California Vehicle & Livestock Accident Lawyer

California Vehicle & Livestock Accident Attorney

A single accident after a collision with livestock, whether at dawn on a rural highway or at dusk on a country road, changes lives in an instant. A California vehicle & livestock accident lawyer understands the emotional, financial, and physical toll a vehicle and livestock accident can take on you and your family.

As a dedicated Northern California personal injury law firm, the team at Barr and Mudford is here to help you fight for the compensation and justice you deserve. With decades of experience handling complex traffic and livestock-related collisions across California, our firm has earned a reputation for results. We know the local roads and California’s laws to protect you and your rights.

What Should You Do After a Livestock Accident?

According to recent data from State Farm, California drivers now face roughly a one-in-374 chance of colliding with an animal while driving. When private livestock such as cattle or horses roam near a rural road in California, a vehicle and livestock claim often involves more serious circumstances than a typical wildlife collision.

In these situations, it is important to act quickly by collecting evidence, documenting the scene, and gathering information to help determine who may be at fault.  Take the following steps if you are involved in a livestock-related accident in California:

• Call 911.
• Get medical attention.
• Take photos of the vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible livestock or fencing.
• Collect information from witnesses.
• Report the accident to law enforcement and your insurance agency.
• Keep your medical records, bills, and any documentation related to injuries and damages.

If you are unsure of what to do next, contact a California livestock and animal collisions lawyer like Barr and Mudford. We can help protect you from liability and hold others accountable.

How Does California Handle Livestock Accidents?

Traffic on California roads remains heavy. According to UC Berkeley’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) report, California recorded 164,123 total car crashes in 2024.

While many of these involve common vehicle-to-vehicle collisions, collisions involving livestock or other animals are not rare on Northern California’s rural and semi-rural highways. Areas where grazing land or “open-range” terrain meets public roads are especially vulnerable.

California handles livestock-related vehicle crashes differently than standard collisions because both driver safety and livestock ownership laws are at stake. The California Highway Patrol regulates vehicle safety, while the California Department of Food and Agriculture oversees livestock control, documentation, and roadway removal.

Proving fault requires examining open range rules, prior fence maintenance, or evidence that the animal wandered. Hiring an experienced attorney familiar with vehicle and livestock accident laws helps you navigate the complicated laws surrounding vehicle and livestock accidents.

What You Can Recover From a Vehicle and Livestock Accident

According to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 235 deaths in the United States occurred from collisions with animals in 2023. In most cases where the victims survive, the medical bills, lost wages, and long-term care needs might become overwhelming.

Oftentimes, livestock collisions lead to serious injuries because of the large size of the animals. With a California vehicle and livestock accident attorney, victims of livestock-related crashes may be eligible to recover the following:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Vehicle damage or replacement costs
• Other related expenses

If you’ve been involved in an accident, hire a vehicle and livestock accident lawyer like Barr and Mudford who can help you gather evidence, assess full damages, negotiate with insurers, and fight for maximum compensation on your behalf.

Why You Should Hire a Vehicle & Livestock Accident Lawyer

Livestock collisions often involve the complicated question of who is at fault. In some cases, state law allows for “shared fault” or comparative negligence. This means even if an animal is to blame, negligent driving or other factors can affect how responsibility is shared. Having a knowledgeable attorney helps make sense of these legal complexities and protects your right to fair compensation.

Barr and Mudford are personal injury attorneys who have represented victims of serious injuries throughout Northern California since 1967. Our award-winning team brings strong experience, deep knowledge of California laws, and a track record of advocating for clients across the state.

We have successfully tried cases against insurance companies, the State of California, the United States Government, and many more. When you choose our firm, you receive trusted guidance through a stressful time, including protection from insurers who may engage in bad faith claims handling.

FAQs

What Should I Do Immediately After Being Involved in a Vehicle Accident Involving Livestock in California?

You should immediately check yourself and passengers for injuries after being in a vehicle accident involving livestock. Call 911 and, if possible, take photos of the damage, the roadway, and any livestock or fencing. Identify witnesses and exchange information. Report the incident to law enforcement and notify your insurance agency. Finally, preserve all medical records.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a California Livestock-Related Vehicle Accident?

Who can be held liable in a livestock-related vehicle accident usually depends on whether the livestock was properly contained. Under California livestock standards, owners have a duty to prevent roaming animals from causing harm. If a rancher failed to maintain fencing, liability could fall on them. Courts also consider whether the driver acted reasonably.

How Does California Law Define “Open Range” Areas, and How Does This Affect Liability?

California law defines “open-range” areas as places where livestock are allowed to graze on unfenced land. Liability is affected in these areas because many owners may not be required to fence in open-range animals. However, they are still expected to avoid intentionally endangering the public, even in open-range areas. Whether the accident happened inside or outside open-range territory influences fault, making legal review essential to your case.

What Kinds of Livestock Are Most Commonly Involved in Highway or Rural Road Accidents?

The kinds of livestock most commonly involved in highway or rural road accidents are larger farm animals like cattle, horses, or dairy cows. Rural counties throughout California often see livestock wander near roadways when fencing breaks or animals escape grazing areas. Because larger livestock create more force in a crash, the resulting injuries and damages are often severe.

Contact Barr and Mudford Today

Since 1967, Barr and Mudford have represented injured clients throughout Northern California with compassion and proven trial experience. Our attorneys understand California’s livestock and roadway laws and know how to guide injured drivers through the claims process.

If you’ve been hurt, contact us today to discuss your case and learn how we can help you pursue full compensation.