Firm News | GJEL Accident Attorneys

Resources & Downloads

“Car Accident 101″ Webinar with Avvo.com

GJEL Accident Attorneys Managing Partner Andy Gillin was recently invited by Avvo, a free, comprehensive legal website for consumers and lawyers, to host a live webinar “Car Accident 101,” to offer legal insight to drivers and passengers involved in vehicular accidents. You can click “play” on the video at the left to view the webinar in its entirety, or simply read the transcript here. Andy is always happy to answer any additional questions, free of charge, at 866-218-3776.

Parent-Teen Safe Driving Contract

This contract is intended to help initiate conversation about roadway safety, especially for teen drivers and their passengers. The agreement covers six areas pertaining to distracted driving, driving under the influence, driving a vehicle with minors, speeding and other rules of the road, and auto accidents. Each section includes specific pledges to prompt family discussion, and we suggest parents and teens sign to seal the agreement.

Checklist: What to Do in a Car Accident

While we hope you never have to use this form, we encourage you to download our Car Accident Preparedness PDF, and keeping it in your glovebox, along with your insurance and vehicle registration info. Key pieces of the PDF include emergency supplies, the parties involved, witnesses, documenting the scene, and a step-by-step checklist.

Free Legal Aid Resources in the Bay Area

Every partner at GJEL (that’s Andy, Ralph, Luke, Jim, and Kristin) started his or her career at a Legal Aid clinic. The spirit of “fighting for the little guy” remains with us today in earnest.

We understand that not everyone needs a personal injury attorney, and although we offer free consultations and take cases on a contingency basis only–meaning we don’t get paid until we win or settle a case–many times people need attorneys in different fields who do charge by the hour. Legal Aid clinics can be great resources in these situations.

Where to File Insurance Complaints: All 50 States

Every day, GJEL attorneys assist clients and prospective clients with their insurance claims regarding car accidents and other personal injury cases. In over 30 years of practicing personal injury law, we’ve seen just about every “trick in the book” from insurance companies, including asking people unfair or manipulative questions during a recorded conversation, requesting medical records that infringe on people’s privacy, and biased examinations by company doctors.

If you think your insurance company–or the insurance company of the person who injured you–may be using deceptive, fraudulent, or manipulative tactics against you or a loved one, we encourage you to file a complaint with the Insurance Department of your home state.

“Damages”

Money claimed by, or ordered to be paid to, a person as compensation for loss or injury.

In Plain English:

Damages is the term for the money that is paid to the plaintiff if the defendant is found to be liable for an injury to the plaintiff or damage to the plaintiff’s property.