Clovis Bicycle Accident Lawyers
If someone else’s negligence caused your bicycle crash in Clovis, you may be able to pursue compensation for your resulting losses. This may apply whether the crash happened on Shaw Avenue, near Old Town Clovis, at a trail crossing, or elsewhere in the city.
Unlike vehicle occupants, cyclists have little protection from the force of a collision. A crash can cause broken bones, spinal cord injuries, head injuries, and other serious harm requiring ongoing medical care. Depending on the circumstances, you may seek damages for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other covered losses.
Our Clovis bicycle accident lawyers at Arash Law can help you identify potentially liable parties, determine which insurance coverage may apply, and gather evidence to support your claim.
Call: (888) 488-1391 (24-hour line)
Reviewed by: Arash Khorsandi, Esq., California State Bar #249405, admitted in 2007, last reviewed in September 2026
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Why Bicycle Accident Claims in Clovis Are Different
Where a crash happens in Clovis shapes everything: what evidence exists, who is responsible, and what it takes to prove fault. The roads, trail crossings, school zones, and courts here each affect how a bicycle accident claim is built and where it ultimately lands.
- Dooring and Driveway Conflicts in Commercial Corridor: Shaw Avenue is a major commercial corridor, and Clovis City’s Active Transportation Plan identified part of Shaw between Willow and Sunnyside as a significant bicycle-collision corridor based on historical collision data. Cyclists along Shaw may encounter hazards such as:
- Commercial driveway conflicts occur when drivers cut across the bike lane to enter or exit a shopping center lot without yielding to a cyclist already in the lane.
- Dooring occurs when a parked driver or passenger opens a car door into an approaching cyclist’s path, a violation of California Vehicle Code (CVC) § 22517.
At signalized intersections, especially Shaw/Willow and Shaw/Minnewawa, right-turning drivers may fail to yield to cyclists proceeding straight through. An attorney can ask the City of Clovis about available signal timing records and determine whether any city or business cameras recorded the crash. Any available footage should be promptly requested and preserved.
High-Volume Arterials with Paint-Only Protection: Herndon Avenue, Clovis Avenue, and Minnewawa Avenue carry heavy daily traffic through the city. On segments with conventional Class II bike lanes, cyclists may be separated from moving traffic only by pavement markings rather than a physical barrier.
On Clovis Avenue, drivers are required by California Vehicle Code § 21760 to maintain a minimum three-foot buffer when passing a cyclist. That three-foot rule is easy to violate in corridors where only paint separates lanes. The absence of any physical barrier means a momentarily inattentive driver can cross into the bike lane without leaving any visible evidence of the violation.
- Trail Crossings: Clovis’s developed trail network crosses major roadways at multiple points. At these crossings, drivers approaching on the street may not anticipate a cyclist entering from the trail. Speed differentials and sight-line limitations at trail access points create a collision pattern distinct from standard intersection crashes.
- Trauma Care: Community Regional Medical Center (2823 Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93721) is a Level I Trauma Center serving the region and may treat seriously injured bicycle crash patients from Clovis. Medical records and billing statements from the facilities that treated you can help document your injuries, treatment, and related expenses, including emergency surgery, intensive care, or rehabilitation.
- Court Venue: Fresno County Superior Court — B.F. Sisk Courthouse (1130 O Street, Fresno, CA 93721-2220) is where Fresno County’s unlimited civil personal injury cases, including those arising in Clovis, are usually filed and heard.
Who Can File a Bicycle Accident Claim in Clovis?
A person injured in a Clovis bicycle crash may file a personal injury claim if another party is legally responsible. Parents or guardians may file a claim for injured minors, and certain family members may have separate claims when a victim is seriously injured or killed.
The following people may be eligible to bring a bicycle accident claim:
An injured cyclist may file a personal injury claim against a party whose negligence or other wrongful conduct caused the crash.
A parent or guardian may bring a claim on behalf of an injured child, such as a minor struck near a Clovis Unified campus.
Other cyclists, pedestrians, or vehicle occupants injured in the same collision may have their own claims against responsible parties.
The spouse or registered domestic partner of a seriously injured cyclist may have a loss of consortium claim when the injuries significantly affect the marital or partnership relationship.
If the cyclist dies from the injuries, eligible people may bring a wrongful death claim under California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60. They may include a surviving spouse, registered domestic partner, children, certain heirs, and specifically defined dependents.
Which claim applies depends on who was injured, how the crash occurred, and the claimant’s legal relationship to the injured or deceased cyclist.
Understanding who has the right to file is the starting point. The nature and severity of the injuries involved then shape the value of each claim.
Common Injuries Suffered in Clovis Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle crashes throughout Clovis can cause serious or life-changing injuries because cyclists have little protection from the force of a collision. Whether a crash occurs on Teague Avenue near Dry Creek Park or elsewhere in the city, the injuries may require emergency treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, or ongoing care.
Serious injuries from bicycle accidents in Clovis include:
A head strike against a vehicle, pavement, or another object can cause memory, concentration, vision, or mood problems. These effects may increase medical costs and lost income.
Falls and direct impacts can break wrists, arms, collarbones, hips, or legs. Fractures may require surgery, immobilization, therapy, and time away from work.
Force to the neck or back can damage the spine or spinal cord, causing pain, weakness, reduced mobility, or paralysis. Severe injuries may support claims for long-term care and future losses.
Sliding across pavement can cause deep abrasions, tissue damage, infection, and scarring. Treatment may include wound care, surgery, or skin grafting.
Blunt-force trauma can damage organs and require emergency treatment or surgery.
Serious crashes may contribute to anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or fear of biking, which may be part of a claim when medically supported.
Medical records, imaging studies, therapy notes, work-restriction documentation, and future-care recommendations from treating providers can document the nature and severity of these injuries. The extent of an injury can also help determine the losses you may claim.
Questions After A Bicycle Accident?
Speak with our team about your situation.
What Damages Can You Recover from a Bicycle Accident in Clovis?
You may be able to seek economic and non-economic damages, or the financial and personal losses caused by the accident. In some cases, wrongful death or punitive damages may also be available.
Economic damages are the direct financial losses created by the accident. They are documented and calculable, for example:
- Medical Expenses: Emergency care at Community Regional Medical Center or another facility, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, follow-up treatment, and reasonably necessary future care.
- Lost Wages: Income you lost while recovering and being unable to work.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: Compensation for reduced future earning ability when lasting injuries limit the work you can perform.
- Property Damage: Repair or replacement of your bicycle and riding gear, including helmet, clothing, and any accessories destroyed in the crash.
Non-economic damages cover the losses that no pay stub or invoice can capture. These may include:
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, discomfort, and the effects of treatment and recovery.
- Emotional Distress: Clinically recognized anxiety, depression, or PTSD arising from the accident.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Reduced ability to enjoy activities such as cycling on trails, exercising, hobbies, and everyday routines.
A spouse or registered domestic partner may also have a separate loss of consortium claim when serious injuries affect companionship, affection, assistance, or intimacy.
When a crash proves fatal, eligible family members may file a wrongful death claim to recover funeral and burial costs, the economic support the deceased would have provided, and the loss of care, comfort, and companionship governed by CCP § 377.61.
California law also permits punitive damages when clear and convincing evidence shows that a defendant acted with oppression, fraud, or malice. Malice can include despicable conduct carried on with a willful and conscious disregard for the rights or safety of others. Punitive damages are not awarded in every case and depend on the defendant’s conduct and the available evidence.
How Insurance Coverage Works in Clovis Bicycle Accident Claims
Insurance coverage after a Clovis bicycle accident depends on who caused the crash, the policies involved, and the cyclist’s own coverage. Insurers may dispute fault, causation, the extent of injuries, medical treatment, or the amount of claimed damages. Understanding the coverage landscape before you talk to an adjuster can help protect your claim.
