Injury attorneys · Owens Valley to Death Valley · Phones answered 24/7
Inyo County Personal Injury Lawyer
A Death Valley rollover or a US-395 crash near Lone Pine can upend a trip or a working life. We take Inyo County injury cases with a free review.
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Free Inyo County case review
Tell us where and how you were hurt. An attorney reads every request.
Key Takeaways
- Rollovers and head-on crashes on US-395 and Death Valley roads often cause spinal cord, head and neck injuries.
- Claims against the County of Inyo, the City of Bishop, the City of Los Angeles as Owens Valley landowner, Eastern Sierra Transit or Caltrans are usually due in six months Gov. Code 911.2.
- The National Park Service says single-vehicle rollovers cause most deaths in Death Valley.
- Crash reports usually come from the CHP Bishop Area, the Inyo County Sheriff or the Bishop Police Department.
Why people in Inyo County choose Green Law Group
Lone Pine ranchers, Bishop retirees and Death Valley tourists choose us for a founding attorney who reads medical charts closely and 5.0-star client reviews. Your case review is free by phone or video, and someone answers the phone 24/7.
- Rollover injuries, carefully read. Steven D. Green trained surgeons in the operating room on spine and cardiac devices, so spinal fractures from a desert rollover get a close look at the records.
- Health law training. He earned his law degree cum laude from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, with a certificate in Health Law.
- Five stars from 53 Google reviewers. Past clients describe their experience in our client reviews.
- Free case review. Residents and visitors alike can start by phone or video.
Common causes of serious injuries in Inyo County
Inyo County holds both Mount Whitney and Badwater Basin, so its risks run from desert heat to alpine terrain. High speeds, tired drivers, visitor traffic and isolated crash sites shape most serious injury cases here.
- US-395 through the Owens Valley. CHP Bishop patrols US-395 and US-6 across nearly all of Inyo County, the agency's largest patrol area. Head-on and passing crashes on this corridor lead to serious car accident claims.
- Death Valley roads. The park service reports that most deaths in Death Valley come from single-vehicle rollovers on its long, winding roads, and summer temperatures can reach 130 degrees. A rollover can cause lasting spinal cord injuries.
- Riders on scenic routes. Motorcyclists touring the Eastern Sierra and Death Valley face crosswinds, gravel and drivers unfamiliar with the road. We handle motorcycle accident cases from these trips.
- Lodging and campgrounds. Motels, rentals and county campgrounds host visitors year-round. Unsafe stairs, decks and walkways can support a premises liability claim.
- Outdoor and industrial work. Inyo County grew on borax, tungsten and silver mining, and much of its work still happens outdoors. Workers hurt on the job may have workers' comp and third-party claims.
Common injuries after accidents in Inyo County
Inyo County crashes often happen at highway speed on long, empty roads, and help can take time to arrive. Rollovers and head-on collisions bring spinal, head and neck injuries, and summer heat adds strain for anyone stuck at a crash scene. Get examined even if you feel fine.
- Spinal cord and back injuries. A rollover on a winding Death Valley road can crush a roof or twist the spine, causing fractured vertebrae or nerve damage. Read about spinal cord injuries and back injuries.
- Head and neck injuries. Head-on and passing crashes on US-395 near Lone Pine and Big Pine can cause concussions, neck fractures and whiplash. See neck injuries.
- Rider injuries. Motorcyclists who go down on gravel or in a crosswind often suffer road rash, broken bones and head trauma, even with a helmet.
- Fatal desert crashes. When a rollover or head-on collision takes a life, the family may bring a wrongful death claim.
Getting your crash report
The CHP Bishop Area office at 469 S. Main St. covers nearly all of Inyo County. The Inyo County Sheriff's Office patrols unincorporated communities, and the Bishop Police Department covers the city. Crashes inside Death Valley National Park may also involve park rangers.
Filing deadlines for Inyo County injury claims
Most injury suits must be filed within two years CCP 335.1. When a public entity is involved, such as the County of Inyo, the City of Bishop, the Eastern Sierra Transit Authority or Caltrans, a written claim is usually due within six months Gov. Code 911.2.
Inyo adds a twist. The City of Los Angeles owns much of the Owens Valley for its aqueduct, so an injury on that land may mean a claim against an out-of-county city. After a written rejection, the deadline to sue is usually six months Gov. Code 945.6, and minors get no extra time CCP 352. Federal land follows separate rules. Use the Claim Clock to check your dates.
Injury cases we handle in Inyo County
Most of our Inyo County work involves highway and backroad crashes, but we handle every serious injury claim, from a rental fall to a desert wrongful death.
- 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
Want a starting point for a US-395 or Death Valley crash? Our California car accident settlement calculator gives a rough range in a minute.
Cities and communities we serve in Inyo County
Independence is the county seat, and Bishop is the only incorporated city. We also serve every unincorporated town along US-395 and in the desert.
- Bishop
- Independence
- Lone Pine
- Big Pine
- Olancha
- Tecopa
- Shoshone
- Charleston View
- Furnace Creek
Nearby counties
Inyo County borders Mono, Fresno, Tulare, Kern and San Bernardino counties, plus Nevada. 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
Inyo County personal injury FAQ
My rental car rolled over on a Death Valley road. What should I do?
Get a medical exam even if you walked away, because spinal and internal injuries can show up later. Ask the CHP or the park rangers for the report number, photograph the vehicle and the road, and keep the rental agreement and any coverage you bought. Talk to a lawyer before giving a recorded statement to the rental company's insurer.
I was hurt on Los Angeles DWP land in the Owens Valley. Who do I claim against?
Much of the Owens Valley is owned by the City of Los Angeles for its aqueduct system. The City is a public entity, so a written government claim is usually due within six months of the injury (Government Code section 911.2), even though the land sits in Inyo County. We identify the right owner and file on time.
I crashed in Death Valley on vacation and live in another state. Can I still bring a claim?
Yes. You can usually pursue a claim where the crash happened, and we handle most of it by phone and video after you return home. California law usually governs a crash here. If a federal agency or federal road is involved, different federal claim rules and deadlines apply, so call us early.
Who writes crash reports on US-395 in Inyo County?
The CHP Bishop Area, at 469 S. Main St. in Bishop, handles nearly all of Inyo County's highways, including US-395 and US-6. The Inyo County Sheriff covers unincorporated communities, and the Bishop Police Department covers the City of Bishop. We request the report and any photos for you.
Hurt in the Eastern Sierra or Death Valley? Call us.
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