Downieville · Loyalton · Sierra City · Sierraville · Free review
Sierra County Personal Injury Lawyer
Sierra County is small, rural and mountainous, and a serious injury here can mean a long recovery. We represent injured people from Downieville to the Sierra Valley, with case reviews by phone or video. Free review.
- 5.0 from 53 Google reviews
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Free Sierra County case review
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Key Takeaways
- Mountain highways 49 and 89, winter storms and ranch work cause many of the county's serious injuries.
- Those crashes and ranch accidents often cause back, neck and spinal injuries, while icy falls bring fractures.
- A claim against the County of Sierra, the City of Loyalton or Caltrans usually must be filed in six months Gov. Code 911.2.
- The CHP Quincy Area writes most crash reports here, with the Grass Valley and Truckee Areas and the Sheriff.
Why people in Sierra County choose Green Law Group
Ranch families in the Sierra Valley and Highway 49 visitors in Downieville choose us for straight talk and a lawyer fluent in medical records. Reviews are free by phone or video, with phones answered 24/7.
- Ranch and road injuries understood. Steven D. Green trained surgeons on spine and cardiac devices in the operating room before law school, so he reads livestock and SR-89 injury records closely.
- Health Law certificate. Cum laude, Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
- 5.0 stars, 53 Google reviews. See our client reviews.
Common causes of serious injuries in Sierra County
In Sierra County, the risks are mountain roads, weather and work. Highway 49 serves the west side, SR-89 serves the east, winter storms bring snow and ice, and ranching and outdoor recreation add their own hazards.
- Highway 49. The CHP Grass Valley Area patrols SR-49 and serves the southwestern corner of Sierra County. On a two-lane mountain road, one careless pass can cause serious car crashes and motorcycle crashes.
- SR-89 and the Sierra Valley. The CHP Quincy Area handles most Sierra County collisions, and the Truckee Area also patrols SR-89. When a cattle hauler or delivery rig causes a crash, it raises truck accident issues.
- Winter weather. The county runs a winter safety program with warming sites in Loyalton, Downieville and Sierra City. Icy steps and walkways at businesses and rentals can support premises liability claims.
- Ranch work. The City of Loyalton notes that Sierra Valley ranchers switched from dairy to beef cattle after World War II and still raise it today. Livestock, machinery and long days lead to workplace injuries.
- Visitors on foot and bike. Small towns along the highways mean pedestrians and cyclists share the road with through traffic. See bicycle and pedestrian accidents.
Common injuries after accidents in Sierra County
Two-lane collisions on Highways 49 and 89 cause most of the back, neck and spinal harm we see from Sierra County. Icy walkways add fractures, and livestock and machinery cause crush injuries.
- Spinal and back injuries. Head-on crashes on Highway 49's mountain curves can fracture vertebrae or injure the cord. See spinal cord injuries and back injuries.
- Neck injuries. Collisions with trucks on SR-89 often strain the neck or damage discs. Read about neck injuries.
- Fractures from falls. Icy steps in Loyalton, Downieville and Sierra City cause broken wrists, hips and ankles.
- Ranch and fatal accidents. Livestock and machinery can crush limbs. When an accident takes a life, the family may have a wrongful death claim.
Getting your crash report
The CHP Quincy Area says it investigates collisions in most of Sierra County. The CHP Grass Valley Area covers the southwestern corner, and the CHP Truckee Area also lists Sierra County in its territory. Other incidents go through the Sierra County Sheriff.
Filing deadlines for Sierra County injury claims
The standard deadline to sue for an injury is two years CCP 335.1. A claim involving the County of Sierra, the City of Loyalton, a school district or Caltrans has a shorter first step: a written government claim, usually within six months Gov. Code 911.2.
The county says it has no fixed-route public transit; its demand-response rides are run by two nonprofits under county contract, so who you claim against depends on the facts. Caltrans District 3 maintains Highways 49 and 89 here. After a written denial, you usually have six months to sue Gov. Code 945.6. Children get no extra time on government claims CCP 352. Check your dates on the Claim Clock.
Injury cases we handle in Sierra County
Mountain-road crashes, falls on ice outside a business and ranch injuries are all part of our Sierra County work.
- 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
Hurt in a crash on Highway 49 or 89? Our California car accident settlement calculator can give you a starting estimate.
Cities and communities we serve in Sierra County
Downieville is the county seat, and Loyalton is Sierra County's only incorporated city. We serve every community, east and west.
- Downieville
- Loyalton
- Sierra City
- Sierraville
- Calpine
- Sattley
- Goodyears Bar
- Alleghany
- Pike
- Sierra Brooks
- Verdi
Nearby counties
Sierra County shares borders with four 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
Sierra County personal injury FAQ
What should I do after sliding off an icy stretch of SR-89 or Highway 49?
If another driver forced you off the road or hit you, get checked by a doctor even if you walked away, since back, neck and head injuries can surface days later. Photograph the road surface, any chain-control signs and the vehicles. Note who stopped to help. A driver going too fast for snow or ice can be responsible for your injuries.
Sierra County has no bus system. Who do I claim against if a public vehicle or road hurt me?
Usually the County of Sierra, the City of Loyalton or Caltrans, with a written claim due within six months (Government Code section 911.2). The county's senior and disability rides are run by two nonprofits under county contract, so a crash involving one of those vans may involve the nonprofit's insurer as well. We sort out which deadlines apply.
I crashed on Highway 49 near Downieville or Sierra City. Which CHP office has the report?
Most likely the CHP Quincy Area, which investigates collisions in most of Sierra County. The Grass Valley Area covers the southwestern corner and the Truckee Area also serves the county. Request the report from whichever office responded, using form CHP 190 or a letter plus a copy of your ID. Once you hire us, we request it for you.
I live in Reno or the Bay Area and was hurt on a trip to Sierra County. Can I still make a claim?
Yes. Where you live does not limit a claim for an injury that happened in Sierra County. Before you head home, get the CHP or Sheriff report number, photograph the scene and collect witness names. Keep receipts for towing and lodging. We work with visitors by phone and video and coordinate with your doctors at home.
I was hurt working on a Sierra Valley ranch. What are my options?
Most ranch employees are covered by workers' comp, which pays medical care and part of lost wages regardless of fault. If someone outside your employer caused the injury, such as a careless driver or the maker of faulty equipment, you may have a separate injury claim as well. We review both at no cost.
Hurt in Downieville, Loyalton or the Sierra Valley?
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