- At-Fault Driver’s Auto Liability Policy: If a driver caused the crash, their liability coverage may pay for the cyclist’s covered injuries and property damage, up to the applicable policy limits. As of January 1, 2025, California’s minimum auto liability limits are:
- $30,000 per person
- $60,000 per accident
- $15,000 for property damage
- Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage: California law requires auto insurers to offer uninsured motorist coverage with every auto liability policy. If you did not reject this coverage in writing, it should be part of your policy and can apply when:
- The at-fault driver carries no insurance policy.
- The at-fault driver’s policy limits are too low to cover your losses.
- The driver flees the scene and cannot be identified, provided there was physical contact between the vehicle and you or your bicycle.
- Commercial Auto Policy: If a commercial vehicle, such as a delivery truck or a company car, caused your crash, a separate commercial policy with higher limits may apply.
- Rideshare Insurance: Coverage depends on the Uber or Lyft driver’s app status. Their personal policy generally applies when offline. While awaiting a request, primary liability limits are $50,000 per injured person, $100,000 per accident, and $30,000 for property damage, plus excess coverage. From ride acceptance through passenger drop-off, required primary liability coverage is $1 million per accident.
- Medical Payments (MedPay) Coverage: Depending on the policy and the cyclist’s insured status, applicable MedPay coverage may reimburse covered medical expenses without requiring proof that another driver was at fault. Policy limits and eligibility requirements vary.
Adjuster Tactics to Recognize
Insurance adjusters may challenge fault, question your injuries, or offer less than your documented losses after a Clovis bicycle accident. Recognizing these approaches can help you understand why an insurer disputes your claim and what evidence may support your response.
Tactics to watch for include:
- Asserting that your injuries predated the crash.
- Claiming you were partly responsible for the collision.
- Offering a quick settlement before your full diagnosis and prognosis are known.
- Disputing whether your medical treatment was necessary.
If you’re facing these challenges right now, Clovis car accident lawyers can help. They gather evidence to back your claim and address insurer disputes.
Proving Fault in a Clovis Bicycle Accident Case
To prove fault in a Clovis bicycle accident, an injured cyclist generally must show that another party owed a duty of care, breached that duty, caused the injury, and caused the resulting damages. Civil Code § 1714 establishes California’s general duty of reasonable care, while traffic-law violations may also help establish negligence depending on the circumstances.
The four elements of a negligence claim are:
- Duty: Every driver who shares a Clovis road with a cyclist has a legal duty to operate with reasonable care.
- Breach: The driver failed to use reasonable care, such as by passing a cyclist unsafely on Nees Avenue or opening a vehicle door into a cyclist’s path near Old Town Clovis.
- Causation: The driver’s breach directly caused the accident or was a substantial factor in causing your injuries.
- Damages: You suffered real, compensable losses: medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
Vehicle Code Duties Drivers Owe Cyclists
California’s Vehicle Code establishes rules for motorists and cyclists that may help determine fault after a Clovis bicycle crash. A statutory violation may support a negligence claim or a presumption of negligence when the requirements of Evidence Code § 669 are satisfied.
- Equal Road Rights (CVC § 21200): Cyclists have the same rights and obligations as motor vehicle drivers. A driver must treat a bicycle as a full participant in traffic, not as an obstacle to be moved around.
- Three-Foot Passing Rule (CVC § 21760): Drivers passing a cyclist generally must provide at least three feet of clearance. If three feet are unavailable, the driver must slow to a reasonable and prudent speed and pass only when doing so would not endanger the cyclist.
- Dooring Prohibition (CVC § 22517): Drivers and passengers must check for approaching cyclists before opening a car door. A door opening into a cyclist’s path near Shaw Avenue or Old Town Clovis, without looking, violates this statute.
What if You Were Partially at Fault for Your Accident?
Under the California pure comparative fault rule, as established in Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 13 Cal. 3d 804 (1975), you can recover compensation even if you have some fault for your bicycle accident. Your recovery is reduced by your own percentage of fault, not eliminated.
If a jury finds you 20% at fault for riding on Shaw Avenue at dusk without a front light, your total damages are reduced by 20%, not zeroed out. The 80% attributable to the at-fault driver remains recoverable.
