As with any city, vehicle collisions abound in Fresno, California. In 2019 alone, the California Office of Traffic Safety cataloged a total of 4,008 reported collisions in Fresno County. Of course, every year, there are plenty of accidents that go unreported, but at the reported rate, that’s nearly 11 accidents every single day!
In that same year, 1,989 reported collisions occurred at intersections. These accidents affected people riding in motor vehicles as well as motorcyclists, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
Below we’ve outlined some of the most dangerous intersections in the region, as highlighted by the CA OTS and other government and private entities.
The Top Ten Most Dangerous Intersections in Fresno
The intersections listed below are on record as being especially dangerous, as they are the site of multiple accidents leading to serious injuries or deaths.
- Blackstone Avenue and Bullard Avenue
- Cedar Avenue and Shaw Avenue
- Blackstone Avenue and McKinley Avenue
- Ashlan Avenue and Blackstone Avenue
- Cedar Avenue and Dakota Avenue
- Shaw Avenue and Marks Avenue
- Clinton Avenue and Blackstone Avenue
- Cedar Avenue and Jensen Avenue
- Herndon Avenue and Blackstone Avenue
- Kings Canyon Road and Chestnut Avenue
What Makes These Intersections More Dangerous?
Each of these intersections has been labeled as ‘dangerous’ because it has seen a high rate of collisions or injuries. On top of that, many other factors have contributed to making these intersections less safe, like ongoing traffic congestion or generally poor visibility.
There are many factors that make intersections in Fresno and elsewhere more dangerous, and they include:
- Heavy traffic volume: Intersections with high traffic volumes often see more collisions because they make it more difficult for drivers to navigate safely.
- Poor road design: Intersections with confusing or poorly designed roadways can create hazardous conditions for drivers, such as blind spots or difficult turns.
- Lack of needed traffic signals or signage: Intersections without inadequate traffic signals (or signage) can lead to confusion while also increasing the risk of collisions.
- Reckless driving: Reckless actions can include speeding, running red lights, tailgating, cutting people off, and other behaviors that can cause dangerous conditions for themselves and other drivers.
- Pedestrian activity: Areas with heavy pedestrian use dramatically increase the odds of a serious accident, particularly in areas with high traffic speeds and/or multiple lanes.
Overall, while it is everyone’s responsibility to act in a safe and cautious manner at intersections, drivers of motor vehicles have the highest level of responsibility because of their potential to cause the most harm. They should always approach intersections defensively, scanning their surroundings and reacting preemptively when possible so as to prevent a potential collision.
Should I Pursue Legal Action After a Car Accident at an Intersection?
More often than not, it will be important to secure proven legal representation as soon as possible after your accident. However, whether you can actually pursue legal action after your accident will depend on several factors. These include the circumstances of the accident and the laws of your state.
Speak to a Fresno car accident lawyer to learn more about your options for pursuing action against all potentially liable parties, including careless drivers as well as negligent state/local agencies responsible for designing and maintaining safe roads.
What Are the Rules for Car Accident Injury Claims in Fresno?
Any time an accident occurs at an intersection — or anywhere else — because of someone’s negligence, it means that the injured victims can hold the negligent parties liable. In other words, if a driver breached their duty of care by breaking the law or otherwise acting recklessly, and this breach led to the accident, inflicting medical bills or other losses, then you may have grounds to pursue legal action.
What Is Duty of Care?
Duty of care is a legal concept that refers to an individual or entity’s responsibility to always take reasonable care to avoid causing harm to others.
In the context of personal injury claims, duty of care refers to a person’s legal obligation to take reasonable steps to make sure they don’t harm others. This means that individuals (and corporations, as well as government entities) have a duty to act with reasonable care and caution.
For example, a driver has a duty of care to operate their vehicle in a safe and reasonable manner, to obey traffic laws, and to avoid causing harm to others on the road. If a driver breaches this duty by driving under the influence, texting while driving, speeding, or ignoring traffic signals, thereby causing an accident at an intersection, they may be held liable for damages resulting from the accident.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
In California accident cases, the most likely statute of limitations period for a personal injury claim arising from a car accident is two years from the date of the accident. This means that in most situations, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in court. If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your right to hold the liable parties accountable.
However, do note that each case is different. The specific circumstances of the accident can affect your ability to pursue legal action. For example, if you were partially at fault for the accident, your ability to recover compensation may be reduced or eliminated under California’s comparative fault laws.
Further, if your claim is against a government entity, like the Fresno Department of Public Works, then you only have six months from the date of the accident to file an injury claim.
Speak to a Fresno car accident attorney as soon as possible after your crash to explore your options and ensure that your legal rights to seek compensation are preserved.
Work With Proven and Experienced Fresno Car Accident Lawyers
In 2019, there were a total of 219 fatal motor vehicle collisions reported in Fresno County. While wholly tragic, each of these victims left behind a family who was counting on them and who had to face steep funeral costs; and the price of working while grieving after losing their loved one.
Any victim who has been wrongfully hurt in a vehicle accident deserves to hold the responsible party accountable. If you’ve been injured at an intersection in Fresno, chances are you’re facing stressful expenses due to medical treatment or vehicle damages.
With the help of an experienced attorney, you may be able to recoup these damages as well as additional support in paying off any expenses tied to lost wages, doctor’s visits, physical therapy, or additional property damage. On top of that, you may be owed compensation for heightened pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life; but you’ll never know until you meet with an attorney.
Singh Ahluwalia Attorneys at Law have the legal experience you’ll need to pursue a claim and help put the pieces of your life back together. Our team has defended clients in Fresno for years, and we are here to make a difference. Schedule your first appointment with the team today by calling (559) 878-4958, or book a meeting online using this contact form.
