A multi-vehicle crash involving three vehicles left multiple people injured on the afternoon of Monday, February 23, 2026, after a driver allegedly ran a red light at a busy Fresno intersection. The crash, which occurred at Friant Road and Shepard Avenue, is now under investigation by the Fresno Police Department. Red-light violations remain one of the leading causes of serious intersection crashes in California.
Incidents like this one serve as a sobering reminder of the consequences that can follow a single moment of driver negligence. For those injured in the collision, the road to recovery — both physical and financial — can be long and overwhelming. Understanding your legal rights in the aftermath of a crash like this is an important first step toward securing the compensation you may be entitled to.
What Happened in the Multi-Vehicle Crash
According to reporting by KSEE, the accident occurred at approximately 1:30 PM at the intersection of Friant Road and Shepard Avenue in Fresno. Investigators say a white crossover traveling on Friant Road entered the intersection against a red signal, placing itself directly in the path of oncoming traffic.
At the same time, a blue sedan and a white truck were executing a left turn onto Friant Road. The two vehicles struck the crossover, which was on its side in the collision. After the impact, the crossover came to rest on the center median, and emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene to assess all those involved.
As of the time of publication, the Fresno Police Department has not released details regarding the number of individuals injured or the severity of their injuries. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities gather evidence and determine contributing factors.
The Dangers of Red-Light Running in Fresno
Red-light violations are among the most dangerous and preventable causes of intersection collisions. When a driver enters an intersection against a red signal, they deny other drivers any opportunity to react or avoid a crash. Collisions of this nature frequently result in T-bone or side-impact impacts — the type involved in this crash — which are particularly dangerous because the sides of most vehicles offer significantly less structural protection than the front or rear.
In California, running a red light is a violation of Vehicle Code § 21453, and when that behavior leads to a collision causing injury, it can constitute negligence per se — meaning the violation of a traffic law may itself serve as the basis for a personal injury claim.
Fresno’s road network, with its wide arterial streets and high-speed intersections, can make red-light violations especially deadly. The city has seen a troubling number of intersection-related crashes in recent years, prompting ongoing conversations among local officials and traffic safety advocates about enforcement, infrastructure improvements, and public awareness campaigns.
Despite traffic signals, many drivers continue to run red lights or stop at yellow lights — a behavior that dramatically increases the risk of catastrophic collisions. Victims of these crashes often suffer serious injuries, including broken bones, spinal damage, and traumatic brain injuries, along with the lasting emotional and financial burdens that accompany them.
A History of Serious Accidents at This Intersection
This is not the first time the intersection of Friant Road and Shepard Avenue has been the site of a serious collision. Authorities acknowledge the intersection has seen multiple significant crashes in recent years, raising questions about whether additional traffic safety measures, signage improvements, or engineering changes should be considered to protect the traveling public.
Intersections with a documented history of collisions may become central to legal claims in certain cases, as prior incident data can be used to demonstrate dangerous conditions or a pattern of negligent driver behavior in the area. When an intersection repeatedly appears in accident reports, it raises important questions about whether everything possible is being done to protect the public. Factors such as signal visibility, lane configuration, speed limits, and the volume of turning traffic can all contribute to collision risk at a given location.
In some cases, accident victims and their families have successfully pursued claims against government entities responsible for roadway design and maintenance when it can be shown that a known hazard was left unaddressed. If the intersection at Friant Road and Shepard Avenue has a pattern of crashes tied to its design or traffic control measures, that history could become a meaningful part of any legal action stemming from the February 23 collision.
Who May Be Liable After a Red-Light Collision?
When a driver runs a red light and causes an accident, they may be held legally responsible for the injuries and damages suffered by other parties involved. Depending on the circumstances of the crash, liable parties could include the at-fault driver if their negligent behavior directly caused the collision, a vehicle owner if the at-fault driver was operating someone else’s vehicle, an employer if the driver was operating a commercial vehicle in the course of their work, or a government entity in certain cases where road design, signal timing, or inadequate signage contributed to the collision.
Establishing liability in a multi-vehicle accident requires a thorough investigation, including a review of traffic camera footage, police reports, witness statements, and physical evidence from the scene. In multi-vehicle collisions, determining liability can be more complex than it might initially appear. California follows a pure comparative fault system, meaning that more than one party can share responsibility for a crash, and each party’s compensation may be adjusted based on their percentage of fault.
For example, if it is determined that a second driver also contributed to the collision in some way — through speeding, distracted driving, or another form of negligence — that factor would be weighed during settlement negotiations or at trial. Insurance companies are well aware of comparative fault rules and may attempt to assign a portion of the blame to injured victims to reduce the amount they are required to pay out. This is why having an experienced attorney on your side is critical — a knowledgeable legal advocate can counter these tactics, gather the evidence needed to establish the true cause of the crash, and fight to ensure that liability is assigned accurately and fairly.
Steps to Take If You Were Injured in This Accident
If you were injured in the February 23 crash at Friant Road and Shepard Avenue — whether as a driver, passenger, or even a bystander — there are important steps you should take to protect your health and your legal rights.
Seek medical attention immediately. Even if you feel your injuries are minor, some conditions — including traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, and soft tissue damage — may not present obvious symptoms right away. A timely medical evaluation creates an essential record connecting your injuries to the crash.