Fault disputes often turn on whether the cyclist followed the same CVC rules the driver was required to follow. These disputes are the reason evidence must be preserved immediately: camera footage, witness statements, police reports from the Clovis Police Department or the California Highway Patrol, and the bicycle’s condition.
Potentially Liable Parties Beyond the Driver
A bicycle crash in Clovis can involve more than one at-fault party. Identifying each party whose conduct or property contributed to the crash can help determine the available sources of compensation.
- At-Fault Driver: The most frequent defendant. A driver who ran a red light, failed to yield, or was distracted may be fully or partly liable.
- Rideshare and Delivery Companies: If the driver was working for Uber, Lyft, or a delivery service at the time of the crash, the company may be held vicariously liable. Checking driver status and platform dispatch records early in the investigation can determine whether commercial coverage applies.
- Bicycle Manufacturers: If a brake failure, frame defect, or component failure contributed to the crash, the manufacturer may face strict products liability even without proof of negligence.
- Property Owners: A property owner may face liability when a dangerous condition under the owner’s control contributes to a bicycle crash, depending on the facts and applicable law.
A public entity may also face liability when a dangerous condition of public property contributes to a bicycle crash and the requirements of Government Code § 835 are met.
- City of Clovis: May be responsible for dangerous conditions on City-owned or City-controlled streets and intersections. Claims are typically presented to the City Clerk of Clovis (1033 Fifth Street, Clovis, CA 93612). Government Code § 915(a) permits presentation to the public entity’s clerk, secretary, auditor, or other designated officer by personal delivery or mail. To establish that a public agency is liable for a dangerous road condition, a claimant must show:
- The property was in a dangerous condition at the time of the injury.
- The dangerous condition created a reasonably foreseeable risk of the kind of injury sustained.
- Either a public employee’s negligent or wrongful act or omission created the dangerous condition, or the entity had actual or constructive notice of the condition for a sufficient time before the injury to have taken protective action.
- The dangerous condition caused the injury.
A crumbling bike lane on Herndon Avenue, a faded crosswalk at a trail crossing, or a malfunctioning signal at Shaw/Willow are examples of conditions that may qualify but do not guarantee liability.
- Caltrans: Responsible for state transportation facilities in and around Clovis. Caltrans maintenance, design, traffic control, and available signal timing records may provide evidence when a bicycle crash involves state-controlled property.
- Claims of $12,500 or less may be filed directly with Caltrans.
- Claims higher than $12,500 must be filed with the California Department of General Services’ Government Claims Program.
- Fresno County: The County may be responsible for county-controlled roads and transportation property in unincorporated areas near Clovis.
What to Expect After a Clovis Bicycle Accident Claim Begins
A bicycle accident claim in Clovis moves through defined stages, beginning the moment the crash happens. Most claims resolve before trial, but what you recover depends on how well each stage is handled.
- Preserve the evidence immediately. Footage from surveillance cameras, photos of your injuries, witness testimony, the official collision report, video from the camera on your helmet, and damaged property such as your bicycle or clothing.
- Get consistent medical care. A complete, uninterrupted treatment record enables your treating physicians to document your long-term recovery needs and prognosis. Gaps in care give insurers grounds to argue your injuries were not as serious as you claim.
- Prepare and send the demand package. Once your treatment concludes and your doctors have outlined your prognosis, your attorney assembles a complete demand package: medical records, billing from all treating providers, a calculation of economic losses, and a written account of your pain and suffering. This package is submitted to the insurer with a settlement demand.
- Negotiate a settlement. Your attorney reviews the insurer’s response, counters offers that undervalue your losses, and addresses disputes over fault or treatment. You decide whether to accept a settlement after discussing its terms with your attorney. If negotiations do not resolve the claim, a lawsuit may be necessary.
- File in Fresno County Superior Court, if needed. If the insurer refuses a fair settlement, your attorney files suit at the B.F. Sisk Courthouse, 1130 O Street, Fresno. The filing signals that the case will proceed to trial if an acceptable resolution is not reached.
