GJEL attorneys have demonstrated long-term success at obtaining maximum compensation
for their injured clients. Our attorneys have recovered over $400 million from
the largest insurance carriers in the state. This $400,000,000 in recoveries
encompasses victories from virtually every insurance company in the state, including
State Farm, Allstate, CSAA / AAA, Farmers, Travelers, St. Paul, Mercury, USAA,
Fireman's Fund, Safeco, Liberty Mutual, 21st Century, GEICO, Zurich, Kemper,
Progressive, and Nationwide.
Please click the links at the left/right to view summaries of GJEL's recent
successes against California's largest auto insurance companies.
Most of the funds recovered in California car accident and other personal injury
cases come from insurance companies representing the individuals involved in
the accident. Depending on the nature and causes of the accident, you may be
eligible for compensation from the other driver's insurance company, particularly
if you were not at fault for the accident. Even if you were partially at fault
for the accident, there are cases in which the comparative negligence of the
other driver makes it possible to recover a substantial verdict or settlement.
If you have been seriously injured, it is important to consult with an attorney
(even if you don't end up hiring one) before talking to the insurance company
of the person who caused the injury. An insurance dispute lawyer at GJEL will help you determine
whether or not it is in your best interest to deal directly with the insurance
company. There are certainly times when it is in your best interest to speak
directly with the company's insurance adjuster, but without professional legal
advice, it is difficult to know if doing so may help your case or hurt it.
If you have been seriously injured, there are many potential traps and pitfalls
from dealing directly with an insurance adjuster. Injury victims often end up
giving a recorded statement, agreeing to be examined by a company doctor, or
signing a release for something for which they did not mean to sign a release.
It is only later that they learn these things were not in their interests.
Many accident law firms (including ours) offer free, confidential consultations.
What sets a consultation with our firm apart is that you receive an immediate
response directly from a lawyer at our firm, rather than waiting for days before
someone responds to your phone message or email.
If we cannot help you with your case, we will provide you with information
on alternative legal services and resources that may assist you. If you do end
up hiring us to represent you, there are no fees until we win or settle your
case.
Please call (800) 840-2111 or email us at lawfirm@gjel.com for a free, immediate
consultation if you have been injured in an accident. Our accident attorneys
look forward to speaking with you.
$700,000
State Farm
In this case, GJEL accident attorneys recovered $700,000 for an elderly man
who suffered a significant lower back injury in a rear-end car accident in Danville,
California.
$500,000
State Farm
This motorcycle vs. auto accident case involved a head-on collision on Sir
Francis Drake Boulevard in San Rafael, California in which our client suffered
a serious foot injury. The $500,000 settlement represented the limits of the
defendant's auto insurance policy with State Farm, and was part of a total $750,000
settlement. The driver of the automobile contributed $250,000 of her own money
to the settlement, in addition to the $500,000 in policy limits paid by her
insurance carrier.
$270,000
State Farm
In this car accident claim against State Farm, GJEL accident lawyers represented
a man who suffered from lower and upper back pain after being struck from the
side on Acalanes Road in Lafayette, California. The defendant driver crossed
over the center line of the road as he attempted to turn into his driveway and
broadsided our client. State Farm paid our client $270,000 to settle the case.
$100,000
State Farm
Our client in this case was a driver injured in a Fremont car accident at the
intersection of Country Drive and Paseo Padre Parkway. Our client was broadsided
by another driver who was speeding and running a red light. The accident caused
him to suffer a broken left leg and bladder injury. State Farm ultimately paid
our client $100,000 to settle the case.
$250,000
AAA / CSAA
GJEL injury attorneys represented a woman injured as a passenger in the rear
seat of car in an auto accident on Highway 24 in Oakland. Our client suffered
a broken arm as a result of the high-speed rear-end accident. The end result
was a $250,000 recovery for our client from AAA.
$225,000
AAA / CSAA
In this 2003 case, GJEL accident attorneys represented two clients who suffered
concussions in an auto accident near Modesto, California. Our two clients were
riding in a pickup truck when an oncoming pickup truck lost control and broad-sided
them, causing each to suffer a closed head injury. GJEL's attorneys recovered
$225,000 from AAA for our clients.
$200,000
AAA / CSAA
In this case, GJEL accident lawyers represented two victims of a motorcycle
accident on the Silverado Trail in Napa County. Our clients suffered injury
when they were struck by by an elderly man driving a large car. GJEL accident
attorney Jim Larsen successfully obtained the full limits of the defendant driver's
insurance policy with AAA.
$150,000
AAA / CSAA
In this recent case, GJEL attorneys represented the victim of a late-night
accident on Interstate 280 in San Francisco. The rear-end collision caused our
client to suffer a back injury, as well as a broken ankle. Our accident attorneys
were able to show that the defendant driver was driving at a speed too high
for conditions, and recovered $150,000 for our client from AAA.
