Lake Tahoe & Truckee Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Fighting for Riders Injured in Truckee, South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe City, and Across the Sierra Nevada
Riding through Tahoe is unforgettable. Whether you're carving down Highway 89 past Emerald Bay, tracing the shoreline on 28 through Incline Village, or dropping into Truckee from Donner Summit, the Sierra offers some of the most scenic and thrilling motorcycle routes anywhere in California—or the world.
But even paradise has its dangers.
Loose gravel on a mountain curve. A distracted driver drifting across the yellow line. A tourist braking out of nowhere to take in the view. And when a crash happens, it’s the rider who pays the price.
At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we represent injured riders and grieving families across Lake Tahoe and the Northern Sierra because we know this terrain. We know what riders go through after a wreck. And we know how to fight back when insurance companies try to blame the person on two wheels instead of the one who caused the crash.
We’re California’s Motorcycle Law Firm. And if you or someone you love went down in the Sierra, we’re here to help you get the justice you deserve.
We Ride These Roads. We Fight for the People Who Do Too.
This isn't just a job for us—it’s personal. We know how it feels to lose someone in a crash. We’ve seen the broken bones, the hospital stays, the totaled bikes. We’ve helped clients rebuild their lives after life-altering injuries, and we’ve walked with families through the grief of losing someone they loved dearly.
If you’re reading this, chances are your life just changed. Maybe forever.
The good news? You don’t have to go through this alone. Whether you're recovering from a crash near Spooner Summit or lost a loved one on Brockway Summit, we know how to take on the fight—and win.
Motorcycle Crashes Around Lake Tahoe: What We See Most Often
Let’s be real: the roads around Tahoe weren’t designed for high volumes of traffic, much less the constant summer and winter tourism we get now. The riding is gorgeous—but it’s also dangerous. Every week, riders are hurt or killed by:
Left-turn accidents — especially in South Lake Tahoe, Kings Beach, and Tahoe City, where local roads meet highway traffic.
Rear-end crashes — when a distracted driver doesn’t see a rider slowing for traffic or a curve.
Gravel and debris on mountain curves — especially during spring thaw, road work, or after snowstorms.
Drivers under the influence — we see it in ski towns, casinos, bars, and tourist areas.
Tourists unfamiliar with mountain driving — slamming brakes on descents or drifting wide on corners.
Multi-vehicle pileups — especially on Highways 50, 89, or 267 when traffic backs up.
Single-bike wrecks — that are often blamed on the rider, even when the real cause is poor road maintenance or another driver’s careless move.
We don’t just skim the crash report and call it good. We dig into the details. We interview witnesses, work with accident reconstruction experts, and get the whole story—because your future depends on it.
Injured in the Sierra? Here’s What You’re Up Against
Insurance companies aren’t your friend. As soon as they find out it was a motorcycle crash, they start preparing to blame you—whether it was your fault or not.
They’ll say:
You were speeding.
You should’ve “known better.”
You weren’t visible.
You were “lane-splitting recklessly” (even when it’s perfectly legal).
You were taking a curve too fast.
You “assumed the risk” by being on a bike.
It’s wrong. And it’s infuriating. But it’s what they do.
That’s why you need a lawyer who knows motorcycles. Someone who can explain to a jury how a bike handles on a twisty descent. Someone who knows the difference between a true single-rider crash and a driver who never looked before merging.
That’s where we come in.
Representing Riders From Truckee to Meyers to Incline Village
We’ve helped riders injured all around the Tahoe Basin and into the Sierras beyond, including:
South Lake Tahoe – especially the U.S. 50 corridor and Lake Tahoe Blvd.
Truckee – including crashes on I-80, Donner Pass, and through downtown.
Tahoe City & West Shore – where traffic backs up near Homewood and Sunnyside.
Kings Beach, Carnelian Bay, and Crystal Bay – where tourists often dart into traffic.
Brockway and Spooner Summits – fast-moving mountain roads with sudden changes.
Highways 89, 267, and 431 – scenic routes with sharp turns and dangerous drop-offs.
We know where the road conditions break down. We know when the sun blinds drivers on those tight, west-facing curves. And we know how to prove negligence even when CHP or local police reports don’t tell the full story.
What Injured Riders Can Recover
California law allows injured riders to recover money for a wide range of losses. We’re used to seeing injuries like:
We fight for every penny our clients deserve, including:
Emergency room and hospital bills
Follow-up care, surgeries, and rehab
Lost wages and lost earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress and PTSD
Property damage (bike repairs or replacement)
Future medical care and therapy
Permanent disability or disfigurement
Loss of enjoyment of life
We’ll also help you navigate medical liens, insurance claims, and settlement negotiations—so you’re not left holding the bag while the insurance company drags its feet.
What If the Rider Didn’t Survive?
Our hearts go out to you. Truly.
If you’ve lost a loved one in a motorcycle crash, you’re probably still in shock—and legal help may be the last thing on your mind. But when you’re ready, we’re here. We’ve helped families through some of the hardest moments of their lives, and we’ll be with you every step of the way.
A wrongful death claim may allow you to recover for:
Funeral and burial costs
Loss of companionship
Loss of financial support
Medical bills incurred before death
Pain and suffering of the deceased
Emotional trauma and grief
These cases can be difficult emotionally—but they matter. Holding a negligent driver or company accountable may be the only way to bring about closure and change.
What To Do After a Motorcycle Crash in Tahoe or Truckee
You don’t have to figure everything out at once. But here are the most important things to do after a crash:
Get medical care right away. Even if it feels “minor,” you may have internal injuries, a concussion, or injuries that get worse over time.
Document everything. Photos of the crash scene, your injuries, gear, the bike, witness info—get what you can, or ask someone to help.
Don’t talk to the insurance company yet. They’ll record the call and try to get you to say something that hurts your case.
Contact a motorcycle lawyer who knows Tahoe. Local knowledge and experience make a big difference in your outcome.
Real Help. No Games. No Upfront Costs.
We don’t charge retainers. We don’t bill by the hour. And we don’t get paid unless you win.
Our fast, free case evaluation is:
100% confidential
Reviewed by a real lawyer (not a call center)
Usually answered the same business day
We know how to fight insurance companies. We know how to win cases in rural and resort towns. And we know how to tell your story in a way that gets results.
Built for Riders. Built for the Sierra. Built for You.
McCarthy Motorcycle Law isn’t just another personal injury firm. We’re built specifically for motorcycle cases—because riders deserve more than generic legal help. We know the roads. We know the risks. And we know the riders.
Whether you went down on a wet curve coming into Truckee or lost someone you love on Highway 50, we’re here to help you make sense of the chaos and take the next step forward.
We’re not afraid to take on tough cases. We’re not afraid to go to trial. And we’ll never treat you like a number.
You’ve been through enough. Let us take it from here.
Contact McCarthy Motorcycle Law Today
We serve clients across the Tahoe Basin and throughout Northern California. Whether you’re in Truckee, Tahoe City, South Lake, or anywhere in between—if you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle crash, or lost someone you love, we want to hear from you.
✅ Free consultation
✅ No upfront fees
✅ Real motorcycle law experience
✅ Statewide support—local fight
Fill out our case evaluation form and let’s get started. We’re California’s Motorcycle Law Firm—and we’re ready to fight for you.