The Clovis Police Department generally investigates crashes on Clovis streets. Depending on the exact location and roadway jurisdiction, some crashes outside the department’s jurisdiction may be investigated by the California Highway Patrol. Identifying the correct investigating agency from the start helps you avoid delays in obtaining the collision report.
Filing Deadlines That Apply to Your Clovis Bicycle Accident Claim
In a Clovis bicycle accident claim, you generally have two years to sue a private party. If you seek damages from the City of Clovis, Caltrans, or another public entity, you generally must present a government claim within six months after the cause of action accrues. A missed deadline may end your right to any compensation, regardless of how strong your claim is.
- Personal Injury Lawsuits Against Private Parties (CCP § 335.1): You have two years from the date of your bicycle accident to file a lawsuit against a private individual or company.
- Wrongful Death (CCP § 335.1): Eligible surviving family members generally have two years from the cyclist’s death to file a wrongful death lawsuit against a private party. Claims against public entities are subject to the separate government claim deadline.
- Property Damage Lawsuits (CCP § 338): A separate three-year deadline applies to lawsuits for property damage, such as the repair or replacement of your bicycle and gear.
- Claims Against Government Entities (Government Code § 911.2): You must file a written government tort claim with the responsible agency within six months after the cause of action accrues (usually from the date of the injury). This claim must be filed before any lawsuit can proceed.
- If the agency provides a written rejection notice that complies with Government Code § 913, you generally have six months from its personal delivery or mailing to file suit.
- If the agency takes no action within 45 days, the deadline to file suit is 2 years from the date the cause of action accrues, usually the date of the injury. (Government Code § 945.6).
- Minor Cyclists: If the injured cyclist is a minor, the two-year personal injury clock is tolled, meaning paused, until the minor turns 18. This tolling rule applies to personal injury lawsuits against private parties. It does not extend the six-month government tort claim presentment deadline.
If you miss the six-month deadline, you may still be able to apply to the agency for permission to present a late claim, but the application generally must be presented within a reasonable time not exceeding one year after the cause of action accrues. It is granted only on specific statutory grounds, such as minority, incapacity, or mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect. A Clovis bicycle accident lawyer can identify which deadline governs your specific claim and begin preserving evidence simultaneously.
Results Arash Law Has Secured for Cyclists and Other Road Users
Arash Law has recovered over $1 billion for injured clients across California. The case results below reflect the firm’s injury practice for all road users. The same investigation, liability analysis, and negotiation approach apply to every bicycle accident claim.
A pickup truck struck a six-year-old cyclist, causing a traumatic brain injury. Despite the other party’s efforts to blame the child, we secured the settlement after the driver admitted he was distracted.
Our legal team recovered compensation for a pedestrian struck while jaywalking at night. Despite a police report assigning fault to our client, we secured $2 million in compensation for him.
An uninsured driver struck our client at a dangerous intersection. Despite the limited options for recovery, we pursued the city and uncovered a history of crashes that supported our case.
The results displayed were dependent on the unique facts of each case. Different facts will produce different results. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Talk to Arash Law About Your Clovis Bicycle Accident Claim
Arash Law’s bicycle accident attorneys are ready to review your case in Clovis, identify who may be responsible for your injuries, and, if we take your case, manage every stage of the legal process while you recover.
We handle bicycle accident claims on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees unless we win or settle your case. There are no upfront costs and no hourly charges.
Call (888) 488-1391, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for your free case evaluation.
Why Clovis Cyclists Choose Arash Law
Bicycle accident cases in Clovis involve unique local factors that affect the investigation and fault determination process. Arash Law brings specific knowledge of the corridors, institutions, and agencies involved. We prepare each case for settlement negotiations and, when necessary, trial.
- Immediate Evidence Preservation: We identify available city records and nearby business footage, then promptly request preservation of relevant evidence.
- Government Claims Filed on Time: When the City of Clovis or Fresno County is responsible for a road defect, we prepare and submit the government tort claim within the six-month deadline. This is the step most claimants miss when acting without counsel.
- Medical Record Coordination: We request and organize records from all treating providers, providing the documentation needed to build a complete picture of your injuries and projected future care.
