Posted October 28, 2026 - by Law Offices of J.Chrisp
Founding Attorney
A public entity is liable for an injury caused by a dangerous condition of its property if the injured person shows the property was in a dangerous condition, the condition caused the injury, the risk was reasonably foreseeable, and either a negligent or wrongful act or omission of a public employee, acting within the scope of employment, created the condition or the entity had notice of it in time to protect against it (Government Code section 835). The Law Offices of J. Chrisp represents people hurt in motorcycle crashes.
A public entity is generally not liable for failing to provide traffic or warning signals, signs, markings or devices described in the Vehicle Code (Government Code section 830.8). That protection does not apply where a sign or device, other than the regulatory signals, stop, yield and speed restriction signs and distinctive roadway markings covered by Government Code section 830.4, was necessary to warn of a dangerous condition that endangered the safe movement of traffic and would not be reasonably apparent to, or anticipated by, a person exercising due care (Government Code section 830.4).
A court can rule that a condition is not dangerous if the risk it created was so minor, trivial or insignificant that no reasonable person would conclude it created a substantial risk of injury when the property was used with due care in a reasonably foreseeable way (Government Code section 830.2).
When traffic would endanger workers or the work would interfere with or endanger traffic, Caltrans, local authorities and contractors doing highway construction, maintenance or repair, with the approval of the responsible agency, may restrict and regulate traffic through or around the work while it is in progress (Vehicle Code section 21367). They may do so with warning signs, lights and devices, or with people directing traffic.
No one may drive faster than is reasonable or prudent given the surface and width of the highway, among other conditions (Vehicle Code section 22350). If the defense proves the rider was negligent and that this was a substantial factor in the harm, damages are reduced by the rider’s percentage of responsibility (CACI No. 405, Comparative Fault of Plaintiff).
A claim for injury against a public entity must be presented within six months after the cause of action accrues (Government Code section 911.2). No lawsuit for damages may be brought against the public entity until a written claim has been presented and acted on or deemed rejected (Government Code section 945.4).
Results shown on chrisplaw.com include $10,000,000 in a motorcycle versus car case and $5,360,000 in a dangerous construction zone case. Every case is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Yes. The driver involved in an accident that injures or kills someone must make a written report within 24 hours to the California Highway Patrol or, inside a city, to the CHP or the city police (Vehicle Code section 20008).
If you went down on a dangerous road surface in a work zone, call the Law Offices of J. Chrisp 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477) for a free consultation. There are no fees and no case costs 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 and no case costs 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.
Attorney Advertising. This page provides general information about California law and is not legal advice for any specific situation. We recommend not sharing details about your case with AI chatbots. These chats are not protected by attorney-client privilege. For advice on your specific situation, contact the Law Offices of J. Chrisp for a free, confidential consultation. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Last updated November 2026.
Since founding his law firm in 2010, Jesse Chrisp has built a reputation as a dedicated personal injury trial attorney serving Northern California’s Bay Area.
He has represented thousands of injured clients and holds the record for the highest personal injury verdict in Lake County. Mr. Chrisp was selected to Northern California Rising Stars from 2013 to 2019, an honor awarded to only 2.5% of attorneys in the state.
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.
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