Driving through Fresno can feel like navigating a maze of merging lanes and crowded interchanges. With so many freeways converging, certain stretches see more crashes than others. When traffic suddenly slows or stops on your commute, there’s a strong chance a Fresno freeway accident is to blame.
Some routes around Fresno carry heavier traffic and higher risk than others. Key trouble spots include:
- Highway 99 – A major north–south corridor with dense traffic and frequent slowdowns, where rear-end collisions are common.
- Interstate 5 – A busy connector to other regions of California, where speeding, tailgating, and hurried lane changes often lead to high-speed wrecks.
- California State Route 41 – Running through the heart of Fresno, this commuter route combines heavy volume with constant merging and lane changes, which raises the chance of multi-vehicle collisions.
Fresno freeway accidents often lead to serious injuries, property damage, and sometimes fatalities. Local reports show that collision rates rise during the busiest commute windows, especially in the morning and late afternoon. Planning travel outside peak periods when possible and leaving extra time for your drive can lower your exposure to these high-risk windows.
Road design and congestion matter, but driver behavior usually tips the balance. Distracted driving is one of the biggest problems on Fresno freeways. Risky habits include:
- Glancing at phones or in-car screens
- Following too closely at freeway speeds
- Weaving through lanes to gain a few car lengths
Even a short loss of focus on Highway 99, I-5, or SR-41 can erase the limited reaction time you have in heavy traffic.
Safe habits make a difference. Obeying the speed limit, keeping a generous following distance, and staying off your phone give you more time to react when traffic suddenly slows. As a community, paying attention to how and where these crashes happen helps everyone adopt safer driving habits and reduce Fresno freeway accidents over time.
Maximum Compensation
After a Fresno freeway accident, the stress can hit fast. Injuries, car repairs, calls from insurers, and medical bills all stack up at once. If you’re dealing with the aftermath of a Fresno freeway crash, you don’t just need any attorney; you need one who understands these cases and this city.
Start with the basics: what does this lawyer actually bring to the table? Key things to look for include:
- Experience with car accidents and freeway crashes in and around Fresno
- Local knowledge of courts, judges, and insurance tactics
- A reputation backed by real client reviews and case results
The Heidari Law Group focuses on accident cases and has handled many Fresno claims, which means they understand how local laws and insurers work in practice—not just on paper.
You also need a lawyer who communicates clearly. Legal terms and procedures mean nothing if your attorney can’t explain them in plain English. Look for someone who:
- Listens to your concerns instead of rushing you off the phone
- Breaks down the legal process step by step
- Keeps you updated on your case without you having to chase them
Compensation is another key piece. Many accident victims underestimate what their claim is actually worth and accept lowball offers from insurance companies. A skilled Fresno freeway accident lawyer can help you seek money for:
- Medical expenses and future treatment
- Lost wages and reduced earning ability
- Pain, suffering, and the impact on your daily life
Most reputable personal injury firms, including Heidari Law Group, offer free initial consultations. Treat that meeting like an interview. Ask about their experience with freeway accidents, how they value cases, and who will actually handle your claim day to day. A well-resourced firm can also tap into accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and investigators—people who can dig into what happened and help prove liability and damages.
What to Do After a Car Accident on Fresno Freeways
Car accidents on the Fresno freeway are sudden and jarring. One moment you’re driving, and the next you’re stopped in the middle of a wreck. As hard as it feels, staying calm and following a clear plan helps protect your health, your rights, and your future claim.
Start by checking for injuries. Look at yourself and your passengers. If anyone is hurt or might be hurt, call 911 right away and request medical help. Even if you think you’re okay, get checked by a medical professional. Adrenaline hides pain, and some injuries show up hours or days later.
If it’s safe and your vehicle still moves, pull over to the shoulder or another safe spot away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights. Stay out of active lanes as much as possible. Standing in or near fast-moving freeway traffic after a crash creates a new risk, both for you and for other drivers.
Exchange information with the other driver and keep it organized. At a minimum, collect:
- Name and contact details
- Driver’s license number
- Insurance company and policy number
- Vehicle make, model, license plate
This information is the basis of any insurance claim or legal action that follows.
Document the scene before anything is cleaned up. Take photos and short videos of:
- Vehicle damage from multiple angles
- Skid marks, debris, and road conditions
- Traffic signs, signals, and lane markings
Follow up with medical care, even if you walked away from the crash. Keep records of every visit, diagnosis, and treatment. Then talk with a lawyer who handles Fresno freeway accidents. An experienced attorney can deal with insurers, explain your options for compensation, and keep you from making mistakes that hurt your case.
