Author: Andy Gillin May 14, 2025

A pedestrian-vehicle collision occurred late Monday night in west central Fresno, sending one man to the hospital. This incident highlights the ongoing concerns about pedestrian safety, especially during nighttime hours. Let’s examine what happened and explore important safety considerations for drivers and pedestrians in similar situations.

Pedestrian Accident in West Central Fresno: What You Need to Know 1

Details of the Fresno Pedestrian Accident

On Monday, the accident occurred just after 11:30 PM at the intersection of Marks and Clinton Avenues in west central Fresno. According to police reports, a woman was driving northbound on Marks Avenue, approaching Clinton, when her vehicle struck a male pedestrian in the roadway.

Following the collision, the driver pulled into a nearby parking lot and returned to the accident scene. Law enforcement officials noted that the driver has been cooperative with their investigation. Importantly, police have indicated that neither drugs nor alcohol appears to be a factor in this incident.

The injured pedestrian was transported to Community Regional Medical Center for treatment. Fortunately, reports indicate that he is expected to recover from his injuries.

Understanding Pedestrian Accident Liability in California

When pedestrian accidents occur, questions of liability often arise. In California, determining responsibility involves examining several factors:

Driver Responsibilities

Drivers in California have a legal duty to exercise reasonable care while operating their vehicles. This includes:

  • Maintaining proper lookout for pedestrians
  • Yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks
  • Adhering to posted speed limits
  • Avoiding distracted driving

Even when a pedestrian is not in a marked crosswalk, drivers are still responsible for exercising caution and avoiding collisions when possible.

Pedestrian Responsibilities

Pedestrians also have legal obligations when sharing roadways:

  • Using marked crosswalks when available
  • Obeying pedestrian signals at intersections
  • Not suddenly leaving a curb and entering a vehicle’s path
  • Walking on sidewalks when available (or facing traffic if no sidewalk exists)

Comparative Negligence Considerations

California follows a “pure comparative negligence” system, which can significantly impact pedestrian accident claims. Under this legal framework, compensation may be awarded based on the percentage of fault assigned to each party. For instance, if a pedestrian is found to be 30% responsible for an accident by crossing outside a designated crosswalk or walking while distracted, they may still recover 70% of their damages. This nuanced approach acknowledges that accidents often result from multiple factors, allowing injured parties to seek compensation even when partially at fault, though the amount recovered will be proportionally reduced.

Nighttime Pedestrian Safety Concerns

The Marks and Clinton accident occurred late at night, which introduces specific risk factors worth noting:

Reduced Visibility

Nighttime conditions significantly reduce drivers’ visibility. Pedestrians wearing dark clothing can be difficult to spot, especially in areas with limited street lighting.

Higher Risk Hours

Statistics show that pedestrian accidents are more common during evening and late-night hours. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 75% of pedestrian fatalities occur during darkness.

Environmental Factors

Nighttime pedestrian accidents are further complicated by environmental conditions unique to evening hours. Street lighting quality varies significantly across neighborhoods, creating inconsistent driver visibility conditions. Additionally, driver fatigue peaks during late-night hours, potentially slowing reaction times when unexpected pedestrians appear.

Weather conditions like fog or rain, which are more challenging to navigate in darkness, can further compromise a driver’s ability to detect pedestrians. In Fresno specifically, specific corridors with high traffic volumes and inadequate pedestrian infrastructure present elevated risks after sunset, highlighting the importance of infrastructure improvements and heightened awareness by all road users during nighttime hours.

Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Accident

The driver in this case demonstrated proper post-accident behavior by stopping and returning to the scene. If you’re involved in a similar situation, remember to:

For Drivers:

  • Stop immediately and check on the injured person
  • Call 911 for emergency medical assistance
  • Remain at the scene and cooperate with police
  • Exchange information with all involved parties
  • Document the scene if possible
  • Contact your insurance company promptly

For Pedestrians:

  • Seek medical attention immediately, even if injuries seem minor
  • Obtain driver and witness information if possible
  • File a police report
  • Keep detailed records of all medical treatment
  • Consider consulting with a personal injury attorney before accepting any settlement offers.

Documentation and Evidence Collection

The immediate aftermath of a pedestrian accident provides a critical window for gathering evidence that may later prove invaluable. Pedestrians or witnesses should use smartphones to photograph the accident scene from multiple angles, capturing street conditions, lighting, nearby traffic signs, and visible injuries.

Collecting contact information from witnesses is particularly important, as their independent accounts can help establish the sequence of events. For drivers, noting the pedestrian’s location, direction of travel, and clothing can provide important context. Both parties should document weather conditions and visibility factors.

