Grass Valley Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Representing Riders Injured in Grass Valley, Nevada City, and Across Nevada County

If you ride in the Sierra foothills, you already know: the roads here are a motorcyclist’s dream—and a split-second away from becoming a nightmare. Highway 49 twists like a ribbon between Nevada City and Downieville. Brunswick Road cuts through pines and steep grades. Even a local ride through historic downtown can turn dangerous when a distracted driver fails to look twice.

At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we represent riders and families who’ve been hurt or lost loved ones in motorcycle crashes across Grass Valley, Nevada City, and all of Nevada County. We’re not a faceless billboard firm. We’re a rider-focused law firm, built for real people who know what it’s like to gear up for a ride—and who know how fast everything can fall apart when someone else isn’t paying attention.

If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a crash, we’re here to make sure you’re treated fairly, respected fully, and compensated completely.

Built by Riders. Fighting for Riders.

There’s a difference between a lawyer who handles motorcycle cases—and one who’s built a firm around them. We don’t treat your crash like it’s just another auto accident. We understand how to ride. We know how to read the road. We know how to explain lean angles, target fixation, counter-steering, and stopping distances to a jury—and why blaming the rider isn’t just lazy, it’s wrong.

When you hire McCarthy Motorcycle Law, you’re not getting passed off to a junior associate. You’re working directly with an award-winning trial lawyer who has been in the saddle, and actually gives a damn. Someone who knows rural roads. Who understands what local riders deal with. Who isn’t afraid to challenge a police report, call out an insurance company, or take your case to trial if that’s what it takes.

Motorcycle Accidents in Grass Valley, Nevada City, and the Surrounding Foothills

We’ve seen the kinds of crashes riders face in this part of the Sierra, and many of them follow familiar patterns:

  • Left-turn collisions — especially where rural roads meet intersections with limited visibility, like Dorsey Drive or near McCourtney Road.

  • Rear-end wrecks — when distracted drivers don’t give riders enough space in town or on Highway 20.

  • Tourist drivers — unfamiliar with the terrain, slowing unexpectedly or crossing the yellow line on winding mountain routes.

  • Gravel and poor road conditions — on side roads like Cement Hill, Jones Bar, or Rough and Ready Highway.

  • Drunk or drug-impaired drivers — a persistent danger on weekend nights in Nevada City or during events and festivals.

  • Single-bike crashes — too often blamed on the rider when the real cause is poor maintenance, loose debris, or evasive action forced by another vehicle.

If you’ve been in a crash—or lost someone who was—you already know that what goes in the police report doesn’t always tell the full story. That’s why we dig deeper. We work with accident reconstructionists, review helmet cam footage if it exists, and interview witnesses the police may have ignored.

Local Roads. Local Risks.

We know Nevada County roads. We know how quickly weather changes, how visibility gets blocked by pine trees and hills, and how winding two-lane routes challenge even the most seasoned riders. We’ve helped people with cases involving:

  • Highway 49 — One of the most scenic and most dangerous roads in the region, with narrow shoulders, sudden curves, and impatient drivers.

  • Highway 20 — Fast-moving traffic with tight passing zones and little room for error.

  • Brunswick Road — Heavily traveled and poorly lit in places, with limited shoulder space.

  • Rough and Ready Highway & Ridge Road — Frequent stops, sudden turns, and local traffic that doesn’t always give riders the space they need.

  • Dog Bar Road, You Bet Road, and Newtown Road — Rural roads that can hide hazards like loose gravel, fallen branches, and deer.

We understand what it’s like to ride up here. And we know how to take that knowledge and use it to build strong, clear, compelling cases.

