Attorney Michael Rehm — (800) 978-0754

Livermore's crash profile is generally favorable: most California Office of Traffic Safety categories rank in the middle or lower half of comparable cities, meaning fewer crashes than average for a city its size. The legal complexity in Livermore personal injury cases comes from the specific entities operating here — the City of Livermore Municipal Airport, LAVTA/Wheels transit, and the I-580 Altamont Pass corridor — not from raw crash volume. Attorney Michael Rehm handles personal injury cases throughout Livermore and the Tri-Valley area.

The City of Livermore as a Public Entity

Claims against the City of Livermore — for road defects, city vehicle crashes, sidewalk hazards, or other city employee acts or omissions — require a written government tort claim within six months of the date of injury. Government Code § 911.2. Failing to file a timely claim bars a lawsuit. Government Code § 945.4. Claims are submitted to: City of Livermore City Clerk, 1052 South Livermore Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550.

LAVTA (Wheels), the Local Area Vanpool Transportation Agency serving Livermore, Pleasanton, and Dublin, is a separate public entity from AC Transit. LAVTA claims require a separate written government tort claim submitted to LAVTA within six months under Government Code § 911.2. Contact LAVTA directly to obtain the current claims submission address — contact information for government entities can change, and the address should be confirmed at the time of filing.

Car Accidents in Livermore

Car accident claims in Livermore follow California's standard negligence framework. Civil Code § 1714. CACI 400 (negligence); CACI 700 (vehicle operator duty). Pure comparative fault under Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) 13 Cal.3d 804. Damages under Civil Code § 3333; medical expenses limited to amounts paid or owed under Howell v. Hamilton Meats & Provisions, Inc. (2011) 52 Cal.4th 541. Statute of limitations: two years from the crash. Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. City of Livermore vehicles trigger the six-month government claims deadline.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents

Livermore ranked 57th out of 103 comparable cities for pedestrian crashes in 2023 (20 victims) — generally below average — but 33rd for child pedestrian crashes (3 victims). Source: California Office of Traffic Safety, Crash Rankings 2023, ots.ca.gov. Vehicle Code § 21950 requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Cyclists have the same rights and duties as motor vehicles under Vehicle Code § 21200. Drivers must maintain three-foot passing clearance under Vehicle Code § 21760. The laws are straight-forward, the recovery will be as well. 

Motorcycle Accidents

Livermore ranked 70th out of 103 comparable cities for motorcycle crashes in 2023 (12 victims) — below average for its peer group. Source: OTS 2023. Motorcycle claims require the same negligence elements as car accident claims. Left-turn violations under Vehicle Code § 21801, lane splitting under Vehicle Code § 21658.1, and helmet non-use as a comparative fault issue for head injuries are common defense arguments. Serious motorcycle injuries require life care planning and forensic economic analysis for future damages.

Truck and Commercial Vehicle Accidents on I-580

I-580 runs through Livermore and over Altamont Pass, connecting the Tri-Valley to the Central Valley. Altamont Pass is a documented high-fatality zone due to speed differential, wind conditions, and the volume of commercial vehicles and passenger cars sharing a mountain pass. Crashes on I-580 are under CHP jurisdiction and are not reflected in city-level OTS rankings — but the legal framework for commercial vehicle claims applies the same way: FMCSA regulations (49 C.F.R. Parts 390–399) govern HOS compliance, driver qualification, vehicle maintenance, and cargo securement for trucks in interstate commerce. ELD data and driver logs must be preserved immediately.

Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK)

Livermore Municipal Airport is operated by the City of Livermore — a public entity. Claims for injuries arising from airport operations or property defects at LVK are subject to the same Government Claims Act requirements as any City of Livermore claim: written claim within six months under Government Code § 911.2. Aviation accident claims at LVK may also implicate FAA regulations and California aviation law depending on the nature of the incident.