Additionally, preserving medical records that link injuries directly to the accident is essential for any subsequent insurance claim or legal action, as gaps in medical documentation can significantly weaken a case.

Prevention Strategies for Pedestrian Safety

This accident serves as an important reminder about pedestrian safety measures that can help prevent similar incidents:

For Drivers:

  • Reduce speed in areas with potential pedestrian traffic
  • Eliminate distractions while driving
  • Use extra caution at night and in poor weather conditions
  • Be especially alert at intersections and crosswalks

For Pedestrians:

  • Wear bright or reflective clothing at night
  • Use flashlights or other illumination when walking after dark
  • Cross at designated crosswalks whenever possible
  • Make eye contact with drivers before crossing
  • Avoid walking while distracted by electronic devices

While the pedestrian involved in the Marks and Clinton accident is expected to recover, the incident highlights the ongoing need for awareness and caution by both drivers and pedestrians, particularly during nighttime hours.

By understanding our legal responsibilities and practical safety measures, we can all help reduce the number of pedestrian accidents in Fresno and beyond.

For those affected by pedestrian accidents, it’s important to understand your legal rights and options. Consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney can provide valuable guidance through the complex aftermath of such incidents.

Calculating Settlement Values: The Role of Catastrophic Injury Settlement Calculators

Catastrophic injury settlement calculators serve as valuable preliminary tools for victims and their attorneys to estimate potential compensation following severe accidents. These digital instruments analyze multiple factors, including medical expenses (current and projected future costs), lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering multipliers, and jurisdiction-specific precedents.

While not providing definitive settlement amounts, these calculators help establish realistic expectations by incorporating economic damages (quantifiable financial losses) and non-economic damages (subjective impacts like pain and emotional distress) into their algorithms.

They can be instrumental in pedestrian accident cases involving life-altering injuries such as spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, or permanent disabilities.

However, it’s crucial to understand that these calculators provide only baseline estimates—the expertise of an experienced personal injury attorney remains essential for accurate valuation, as they can account for nuanced factors like jury tendencies in specific venues, the defendant’s insurance policy limits, and the victim’s circumstances that may influence settlement negotiations or trial outcomes. Call us now at +1 415-986-4777 to talk to the experts.

Moving Forward

“If you or a loved one were injured in this pedestrian accident at Marks and Clinton, I understand the physical pain, emotional distress, and financial uncertainty you’re experiencing. As someone who has represented accident victims for over 40 years, I can tell you that seeking immediate medical care should be your first priority, even if injuries seem minor—many serious conditions don’t show symptoms immediately. Document everything, from your medical visits to how the injury affects your daily life. Remember, California’s comparative negligence laws mean you may be entitled to compensation even if you were partially responsible for the accident. Don’t communicate with insurance companies without representation, as their initial offers rarely reflect the true value of your claim. Our team at GJEL is here to help navigate this difficult time and ensure your rights are protected while you focus on healing.”- Andy Gillin, GJEL Accident Attorney

Injured in a pedestrian accident? Contact GJEL Accident Attorneys now for your free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win your case: no upfront costs, no hourly fees. Your recovery is our priority; let us handle the legal fight while you focus on healing. Call us at +1 415-986-4777 or visit our Berkeley office for free legal consultation.

Important Fresno Resources After a Pedestrian Accident

Fresno Police Department

  • Main Contact Number: (559) 621-7000
  • Traffic Bureau Direct Line: (559) 621-5050
  • Address: 2323 Mariposa Street, Fresno, CA 93721
  • Website: www.fresno.gov/police
  • Accident Report Requests: www.fresno.gov/police/report-requests
  • Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Non-emergency services)
  • Emergency: Always dial 911 for immediate assistance

City of Fresno Public Works Department – Traffic Engineering

California Highway Patrol (CHP) – Fresno Area Office

Community Regional Medical Center

Fresno County Superior Court

  • Main Contact Number: (559) 457-2000
  • Civil Division: (559) 457-1900
  • Address: 1130 O Street, Fresno, CA 93721
  • Website: www.fresno.courts.ca.gov
  • Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Fresno County Victim Services

Author Photo

Andy Gillin received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California at Berkeley and his law degree from the University of Chicago. He is the managing partner of GJEL Accident Attorneys and has written and lectured in the field of plaintiffs’ personal injury law for numerous organizations. Since 1972 he has been helping seriously injured victims throughout northern California fight & win their personal injury cases. Andy is one of the top awarded & recognized wrongful death lawyers in northern California.