Injured in a Crash? Here’s What You Can Recover

Motorcycle crashes often result in serious, long-term injuries. We’ve seen injuries like:

The medical bills alone can be overwhelming. But under California law, you have the right to be compensated for every way your life has been affected. That includes:

  • Emergency medical care and transport

  • Hospitalization, surgeries, and follow-up care

  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation

  • Future medical expenses

  • Lost wages and loss of future earnings

  • Damage to your motorcycle and gear

  • Pain and suffering

  • PTSD and emotional distress

  • Permanent disability or disfigurement

  • Loss of enjoyment of life

Insurance companies like to pretend your life can be summed up with a number in a spreadsheet. We make sure your full story gets told—and that they’re held accountable for every dollar.

What If the Crash Was Fatal?

If someone you love was killed in a motorcycle crash in Grass Valley or Nevada City, we are so sorry. It’s a heartbreaking place to be—and we don’t take it lightly that you’re even here reading this.

Wrongful death cases are about more than money. They’re about answers, accountability, and justice for a life taken too soon. We represent families who’ve lost spouses, children, parents, and siblings in fatal motorcycle crashes caused by careless drivers, poor road design, or reckless behavior.

In a wrongful death case, you may be able to recover:

  • Funeral and burial expenses

  • Medical expenses related to the crash

  • Loss of financial support

  • Loss of companionship and guidance

  • Pain and suffering of the deceased

  • Emotional trauma for surviving family members

We handle these cases with compassion and care. You’ll never be rushed. We’ll take the time to explain everything, and we’ll fight like hell to make sure the driver—or the company—responsible is held accountable.

What To Do After a Motorcycle Crash in Nevada County

If you or a loved one was in a motorcycle crash in Grass Valley, Nevada City, or anywhere nearby, here’s what to do:

  1. Seek medical care immediately — Even if you think you’re “okay.” Internal injuries, concussions, and trauma can take time to appear.

  2. Document everything — Videos and photos of your injuries, the motorcycle, the scene, road conditions, and your gear can make a major difference.

  3. Avoid speaking to the insurance company — They may sound friendly, but their goal is to settle fast and cheap. Don’t give a recorded statement.

  4. Talk to a lawyer who knows motorcycles—and rural roads — Not every lawyer understands how to prove liability in a foothill crash. We do.

The sooner we get involved, the more we can do to protect your rights and build your case.

Serving Riders Across Nevada County and the Sierra Foothills

We proudly represent motorcyclists throughout the region, including:

  • Grass Valley

  • Nevada City

  • Penn Valley

  • Rough and Ready

  • Lake Wildwood

  • Cedar Ridge

  • North San Juan

  • Alta Sierra

  • And riders traveling through from Sonora, Sacramento, Tahoe, and beyond

Whether you’re a local or were just passing through on a ride up to Downieville or back from Highway 49’s twisties, we’ll make sure your voice is heard—and your injuries are taken seriously.

No Fees Unless We Win. No B.S.

You won’t pay us a penny out of pocket. We don’t bill by the hour. We don’t charge retainers. We work on a contingency fee, which means:

  • You pay nothing upfront.

  • You only pay if we win your case.

  • If we don’t win, you don’t owe us anything.

Our free case evaluation is:

  • Fast

  • Confidential

  • Reviewed by a real lawyer

  • Usually responded to the same business day

If we can help, we’ll schedule a free consultation. If we can’t, we’ll tell you honestly and point you in the right direction.

Why Riders in the Sierra Trust McCarthy Motorcycle Law

  • We know the roads.

  • We know how to explain motorcycle dynamics to juries.

  • We fight like hell to hold reckless drivers and insurance companies accountable.

  • And we treat you like a person, not a number.

We’ve built our firm around motorcycle cases because we believe riders deserve better. Better representation. Better results. Better respect.

We’re not afraid to go to trial. We’re not afraid to take on tough cases. And we’re not afraid to stand up for you—even when the odds are stacked.

Contact McCarthy Motorcycle Law Today

If you were injured in a motorcycle crash in Grass Valley, Nevada City, or anywhere in Nevada County, reach out today. If you lost someone you love, let us help you get answers and justice.

📍 Based in California
🏍 Built for riders
⚖️ Focused on serious injury and wrongful death motorcycle cases

Fill out our free case evaluation form today. Let us help you take the next step.