Fresno Accident Guide
If you were hurt in a crash in Fresno, this guide shows where to get your police report, how to file a claim against the City or County, which intersections and freeways see the most crashes, and the deadlines that matter. Each fact links to the official source.
How do I get a police accident report in Fresno?
It depends on who wrote the report. Fresno PD handles crashes on city streets, and CHP covers freeways. Fresno PD collision reports are available online for a $12 convenience fee, or at no charge at the Records Lobby, 2323 Mariposa Street. You need the crash date and two other details. CHP reports are online or by CHP 190 form.
| Agency | How to request | Wait, fee, and rules |
|---|---|---|
| Fresno PD (city streets in the City of Fresno) | Online: Order Collision Report (LexisNexis), linked on Fresno PD Records and Reports. In person: Fresno Police Department Records Lobby, 2323 Mariposa Street, during business hours. Records: (559) 621-2534. | Online: $12.00 convenience fee. In person: no charge, but expect long waits. You need the crash date and two of: street name, case number, involved party last name, or registered owner last name. Source: Fresno PD: Records and Reports |
| Fresno County Sheriff (reports written by deputies) | Records Unit, Sheriff’s Administration Office, 2200 Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93721, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. (559) 600-8400. | Copies go to victims, authorized representatives, and insurance companies. Call for current fees. Source: Fresno County Sheriff’s Office: Records |
| CHP (freeways and state highways) | Online: CHP Online Crash Report System. In person or mail: CHP 190 form (PDF) to any CHP Area office. | Online reports are usually ready about 8 business days after the crash. Fee: $10 for 1 to 25 pages, $10 more per added 25 pages; check or money order. Attach a copy of your ID or have the form notarized. Source: CHP: Request a Crash Report; CHP 190 instructions |
If the report gets the facts wrong or blames you, read what to do when a California collision report blames you.
Who is allowed to get a copy of the crash report?
California limits crash reports to people with a proper interest. That includes drivers, injured people, passengers, vehicle or property owners, parents of injured minors, guardians, and their lawyers or insurance companies. You will usually need ID and the report number, date, and location. A lawyer can request it for you.
- The rule is in Vehicle Code §20012.
- Have the date, time, location, names, and report or case number if you have it.
How do I file a claim against the City of Fresno?
File the City’s Claim for Damages form with the Risk Management Division within six months of an injury. Claims must be filed in duplicate, either in person or by mail, at 2600 Fresno Street, Room 1030, Fresno. Call (559) 621-6900 with questions. Note that the claim goes to Risk Management, not the City Clerk.
| Way to file | Details |
|---|---|
| Form | City of Fresno Claim for Damages form (PDF). |
| Mail or in person | Two copies to Risk Management Division, City of Fresno, 2600 Fresno Street, Room 1030, Fresno, CA 93721-3612. |
| Questions | (559) 621-6900. |
Source: City of Fresno: Risk Management. Tripped on a broken city sidewalk? See suing a California city or county over a broken sidewalk.
How do I file a claim against Fresno County?
Mail or hand deliver the County’s Claim for Damages form to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, Hall of Records, 2281 Tulare Street, Room 301, Fresno. Injury claims are due within six months. The County does not accept claims by email or fax. Attach medical bills and any property damage estimates.
- Form: Fresno County Claim for Damages (PDF). Instructions: Clerk of the Board: Claims for Damages.
- Claims are processed by County Risk Management: (559) 600-1850 or HRRiskManagement@FresnoCountyCA.gov.
Other public agencies
| Agency | How to file |
|---|---|
| Caltrans (state highways) | Claims of $12,500 or less for injury or personal property: form DOT LD-0274 to the Caltrans district claim office listed on the Caltrans page. Larger claims go to DGS. Caltrans: Submit a Damage Claim |
| Other State agencies | DGS Government Claims Program ($25 fee or fee waiver request). DGS: File a Claim |
What is the timeline for a government claim in California?
For an injury, you generally have six months to file the claim. The agency then has 45 days to act, and silence counts as a denial. After a written denial you usually have six months to sue. If no proper written notice is sent, the lawsuit deadline is generally two years.
| Stage | Usual deadline | Law |
|---|---|---|
| 1. File the claim | Within 6 months of the injury | Gov. Code §911.2 |
| 2. Missed it? Ask to file late | Within a reasonable time, no later than 1 year | Gov. Code §911.4 |
| 3. Agency decides | 45 days; no answer counts as a denial | Gov. Code §912.4 |
| 4. File the lawsuit | 6 months after written denial notice; 2 years if no proper notice | Gov. Code §945.6 |
| 5. Late claim denied | Ask the court for relief within 6 months | Gov. Code §946.6 |
Exceptions can shorten or lengthen these dates. For the general two-year rule and other deadlines, read how long you have to file a personal injury claim in California.