- No Adjuster Statements Without Us: We handle all communication with insurance adjusters. A recorded statement given without legal guidance can be used to minimize your claim.
- Expert Life Care Planners and Economists: For serious injuries, we engage specialists who estimate future medical costs and long-term income losses. These figures often represent the largest component of a claim’s value.
- Trial-Ready Preparation: Every case is built as though it will go to trial, which gives us real leverage during settlement negotiations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bicycle Accidents in Clovis
What If a Pothole or Road Defect on a Clovis Street Caused My Crash?
You may have a claim against the City of Clovis if a dangerous road condition caused your bicycle crash. Under Government Code § 835, liability may arise if a public employee created the dangerous condition or the public entity had actual or constructive notice of it in time to take protective measures.
Photograph the defect, its location, and the surrounding road conditions before repairs change the scene. You generally must present a government claim within six months of your injury before suing the city. Separate deadlines apply to the lawsuit. An attorney can help identify the responsible agency and obtain maintenance records, inspection reports, and prior complaints.
Can I File a Claim If a Parked Car Near Old Town Clovis Doored Me?
Yes. California Vehicle Code § 22517 makes it illegal to open a vehicle door into moving traffic unless it is safe to do so. A driver or passenger who opens a door into an approaching cyclist’s path may be held liable for the resulting injuries.
If you are doored near Old Town Clovis or elsewhere in the city, photograph the vehicle position, door, lane markings, and surrounding area. Preserve any available surveillance footage and witness information.
Does Not Wearing a Helmet Affect My Right to Compensation?
No, it does not bar your claim. California’s bicycle helmet requirement applies to riders under 18. State law generally does not require adult cyclists to wear helmets.
An insurer may argue that the lack of a helmet contributed to a head injury, but it would need to establish a factual and legal basis for reducing those damages. Helmet use generally would not affect compensation for injuries that a helmet could not have prevented.
What If the Driver Who Hit Me Fled the Scene or Had No Insurance?
Your auto policy’s uninsured motorist coverage may apply if the responsible driver is uninsured or unidentified.
For an unidentified hit-and-run vehicle, California generally requires that you or your bicycle be physically contacted. For UM coverage involving an unidentified vehicle, California law also requires reporting the accident to police within 24 hours and providing the insurer a sworn statement within 30 days that you have a cause of action against the unidentified driver.
Promptly report a crash on a Clovis city street to the appropriate law enforcement agency and preserve surveillance footage, witness information, and physical evidence.
Who Investigates Bicycle Crashes on Clovis Roads?
The Clovis Police Department generally investigates bicycle crashes within its city jurisdiction. Another agency, such as the California Highway Patrol, may investigate when the crash occurs outside that jurisdiction.
Shaw Avenue, Herndon Avenue, Clovis Avenue, and Minnewawa Avenue are examples of local roads where the exact crash location determines the responsible investigating agency. Obtain the collision report from whichever agency handled the crash.
How Long Does a Bicycle Accident Case in Clovis Take?
There is no fixed timeline. Some bicycle accident claims resolve within months, while cases involving serious injuries, disputed fault, multiple parties, or litigation may take a year or longer.
A claim involving the City of Clovis or another public entity also requires compliance with California’s government claim procedures before a lawsuit may proceed. The time needed ultimately depends on the injuries, evidence, insurance issues, settlement negotiations, and whether litigation becomes necessary.
Ready to Move Forward? Arash Law Can Help You
A bicycle accident in Clovis can leave you with severe injuries and high medical bills. You don’t have to deal with that alone. Whether your crash happened on Shaw Avenue at Willow Avenue, at a trail network crossing at a major arterial, or anywhere else in Clovis, Arash Law is ready to help you.
Our personal injury attorneys know the local roads, the responsible agencies, and the Fresno County court procedures that can shape your claim. Contact us now for a free case review.
We handle bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis, with no upfront costs and no hourly charges. You pay nothing unless we win or settle your case. Call (888) 488-1391 any time to speak with a Clovis bicycle accident attorney.
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