Rural Road and DUI Exposure

Livermore ranked 38th out of 103 comparable cities for crashes involving drivers aged 21–34 who had been drinking in 2023 (19 victims) — slightly worse than average. Source: OTS 2023. Tesla Road, Mines Road, Altamont Pass Road, and other rural corridors near Livermore produce high-speed DUI crashes that result in catastrophic and fatal injuries. When an impaired driver causes a crash that injures or kills another person, the negligence per se doctrine applies: Vehicle Code § 23153 prohibits driving under the influence and causing injury, and a violation of that statute is evidence of negligence. Punitive damages may be available against an impaired private driver under Civil Code § 3294 when the conduct was malicious or oppressive.

Rideshare Accidents (Uber and Lyft)

TNC driver insurance is governed by Public Utilities Code § 5433, as amended by Senate Bill 371 (effective January 1, 2026). Coverage depends on which period the driver was in at the time of the crash. Period 1 (app on, no ride accepted, and between rides): primary coverage of $50,000/$100,000/$30,000 plus a new $200,000 excess policy per occurrence added by SB 371. Periods 2 and 3 (ride accepted through ride complete): $1,000,000 primary liability coverage — unchanged by SB 371. During Period 3 specifically (passenger in vehicle), the TNC must also provide UM/UIM coverage of $60,000 per person / $300,000 per incident — reduced from $1,000,000 under prior law — when a third party such as an uninsured or hit-and-run driver causes the crash. Trip log data from the TNC establishes which period applied and must be preserved through a litigation hold notice immediately after a crash.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claims

Statewide approximately 17% of California drivers carry no auto insurance (CDI 2024). Uninsured motorist coverage under Insurance Code § 11580.2 provides compensation when the at-fault driver is uninsured or flees. Minimum liability limits as of January 1, 2025: $30,000/$60,000/$15,000. Vehicle Code § 16056(a)(2). Bad faith UM/UIM refusal: Gruenberg v. Aetna Insurance Co. (1973) 9 Cal.3d 566.

Wrongful Death

Livermore wrongful death actions are brought under Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60. Recoverable damages include lost financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and other items under § 377.61. CACI 3921. When the death results from a City of Livermore vehicle or property defect, the six-month government claims deadline runs from the date of death. The two-year wrongful death statute of limitations runs from the date of death under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1.

Premises Liability in Livermore

Premises liability claims on private property in Livermore follow Civil Code § 1714 and Rowland v. Christian (1968) 69 Cal.2d 108. Dog bites: Civil Code § 3342 (strict liability). Pool accidents: Health and Safety Code § 115920 et seq. Negligent security at commercial properties requires foreseeability analysis under CACI 1005. City of Livermore sidewalk and property claims are subject to the six-month government claims deadline under Government Code § 911.2.

Catastrophic Injury

Traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and serious burn injuries require life care planning, forensic economic expert testimony, and specialist medical testimony to establish future damages. CACI 3904A. Tolling for incapacity: Code of Civil Procedure § 352.

Where Livermore Cases Are Filed

Livermore personal injury cases are filed in Alameda County Superior Court. The primary civil courthouse is René C. Davidson Courthouse, 1225 Fallon Street, Oakland, CA 94612. Some matters may be heard at Fremont Hall of Justice, 39439 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont, CA 94538. Alameda County uses a Direct Calendar system (Local Rule 3.120). Form 202-19 (Civil Case Cover Sheet Addendum) is required at initial filing.

Attorney Michael Rehm handles personal injury cases throughout Livermore and the Tri-Valley on a contingency fee basis. No fee without a recovery. Call (800) 978-0754 to arrange a free consultation.

The information on this page is general legal information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case turns on its own facts. The law can change — statutes are amended, cases are decided, and regulations are revised; nothing on this page should be relied upon as a statement of current law without verification. Deadlines and legal bars discussed on this page are general guides — whether a particular deadline applies, has run, or is subject to tolling, and whether a particular doctrine bars or limits recovery in your case, requires individual analysis. Contact Attorney Michael Rehm to discuss the specific facts of your situation.