you have been injured in any type of accident caused by someone else’s carelessness, please visit our practice areas page to learn more or contact us for a free consultation.
What to Do After an Accident in Clovis
The moments after an accident are chaotic and stressful, but the steps you take can significantly impact your health and your ability to recover fair compensation.
- Prioritize Safety and Call 911: If you are able, move to a safe location away from traffic. Call 911 immediately. The Clovis Police Department will likely respond to document the scene and create an official accident report.
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Your health is the top priority. Even if you feel fine, adrenaline can mask serious injuries. Get evaluated by a medical professional at a local hospital like Clovis Community Medical Center or the region’s primary trauma center, Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno.
- Document Everything: Use your phone to take pictures and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, your injuries, and any relevant road conditions or signs. If there are witnesses, get their names and contact information.
- Exchange Information: Get the other driver’s name, contact information, driver’s license number, license plate number, and insurance information. Provide them with your information, but do not discuss fault.
- Be Cautious with Insurance Companies: You will likely be contacted by the other party’s insurance adjuster. Do not give a recorded statement or sign any documents without first speaking to an attorney. Their goal is to minimize their payout, not to protect your interests.
- Contact a Clovis Personal Injury Lawyer: An experienced attorney can protect your rights, handle all communication with insurance companies, and begin building your case so you can focus on your recovery.
Understanding Your Rights Under California Law
Navigating the legal system after an injury can be confusing. It is crucial to understand the California laws that will affect your claim.
- 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 total compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault, your final award will be reduced by 20%.
- Statute of Limitations: In California, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). However, there is a critical exception: if your claim is against a government entity (e.g., a city bus, a public school, or a poorly maintained road owned by the City of Clovis or Fresno County), you must file a formal claim within six months under the Government Claims Act. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar you from recovering compensation.
- California’s Minimum Insurance: The state’s minimum liability insurance requirements are very low: $15,000 for injury to one person, $30,000 for all injuries in an accident, and $5,000 for property damage. A serious injury can easily result in medical bills that far exceed these minimums. An experienced attorney can help identify all potential sources of recovery, including your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
- Types of Compensation: As an injury victim, you may be entitled to compensation for various damages, including past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, property damage, and non-economic damages like pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
Contact Reardon Injury Law Today
You do not have to face the aftermath of an accident alone. The team at Reardon Injury Law is here to provide the expert legal guidance and compassionate support you need to navigate this difficult time. Our unique medical and legal expertise allows us to build the strongest possible case on your behalf.
We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and explain your rights. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you will never pay any attorney’s fees unless we win your case. Call us today at (657) 522-7122 or fill out the form on our contact page to get started.
