Crescent City Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Fighting for Injured Riders on the Del Norte Coast—Because Up Here, Every Ride Matters

There’s nothing quite like riding the Del Norte Coast. The stretch of Highway 101 hugging the Pacific near Crescent City is one of the most stunning—and isolated—routes in the state. You’ve got the Redwoods on one side, cliffs and waves on the other, and the kind of open-road freedom that makes you remember why you started riding in the first place.

But out here, when something goes wrong, help can be far away. There are long gaps between towns, patchy cell service, and few witnesses when a driver cuts into your lane or pulls out without looking. When a motorcycle crash happens on the North Coast, it’s often serious—and it’s almost always the rider who gets hurt the worst.

At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we represent riders injured in Crescent City, Klamath, Smith River, and throughout Del Norte County. We also fight for families who’ve lost loved ones in crashes that never should have happened. We’re not just here for the easy wins. We’re here for the hard fights—the ones that matter most.

We Know the North Coast—and the Risks Riders Face

If you ride in Del Norte County, you’ve already seen it all: logging trucks barreling around curves, rental cars hugging the fog line, wet pavement that never really dries, and roads that crumble just enough to catch your tire at the wrong time.

We’ve been up and down Highway 101 and 199. We know how dangerous those tight curves through Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park can be, especially when it’s misty or foggy. And we know how fast things can go south if a driver isn’t paying attention—or just doesn’t see you.

We’re not afraid of remote crash scenes, CHP reports that miss the mark, or defense attorneys who blame the rider without knowing what they’re talking about. We’ve fought that fight before. And we’re ready to fight it again—for you.

Common Motorcycle Crashes on the Del Norte Coast

Motorcyclists in this region deal with some very specific—and serious—hazards. We’ve handled crash cases involving:

  • Left-turn collisions – Especially on city streets in Crescent City or near roadside attractions, when drivers misjudge a bike’s speed.

  • Rear-end crashes – On Highway 101 or when traffic slows around scenic pullouts or construction zones.

  • Wide-load and logging truck incidents – When trucks take corners too wide or block entire lanes on narrow roads.

  • Gravel and wet pavement – Particularly dangerous on Last Chance Grade, Requa Road, and backroads near Klamath.

  • Fog and low-visibility crashes – Drivers unfamiliar with the terrain may not slow down enough when visibility drops.

  • Animal crossings and fallen trees – Elk and deer dart across roads without warning, and storms frequently bring down branches and debris.

  • Single-vehicle crashes – That aren’t really “single-vehicle” at all—many are caused by poor road maintenance, unexpected hazards, or drivers who fled the scene.

Even if the crash report says it was your fault, don’t assume it’s the end of the road. We’ve overturned plenty of bad reports and proved what really happened.

Dangerous Roads for Riders in and Around Crescent City

Riding in Del Norte County is some of the best—and riskiest—in California. We’ve helped people in cases involving:

  • Highway 101 – Between Crescent City and Klamath, especially through Del Norte Redwoods State Park and Last Chance Grade.

  • Highway 199 – Tight curves, elevation changes, and heavy traffic between Crescent City and Grants Pass.

  • Howland Hill Road – A beautiful ride through the Redwoods, but often narrow, rough, and slick.

  • Pacific Avenue, Elk Valley Road, and Northcrest Drive – Crescent City’s busiest streets, where left-turn and rear-end crashes are common.

  • Enderts Beach Road and Requa Road – Scenic byways that turn dangerous fast when gravel, fog, or tourists are involved.

We know these roads. We know the risks. And we know how to build a case that makes sense to local juries and claims adjusters who might not understand what riders face out here.

The Injuries Riders Face—and Why They Can’t Be Ignored

Motorcycle crashes in rural counties like Del Norte are often severe. There’s no such thing as a “minor” wreck when you don’t have airbags or a steel frame to protect you. Common injuries we help clients recover for include:

Broken Bones

From wrists to ribs to legs, fractures are incredibly common—and often require surgery, pins, plates, and physical therapy.

Brain Injuries

Even with a helmet, riders can suffer concussions or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that affect memory, balance, mood, and long-term brain health.

Road Rash and Lacerations

Severe abrasions can lead to nerve damage, infection, and scarring that lasts a lifetime—especially without proper treatment.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

Spinal damage can lead to partial or full paralysis, loss of mobility, and lifelong care needs. These injuries are some of the most life-altering—and expensive—to deal with.

Internal Bleeding and Organ Damage

Blunt force trauma can cause internal injuries that aren’t always visible at first, but can be deadly without immediate medical care.

PTSD and Psychological Injuries

Mental health struggles are very real after a crash. We work to make sure anxiety, depression, and trauma are included in your claim—not brushed aside.

What You Can Recover in a Motorcycle Injury or Wrongful Death Case

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash, California law allows you to recover damages for:

  • Medical bills (past and future)

  • Physical therapy and rehab

  • Lost income and diminished earning capacity

  • Pain and suffering

  • Emotional trauma and PTSD

  • Disfigurement or permanent disability

  • Damage to your motorcycle and gear

If you lost a loved one in a motorcycle crash, surviving spouses, children, and sometimes parents may be able to bring a wrongful death claim for:

  • Funeral and burial costs

  • Medical expenses related to the crash

  • Loss of financial support

  • Loss of love, companionship, and guidance

  • Emotional distress of surviving family members

You don’t need to figure this out on your own. We’ll walk you through it—step by step.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Crash in Crescent City or Del Norte County

Whether the crash happened in town or out in the middle of nowhere, these steps can help protect your case:

  1. Seek medical attention. Even if you feel okay—get checked. Some injuries aren’t obvious right away.

  2. Document the scene. If you’re able, or someone with you is, take videos and photos of the crash, your injuries, the bike, road conditions, and any vehicles involved. Try to get witnesses to say what they saw.

  3. Don’t talk to the insurance company yet. They’re not on your side. Don’t give a statement, don’t sign anything, and don’t agree to a quick settlement.

  4. Talk to a motorcycle lawyer who knows rural roads and remote crash cases.

We know how to investigate remote crash scenes, deal with uncooperative CHP offices, and prove fault in places where no one else was around to witness what happened.

Serving Riders Across the Del Norte Coast

We proudly represent riders throughout:

  • Crescent City

  • Smith River

  • Klamath

  • Gasquet

  • Fort Dick

  • Hiouchi

  • Del Norte Redwoods State Park

  • Jedediah Smith Redwoods

  • Tolowa Dunes

  • All of Del Norte County and beyond

Rural riders deserve just as much support as anyone in a big city. We’re here to make sure you get it.

No Fees Unless We Win

We take all motorcycle crash cases on a contingency fee basis. That means:

  • No hourly fees

  • No retainers

  • No out-of-pocket costs

  • You don’t pay us unless we win money for you

Our case evaluations are fast, free, confidential, and go straight to a real lawyer—not some intake bot. You’ll usually hear back from us the same business day.

Why north Coast Riders Choose McCarthy Motorcycle Law

We’re California’s Motorcycle Law Firm. That means:

  • We don’t handle dozens of random case types—we focus on motorcycle injury and wrongful death cases.

  • We’re built by riders, for riders.

  • We don’t back down when the case gets tough—or when the crash happened out in the middle of nowhere.

We believe in real help, real compassion, and real accountability. Whether you laid it down trying to avoid a truck, got hit by a car that didn’t see you, or lost someone you love—we’ll fight to make it right.

Contact McCarthy Motorcycle Law Today

If you were hurt in a motorcycle crash on the Del Norte Coast—or lost someone who never made it home—get in touch. Let’s talk about what happened, what needs to be done, and how we can help you take the next step.

  • Based in California

  • Representing riders in every corner of the state

  • Free consultation, no pressure, no fee unless we win

Fill out our secure case evaluation form. It’s the first step toward justice—and we’re ready when you are.