Document everything you can. If possible, photograph the scene, your vehicle, and any visible injuries. Save all medical records, bills, and correspondence related to the accident.
Avoid speaking with insurance adjusters alone. Insurance companies often contact accident victims promptly to resolve claims before the full extent of injuries is known. A recorded statement made without legal guidance can significantly harm your ability to recover fair compensation.
Contact an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney can evaluate your case, identify all potentially liable parties, and guide you through the claims process — at no upfront cost to you.
How GJEL Accident Attorneys Can Help
At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we have spent decades fighting for the rights of accident victims throughout California, including those injured in serious intersection collisions like the crash at Friant Road and Shepard Avenue. Our legal team understands the devastating physical, emotional, and financial toll a car accident can take on victims and their families, and we are committed to pursuing the full and fair compensation our clients deserve.
When someone runs a red light, they make a choice that puts everyone around them at risk. GJEL’s job is to ensure that injured victims aren’t left to bear the consequences of someone else’s negligence. We investigate every aspect of these crashes to build the strongest possible case for our clients.
We handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win. There are no upfront fees, no hourly charges, and no out-of-pocket costs to get started. If we don’t recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing. If you or a loved one was injured in the February 23 collision at Friant Road and Shepard Avenue, contact GJEL Accident Attorneys today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Our attorneys are experienced in handling the full range of damages that accident victims may be entitled to recover, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term rehabilitation costs. We work with a network of trusted medical experts, accident reconstructionists, and investigators to build thorough, evidence-backed cases on behalf of our clients.
From the moment you reach out to us, we handle every aspect of the legal process — communicating with insurance companies, gathering documentation, and negotiating aggressively for a fair settlement — so that you can focus on healing. GJEL has recovered over $950 million for injured Californians, and we bring that same dedication and proven track record to every case we take on, no matter how complex.
Understanding Catastrophic Injury Settlement Calculators
For victims of serious collisions like the one at Friant Road and Shepard Avenue, one of the most pressing questions in the aftermath is: What is my case worth? Catastrophic injury settlement calculators are tools designed to help accident victims and their attorneys arrive at a preliminary estimate of potential compensation by accounting for the full scope of damages involved in a serious injury claim.
These calculators typically factor in economic damages — such as current and future medical bills, lost income, diminished earning capacity, and the cost of ongoing care or rehabilitation — as well as non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or permanent disability, the non-economic component of a settlement can be substantial, often exceeding the measurable financial losses by a significant margin.
While online calculators can provide a general starting point, they are no substitute for a personalized evaluation by an experienced personal injury attorney who understands the specific facts of your case, the applicable California laws, and how insurance companies and juries in Fresno County tend to value similar claims. An attorney can apply multipliers, assess long-term prognosis, and negotiate strategically to ensure that any settlement offer genuinely reflects the full impact the injuries have had — and will continue to have — on your life. Call us now at +1-866-218-3776 to speak with our experts.
Take Action Today – Get the Help You Deserve
“A collision like this one can turn your entire world upside down in an instant — and in the days and weeks that follow, it can feel overwhelming to navigate medical care, insurance calls, and financial stress all at once. My heart goes out to everyone affected by this crash. What I want victims and their families to know is that you don’t have to face this alone. California law gives injured people the right to seek full compensation for their medical bills, lost income, and the pain they’ve endured — but those rights need to be protected early. Evidence disappears, deadlines apply, and insurance companies move quickly to protect their own interests. Please, don’t wait to get legal guidance. Reach out to an experienced attorney who can evaluate your situation, explain your options, and stand in your corner every step of the way.”- Andy Gillin, GJEL Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one was injured in the February 23 collision at Friant Road and Shepard Avenue, do not wait to seek legal help — contact GJEL Accident Attorneys today for a free, no-obligation consultation. At GJEL, we believe that every injured victim deserves access to powerful legal representation regardless of their financial situation, which is why we work exclusively on a contingency fee basis.
That means there are absolutely no upfront costs, no hourly fees, and no out-of-pocket expenses at any point during your case. You pay nothing unless we win. Our fee comes only from the compensation we recover for you — so you can focus entirely on your recovery while we fight for the justice and financial relief you deserve. Don’t let cost be a barrier to getting the help you need. Call GJEL today and let us put our experience, resources, and dedication to work for you.
At GJEL, we ensure that all evidence is properly preserved and that all potential sources of compensation are thoroughly investigated, allowing families to focus on healing. Talk to an experienced GJEL accident attorney for a free legal consultation. Contact us at +1-866-218-3776 or visit our Orinda office to secure your future and compensation.
Fresno Resources for Accident Victims
If you have been involved in this accident or need assistance in the aftermath of a collision in Fresno, the following resources may be helpful:
Fresno County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service – (559) 264-0137
Fresno Police Department – (559) 621-7000 | To obtain a copy of the official accident report
Community Regional Medical Center – 2823 Fresno St., Fresno, CA 93721 | (559) 459-6000 | Level I Trauma Center
Valley Children’s Hospital – 9300 Valley Children’s Pl., Madera, CA 93636 | (559) 353-3000
Fresno County Superior Court – 1100 Van Ness Ave., Fresno, CA 93724 | (559) 457-1700 | For filing civil claims related to the accident
California Department of Motor Vehicles (Fresno) – 2339 N. Blythe Ave., Fresno, CA 93722 | (800) 777-0133 | For DMV-required accident reporting
