Yosemite gateway injury claims · Mariposa, El Portal, Coulterville · Open 24/7
Mariposa County Personal Injury Lawyer
Mountain highways, visitor traffic and rural roads make Mariposa County a place where one crash can change a trip or a life. Whether you live here or were passing through to Yosemite, we can take on the claim for you. Free review.
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Free Mariposa County case review
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Key Takeaways
- SR-140 is Yosemite's only all-season entrance, so visitor traffic uses it in every season, including winter.
- Head-on and run-off-road crashes on SR-140 and SR-49 can cause head and spinal injuries; falls at rentals and trailheads often break bones.
- Claims against the County of Mariposa, YARTS or Caltrans need a written claim within six months Gov. Code 911.2. Injuries involving the National Park Service follow federal rules.
- The CHP Mariposa Area writes most highway crash reports here.
Why people in Mariposa County choose Green Law Group
Visitors hurt on SR-140 and residents of Mariposa County's foothill towns choose Green Law Group for practical reasons: a free case review by phone or video, a founding attorney who understands medical records, and phones answered 24/7.
- Built for visitors whose injuries show up later. Many people hurt here head home before symptoms fully appear. A free phone or video review still works once you are back.
- Someone who understands injuries. Steven D. Green trained surgeons in the operating room on spine and cardiac devices before law school, so he reads treatment plans after mountain-road crashes closely.
- Health law training. He graduated cum laude from Loyola University Chicago School of Law with a Health Law certificate.
- 5.0 stars. Clients give us 5.0 stars from 53 Google reviews (see the client reviews).
Common causes of serious injuries in Mariposa County
Mariposa County climbs from the valley edge at about 170 feet to Sierra country above 5,000 feet, according to the CHP. Its main risks are mountain highway crashes, unfamiliar visitor drivers, two-lane county roads and outdoor recreation on steep terrain.
- SR-140 through Midpines and El Portal. The CHP notes it is the lowest-elevation entrance to Yosemite and the park's only all-season access, and YARTS runs buses on it year-round from Merced. See our car accident page.
- SR-49 in the foothills. The CHP Mariposa Area patrols this foothill route, where one driver's mistake can cause a head-on collision or a serious motorcycle crash.
- About 560 miles of county roads. The CHP Mariposa Area patrols these back roads, where slow vehicles and blind curves add danger.
- Lodging, rentals and trailheads. Uneven paths, poor lighting and unsafe decks at private properties can support a premises liability claim.
- Fatal mountain-road crashes. When a family loses someone on a mountain road, our wrongful death page explains who may bring the claim.
Common injuries after accidents in Mariposa County
Mountain driving shapes most injuries here. Head-on and run-off-road crashes on SR-140, SR-49 and the county's back roads can cause head, neck and spine trauma, while falls at cabins, decks and trailheads often end in broken bones.
- Head and neck injuries on two-lane roads. A crossed center line or a missed curve can send a car into another vehicle, a tree or an embankment. Concussions need prompt evaluation even when the person seems alert, and whiplash-type neck injuries are common too.
- Spinal and back trauma in high-energy crashes. Car and motorcycle crashes on SR-140 and SR-49 can fracture vertebrae or damage the spinal cord. See spinal cord injuries and back injuries.
- Fractures from falls at lodging and trailheads. Uneven paths, dark stairways and unsafe decks at private rentals cause broken wrists, ankles and hips, and some need surgery.
Getting your crash report
Highway crash reports usually come from the CHP Mariposa Area, which patrols SR-140, SR-49 and the county road system. Crashes on the SR-41 side near Fish Camp may be handled by the CHP Oakhurst Area, based in Madera County. Other incidents may be handled by the Mariposa County Sheriff.
Filing deadlines for Mariposa County injury claims
A California injury lawsuit usually has a two-year limit CCP 335.1. A claim against a local or state agency needs a written claim within six months Gov. Code 911.2. Here that means the County of Mariposa, Mariposa County Transit, YARTS, local school districts and Caltrans.
If the agency rejects your claim in writing, you usually have six months from that notice to sue Gov. Code 945.6. Children do not get added time on these claims CCP 352. Federal claims are separate: an injury caused by a National Park Service employee requires a written claim to that agency within two years 28 U.S.C. 2401. Try the Claim Clock for state deadlines.
Injury cases we handle in Mariposa County
Visitor crashes on SR-140, falls at rental cabins, motorcycle wrecks on SR-49 and injuries on the job are all claims we take on. Each page below explains how California law applies.
- 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
To get a sense of what a highway crash claim could be worth, use our California car accident settlement calculator.
Cities and communities we serve in Mariposa County
The town of Mariposa is the county seat. We help people from each of the county's town planning areas and the smaller communities around them.
- Mariposa
- Bear Valley
- Bootjack
- Catheys Valley
- Coulterville
- El Portal
- Fish Camp
- Greeley Hill
- Hornitos
- Midpines
- Mt. Bullion
- Wawona
Nearby counties
Mariposa County shares land borders with three counties in the foothills and valley. 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
Mariposa County personal injury FAQ
What should I do after a crash on a curve on Highway 140 or 49?
Get to safety if you can and call 911, noting the nearest landmark or mile marker. Accept medical care, because head and spine injuries are not always obvious at first. Photograph the curve, skid marks and vehicles, and collect names from any witnesses. Then let us request the CHP Mariposa Area report before you give a statement to any insurer.
What if I was hurt inside Yosemite National Park?
Claims against the National Park Service fall under federal law. A written claim must be presented to the federal agency within two years, and if it is denied, a lawsuit must be filed within six months of the denial notice (28 U.S. Code section 2401(b)). A crash with a private driver inside the park can follow different rules, so call us early.
Is a YARTS bus crash handled like any other crash?
No. YARTS is run by a joint powers authority of local counties, which makes it a public entity. That usually means a written government claim within six months of the injury (Government Code section 911.2) before any lawsuit. The same rule applies to the County of Mariposa, its transit service and Caltrans.
I was visiting Mariposa County from another state. Do I need to come back for my case?
Probably not often. California law generally governs a crash here, and we can do most of the work by phone, email and video while you recover at home. If a deposition or other event requires you, we plan it well in advance, and some can be done by video.
Hurt near Yosemite or anywhere in Mariposa County?
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