Why Reedley Residents Trust Reardon Injury Law
A sudden injury can turn your world upside down. One moment, you are commuting to Fresno, running errands, or enjoying life in Reedley, and the next, you are facing physical pain, mounting medical bills, and overwhelming uncertainty. At Reardon Injury Law, we understand the profound disruption an accident causes. Your focus should be on healing and recovery, not on navigating a complex legal system or fighting with insurance companies.
Our firm is uniquely positioned to help injury victims in Reedley and throughout Fresno County. Founding attorney John Reardon practiced as a chiropractor for 20 years before becoming a lawyer. This dual expertise gives him an unparalleled medical understanding of the injuries you have sustained. He can accurately assess the long-term physical and financial impact of your injuries, ensuring that your claim accounts for future medical needs, lost earning capacity, and the full extent of your pain and suffering. This deep medical insight is critical for building a powerful case and preventing insurance companies from downplaying the severity of your condition.
We are a California-based firm dedicated to providing compassionate, authoritative legal representation to every client. We handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay absolutely nothing unless we win your case. Your initial consultation is always free, allowing you to get the answers you need without any financial risk.
Accident Hotspots in Reedley
While Reedley is known for its community atmosphere, its roads are not immune to serious accidents. According to the Fresno Council of Governments (Fresno COG), the city has seen 921 total severity crashes, with a concerning number resulting in fatal or severe injuries. Commute traffic, agricultural activity, and high speeds on rural roads contribute to these dangers.
Some specific areas of concern for Reedley drivers include:
- Rural Roads and Orchards: A tragic fatal crash on Vino Street near Jim Savage Street, where a vehicle left the road and entered an orchard, underscores the dangers of high speeds on local rural roads. These routes often have limited visibility and unexpected hazards. These incidents frequently lead to serious car accidents with devastating consequences.
- Nearby County Hotspots: Many Reedley residents travel on surrounding Fresno County roads with known safety issues. These include Flint Avenue between 12th and 16th Avenues and the intersection of Utica and 6th Avenues, both of which have poor safety records.
- State Routes 99 and 180: As primary corridors connecting Reedley to Fresno and other regional hubs, SR 99 and SR 180 see heavy traffic, including a significant volume of commercial trucks. The mix of high speeds and large vehicles increases the risk of catastrophic truck accidents and multi-vehicle pile-ups.
Types of Cases We Handle in Reedley
The team at Reardon Injury Law has extensive experience across a wide spectrum of personal injury law. We are prepared to advocate for Reedley residents who have been harmed in any type of negligence-based incident.
Our primary practice areas include:
- Car Accidents: From rear-end collisions on I Street to high-speed crashes on SR 180, we handle all types of auto accidents.
- Truck Accidents: Given Reedley’s agricultural base and proximity to major highways, accidents involving big rigs, farm equipment, and commercial vehicles are a serious concern.
- Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable on the road. We fight to protect the rights of riders who have been injured by careless drivers.
- Pedestrian Accidents: Whether in a school zone, a crosswalk, or a parking lot, we represent pedestrians who have been struck and injured by vehicles.
- Bicycle Accidents: We help cyclists who have been injured on Reedley’s local streets and rural roads obtain fair compensation.
- Rideshare Accidents: Accidents involving Uber and Lyft have unique insurance complexities that our firm is well-equipped to handle.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, we are here to help you understand your legal options.
What to Do After an Accident in Reedley
The steps you take immediately following an accident are critical for protecting both your health and your legal rights.
- Prioritize Safety and Call 911: If you are able, move your vehicle to a safe location off the road. Check on others involved. Call 911 immediately to report the accident and request medical assistance. The Reedley Police Department will likely respond to incidents within city limits, while the California Highway Patrol (CHP) handles crashes on SR 99 and SR 180.
- Seek Medical Attention: Accept medical help at the scene and get a full evaluation at a hospital. For severe injuries, you may be transported to a Level 1 trauma center in Fresno, such as Community Regional Medical Center. Even if you feel fine, some serious injuries like concussions or internal bleeding may not have immediate symptoms. A medical record is essential evidence for your injury claim.
- Document the Scene: Use your phone to take pictures and videos of everything: vehicle positions, property damage, skid marks, traffic signals, weather conditions, and your visible injuries.
- Exchange Information: Get the names, contact information, driver’s license numbers, and insurance details from all drivers involved. Also, collect the names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
- Do Not Admit Fault: Avoid saying things like “I’m sorry” or “I think it was my fault.” Stick to the facts when speaking with police. Let the investigation determine liability.
- Contact an Attorney: Before you give a recorded statement to any insurance company—even your own—speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. An adjuster’s goal is to minimize the company’s payout, not to protect your best interests.
Understanding Your Rights Under California Law
Navigating a personal injury claim requires a clear understanding of California’s specific laws. An experienced attorney can guide you through these complexities to ensure your rights are upheld.
- Pure Comparative Negligence: California follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. This means you can still recover damages 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 10% responsible, your final award will be reduced by 10%.
- Statute of Limitations: Time is of the essence. In California, you have a strict deadline, known as the statute of limitations, to file a personal injury lawsuit. For most cases, this is two years from the date of the injury (California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). Critically, if your injury was caused by a public or government entity (e.g., a city-operated vehicle or a dangerous condition on public property), you must file a formal claim within just six months under the Government Claims Act. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar you from seeking compensation.
- Minimum Insurance Requirements: California law only requires drivers to carry minimum liability coverage of $15,000 for injury to one person, $30,000 for injury to multiple people, and $5,000 for property damage. These low amounts are often insufficient to cover the costs of a serious injury. We can help you identify all possible sources of recovery, including the at-fault party’s assets and your own Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage.
- Recoverable Damages: As an injury victim, you may be entitled to compensation for economic and non-economic losses, including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and income
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
Contact Reardon Injury Law Today
You do not have to face the aftermath of a serious accident alone. Let Reardon Injury Law lift the legal burden from your shoulders so you can focus on what matters most: your recovery. We provide the expert medical and legal knowledge needed to fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Your consultation is free and completely confidential. You pay no fees unless we win your case. Call us today at (657) 522-7122 or fill out the form on our contact page to schedule your free case review.
