Attorney Michael Rehm — (800) 978-0754
Attorney Michael Rehm represents personal injury victims in Clovis and eastern Fresno County. Clovis is a city of approximately 120,000 residents bordering Fresno to the east, with its own street grid, school zones, commercial corridors, and residential neighborhoods. In 2023 (the most recent year for which data is currently available), Clovis recorded 395 total fatal and injury crash victims, ranking 47th out of 62 California cities of comparable size. Bicycle crash victims ranked 36th among comparable cities, reflecting elevated cyclist injury risk relative to Clovis's size. Young cyclists face a particular risk: Clovis ranked 8th out of 62 comparable cities for bicycle injuries to riders under the age of 15. These figures are drawn from the California Office of Traffic Safety 2023 Annual Report.
Clovis Crash Geography
Intersections at Minnewawa Avenue, Tollhouse Road, Herndon Avenue, and Ashlan Avenue account for a substantial share of Clovis collision injuries. Shaw Avenue and Clovis Avenue are primary east-west and north-south arterials with high daily traffic volumes. School zones near Clovis Unified School District campuses create particular pedestrian and bicycle risk during drop-off and pick-up periods. Some Clovis streets have designated bicycle lanes, but most are separated from moving traffic only by painted markings. Drivers making turns across bike lanes without checking for cyclists are a documented hazard on these corridors.
Legal Standard — Negligence and Duty of Care
California Civil Code section 1714(a) provides that everyone is responsible for injury occasioned to another by his or her want of ordinary care or skill in the management of property or person. The full text of Civil Code section 1714 is at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. This foundational rule applies to car accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian collisions, premises injuries, and any other case where one person's failure to exercise reasonable care causes harm to another.
Violation of a California Vehicle Code provision is negligence per se when the violation caused the type of injury the statute was designed to prevent. A driver who fails to yield to a cyclist, runs a stop sign, or fails to observe a school zone speed restriction has breached the duty of care as a matter of law.
Where Clovis Cases Are Filed
Personal injury lawsuits arising in Clovis are filed in the Fresno County Superior Court, B.F. Sisk Courthouse, 1130 O Street, Fresno, CA 93721. The court's general information number is (559) 457-1900. Electronic filing is mandatory for represented parties under Code of Civil Procedure section 1010.6(g).
Fresno County Local Rules (effective January 1, 2026) impose procedural requirements that apply to Clovis cases. ADR is required before the mandatory settlement conference under Local Rule 2.4. The mandatory settlement conference under Local Rule 2.5 requires personal in-person appearance by trial counsel, the client or an authorized representative, and an insurance carrier representative with full settlement authority. The Trial Readiness Hearing is held the Friday before trial before the Civil Supervising Judge and requires in-person attendance by trial counsel — remote appearance is not permitted without prior court approval.
Comparative Fault
California applies pure comparative fault under Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) 13 Cal.3d 804. A plaintiff's recovery is reduced in proportion to his or her own contributory negligence but is not eliminated. A plaintiff found 25 percent at fault recovers 75 percent of proven damages. Whether and to what extent comparative fault applies is a question of fact for the jury.
Damages
Recoverable damages under Civil Code section 3333 include medical expenses incurred and future care, lost wages and earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of injury under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. Missing this deadline can potentially bar a lawsuit. The statute of limitations is an affirmative defense the defendant must raise and prove. Tolling doctrines may apply. Claims against a public entity require a tort claim within six months under Government Code section 911.2. Contact Attorney Michael Rehm to assess the specific timeline in your case.
Practice Areas — Clovis
Related Pages
- Fresno Personal Injury Attorney
- Fresno Car Accident Attorney
- Fresno Bicycle Accident Attorney
- Fresno Pedestrian Accident Attorney
- Fresno Wrongful Death Attorney
Attorney Michael Rehm handles personal injury cases throughout Clovis and eastern Fresno County on a contingency fee basis. No fee without a recovery. Call (800) 978-0754 for a free consultation.
The information on this page is general legal information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case turns on its own facts. The law can change — statutes are amended, cases are decided, and regulations are revised; nothing on this page should be relied upon as a statement of current law without verification. Deadlines and legal bars discussed on this page are general guides — whether a particular deadline applies, has run, or is subject to tolling, and whether a particular doctrine bars or limits recovery in your case, requires individual analysis. Contact Attorney Michael Rehm to discuss the specific facts of your situation.