Five Injured, One Seriously, in Three-Vehicle Crash on Marsh Creek Road in Brentwood – July 26, 2025
Accident Overview: A chaotic three-vehicle crash on Marsh Creek Road in Brentwood left five people injured, one with major injuries, on the evening of Saturday, July 26, 2025. The incident occurred around 6:00 p.m. east of Deer Valley Road. According to the California Highway Patrol, a westbound sedan crossed over the double yellow lines into the eastbound lane for unknown reasons. The sedan first sideswiped an eastbound sedan before continuing in the wrong lane and colliding head-on with an eastbound SUV. The driver of the at-fault sedan was seriously injured and had to be airlifted to a hospital. Four occupants of the SUV sustained minor to moderate injuries.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Accident Type | Three-Vehicle Collision (Sideswipe & Head-On) |
| Location | Marsh Creek Road near Deer Valley Road, Brentwood, CA |
| Date | July 26, 2025 ~6:00 PM |
| Parties Involved | 3 Vehicles (2 Sedans, 1 SUV) |
| Injuries | 5 total (1 major, 4 minor-to-moderate) |
| Fatalities | None reported |
| Law Enforcement | California Highway Patrol (CHP), Contra Costa |
| Legal Note | Multiple injured parties have strong personal injury claims. |
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🚨 What Happened
According to the CHP, the collision was initiated by a westbound sedan that crossed the double yellow lines on the winding Marsh Creek Road. This vehicle first sideswiped an oncoming sedan and then crashed head-on into a second oncoming vehicle, an SUV carrying four people.
🧑⚕️ Medical Response
- The driver of the at-fault sedan suffered major injuries and was airlifted by medical helicopter to a hospital.
- The four occupants of the SUV were transported by ground ambulance for treatment of minor to moderate injuries.
🚔 Investigation Underway
The California Highway Patrol is investigating why the driver of the westbound sedan crossed into the eastbound lane. This will be the central focus of their inquiry to determine the cause of this multi-vehicle crash. Marsh Creek Road was closed in both directions for a significant time for the investigation and cleanup.
📊 Multi-Vehicle Crash Statistics in California
🛣️ Winding Rural Roads Pose High Risks: Two-lane rural roads like Marsh Creek Road are statistically more dangerous than urban interstates. Higher speeds, sharp curves, and a lack of median barriers make them common sites for devastating head-on collisions.
💥 Head-On Crashes Cause Severe Injuries: When a vehicle crosses the center line, the resulting head-on impact creates immense forces. Occupants of the vehicle that is struck correctly in its lane are highly susceptible to major injuries, as seen with the victims in the SUV.
🚗 Multi-Vehicle Crashes Complicate Incidents: A chain-reaction or multi-vehicle incident increases the chaos and potential for harm. In this case, one driver’s error directly impacted two other vehicles and five other people, showing how quickly a single mistake can escalate.
🏞️ Contra Costa County Traffic Data: In a single recent year, Contra Costa County recorded over 5,000 victims killed or injured in traffic collisions. This highlights the daily dangers faced by drivers on both its freeways and its scenic but challenging local roads.
(Sources: California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA))
⚖️Legal Options for the Victims of the At-Fault Driver
In a crash like this, where one driver’s actions clearly caused collisions with multiple other vehicles, the injured victims have strong grounds to file personal injury claims. The focus will be on holding the at-fault driver’s insurance accountable for all damages.
Clear Negligence of the At-Fault Driver
Crossing double yellow lines into oncoming traffic is a clear act of negligence. The drivers and passengers of both the sideswiped sedan and the SUV that was hit head-on are considered victims of this negligence. They are entitled to seek compensation for their injuries and other losses.
Filing Multiple Claims
The four injured occupants of the SUV can each file a separate personal injury claim. The uninjured driver of the sideswiped sedan can also file a claim for property damage to their vehicle and potentially for emotional distress.
Damages Victims Can Recover
A personal injury claim allows victims to seek financial compensation for:
All medical bills, including emergency transport, hospitalization, and future rehabilitation.
Lost wages from time missed at work.
Diminished future earning capacity if injuries are disabling.
Pain, suffering, and emotional trauma caused by the crash.
💼 Past Case Results
⚖️ $2.3 Million Settlement – Head-On Crash Near Antioch
A man severely injured in a head-on collision near Antioch received $2.3M after proving the other driver crossed the center line on a two-lane road.
⚖️ $1.1 Million Verdict – Three-Car Crash on Vasco Road
A family struck by a reckless driver in a three-car collision near Brentwood was awarded $1.1 million for ongoing medical treatment, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
⚖️ $950,000 Settlement – Chain-Reaction Crash on Hwy 4
A woman who suffered multiple fractures in a rear-end, chain-reaction crash in Contra Costa County recovered $950K through settlement negotiations.
⚖️ $650,000 Settlement – Sideswipe Collision Near Discovery Bay
A passenger injured in a multi-vehicle crash involving a sideswipe and spinout near Discovery Bay secured a $650K settlement for physical and emotional damages.
👨⚖️ Fighting For You Is What We Do
For over 50 years, we’ve stood with Californians injured in complex crashes. From head-on collisions to multi-vehicle wrecks, our team knows how to get results when everything feels overwhelming. If you or your family were injured, we’re ready to fight for your recovery.
✔️ Over $1 billion recovered for injury victims
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❓Frequently Asked Questions
The driver who caused the crash was also seriously injured. Can we still file a claim against them?
Yes, absolutely. The injuries of the at-fault driver do not change their legal responsibility for causing the crash. Your personal injury claims would be filed against their auto insurance policy, regardless of the injuries they sustained.
There were four of us injured in our car. How does that work legally?
Each injured person has their own individual claim for their specific damages (medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering). All claims will be made against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. If the total value of all claims exceeds the policy limits, it becomes a complex situation where an attorney’s help is crucial to ensure a fair distribution or to find other sources of recovery.
My car was only sideswiped and I wasn’t physically hurt. Should I do anything?
Yes. You still have a claim for the property damage to your vehicle. Additionally, sometimes injuries like whiplash can appear days later. It’s wise to get a medical check-up and consult with an attorney to understand your rights, even if you feel fine initially.
What makes Marsh Creek Road so dangerous?
Marsh Creek Road is known for its winding curves, lack of a center median, and high speeds. This combination makes it unforgiving; a moment of inattention, a slight drift over the yellow lines, or taking a curve too fast can easily lead to the type of catastrophic head-on collision seen in this incident.