Business Details
9 Years
experience
Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers in Santa Cruz
At Schaar & Silva, we are dedicated to advocating for individuals who have suffered injuries due to the negligence of others. With decades of combined legal experience, our team approaches each case with unwavering commitment to securing justice and fair compensation for our clients. We specialize in personal injury law, handling complex cases involving auto accidents, wrongful death, civil rights violations, and more. Our attorneys have achieved numerous six- and seven-figure verdicts and settlements, including landmark cases for bicyclist injuries and traumatic brain injuries. We prioritize personalized attention, ensuring every client receives the empathy and professional expertise needed to navigate the legal process.Our practice is built on transparency, ethical representation, and a contingency fee model that aligns our success with our clients' outcomes. By maintaining a deep understanding of medical, insurance, and liability complexities, we provide strategic advocacy tailored to each client's unique circumstances. Our local expertise in Northern California courts and commitment to collaboration with other legal professionals further enhance our ability to deliver results. We are proud to serve clients across California, offering free case reviews and standing by our promise to fight relentlessly for those we represent.
Services
Auto Accidents
Pedestrian Accidents
Bicycle Accidents
Truck Accidents
Motorcycle Accidents
Slip and Fall
Dog Bites
Product Liability
Wrongful Death
Civil Rights Violations
Details
- Year established: 2017
Highlights and features
- We have secured over $100 million in verdicts and settlements for injury victims.
- Our attorneys personally handle every case from start to finish.
- We operate on a strict contingency fee basis with no upfront costs.
- Our team includes nationally recognized trial attorneys with decades of experience.
- We provide free case evaluations with no obligation to proceed.
Associations and certifications
- Super Lawyers
What people say
Experienced lawyers
Personalized attention
No upfront costs
Record settlements
Empathetic representation
Services
Auto Accidents
Our firm specializes in representing victims of auto accidents, including collisions with cars, trucks, and commercial vehicles. We handle cases involving traumatic injuries, wrongful death, and insurance disputes. With extensive experience in negotiating settlements and litigating in court, we ensure clients receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Bicycle Accidents
We advocate for bicyclists injured in collisions with motor vehicles or due to hazardous road conditions. Our team has secured landmark verdicts, including California's largest bicyclist injury award. We address complex liability issues and pursue compensation for medical costs, rehabilitation, and long-term disability impacts while working to improve road safety standards.
Wrongful Death
Our attorneys represent families who have lost loved ones due to negligence or intentional harm. We handle cases involving vehicle accidents, elder abuse, and institutional failures. We pursue full compensation for funeral expenses, lost income, and emotional distress while providing compassionate guidance through complex legal proceedings and ensuring accountability for preventable deaths.
Civil Rights Violations
We litigate cases involving violations of constitutional rights, including police misconduct and institutional negligence. Our work includes securing settlements for families affected by inadequate medical care in correctional facilities. We combine legal expertise with advocacy to address systemic failures and protect individual liberties through courtroom victories and policy reforms.
Brain/Spinal Cord Injuries
Our firm handles catastrophic injury cases resulting from accidents, including traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage. We collaborate with medical experts to document long-term impacts and pursue comprehensive compensation for lifetime care, lost earning capacity, and quality-of-life changes. Our track record includes multimillion-dollar verdicts for clients with permanent disabilities caused by negligence.
People
Dan C. Schaar
Senior Trial Attorney
With over 15 years of experience, Dan C. Schaar specializes in personal injury litigation, holding memberships in California, Texas, and Iowa bars. He has secured numerous multimillion-dollar verdicts, including three of Santa Cruz County's largest personal injury awards. A former public defender intern, he teaches trial techniques nationwide through Trial By Human and focuses on compassionate, client-centered advocacy.
Eva D. Silva
Managing Attorney
Eva D. Silva founded Schaar & Silva Trial Lawyers in 2017 after building her career in personal injury law. As managing attorney, she coordinates litigation strategy while maintaining active client representation. Recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star, she specializes in complex case management and collaborates with law firms statewide to maximize client outcomes through ethical, detail-oriented legal practices.
Jillian Sullivan
Paralegal
Jillian Sullivan brings over five years of legal experience to her role as paralegal. With a background in corporate finance, she manages case documentation, deposition summaries, and client communications. Her prior work with Bay Area law firms and the City of Palo Alto ensures meticulous organization of case files, supporting the firm's litigation team in delivering efficient client service.
Questions
What types of cases does Schaar & Silva handle?
We specialize in personal injury cases including auto accidents, bicycle collisions, wrongful death, civil rights violations, and catastrophic injuries like brain and spinal cord damage across California.
How are legal fees structured?
We work on a contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case, ensuring our success aligns with your compensation.
What areas do you serve?
While based in Santa Cruz, we represent clients throughout Northern California and collaborate with attorneys statewide for optimal case outcomes.
Can I get a free case review?
Yes, we offer free, no-obligation consultations to evaluate your case and discuss potential legal strategies without any upfront costs.
What makes your firm different?
Our combination of multimillion-dollar verdict experience, personalized attorney involvement, and ethical advocacy creates a unique client-focused approach to personal injury law.
Videos
