Grass Valley · Nevada City · Truckee · Free review, 24/7 phones
Nevada County Personal Injury Lawyer
Nevada County stretches from Gold Country foothills to the snowy I-80 corridor at Truckee. If a careless driver, property owner or business injured you anywhere in between, we can build your claim and deal with the insurer. Free case review.
- 5.0 from 53 Google reviews
- Free case review
- Phones answered 24/7
Free Nevada County case review
Send a short summary of the accident; an attorney looks at every submission and follows up.
Key Takeaways
- Winter driving on I-80, curvy foothill highways and the South Yuba River are major local hazards.
- Snow-country pileups and foothill head-ons often cause neck, back and spinal injuries; ski-town falls bring fractures.
- Claims against the County of Nevada, Grass Valley, Nevada City or the Town of Truckee usually have a six-month deadline Gov. Code 911.2.
- The CHP Grass Valley and Truckee Areas, three local police departments and the Sheriff write crash reports.
Why people in Nevada County choose Green Law Group
From Grass Valley locals to skiers hurt near Truckee, people choose us for a medically trained eye on their records and a 5.0 Google rating. Phones are answered 24/7, and the free review happens by phone or video.
- Visitors and locals alike. Someone injured in an I-80 pileup or a Donner Lake fall can start a free review by video.
- He knows the operating room. Steven D. Green trained surgeons on spine and cardiac devices before law school and reads every treatment plan with that lens.
- Loyola Health Law certificate. He finished cum laude at Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
- 53 Google reviews, 5.0 stars. Read our client reviews.
Common causes of serious injuries in Nevada County
Mountain highways and outdoor recreation shape Nevada County injuries: snow and trucks on I-80, winding foothill highways, and river, lake and trail accidents.
- I-80 over the Sierra. The CHP Truckee Area patrols I-80, SR-89 and SR-267. Under winter chain controls, Caltrans sets the limit at 25 or 30 mph. When a commercial driver ignores conditions, see truck accident claims.
- Highways 20, 49 and 174. The CHP Grass Valley Area covers these foothill routes. On two-lane curves, an unsafe pass or a drift over the line can cause head-on and run-off-road car crashes and motorcycle crashes.
- South Yuba River. State Parks describes a swift, cold river in a granite canyon near Highway 49, with seasonal swimming holes and trails. Injuries on public land raise government claim issues; a death can support a wrongful death claim.
- Donner Lake and Truckee recreation. Donner Memorial State Park offers boating, swimming, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Falls at resorts, rentals and businesses fall under premises liability.
- Downtown Grass Valley and Nevada City. Walkers and riders hit in town have bicycle and pedestrian accident claims.
Common injuries after accidents in Nevada County
Icy I-80 pileups and foothill head-ons damage necks, backs and spines, while ski-town and river accidents bring fractures, head injuries and, at worst, drownings.
- Neck and back injuries. Rear-end and spin-out collisions in I-80 snow traffic jolt the neck and lower back. See neck injuries and back injuries.
- Spinal cord trauma. Head-on crashes on Highways 20, 49 and 174, especially for riders, can cause spinal cord injuries.
- Fractures and head injuries. Icy steps at Truckee rentals and slips on South Yuba River granite often break wrists or ankles and cause concussions.
- Fatal accidents. When a river accident or highway crash takes a life, families may have a wrongful death claim.
Getting your crash report
The CHP Grass Valley Area writes reports for western county highways and the CHP Truckee Area for I-80 and the high country. The Grass Valley, Nevada City and Truckee police departments cover their towns, and the Nevada County Sheriff's Office covers unincorporated areas.
Filing deadlines for Nevada County injury claims
Most injury suits must be filed within two years CCP 335.1. A claim against a public agency is much faster: generally six months for the County of Nevada, Grass Valley, Nevada City, the Town of Truckee or Nevada County Connects Gov. Code 911.2.
The rule extends to school and special districts and to Caltrans District 3, which maintains I-80 and the state highways here. It covers vehicle damage too. After a written rejection, the lawsuit is generally due within six months Gov. Code 945.6. A minor's government claim gets no extra time CCP 352. Plug in your date on the Claim Clock.
Injury cases we handle in Nevada County
We handle Nevada County injury claims of all types, including mountain-highway crashes, ski-town falls, river accidents, workplace injuries and fatal crashes.
- 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 get a rough range for a Highway 49 or I-80 crash with our California car accident settlement calculator.
Cities and communities we serve in Nevada County
Nevada City is the county seat. Grass Valley, Nevada City and the Town of Truckee are the incorporated communities, and we serve the unincorporated foothill and summit areas as well.
- Grass Valley
- Nevada City
- Truckee
- Penn Valley
- Lake Wildwood
- Lake of the Pines
- Alta Sierra
- Rough and Ready
- North San Juan
- Washington
- Soda Springs
- Kingvale
- Floriston
Nearby counties
Nevada County borders three California counties and the state of 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
Nevada County personal injury FAQ
What should I do after a head-on crash on Highway 49 or Highway 20?
Get emergency care first. Head-on impacts on foothill curves often cause chest, neck, back and spinal injuries, and some symptoms appear only days later. Ask the CHP Grass Valley Area officer for the report number, photograph the lane lines and skid marks, and save the other driver's insurance details. Avoid recorded statements to that insurer until you have legal advice.
How do I bring a claim against Nevada County, Grass Valley or the Town of Truckee?
File a written government claim with the agency, usually within six months of the injury (Government Code section 911.2). That applies to the County of Nevada, which also runs Nevada County Connects buses, the cities of Grass Valley and Nevada City, the Town of Truckee and Caltrans. A lawsuit can follow only after the claim is denied or ignored.
Who is at fault in a winter crash on I-80 near Donner Summit?
Snow does not excuse careless driving. Drivers must slow down, follow chain controls and leave extra stopping room, and Caltrans says the speed limit under chain controls is 25 or 30 miles an hour. A driver or trucking company that ignored conditions can be liable. The CHP Truckee Area usually investigates these crashes.
I was hurt on a ski or lake trip to Truckee and live in another state. Can I still bring a claim?
Yes. Your home state does not limit a claim for an injury that happened in Nevada County. Report a resort or rental fall to the property before you leave, photograph the ice, steps or lighting, and keep your lift ticket or booking. We work with Bay Area and out-of-state visitors and coordinate with your doctors at home.
Which CHP office has my Nevada County collision report?
It depends on the road. The Grass Valley Area on McCourtney Road covers Highways 20, 49 and 174 in western Nevada County. The Truckee Area on Pioneer Trail covers I-80, SR-89 and SR-267. Mail form CHP 190 with a copy of your ID to the office that took the report.
Injured in Gold Country or on the Truckee side of Nevada County?
Free case review. Phones answered 24 hours a day.