What are the most dangerous intersections in Fresno?
In Fresno PD collision records for 2022 through 2024 in the state’s crash database, the intersections with the most reported crashes were Clinton and Maroa Avenues, Fresno Street and Shaw Avenue, and Blackstone and Herndon Avenues. Three of the top ten are on Shaw Avenue.
| Rank | Intersection | Reported collisions, 2022 to 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clinton Ave and Maroa Ave | 21 |
| 2 | Fresno St and Shaw Ave | 21 |
| 3 | Blackstone Ave and Herndon Ave | 18 |
| 4 | G St and Mono St | 18 |
| 5 | Blackstone Ave and Shaw Ave | 17 |
| 6 | Butler Ave and Chestnut Ave | 17 |
| 7 | Herndon Ave and Palm Ave | 17 |
| 8 | 1st St and Shaw Ave | 16 |
| 9 | Fresno St and Shields Ave | 16 |
| 10 | Kings Canyon Rd and Peach Ave | 16 |
Method: Fresno Police Department (Fresno PD) collision records in the CHP Crash Reporting System (CCRS), January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2024, counting crashes coded at the intersection itself (no distance from the cross street), combining both street orders and spelling variants, and leaving out freeway ramps. These are only the reports Fresno PD submitted to the state database, not every crash, and ties are listed alphabetically. Data pulled October 27, 2026 from CCRS on the California Open Data Portal.
Many of these crashes involve people walking or riding. See your rights after being hit by a car as a pedestrian and who pays after a bicycle or e-bike crash. If the driver fled, read what happens after an uninsured or hit-and-run crash.
Which Fresno freeways have the most crashes?
In CHP crash records for 2024 within Fresno city limits, SR-99 had the most freeway crashes, followed by SR-41, SR-180, and SR-168. Together these four routes accounted for nearly all freeway crashes CHP reported in the city that year, and SR-99 also had the most deaths.
| Freeway | Crashes | People injured | People killed |
|---|---|---|---|
| SR-99 | 511 | 262 | 4 |
| SR-41 | 477 | 195 | 3 |
| SR-180 | 305 | 144 | 3 |
| SR-168 | 102 | 39 | 1 |
Method: CHP Crash Reporting System (CCRS) records for calendar year 2024 where the city is Fresno and the crash is marked as on a freeway, grouped by route (both directions). CCRS reflects CHP reports, and recent data can change as reports are reviewed. Data pulled October 27, 2026 from CCRS on the California Open Data Portal.
Freeway crashes often involve big rigs and rideshare drivers. See our pages on California truck accidents and rideshare accident claims.
Do I need to report the crash to the DMV?
Yes, if anyone was hurt or killed, even slightly, or property damage was over $1,000. Each driver must file form SR-1 with the DMV within 10 days, even if police made a report. Your insurance agent, broker, or lawyer can file it for you. Skipping it can lead to a license suspension.
- File online or on paper: DMV: Report of Traffic Accident (SR-1). Law: Vehicle Code §16000.
- If someone was hurt, a written report to CHP or the city police is also due within 24 hours: Vehicle Code §20008.
Where do I file an injury lawsuit in Fresno?
Most Fresno injury lawsuits seeking more than $35,000 are unlimited civil cases in Fresno County Superior Court. Unlimited civil cases are heard at the B.F. Sisk Courthouse, 1130 O Street, Fresno. The Civil Unlimited office phone number is (559) 457-1900. Smaller cases may follow limited civil or small claims rules.
- B.F. Sisk Courthouse: 1130 O Street, Fresno, CA 93721, (559) 457-1900. Source: Fresno Superior Court: Civil Unlimited
What should I do next after a Fresno crash?
Get medical care, keep every bill and record, request the crash report, and write down your deadlines. File a government claim within six months if a public agency may share blame. Tell your insurer promptly, but think before giving a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer about your injuries.
- Step by step: what to do after a car accident in California.
- How value is judged: what your California personal injury case may be worth.
- Low policy limits: how underinsured motorist coverage works in California.
- By crash type: car accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, and rideshare accidents.
- Forms you may need: California injury forms, insurer claim lines, medical records, and liens.
- Other cities: see all California accident guides.
Deadlines and next steps depend on facts this page can’t see. You can talk with Geller Legal about your options. Call 213-770-4870. No fee unless we recover.*
Contact Geller LegalCall 213-770-4870*Under our written contingency fee agreement, if there is no recovery you owe no attorney fees and do not have to repay the case costs we advanced. Medical bills and other non-litigation expenses remain your responsibility. Offices in Los Angeles and Oakland.
This page is general information about California law and Fresno procedures, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Fees, forms, and agency procedures change; confirm with the linked official source. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Attorney advertising. Geller Legal, a dba of The Geller Firm, Inc.