Why Kerman Residents Trust Reardon Injury Law
A serious accident can turn your world upside down in an instant. One moment you are commuting on Highway 180 or running errands in town, and the next you are facing physical pain, emotional trauma, and a mountain of unexpected medical bills. The path to recovery can feel overwhelming and isolating, especially when you are forced to deal with insurance companies that are more focused on their bottom line than your well-being. At Reardon Injury Law, we understand the profound disruption an injury causes not just to you, but to your entire family. We believe your primary focus should be on healing, not fighting legal battles alone.
Our firm offers a unique advantage to the residents of Kerman and Fresno County. Founding attorney John Reardon practiced as a chiropractor for two decades before becoming a lawyer. This extensive medical background gives him an unparalleled understanding of the physical toll an accident takes on the human body. He can decipher complex medical records, anticipate long-term treatment needs, and effectively communicate the true extent of your injuries to insurance adjusters, judges, and juries. This combination of medical insight and legal expertise allows us to build a more comprehensive and compelling case on your behalf.
We are dedicated to providing accessible, high-quality legal representation to every client. Reardon Injury Law operates on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no legal fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you. Your initial consultation is always free and comes with no obligation. This approach levels the playing field, allowing you to secure expert legal counsel without any upfront financial risk, so you can stand up to large insurance corporations with confidence.
Accident Hotspots in Kerman
While Kerman maintains a small-town feel, its connection to the greater Fresno area means residents frequently travel on high-risk roads. Understanding where accidents commonly occur can help you stay vigilant. Our experience shows that many serious injuries happen on the major arteries connecting our community.
- Highway 180 (SR 180): As the primary east-west corridor connecting Kerman to Fresno, Highway 180 sees a constant flow of commuter traffic. The long, rural stretches can lead to high-speed collisions, including devastating head-on crashes and severe motorcycle accidents, often exacerbated by poor visibility at night or during adverse weather.
- State Route 145 (SR 145): This vital north-south route links Kerman to major freeways like Highway 99. It carries a heavy mix of passenger vehicles and large agricultural trucks from the surrounding farmlands. The size and weight disparity makes collisions on SR 145 particularly dangerous, often resulting in catastrophic truck accidents.
- Fresno Commuter Intersections: Many Kerman residents work and travel in Fresno, exposing them to urban traffic hazards. Intersections like Central Avenue and Chestnut Avenue are known for a high volume of crashes, including dangerous T-bone collisions, pedestrian accidents, and bicycle accidents due to heavy traffic and complex signal patterns.
Types of Cases We Handle in Kerman
The team at Reardon Injury Law is equipped to handle a wide spectrum of personal injury claims. We advocate for victims who have been harmed due to another party’s negligence, carelessness, or wrongful actions. We frequently represent Kerman clients in cases involving:
- Car Accidents: From rear-end collisions in town to high-speed crashes on the highway.
- Truck Accidents: Including incidents with agricultural vehicles, semi-trucks, and delivery vans, which are common in Fresno County.
- Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable on rural highways and face a high risk of serious injury.
- Pedestrian Accidents: Injuries that occur when a person is struck by a vehicle while walking or jogging.
- Bicycle Accidents: Advocating for cyclists injured by inattentive or aggressive drivers.
- Rideshare Accidents: Complex cases involving Uber and Lyft, with unique insurance policies and liability rules.
If you or a loved one has been injured in any type of accident, we encourage you to visit our practice areas page to learn more or contact us directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
What to Do After an Accident in Kerman
The actions you take in the minutes and hours after an accident are critical for your health and your potential legal claim. Follow these steps to protect yourself:
- Ensure Safety and Call 911: If you are able, move your vehicle to a safe location off the roadway. Check on others involved and call 911 immediately. Report the accident and any known injuries. Depending on your location, the Kerman Police Department or the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office will likely respond.
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Your health is the top priority. Adrenaline can mask the symptoms of serious injuries like whiplash or internal bleeding. Even if you feel fine, get a medical evaluation. For severe trauma, you will likely be transported to a regional trauma center like Community Regional Medical Center or Saint Agnes Medical Center in Fresno.
- Document the Scene: Use your phone to take pictures and videos of everything: vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, traffic signals, and your injuries. This evidence can be invaluable later.
- Exchange Information: Get the names, contact information, driver’s license numbers, and insurance details of all drivers involved. Also, collect the names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
- Avoid Admitting Fault: Do not apologize or accept blame for the accident. Stick to the facts when speaking with law enforcement. Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company before consulting with an attorney.
- Contact an Attorney: Before you talk to insurance adjusters, speak with a personal injury lawyer. We can help you navigate the process, from filing an official crash report to handling all communications with insurers, ensuring your rights are protected from the very beginning.
Understanding Your Rights Under California Law
Navigating the legal system after an injury can be confusing. It is important to understand the key California laws that will affect your 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. Your total award will simply be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 10% responsible, you can still collect 90% of your damages.
- Statute of Limitations: There are strict deadlines for filing a lawsuit. For most personal injury cases, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a claim (California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). However, the deadline is much shorter for claims against a public entity. If your injury was caused by a government employee or a dangerous condition on public property (like a poorly maintained road), you must file a formal claim within six months under the Government Claims Act.
- Minimum Insurance Requirements: California’s mandatory liability insurance minimums are just $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage. These low amounts are often not enough to cover the costs of a serious injury. Our firm excels at identifying all potential sources of compensation, including underinsured/uninsured motorist policies and third-party liability.
- Potential Compensation: As an injury victim, you may be entitled to recover compensation for a wide range of losses, including past and future medical expenses, lost wages and 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 a serious injury alone. At Reardon Injury Law, we combine legal skill with genuine compassion to help Kerman residents secure the justice and compensation they deserve. Our unique medical perspective allows us to understand your struggle and fight effectively for the resources you need to rebuild your life.
We invite you to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case. Let us answer your questions and provide clear guidance on your next steps. You pay nothing unless we win your case. Call us today at (657) 522-7
