Clovis Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
If another person caused your motorcycle crash in Clovis, you may have the right to seek compensation under California law. Compensation may include medical expenses, lost income, reduced earning ability, motorcycle damage, and pain and suffering.
Clovis sits along SR-168 and several major routes connecting the city with Fresno and nearby communities. Riders travel through freeway interchanges and busy intersections where vehicles merge, turn left, change lanes, and enter from commercial driveways. These traffic movements can create serious conflicts when a driver fails to yield or does not see an approaching motorcycle.
Arash Law represents injured motorcyclists in Clovis and throughout Fresno County. Our attorneys handle claims involving disputed fault, serious injuries, insurance coverage, and other liability issues.
Call: (888) 488-1391 (24-hour line)
Reviewed by: Arash Khorsandi, Esq., California State Bar #249405, admitted 2007, last reviewed September 2026.
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Who Can File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Clovis?
Several people can have claims after the same Clovis motorcycle crash. The right to compensation depends on who was injured and who caused the collision.
- An injured motorcycle rider can pursue a claim against each party whose negligence contributed to the crash.
- A motorcycle passenger can pursue claims against a negligent driver, motorcycle operator, employer, road agency, or other responsible party.
- Another injured road user can have a claim if the same event injured a driver, passenger, pedestrian, or bicyclist.
- Qualifying family members can bring a wrongful death action after a fatal crash under California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60.
- The decedent’s personal representative or successor in interest can bring a survival action under California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.30.
- A spouse or registered domestic partner may have a separate loss-of-consortium claim after a serious injury.
California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 identifies the people who can bring a wrongful death claim. These include spouses, domestic partners, children, and certain other qualifying dependents.
For lawsuits filed on or after January 1, 2026, survival damages generally exclude the decedent’s pre-death pain, suffering, and disfigurement. Other losses the decedent suffered before death can remain recoverable.
Why Motorcycle Accidents in Clovis Are Different from Crashes Anywhere Else
Motorcycle accidents in Clovis can involve SR-168 traffic, wide arterial roads, busy intersections, and drivers who fail to see approaching riders. The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) Clovis data counted 16 victims killed or injured in motorcycle-involved crashes in 2023.
The city treats motorcycle visibility and traffic violations as specific safety concerns. Clovis Police has used motorcycle-focused enforcement to target unsafe conduct by both drivers and riders.
Local collision records also identify several busy intersections with relatively high numbers of reported collisions. These records can provide context about locations where turning and cross-street traffic may be relevant to a crash investigation.
Data Transparency Note: The OTS figure reflects victims killed or injured in crashes involving motorcycles, not necessarily motorcyclists alone. Local intersection collision totals may include all crash types and are not limited to motorcycle collisions. Data availability can also vary by year and reporting agency.
State Route 168 Changes How Some Clovis Motorcycle Claims are Investigated
SR-168 creates a different traffic pattern from most Clovis surface streets. Riders share the freeway with vehicles entering and exiting at several interchanges through the Clovis area.
The Caltrans SR-168 interchange list includes these exits serving the Clovis area:
- Bullard Avenue
- Herndon Avenue
- Fowler Avenue
- Temperance Avenue
Crashes near these ramps can involve merging, lane changes, following distance, speed, and vehicles crossing several lanes before exiting.
Herndon Avenue and Fowler Avenue also appear in local collision records. Herndon at Fowler had 19 reported collisions in 2025. Clovis Avenue at Shaw Avenue had 17. The figures here are not exclusive to motorcycle accidents. These locations can require a closer review of signals, lane positions, turn movements, and nearby traffic patterns.
Tule Fog Can Affect Visibility on Clovis Roads
Winter fog is a specific Central Valley driving condition that can affect riders in Clovis. The National Weather Service’s guidance on tule fog explains that it develops in California’s Central Valley during winter. Dense conditions commonly occur from late October through February.