Who Is Liable in a Multi-Car Accident on Fresno Highways
Multi-car accidents on Fresno freeways get confusing fast. One driver swerves, hits another vehicle, that vehicle hits you, and suddenly you’re part of a chain reaction. In these pileups, fault is rarely obvious. Liability can fall on one driver, several drivers, or be split among everyone involved, depending on what each person did in the moments leading up to the crash.
Liability in a multi-car accident usually comes down to negligence and California traffic laws. The core question is simple: who failed to use reasonable care, and how did that failure cause the collision? California uses a comparative negligence system, which means each driver can be assigned a percentage of fault. If you’re found 20% at fault, your compensation can be reduced by 20%. You can still recover money, but your share gets cut based on your own contribution to the crash.
In Fresno freeway chain-reaction crashes, fault often spreads across multiple drivers. A rear-end collision that triggers a pileup might start with one inattentive driver, but others may have been speeding, tailgating, or looking at their phones instead of the road. Key factors that shape liability include:
- Driver behavior: distraction, speeding, aggressive driving, following too closely
- Road conditions: rain, construction, poor visibility or debris (these explain risk but don’t excuse reckless driving)
- Vehicle maintenance: worn brakes, bald tires, or mechanical failures that should have been addressed
- Traffic law violations: running lights, unsafe lane changes, failing to signal or yield
Because so many moving parts are involved, a thorough investigation is critical. A Fresno accident lawyer from Heidari Law Group can dig into the details by reviewing police reports, obtaining traffic and surveillance footage when available, interviewing witnesses, and working with reconstruction experts. The goal is to map out exactly how the crash unfolded and show how each driver’s choices contributed—or didn’t contribute—to the collision.
Insurance coverage adds another layer of complexity. Each driver’s policy limits, exclusions, and available coverages (liability, UM/UIM, med pay) affect what you can realistically recover. In a multi-car accident, one driver may be clearly at fault but badly underinsured, forcing you to look at other drivers’ policies or your own coverage to make up the difference. An attorney can sort through the policies, identify every potential source of recovery, and push back when insurers try to shift blame onto you.
Sam Heidari Is Here to Fight for Your Case
When you’re involved in a Fresno freeway accident, dealing with pain, insurance calls, and mounting bills is enough on its own. You shouldn’t also have to untangle the legal system by yourself. That’s where attorney Sam Heidari and the Heidari Law Group step in, providing representation focused on protecting your rights and pushing back against insurance companies that want to pay as little as possible.
Sam understands that a crash isn’t just a case file. It can disrupt every part of your life. Clients come to him dealing with:
- Physical injuries and medical appointments
- Lost income and missed work
- Vehicle repairs or total loss
- Constant pressure from insurance adjusters
With years of experience handling Fresno freeway accidents, he works to guide clients through each step, explain what to expect, and make sure they’re not left guessing about what comes next. What sets the Heidari Law Group apart is how they treat the people they represent. You’re not just another file on a desk. The firm emphasizes:
- Personalized attention based on your specific injuries and circumstances
- Open, consistent communication and case updates
- Honest answers about your options and likely outcomes
This approach helps remove some of the stress and gives you space to focus on healing while the legal team handles the details.
If you’ve been hurt in a Fresno freeway accident, you can speak with Sam Heidari and the Heidari Law Group in a free initial consultation. You can ask questions, get a clear explanation of your options, and decide if they’re the right fit for you—without any upfront cost. With a dedicated advocate handling the legal side, you’re in a better position to pursue the compensation you deserve and move forward with your recovery.
Fresno Freeway Accident FAQ
When are Fresno freeway accidents most likely to happen?
Crash rates go up during the busiest commute windows:
- Morning rush
- Late afternoon and early evening
If your schedule allows, driving outside peak times and giving yourself extra time can lower your exposure.
What should I do right after a Fresno freeway accident?
- Stay as calm as you can
- Check yourself and passengers for injuries
- Call 911 if anyone is hurt or might be hurt
- Follow any instructions from emergency responders
Even if you feel okay, get checked by a medical professional; some injuries show up later.
Is it safe to stay in my car after a crash on the freeway?
Staying in or near active lanes is dangerous. If your vehicle moves and it’s safe to do so:
- Pull onto the shoulder or a safe area away from traffic
- Turn on hazard lights
- Stay out of live lanes as much as possible
Your safety comes before vehicle damage.