Car and Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Serving Oakland

People hurt in car and pedestrian accidents in Oakland can get a free consultation from the Law Offices of J. Chrisp. The firm serves Oakland and the rest of the San Francisco Bay Area. It works on a contingency fee, and there is no fee unless we win. Its phone is answered 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477).

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Vehicle crash results

Results the firm has obtained in vehicle crash cases, as shown on its case results page, include:

$5,250,000 in a car crash case
$2,350,000 in an airport shuttle-versus-car crash

Every case is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

What to do after a car or pedestrian accident in Oakland

Call 911 and get medical care. A driver involved in a crash that injures another person or kills someone must stop at the scene (Vehicle Code section 20001). The driver must give their name and address, the vehicle registration number and the owner’s name and address. The driver must also show a driver’s license if asked and give reasonable help to anyone who is hurt (Vehicle Code section 20003).

See a doctor the same day, even if you feel able to walk away.
Photograph the scene, the crosswalk or intersection, traffic signals, the vehicle and your injuries.
Get the driver’s name, license plate and insurance, and the names and numbers of witnesses.
Note any nearby businesses or buses that may have cameras.
Do not give the driver’s insurance company a recorded statement before you have legal advice.

Who investigates a crash in Oakland?

The California Highway Patrol generally handles crashes on the freeways through Oakland, including I-880, I-580 and I-980. The Oakland Police Department usually handles crashes on city streets.

The officer should give you a report or incident number. Use it to request the collision report from the right agency.

Pedestrian accidents in Oakland: your rights

Drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing in any marked crosswalk, or in an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection (Vehicle Code section 21950). The same law says pedestrians must still use due care for their own safety. They may not suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle so close that it is an immediate hazard.

If you were partly at fault, you may still recover. California uses pure comparative fault (Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 1975). Your compensation is reduced by your share of fault rather than barred.

When an AC Transit bus or city vehicle is involved

AC Transit, the City of Oakland, Alameda County and Caltrans are public entities. Before you can sue any of them, you must present a written government claim, generally within six months of the injury (Government Code section 911.2). If that deadline is missed, an application for leave to present a late claim can be made (Government Code section 911.4). It must be made within a reasonable time, not later than one year after the claim accrues. After a written rejection, the lawsuit generally must be filed within six months after the rejection notice is delivered or mailed (Government Code section 945.6).

When a dangerous condition of public property caused the injury, the public entity can be liable only in limited circumstances (Government Code section 835), and the same six-month written claim applies.

Deadlines for an Oakland accident claim

Deadline	What it controls	Source
10 days	DMV report (SR-1) by a driver if anyone was hurt or killed or damage to any one person’s property is over $1,000	Vehicle Code section 16000
6 months	Written claim when AC Transit, the city, the county or Caltrans was involved	Government Code section 911.2
2 years	Most personal injury lawsuits	Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1
3 years	Vehicle and other property damage	Code of Civil Procedure section 338

Lawsuits from Oakland crashes are generally filed in Alameda County Superior Court.

Offices and service area

The firm does not have an office in Oakland. Its main office is in Lower Lake (9667 Highway 29). It also has offices in Santa Rosa (3558 Round Barn Blvd, Suite 200) and San Francisco (1330 Bush Street, Suite 9D). The firm serves Oakland, and the consultation is free.

The firm was named to Best Law Firms 2026 (Tier 1, Santa Rosa, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs). Founding attorney Jesse Chrisp has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America since 2024 and selected to Super Lawyers from 2023 to 2026. The firm has Spanish-speaking staff.

Frequently asked questions

Can I hire a car accident lawyer in Oakland on a contingency fee?

Yes. The Law Offices of J. Chrisp serves Oakland and works on a contingency fee. The consultation is free, and there is no fee unless we win.

Does the Law Offices of J. Chrisp have an office in Oakland?

No. The firm’s offices are in Lower Lake, Santa Rosa and San Francisco. Its phone is answered 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477).

Can I recover if I was hit by a car while crossing outside a crosswalk?

You may be able to. California uses pure comparative fault, so a pedestrian who was partly at fault can still recover, reduced by the pedestrian’s share of fault.

What if I was hit by an AC Transit bus?

AC Transit is a public entity, so a written government claim is generally due within six months of the injury under Government Code section 911.2. If that deadline is missed, an application to present a late claim can be made under section 911.4. It must be made within a reasonable time, not later than one year after the claim accrues.

Who takes the collision report for a crash in Oakland?

The California Highway Patrol generally handles crashes on I-880, I-580 and I-980. The Oakland Police Department usually handles crashes on city streets.

How long do I have to file an injury lawsuit after an Oakland crash?

Most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. Claims against a public entity start with a written government claim, generally due within six months. Lawsuits are generally filed in Alameda County Superior Court.

If you were hurt in a car or pedestrian accident in Oakland, 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.

About the Law Offices of J. Chrisp

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.