Low visibility can make motorcycles harder for drivers to detect. Fog can also hide lane markings, traffic signals, stopped vehicles, and roadway hazards. After a fog-related crash, investigators may review weather records, lighting, vehicle speed, sight distance, and witness accounts.
Clovis Police Targets Motorcycle Safety Violations
Motorcycle safety receives specific attention from the Clovis Police Department. Clovis Police has conducted motorcycle-focused enforcement aimed at traffic violations by both drivers and motorcyclists. The department has also warned drivers to check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes. It advised motorists to leave more following distance behind motorcycles.
Clovis Police identified visibility as a major concern in motorcycle accidents. The department urged drivers to look twice for riders and confirm a motorcycle’s movement before proceeding.
In injury claims, those same issues often arise in disputes over unsafe lane changes, following distance, blind spots, and failure to see a rider.
Reporting a Motorcycle Crash in Clovis
Which agency handles the collision report often depends on where the crash occurred. The Clovis Police Department generally investigates crashes on city streets. Meanwhile, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Fresno Area office handles crashes on state highways, freeways, and other roadways within its jurisdiction, including routes serving Clovis.
A separate DMV report may also be required. California drivers must submit an SR-1 report to the DMV within 10 days when someone is injured, killed, or when property damage exceeds $1,000. The SR-1 requirement applies regardless of fault. A police report, CHP report, or insurance claim does not replace it.
California also has a separate 24-hour reporting rule for crashes involving injury or death. The driver must make, or cause to be made, a written report to the appropriate law enforcement agency within 24 hours. This requirement is separate from the DMV SR-1 report.
Where Injured Riders Receive Emergency and Trauma Care
Injured motorcyclists in Clovis may receive initial treatment at Clovis Community Medical Center. The hospital is at 2755 Herndon Avenue and provides emergency care.
Riders with severe trauma may be taken to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno. Its Table Mountain Rancheria Trauma Center is the nearest designated Level I trauma center serving Clovis.
Community Regional also operates the region’s comprehensive burn center. These services can treat serious motorcycle injuries, including burns, brain trauma, major fractures, and internal injuries.
Where Clovis Motorcycle Injury Lawsuits are Filed
A motorcycle injury lawsuit arising from a crash in Clovis can be filed in Fresno County when venue is proper there. California law permits personal injury cases to be filed where the injury occurred or where a defendant resides.
The B.F. Sisk Courthouse is at 1130 O Street in Fresno. It hears both limited and unlimited civil cases. Limited civil cases generally involve $35,000 or less. Unlimited civil cases involve more than $35,000.
Cases that are at issue and ready for trial are generally assigned trial, Mandatory Settlement Conference, and Trial Readiness Hearing dates at the Case Management Conference. Fresno County Superior Court local rules also generally require the parties to participate in an agreed form of alternative dispute resolution before the Mandatory Settlement Conference, unless the court excuses the requirement for good cause. These procedures give the parties structured opportunities to discuss settlement before trial.
Injuries Riders Suffer in Clovis Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle crashes in Clovis can cause several injuries because riders have less physical protection than occupants inside passenger vehicles. Injury severity depends on the impact and the fall.
Concussions and brain injuries can affect memory, concentration, balance, speech, and other functions.
Damage to the spinal cord can cause weakness, loss of movement, or paralysis.
Riders often break wrists, arms, collarbones, ribs, pelvises, ankles, or legs.
Sliding across pavement can damage several layers of skin and leave permanent scars.
A collision can injure the lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys, or other organs.
Severe crush injuries can result in the loss of a limb.
Disc injuries, nerve damage, and soft-tissue injuries can limit movement and work.
A rider can suffer fractures, dental injuries, cuts, or other facial trauma.
Fuel, hot motorcycle parts, or contact with pavement can cause serious burns.
A serious collision can cause anxiety, sleep problems, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Medical records help connect each injury to the crash and show how recovery develops over time. Useful records include imaging, surgery notes, therapy notes, and work restrictions. A Clovis injury law firm can gather these records to help you build a strong claim.
