Red Bluff Vehicle & Livestock Accident Lawyer

Red Bluff Vehicle & Livestock Accident Attorney

Tehama County is known for its cattle ranching, with cows grazing on the foothills. Acres and acres of farmland can hold many animals, as long as the owners maintain their fences. When livestock escape and wander onto the road, a collision can occur, leaving the car smashed and you with extensive injuries. You need a Red Bluff vehicle & livestock accident lawyer to help you fight for compensation from a negligent owner.

Barr and Mudford know California vehicle accident laws and your right to justice. We offer our clients support and knowledge about these types of accidents. Whether you’ve hit a cow, horse, pig, goat, or sheep, we can investigate the accident, gather evidence, and confront the owners and insurance companies on your behalf. We’re recognized throughout Northern California, with convenient locations for you. You need a Red Bluff personal injury lawyer on your side.

Livestock in Tehama County and California

In 2024, the beef industry topped $34,912,600 in Tehama County with over 900,000 range acres. It’s no surprise that California is ranked at the top of agricultural sales nationwide, producing over $59 billion, which is 11% of the U.S. total.

The cows grazing on that land weigh around 1,500 pounds each, which is why livestock owners are required by law to fence them in. California Food and Agriculture Code 17121 states that a proper fence, four feet off the ground, must keep livestock secure for their own safety and the safety of others.

It’s the same for other large livestock, like horses, that can also weigh more than 1,000 pounds. When one of these big animals wanders outside the fence and onto a highway, it can cause significant damage. Driving into something that big while going 55 miles per hour is like hitting a brick wall, resulting in twisted metal and unavoidable injuries.

Laws for Livestock Owners

According to Code 16902, a livestock owner cannot allow their animals to roam freely on or near roadways. With so many acres and so many animals, the owner may not know that their livestock slipped off the property, but there’s still the possibility of negligence. Here are some examples:

• A history of animals escaping
• Holes or gaps in the fence that haven’t been repaired
• Open gates
• Using the wrong type of fencing for different animals

When there’s a vehicle accident involving livestock, Code 16904 highlights that it’s the injured party’s responsibility to show the livestock owner was negligent. If a cow or horse is standing on the highway, that’s not enough proof for a personal injury claim.

What to Do After a Livestock and Vehicle Accident

Since you have to prove the owner’s negligence, it’s important to gather information after your livestock and vehicle accident. This information can be used in your case. Here are the steps you should take:

• If you’re hurt, seek medical attention immediately. Call 911 for an ambulance and police. The officer on the scene can provide a written report detailing the accident.
• Take pictures of everything. Document your injuries, the damage to your car, the condition of the animal, and any other images from the scene.
• Note your location. There may be an open gate nearby or a visible hole in a fence. Again, take pictures to record the evidence.
• Contact a Red Bluff vehicle and livestock accident attorney. Proving the owner is negligent can be difficult if you don’t know what the essential details are in a legal claim.

• Remember, the foundational steps for building a strong injury claim—like securing evidence and official reports—are consistent across most accident types.

Seeking Compensation for Your Vehicle and Livestock Accident

Recovering from any accident can be overwhelming and painful. For a personal injury claim, like a vehicle and livestock accident, you have two years to start a case in California. After gathering evidence of negligence, your damages need to be calculated to determine how much compensation you deserve. Medical bills, lost wages, future earnings, and property damage are all important, but so is emotional distress, pain and suffering, and the effects of trauma.

FAQs

Who Can I File a Claim Against if I Hit a Deer on the Highway?

You can’t file a claim against just anyone if you hit a deer in Red Bluff, California. California defines deer as wild, while farm animals are considered domesticated. Cows, horses, sheep, and goats have owners, meaning they need to be tended to and kept within a fence. Since deer are wild, they aren’t owned by anyone.

What Is Livestock Collision Coverage?

In California, livestock collision is covered under your comprehensive car insurance. This covers any damage to your vehicle, but not your medical bills or pain and suffering. Farmers and livestock owners can carry collision endorsements on their liability insurance to cover the cost of repairs and medical bills when one of their animals is hit on a road or highway.

What if the Livestock Owner Doesn’t Have Insurance?

When the livestock owner doesn’t have insurance, you may need to rely more heavily on your own policy, making it critical to understand your rights when dealing with any insurance provider. You can still pursue the owner, especially if you’ve been severely injured. A vehicle and livestock accident lawyer can negotiate a settlement where the owner pays out of pocket, but this process requires extensive negotiations.

What Is the Open Range Law in California?

The open range law means that some areas of the state allow cattle and other livestock to roam freely without fences. This is usually in very rural areas where there aren’t any main roads. Tehama County is not considered an open range, but this distinction can affect your vehicle and livestock accident claim in other areas of Northern California.

Hire a Vehicle and Livestock Accident Lawyer in Red Bluff

At Barr and Mudford, we’ve tackled livestock accident claims in the past, getting settlements for our clients. We have investigators familiar with livestock and fencing to support your case. Since 1967, we’ve focused on personal injury law, using a client-centered approach. You don’t need to confront the insurance companies alone. With our decades of experience, we can guide you through the process. Contact us today for a consultation to discuss your case.