California's northwest corner · Del Norte County injury cases · Phones on 24/7
Del Norte County Personal Injury Lawyer
If you were hurt on the 101 near Crescent City, on Highway 199 along the Smith River, or at the harbor, we can handle the claim while you heal. The review is free.
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Free Del Norte County case review
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Key Takeaways
- The unstable Last Chance Grade on US-101, Highway 199 to Oregon, commercial fishing and timber work are the county's signature risks.
- Highway crashes here can cause fractures, head and spinal injuries; harbor work brings hand, crush and fall injuries.
- Claims against the County of Del Norte, Crescent City, the Redwood Coast Transit Authority, the harbor district or Caltrans usually need a written claim within six months Gov. Code 911.2.
- The CHP Crescent City Area office reports highway crashes; Crescent City police and the Sheriff cover local roads.
Why people in Del Norte County choose Green Law Group
Crab boat crews, Crescent City families and redwood visitors want a lawyer who can make sense of surgery records. Our founder trained surgeons, Google reviewers rate us 5.0 stars, and the case review by phone or video is free.
- Graduated cum laude. Steven D. Green holds a Health Law certificate from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
- Operating-room background. He trained surgeons on spine and cardiac devices, so a winch injury or a Last Chance Grade crash with brain or spine trauma is documented with care.
- Free case review and 24/7 phones. See our 53 client reviews.
Common causes of serious injuries in Del Norte County
Del Norte is small, rugged and dependent on two highways. A failing stretch of US-101 links it to Humboldt County. Highway 199 climbs east toward Oregon through Gasquet. Fishing, crabbing, timber and tourism, the industries LAFCo lists for Crescent City, also carry physical risk.
- Last Chance Grade on US-101. The Caltrans-led Last Chance Grade project addresses instability and roadway failure on a three-mile segment south of Crescent City. A shifting roadway on the county's main link south is a setting for car crashes and truck collisions.
- Highway 199. The National Park Service places its Hiouchi Visitor Center on Highway 199 nine miles east of Crescent City, and Redwood Coast Transit runs a 199 route to Gasquet. Visitors and motorcyclists share the road with local traffic.
- Crescent City Harbor. LAFCo describes the harbor as a harbor of refuge with a Coast Guard station and significant commercial fishing. Dock, boat and processing work can lead to workplace injuries or premises claims.
- Redwood parks and downtown streets. Redwood National and State Parks keep their headquarters in Crescent City, and US-101 runs through town. Pedestrians and cyclists are exposed, as our bicycle and pedestrian accident page explains.
Common injuries after accidents in Del Norte County
Del Norte's injuries reflect its rugged highways and working waterfront. Highway crashes, harbor and timber accidents and falls each tend to cause particular injuries, and early treatment protects both your recovery and your claim.
- Serious crash injuries on US-101 and Highway 199. Collisions on the shifting Last Chance Grade or the climb toward Gasquet can cause broken bones, brain injuries and spinal cord injuries.
- Neck and back strain in town. Rear-end and turning crashes where US-101 runs through Crescent City often injure the neck and back.
- Harbor and fishing injuries. Dock falls, gear and winch accidents and processing work can cause fractures, hand injuries and crush injuries.
- Fatal accidents. When a crash or a harbor accident takes a life, the family may bring a wrongful death claim.
Getting your crash report
The CHP Crescent City Area office at 1444 Parkway Drive handles state highways. The Crescent City Police Department, 686 G Street, covers the city. Outside city limits, the Del Norte County Sheriff's Office responds.
Filing deadlines for Del Norte County injury claims
The general limit for an injury lawsuit in California is two years CCP 335.1. Claims against public entities start with a written claim, usually within six months Gov. Code 911.2. In Del Norte that covers the County, Crescent City, the Redwood Coast Transit Authority, the Crescent City Harbor District, school districts and Caltrans.
A transit bus collision, a dangerous condition on a county road near Smith River, or a highway defect at Last Chance Grade would all begin with that claim, which also reaches vehicle damage. If the claim is denied in writing, a lawsuit is generally due within six months of the notice Gov. Code 945.6. A minor's injury does not extend the claim deadline CCP 352. Find your dates with the Claim Clock.
Injury cases we handle in Del Norte County
We handle Del Norte highway crashes, harbor and timber injuries, falls on unsafe property, back and spinal cord injuries, medical malpractice and wrongful death claims.
- Personal injury
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle and pedestrian accidents
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Premises liability and slip and fall
- Medical malpractice
- Wrongful death
- Workplace injuries and workers' comp
Before you call, you can try our California car accident settlement calculator for a ballpark range.
Cities and communities we serve in Del Norte County
Crescent City is the county's only incorporated city and its county seat. We also serve the unincorporated communities LAFCo maps across the county.
- Crescent City
- Smith River
- Fort Dick
- Gasquet
- Hiouchi
- Klamath
Nearby counties
In California, Del Norte borders Humboldt and Siskiyou counties; to the north lie Oregon's Curry and Josephine counties. We take cases in all 58 California counties.
Reviewed by Steven D. Green, Esq. · Updated October 13, 2026
Client reviews
Every one of our 53 Google reviews is five stars.
“Steve and his team were always available, handled all insurance details and my questions always with complete professionalism.”
“Steven will cut right through the noise and directly tell you the objective facts, which I highly appreciated.”
“Working with Steven Green and Jen Kearney has been a very easy and smooth ride.”
Testimonials and reviews do not guarantee, warrant or predict the outcome of any legal matter. Every case is different.
Questions
Del Norte County personal injury FAQ
I was hurt in a crash at Last Chance Grade. What should I do?
Get medical care first and keep every record. Photograph the road surface, any lane closure or construction signs, and the vehicles, since road conditions may matter to fault. The CHP Crescent City Area office usually writes the report. If a road defect played a part, a claim against Caltrans may be due within six months, so call us early.
I was hurt on a Redwood Coast Transit bus. How long do I have?
Redwood Coast Transit is run by the Redwood Coast Transit Authority, a public agency. A written government claim is usually due within six months of the injury (Government Code section 911.2). That applies on local Crescent City routes and on the longer runs to Gasquet, Smith River and Eureka. Call us early so the claim is filed correctly and on time.
I live in Oregon and was hurt in a crash near Crescent City. Which state's law applies?
For a crash in Del Norte County, California law generally governs. That includes California's two-year deadline for most injury suits and its six-month claim rule for public agencies. We represent out-of-state clients by phone and video, request the crash report, and coordinate with your doctors in Oregon.
Who writes the crash report on US-101 or Highway 199?
On state highways, the California Highway Patrol's Crescent City Area office, 1444 Parkway Drive, Crescent City, typically investigates. Inside the city, the Crescent City Police Department on G Street takes most crash reports, and the Del Norte County Sheriff's Office covers the unincorporated county. Once you hire us, we order the report and any photos.
Hurt in Del Norte County? We'll take it from here.
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