Questions After A Motorcycle Accident?
Speak with our team about your situation.
What Damages Can You Recover from a Motorcycle Accident in Clovis?
An injured rider can seek compensation for losses caused by another party’s fault. The available damages depend on the injuries, evidence, insurance, and liable parties.
Economic damages cover financial losses that can be documented with bills, records, or other proof.
- Emergency treatment, hospital care, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits.
- Physical therapy, rehabilitation, and other continuing treatment.
- Future medical care that medical evidence reasonably supports.
- Lost wages and other income lost during recovery.
- Reduced earning capacity when injuries limit future work.
- Motorcycle repair or replacement costs.
- Damaged helmets, riding gear, phones, and other personal property.
- Reasonable costs for necessary mobility equipment or home modifications.
Non-economic damages address personal losses that do not have a fixed bill or invoice.
- Physical pain and discomfort.
- Emotional distress caused by the crash and injuries.
- Scarring or disfigurement.
- Loss of enjoyment of normal activities.
- Loss of consortium for a qualifying spouse or registered domestic partner.
A wrongful death claim can seek funeral expenses, lost financial support, and certain losses tied to the family relationship. California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.61 governs wrongful death damages.
The decedent’s personal representative can bring a survival action or, if there is no personal representative, by the successor in interest. It can include certain losses the injured person sustained before death.
Punitive damages are not available in an ordinary negligence case. California Civil Code § 3294 requires proof of oppression, fraud, or malice. Some conduct showing conscious disregard for safety can support a punitive damages claim. Whether punitive damages are available depends on the specific facts and evidence supporting the case.
Insurance Coverage After a Clovis Motorcycle Crash
More than one insurance policy can apply after a motorcycle crash. Coverage depends on the people, vehicles, employers, and commercial platforms involved.
- At-Fault Liability Coverage: California’s standard minimum liability limits are $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage.
- Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage: UM/UIM can apply when the responsible driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage. California policies generally include UM coverage unless the named insured rejects or reduces it in writing.
- Medical Payments (MedPay) Coverage: MedPay can cover qualifying medical expenses when the motorcycle policy includes this optional coverage.
- Employer Coverage: An employer may be responsible when its employee caused the crash while acting within the scope of employment. An applicable business policy may provide coverage.
- Rideshare Coverage: Transportation Network Company coverage depends on the driver’s app and trip status.
- Commercial and Delivery Coverage: Delivery crashes can involve personal, commercial, or business policies. Coverage depends on the work arrangement and policy terms.
California requires $1 million in primary commercial liability coverage from the time a rideshare driver accepts a ride request through the completion of the trip. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) insurance requirements impose lower limits while the driver is logged in but waiting for a request.
California Civil Code § 3333.4 can limit non-economic damages when an injured owner or operator lacked the required financial responsibility. Specific statutory exceptions can apply.
Coverage should be reviewed using the policies and app records in effect on the date of the crash. The first coverage decision may not identify all applicable policies.
What to Expect from the Clovis Motorcycle Accident Claim Process
Motorcycle accident cases usually follow a sequence of steps. The timeline and complexity vary depending on the severity of the injury, disputed liability, and whether a government entity is involved.
- Identify the investigating agency. Obtain the Clovis Police Department or CHP report based on the crash location.
- Preserve available evidence. Keep photographs, video, motorcycle damage, witness information, and relevant roadway evidence.
- Document medical treatment. Collect hospital records, imaging, treatment notes, bills, and work restrictions.
- Identify responsible parties and insurance. Review drivers, owners, employers, rideshare companies, contractors, and public entities.
- Evaluate fault and damages. Compare the physical evidence with witness accounts, traffic laws, medical records, and claimed losses.
- Submit and negotiate the claim. A demand can present evidence of liability, injuries, expenses, and other recoverable damages.
- File a lawsuit when needed. Litigation can begin in Fresno County Superior Court when venue is proper if negotiations fail or filing deadlines require court action.
Proving Fault After a Clovis Motorcycle Crash
Under California Civil Code (Civ. Code) § 1714, every person has a duty to exercise ordinary care in managing their property and conduct to avoid injuring others. Fault depends on what each person did before the collision.
A negligence claim generally requires four elements:
- Duty of Care: A driver has a duty to use reasonable care.
- Breach of Duty: The driver failed to use reasonable care.
- Causation: That failure was a substantial factor in causing the injury.
- Damages: The rider suffered compensable losses, including medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and property loss.
Traffic violations can also support the fault analysis. Common examples include unsafe lane changes, unsafe turns, red-light violations, and following too closely.
Who Else Can Be Liable?
A motorcycle claim can involve more than the driver who made contact with the rider. Depending on the facts, responsible parties can include:
- A vehicle owner can face statutory liability when a permissive driver negligently causes the crash.
- An employer can be responsible for an employee acting within the scope of employment.
- The City of Clovis may face a claim for a dangerous condition on city-controlled property when the legal requirements are met.
- Caltrans can be involved when a dangerous condition on a state highway allegedly contributed to a crash.
- Fresno County can be involved when a crash concerns a county-controlled road outside Clovis city limits.
- A contractor can face liability when construction or traffic control work contributed to the collision.
- A manufacturer or repair business can face a claim when a defective product or negligent repair contributed to the crash.
What if the Rider Was Partly at Fault?
California follows pure comparative fault. A rider can still recover damages when the rider shares responsibility. Suppose a driver turns across a motorcycle near Herndon and Clovis avenues. A jury finds the rider 20% responsible for excessive speed. If proven damages total $100,000, the rider would recover $80,000 under that allocation.
The evidence determines each party’s percentage. An insurer cannot end the claim merely by alleging that the rider shares fault.
Filing Deadlines for Clovis Motorcycle Accident Claims
California uses different deadlines for injury, property damage, and public-entity claims. Missing the correct deadline can bar that claim.
- Under California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) § 335.1, a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit generally must be filed within two years.
- California Code of Civil Procedure § 338 generally provides three years for damage to a motorcycle or other personal property.
- California Government Code § 911.2 generally requires a written injury or property claim to be filed within 6 months for government claims.
A government claim can arise from a city street, county road, state highway, signal, pavement condition, or public construction project. The responsible public entity must be identified correctly.
For a Clovis street condition, the City may hold records of signals, maintenance, inspections, or projects. Caltrans may hold comparable records for SR-168.
Fresno County can hold records for county-controlled roads outside city limits. A contractor may hold separate traffic-control, inspection, or work records.
A government claim is not the same as a lawsuit. Later filing deadlines depend on how the public entity responds to the claim. Different rules can apply to minors and public-entity claims.
Evidence should be preserved even when the lawsuit deadline appears distant. Video, vehicle condition, road work, and witness information can change or disappear earlier. Clovis personal injury attorneys can help determine which deadline applies to your situation.
Results Arash Law Has Achieved for Motorcycle Accident Clients
Arash Law has handled motorcycle claims involving disputed police reports, trucks, rideshare vehicles, and unsafe roadway conditions. These case results show how evidence and liability issues can affect motorcycle accident claims.
The police report initially placed fault on the injured rider. Further investigation showed that the truck driver’s improper turn contributed to the collision. The case was resolved for $5 million.
A rider hit an uneven pavement in a construction zone and suffered rib fractures and a head injury. Defendants disputed responsibility. The case settled for $1.45 million after the trial began.
A police report listed the rider as responsible for the accident. Further investigation supported the conclusion that the fault lay with the truck driver. The claim was resolved for the available $1 million policy limit.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case depends on its facts, evidence, injuries, insurance, and applicable law.
