as seen on
Each public entity that may be responsible needs its own written claim, acted on or deemed rejected, before it can be sued, subject to statutory exceptions (Government Code section 945.4). On a state highway, the State may be one of them, because Caltrans has full possession and control of state highways (Streets and Highways Code section 90). The Law Offices of J. Chrisp handles many highway construction zone crash cases.
The Law Offices of J. Chrisp serves people hurt in work zone crashes in Sacramento, including crashes in Caltrans construction zones on Interstate 5, Interstate 80 and US 50. The consultation is free, the firm works on a contingency fee, and there is no fee unless we win. The phone is answered 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477).
| Public entity | Where the claim goes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State of California, for an injury claim of $12,500 or less believed to be caused by Caltrans | Caltrans District 3 claims office, 703 B Street, Marysville, CA 95901 | Caltrans |
| State of California, for a claim over $12,500 or about another state agency | Government Claims Program, Office of Risk and Insurance Management | Caltrans |
| City of Sacramento | Office of the City Clerk, 915 I Street, 5th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814, delivered by hand or by mail; the city says this is the only office that accepts claims | City of Sacramento |
| Sacramento County | Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, 700 H Street, Room 2450, Sacramento, CA 95814, by mail or hand delivery | Sacramento County |
Sacramento County says claims go to its Risk Management Office for processing and that claimants get written notice of the adjuster’s decision by mail.
Government Code section 911.2 sets six months from accrual as the time to present an injury claim to a public entity. Missing that date does not always end the claim. A written application for leave to present a late claim can be made within a reasonable time, no more than one year after accrual (Government Code section 911.4). It must give the reason for the delay and attach the proposed claim.
The entity has 45 days to grant or deny the application, unless both sides agree in writing to extend that time (Government Code section 911.6). If it does not act in time, the application is deemed denied. The entity must grant it when certain grounds apply. They include mistake, inadvertence, surprise or excusable neglect that did not prejudice the entity’s defense. They also include being a minor for the whole six months, or being physically or mentally incapacitated for that whole time and failing to file because of it.
If the application is denied, a petition can ask the court for relief from the claim requirement (Government Code section 946.6). The petition must be filed within six months after the denial or deemed denial. If the court grants relief, suit must be filed within 30 days after the order. A rejection by written notice that meets the statute starts a six-month period to sue, counted from personal delivery or mailing of the notice (Government Code section 945.6). If no such notice is given, the lawsuit is due two years after accrual.
The firm does not have an office in Sacramento. Its main office is at 9667 Highway 29, Lower Lake, CA 95457. Its other offices are at 3558 Round Barn Blvd, Suite 200, Santa Rosa, CA 95403, and 1330 Bush Street, Suite 9D, San Francisco, CA 94109.
Jesse Chrisp holds a B.A. from California State University, Chico (2005) and a J.D. from Golden Gate University School of Law (2008). Results shown on chrisplaw.com include $5,360,000 in a dangerous construction zone case and $300,000 in a highway roadway design defect case. Every case is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
When the State is named as a defendant over an injury in California, the proper court for trial is in the county where the injury occurred (Government Code section 955.2). A motion can move the trial elsewhere. For a crash in Sacramento County, that is the Sacramento Superior Court.
The City of Sacramento says claimants are notified within 45 days of the action it will take, with additional days if the claim form is mailed to the City Clerk.
No. Sacramento County says electronic submissions are not allowed.
If you were hurt in a work zone crash in Sacramento, call the Law Offices of J. Chrisp 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477) for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win.
The Law Offices of J. Chrisp is a Northern California personal injury law firm founded by attorney Jesse Chrisp, who was raised in Lake County. The firm represents injured people, with offices in Lower Lake (main office), Santa Rosa and San Francisco, and serves Sonoma, Napa, Lake and Mendocino counties and the San Francisco Bay Area. Consultations are free, the firm works on a contingency fee with no fee unless the firm wins, and the phone is answered 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477). The firm was named to Best Law Firms 2026 (Tier 1, Santa Rosa, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs). Jesse Chrisp has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America since 2024 and selected to Super Lawyers from 2023 to 2026.
Highway Construction Zone Crash Lawyer in Northern California
Car Accident Lawyer Serving Sacramento
Can I Sue Caltrans After a Crash in a Highway Work Zone?
Caltrans District 3: U.S. Highway 50 Multimodal Corridor Enhancement and Rehabilitation Project, Lane Reductions Scheduled for Major Construction Projects in Sacramento and Yolo Counties (July 18, 2026) and Interstate 5 Connector Closures Scheduled this Weekend (August 7, 2026)
Submit Damage Claim, Caltrans
How Do I File a Claim With the City of Sacramento?, City of Sacramento; Filing a Claim Against Sacramento County, Sacramento County
Government Code section 911.2, section 911.4, section 911.6, section 945.4, section 945.6, section 946.6 and section 955.2, California Legislative Information
Streets and Highways Code section 90, California Legislative Information
Case results and Construction accident page, chrisplaw.com
Attorney Advertising. This page provides general information about California law and is not legal advice for any specific situation. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Last updated October 2026.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney Jesse Chrisp, who has been continuously recognized as a leader in personal injury law since starting his law firm in 2010.
Simply fill the form out below to request your free consultation and we will be in touch within 24 hours.
or call us at
Message Us
Call Now