What happened
- Wednesday morning (~9 a.m.) — Cedar and Nees Avenues in northeast Fresno — a driver ran a red light and crashed into another car.
- Per Fresno police, the driver who ran the light was distracted by her phone; she was taken to a hospital.
- The other driver was not injured.
- The Fresno Police Department is investigating.
Source: YourCentralValley.com (KSEE/KGPE). Details reflect initial reporting and may change as the investigation continues.
This crash could have been far worse — a distracted driver blowing through a red light at a busy Fresno intersection is a recipe for serious injuries, and this time the other driver walked away unhurt. But it’s a useful reminder of two things: how dangerous distracted driving is, and what your rights are if a distracted or red-light driver hits you.
California’s distracted-driving law, in plain English
California is a hands-free state. Drivers may not hold a phone while driving, and texting or otherwise using a handheld device behind the wheel is illegal. Running a red light is its own violation on top of that. When a driver breaks these rules and causes a crash, that conduct is strong evidence of negligence — and it can directly support the injured party’s claim.
If a distracted or red-light driver hits you
A driver who runs a red light violates your right of way, and one who’s looking at a phone isn’t watching the road — either way, fault usually lands squarely on them. If you’re hit by a driver like that, you can generally pursue a claim for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Passengers, who are almost never at fault, can too.
One point people often miss: even if you’re not injured, you can still recover for the damage to your vehicle and related costs (a rental, diminished value, and so on). “I wasn’t hurt” doesn’t mean “I’m not owed anything” when someone else totaled your car.
Proving distraction can strengthen a claim. Phone records, witness statements, and nearby cameras can show a driver was distracted — and a red-light violation is often captured on intersection or business cameras. That evidence disappears fast, which is why acting early matters.
What to do after a red-light or distracted-driving crash
- Get checked out even if you feel fine — adrenaline hides injuries, and symptoms can appear a day or two later.
- Get the police report — it typically documents who ran the light and any citation.
- Look for cameras and witnesses quickly; intersection and business footage is often overwritten within days.
- Be cautious with insurers and get advice before a recorded statement or a fast settlement.
Frequently asked questions
Can I recover if my car was damaged but I wasn’t injured?
Yes. Even without injuries, you can pursue the at-fault driver’s insurance for vehicle repair or replacement, a rental car, and related costs. Injury and property-damage claims are separate.
How do you prove the other driver was distracted?
Through phone records, witness accounts, the police report and any citation, and traffic or business camera footage. This evidence fades quickly, so it helps to preserve it early.
Who’s at fault when someone runs a red light?
Typically the driver who ran the light, since they violated the other driver’s right of way — and distraction only adds to the case against them.
How long do I have to file a claim in California?
Generally two years from the date of the crash for injury claims (and as little as six months if a government entity is involved). Don’t wait — evidence disappears fast.
Hit by a distracted or red-light driver in Fresno?
The Wagner Law Group has recovered over $300 million for injury victims across the Central Valley. If you have questions about your rights, talk to us for free — no fee unless we win.
This post is attorney advertising and is provided for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and is not a solicitation of any specific individual. Details are based on initial news reports and may change as the investigation continues. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney.