Accident Lawyer in Fresno, CA

When you're hurt because of someone else's negligence, you need experienced legal help fast. We are a plaintiff-focused civil trial firm serving Fresno, CA, bringing over 40 years of combined experience handling accident and personal injury cases across California. Whether your injury stems from a motor vehicle crash, a slip and fall, or another traumatic event, we are ready to fight for you. Call (559) 438-1030 today for a free initial consultation. 

What an Accident Lawyer at Davis & VanWagenen Can Do for You

Insurance companies are not on your side. They employ entire departments dedicated to minimizing payouts and count on injured people not knowing their rights. We level the playing field.


We handle a wide range of cases, including motor vehicle accidents, motorcycle and bicycle accidents, pedestrian injuries, slip and fall incidents, dog bites, defective product injuries, and wrongful death cases.


As a plaintiff-focused civil trial firm, we take cases all the way through trial when necessary. Not every firm is willing to do that, and insurance companies know it. When they know we are prepared to fight in court on your behalf, they are more likely to take your claim seriously.


Our firm may pursue compensation for:

Out-of-pocket expenses tied directly to the accident

Medical bills and future medical care related to the accident

Lost wages and reduced earning capacity

Pain and suffering caused by the injury

How Does the Accident Claim Process Work in California?

Knowing what to expect can reduce stress and protect your rights. Here is a general overview:

  1. Contact our firm for a free consultation to review the facts of your accident and potential recovery.
  2. Our team investigates, gathers evidence, documents your injuries, and identifies all liable parties.
  3. We submit a formal demand to the at-fault party's insurer outlining your damages and the legal basis for the claim.
  4. Negotiations begin. If the insurer offers a fair settlement, we advise you on whether to accept.
  5. If a fair resolution cannot be reached, your case proceeds to litigation and, if needed, trial.

You focus on your recovery while we handle the legal side.

What Damages Can You Recover After an Accident?

When an at-fault party's negligence causes injury, that party may be responsible for your economic and non-economic losses. Recoverable damages can include medical bills, future medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, out-of-pocket expenses, and compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life.



The severity of your injuries, the strength of the evidence, and the skill of your legal representation all affect your recovery. We work diligently to maximize your outcome.


What to Do After an Accident in Fresno, CA

The steps you take immediately following an accident can have a lasting impact on your claim. Fresno's busy corridors, including Highway 99, Shaw Avenue, and Blackstone Avenue, see a high volume of collisions each year. When it is safe to do so:

1

Call 911 to create an official record.

2

Seek medical attention right away, even if you feel fine initially.

3

Document the scene with photos of vehicles, injuries, and road conditions.

4

Collect contact and insurance information from all involved parties.

5

Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters before speaking with us.

6

Contact us as soon as possible.

Time matters. California law generally gives injured victims two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a government entity is involved, that window may be as short as six months. Acting quickly allows us to protect your rights and preserve critical evidence.

No Fees Unless We Win

We handle accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront and owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. To read client reviews, visit Law Offices of Davis & VanWagenen on Google.

Types of Accident Cases We Handle

Our broader Fresno personal injury lawyer page explains how injury claims work across all of these case types.

How to File an Accident Claim in Fresno, CA

An accident claim is your request for compensation from the party (usually their insurance company) responsible for the accident. Here is how it works in California, step by step.

Step 1. Get medical care and make sure the accident is on record. Call 911 after a crash so police and medical responders are involved. Get checked out even if you feel okay, since adrenaline can mask injuries. California law may also require you to file an SR-1 report with the DMV within 10 days if the accident caused any injury or death, or more than $1,000 in property damage.


Step 2. Preserve the evidence. Photograph the vehicles, the scene, traffic signals, skid marks, and your injuries. Get names, phone numbers, and insurance information from everyone involved, plus contact information for witnesses. Keep every bill, receipt, and record. Don't repair or dispose of anything that may be evidence until your lawyer has seen it.


Step 3. Notify your own insurance company, but be careful what you say. You generally need to report the accident to your insurer. Stick to basic facts. Don't guess about fault, don't downplay injuries, and don't give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer before speaking with a lawyer.


Step 4. Talk to an accident claim lawyer before you accept anything. Early offers are usually made before the full extent of your injuries is known. Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you generally can't ask for more later. A free consultation costs nothing and can keep you from making an expensive mistake.


Step 5. Your lawyer investigates and builds the claim. We gather evidence, obtain your medical records, document your lost income, and identify every available source of insurance, which may include the at-fault party's liability coverage, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and your medical payments coverage.


Step 6. Settlement demand. Once you've reached maximum medical improvement (or your future care needs can be reasonably estimated), we send the insurer a formal demand laying out your damages and the legal basis for your claim.


Step 7. Negotiation. The insurer responds, usually with a lower number, and negotiations follow. We advise you on every offer, but the decision to accept is always yours.


Step 8. Lawsuit and trial, if necessary. If the insurer won't offer fair value, we file a lawsuit, and the case proceeds through discovery, mediation, and, if needed, trial in Fresno County Superior Court or another appropriate court. Most cases settle before trial, but we prepare each one as if it will go the distance.

Important deadlines for accident claims in California:

Claim Deadline
Personal injury lawsuit 2 years from the date of injury
Wrongful death lawsuit 2 years from the date of death
Claim against a government entity (city, county, state, transit agency) 6 months to present a government tort claim
Property damage lawsuit 3 years

These are general rules. Exceptions exist, so don't assume you have the full time. Call us as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q: How Long Do I Have to File an Accident Claim in California?

    A: Generally, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a government agency is involved, the deadline may be as short as six months.

  • Q: What Does It Cost to Hire an Accident Lawyer?

    A: There are no upfront fees. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay if compensation is recovered on your behalf.

  • Q: What If the Insurance Company Offers Me a Settlement?

    A: Do not accept any settlement before speaking with us. Insurers often offer low initial settlements, and accepting typically forecloses additional compensation. As your accident lawyer, we can evaluate whether the offer reflects the true value of your claim.

  • Q: Do I Need a Lawyer If the Accident Was Clearly the Other Person's Fault?

    A: Yes. Even in clear-cut cases, insurance companies may still dispute the extent of your injuries or delay payment. As experienced accident claim lawyers, we help ensure you receive the compensation you are actually owed.

Speak With a Fresno, CA, Accident Lawyer Today

You do not have to face the insurance companies alone. At the Law Offices of Davis & VanWagenen, we have been standing up for injured Californians for decades and are ready to put that experience to work for you. Call (559) 438-1030 today or contact us online to schedule your free consultation. No fees unless we win.