Hurt in a San Rafael car crash? Talk to a car accident lawyer for free

The Law Offices of J. Chrisp represents people hurt in car crashes in San Rafael. The phone is answered 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477).

The firm has recovered over $350 million for clients since 2010. The sections below cover how hiring a car accident lawyer works, crash reports and the local court in San Rafael, its car accident results, the first steps and deadlines after a crash, and how fault and insurance work in California.

Table of Contents

How does hiring a car accident lawyer work after a crash in San Rafael?

It starts with a free consultation with the Law Offices of J. Chrisp. The firm works on a contingency fee, and there are no fees and no case costs unless we win. It serves people hurt in car accidents in San Rafael and Marin County, and its phone is answered 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477).

California uses pure comparative fault (Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 1975), so a person who was partly at fault for a San Rafael crash can still recover damages, reduced by that person’s share of fault.

Crash reports and the local court in San Rafael

The California Highway Patrol generally handles crashes on US-101, on I-580 and on the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge. Request the collision report from CHP for crashes on these routes. The San Rafael Police Department usually handles crashes on city streets.

Lawsuits from San Rafael crashes are generally filed in Marin County Superior Court.

Car accident results

The firm’s results include $5,250,000 in a car crash case. Every case is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

First steps and deadlines after a car accident

Stop, check for injuries and call 911. 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, and keep every medical record and receipt.
Photograph the vehicles and the scene, and get witness names.
If you were driving, report the crash to the DMV on form SR-1 within 10 days if anyone was hurt or killed or damage to any one person’s property is over $1,000 (Vehicle Code section 16000).
Do not give the other driver’s insurer a recorded statement before you have legal advice.

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 a city, county or Caltrans vehicle or road 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

How fault and insurance work in California

California uses pure comparative fault (Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 1975). You can recover even if you were partly at fault, and your recovery is reduced by your share. If you are found 20% at fault, you can recover 80% of your damages.

When several defendants share fault, each defendant pays non-economic damages only in proportion to its own share (Civil Code section 1431.2). A driver who was uninsured at the time of the crash generally cannot recover pain and suffering (Civil Code section 3333.4).

For policies issued or renewed since January 1, 2025, California’s minimum liability coverage is $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident (Vehicle Code section 16056).

Offices and service area

The firm serves Sonoma, Napa, Lake and Mendocino counties and the San Francisco Bay Area, including San Rafael. 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 has Spanish-speaking staff.

Frequently asked questions

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

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

Where is a San Rafael car accident lawsuit filed?

Lawsuits from crashes in San Rafael are generally filed in Marin County Superior Court. If a city, county or Caltrans vehicle or road was involved, a written government claim is generally due within six months under Government Code section 911.2.

How much does a car accident lawyer cost?

The consultation is free, and the Law Offices of J. Chrisp works on a contingency fee. There are no fees and no case costs unless we win.

Can I still recover if I was partly at fault?

You may still recover. California uses pure comparative fault, so your compensation is reduced by your share of fault rather than barred.

If you were hurt in a car accident in San Rafael or anywhere in Marin County, 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.

Why choose 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 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.