$285,000 (part of larger settlement)
AAA / CSAA
GJEL's clients in this case were two victims of a pedestrian vs. auto accident
in San Francisco. Both of our clients were struck in a crosswalk by an underinsured
driver. After a slow initial reaction by CSAA, our lawyers successfully settled
the case with our client's insurance company for the above amount. This underinsured
motorist settlement was in addition to a settlement with Farmers Insurance on
behalf of the driver who caused the accident.
$2,100,000
Allstate
Our attorneys represented a young client who was a passenger in a friend's
car that veered into an obstruction on a neighbor's lawn. The car's airbag deployed
and our client suffered an injury to her eye. Although the defendants claimed
our client's injury resulted from a defective airbag and argued that the driver
had performed an evasive maneuver to avoid hitting a dog, the injury attorneys
at GJEL established that there was nothing defective about the airbag, and that
the injury occurred as a result of negligence and driving at an excessive speed.
Allstate ultimately paid $2,100,000 to settle the case.
$250,000
Allstate
In this auto vs. pedestrian accident, our client was a 70-year-old Berkeley
man who suffered a chest injury when he was struck by a car in a crosswalk.
He also experienced back pain in the months following the accident. Accident
attorney Jim Larsen ultimately settled the case with Allstate for $250,000.
$300,000
Allstate
Our client in this accident case was a passenger in a car on Diablo road in
Danville. The driver of the car lost control of the vehicle and slammed into
a telephone pole, causing our client to suffer a broken leg and a concussion.
Allstate paid $300,000 to settle this case.
$100,000
Allstate
GJEL attorneys recovered $100,000 from Allstate in this case for a 70-year-old
Berkeley driver who suffered an arm injury in a car accident.
$1,500,000
Farmers
GJEL Accident attorney Andy Gillin represented a 70-year old man injured in
a car accident while driving in eastern Alameda County. After being taken to
Stanford Hospital with major internal injuries, he made a full recovery of his
physical injuries. There was some question, however, as to whether or not the
accident had "knocked him into old age" in terms of his vitality, mental functioning,
and ongoing fears. Farmers ultimately paid $1,500,000 to settle the case.
$100,000
Farmers
In this case from 2003, GJEL attorney Jim Larsen represented the victim of
a dog bite in Manteca. Jim Larsen recovered $100,000 for our client in this
insurance settlement with Farmers.
$100,000
Farmers
GJEL attorneys represented the victim of this auto vs. motorcycle accident
that occurred on Mines Road in Pleasanton, California. The accident caused our
client to suffer a concussion, broken shoulder, and broken ankle. Although the
defendants claimed that our client was speeding, GJEL attorneys used expert
testimony to negate this claim. Farmers Insurance paid our client $100,000 to
settle his claim.
Travelers / St. Paul
$1,750,000 total settlement
In this case, GJEL represented the husband and adult children of a 52-year
old woman killed in a rear-end car accident on Interstate 80. The woman was
a passenger in a car driven by her husband when they were rear-ended by a large
pickup truck. The defendant argued that our client, the woman's husband, was
responsible in large part for the death of his wife because he had turned the
car's wheels to the right and was starting an unsafe lane change at the moment
of impact. Through the deposition of the two CHP officers who investigated the
accident, as well as the testimony of the CHP officer who had originally developed,
and then trained CHP officers in advanced techniques to investigate complex
motor vehicle accidents, we were able to establish that our client's car was
stopped at the moment of impact, that the actions of our client were not negligent.
Furthermore, we established that the physical evidence indicated that it was
the severity of the rear-end impact by the defendant's truck that generated
the force and vehicle direction which resulted in the fatal accident. The settlement
totaled $1,750,000, of which Travelers paid $936,000 and Maxum Indemnity paid
$814,000.
$600,000
Travelers / St. Paul
After a non-injury accident on the Bay Bridge, our client in this case was
struck by a drunk driver while waiting for emergency vehicles. She was nearly
knocked off of the bridge and suffered serious injuries. The evaluation and
deposition of numerous treating and consulting physicians confirmed the extent
of our client's current and future disability and earning losses, resulting
in a $600,000 recovery from Travelers Insurance.
$112,500
Travelers / St. Paul
In this recent case, a GJEL client was struck from behind while stopped at
a red light in Richmond, California. The accident caused our client significant
pain in his shoulders, neck, and back. The claim with Travelers was resolved
before trial for $112,500.
$1,000,000
Fireman's Fund
In a 2005 case, accident attorney Jim Larsen successfully negotiated a $1 million
settlement with Fireman's Fund for a client who severely injured her hand when
it became caught in the teeth of a gasoline-powered wood chipper. The defendants
claimed that our client had watched her friend (the owner of the chipper) operating
the machine prior to the time of her injury, that the dangers presented by the
chipper were open and obvious, and that she was at fault for allowing her hand
to come in contact with the blades of the machine. Mr. Larsen was able to counter
these claims by showing that the defendant had significantly increased the dangers
of the machine by removing safeguards, which allowed our client's hand to accidentally
contact the blades while she was working nearby. Fireman's Fund ultimately paid
our client $1,000,000 to settle the case before trial.