Why Clovis Riders Choose Arash Law
Motorcycle claims in Clovis can involve more than the driver who caused the crash. Road conditions, insurance coverage, public agencies, and medical evidence can all affect the case.
Here’s how Arash Law can help:
- We investigate the crash beyond what the police report says. We review available video, photographs, witness statements, vehicle damage, roadway conditions, and other evidence that can help explain what happened.
- We understand the local agencies involved. A crash on a Clovis street may involve Clovis Police, while an SR-168 collision may involve the CHP Fresno Area. We obtain records from the agency that handled the crash.
- We examine roadway responsibility. If poor pavement, traffic controls, or construction contributed to the collision, we determine whether Clovis, Caltrans, Fresno County, or another party may be responsible.
- We look for all available insurance coverage. Depending on the circumstances of the crash, coverage may come from the at-fault driver, an employer, a rideshare company, or the rider’s own UM/UIM or MedPay policy.
- We build the damages claim around the rider’s actual losses. We document medical treatment, lost income, future care, motorcycle damage, scarring, and other losses, all supported by evidence.
- We prepare the case for litigation when necessary. If the claim does not resolve, our attorneys can file suit in Fresno County when venue is proper and continue the case through discovery, settlement proceedings, or trial.
If the collision also involved a car, truck, pedestrian, or commercial vehicle, we can address the related claims within the same investigation.
Talk to Arash Law About Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
If you were injured in a Clovis motorcycle crash, Arash Law can review the collision, insurance coverage, injuries, and available evidence.
Our attorneys handle motorcycle injury cases on a contingency-fee basis. The payment arrangement will be discussed during your initial consultation.
Call (888) 488-1391 for a free case evaluation. Our lines are available 24 hours a day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Accidents in Clovis
What if I Wasn't Wearing a Helmet?
Not wearing a helmet does not automatically prevent you from bringing a motorcycle accident claim. An insurer can argue that nonuse of a helmet contributed to a claimed head injury. The evidence must still connect that issue to the injury and damages. Helmet use generally has less relevance to injuries such as a broken leg or road rash. Other fault issues can still affect those damages.
Does Lane Splitting Affect My Claim?
California law recognizes lane splitting under CVC § 21658.1 and does not prohibit it. An insurer may argue that a rider who was lane splitting caused or contributed to a crash. The question is whether the lane splitting was performed safely, given the specific conditions.
Experienced attorneys can document those conditions using traffic data and expert analysis to counter the insurer’s claim that the rider was at fault.
What if the Driver Says They Did Not See My Motorcycle?
A driver’s failure to see a motorcycle does not automatically excuse the collision. Drivers still must use reasonable care and follow traffic laws.
The investigation should examine visibility, lighting, sightlines, speed, mirrors, signals, lane position, and turning movements. At intersections such as Herndon and Clovis, nearby traffic patterns and signal evidence can also help reconstruct what happened.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire Arash Law?
Arash Law handles motorcycle injury cases under a written contingency fee agreement. You don’t pay attorneys’ fees up front. The fee generally comes from a recovery under that agreement.
California Business and Professions Code § 6147 requires qualifying contingency agreements to be in writing. The agreement should also explain how the firm handles case costs and related expenses.
Get Your Free Clovis Motorcycle Accident Case Review With Arash Law
A motorcycle claim can involve medical records, insurance policies, collision reports, roadway evidence, and strict filing deadlines. Arash Law can investigate the crash and identify the parties and coverage that apply to your case.
If you or someone you love was hurt in a motorcycle accident in Clovis, the time to act is now. We can handle the legal aspects of your claim so that you can focus on recovery.
Call (888) 488-1391 for a free consultation. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No fees unless we recover. Arash Law: Make ‘Em Pay, Call AK.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information and is not legal advice. Contacting Arash Law does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and results depend on the specific facts, injuries, evidence, applicable law, and available insurance or other sources of recovery.