$500,000 total settlement
Fireman's Fund
GJEL injury attorney Luke Ellis represented a young man from Richmond in his
case against the management company of his apartment complex. Our client had
become involved in a fight on the grounds of his complex when the resident manager,
employed by the defendants, came in to break up the fight. Brandishing a gun,
she accidentally shot our client in the side of his face. Our client suffered
an injury to his right jaw and throat, and was diagnosed with Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder. The owners of the apartment complex claimed that they knew
nothing about the manager having a gun and that the manager was acting outside
the course and scope of employment. Attorney Luke Ellis successfully countered
these claims, and recovered $300,000 initial money from Fireman's Fund plus
$200,000 which went into a fund for future payments.
$210,000
GEICO and Fireman's Fund
Our client in this car accident case was a man who suffered back and neck pain
after a rear-end accident on the ramp connecting Interstate 880 and Route 92
in Hayward, California. GJEL accident attorneys recovered $210,000 on behalf
of our client in this case: $110,000 from Fireman's Fund and $100,000 from GEICO.
$100,000 (part of larger settlement)
Mercury
Our client in this recent case was a passenger in vehicle whose driver lost
control of the car, slamming into a dumpster. Our client suffered injuries to
his hip. GJEL car accident attorneys successfully recovered $100,000 from Mercury
Insurance in this case as part of a larger settlement.
$100,000
Mercury
In this case, GJEL car accident attorneys represented a young man who suffered
a concussion when he was involved in a two-car accident in Pittsburg, California.
Although the police report stated that the accident was clearly the fault of
our client, we were able to show that other driver may have been under the influence
of alcohol and was talking on her cell phone at the time of the accident. The
net result was a $100,000 payment to our client from Mercury Insurance.
$325,000
USAA
Our client in this case was a Walnut Creek man injured as a passenger in a
car accident in England. The ultimate result was a payment of $325,000 from
USAA to our client.
$248,000
USAA and Century National
In this case, GJEL attorneys represented a homeowner who broke his ankle while
trying to put out a fire that had just started near his home. The fire had been
started by two minor defendants playing with matches, who admitted this fact
to police when they arrived on the scene with the fire crew. The $100,000 settlement
with USAA represented a portion of a $248,000 settlement that also involved
Century National.
$225,000
USAA
Our client in this 2006 case was a woman injured in a car vs. bicycle accident
in Danville, California. Our client was struck riding her bike as she was crossing
the entrance to a parking lot on Railroad Ave. GJEL injury attorneys successfully
recovered $225,000 for our client from USAA.
$210,000
GEICO and Fireman's Fund
Our client in this car accident case was a man who suffered back and neck pain
after a rear-end accident on the ramp connecting Interstate 880 and Route 92
in Hayward, California. GJEL accident attorneys recovered $210,000 on behalf
of our client in this case: $100,000 from GEICO and $110,000 from Fireman's
Fund.
$100,000
In 2005, GJEL attorneys represented a woman injured in a three-car accident
at Junction Avenue & North First Street in Livermore. The accident was caused
by a young driver who made an illegal U-turn as he attempted to get on Interstate
580. Our client suffered a chest injury and a concussion as a result of the
head-on collision. The case resulted in a $100,000 payment from GEICO to our
client.
$750,000
Safeco and the driver at fault
Our client in this 2004 car vs. motorcycle accident case was a San Leandro man
who sustained significant leg injuries as a result of the accident. He was struck
while riding his motorcycle when a car backed out of driveway without looking.
The case resulted in a $750,000 payment, of which Safeco paid $300,000, and the
driver of the car paid $450,000 out of his own pocket. $225,000 Safeco
In this car accident case, an underinsured driver hit our client, an elderly
man, in a head-on collision in Central California. Our client suffered a broken
left arm as well as separate injuries to his left shoulder and right hand. Because
the driver who hit him was underinsured, we successfully pursued a claim with
our client's own insurance company, Safeco, settling the case for $225,000,
in addition to the sums we recovered from the other driver.
$112,500
Safeco
In this recent case, GJEL accident attorneys represented the victim in a truck
vs. car accident that occurred on Vasco Road in Livermore. The defendant's flat-bed
truck slammed into our client's Ford Escort head on, causing him substantial
neck and back pain. Safeco paid our client $112,500 to settle the case.
$338,000 total settlement
Liberty Mutual
In this 2005 case, GJEL accident lawyers represented a Northern California
client who sustained injury in an SUV vs. auto accident in Costa Mesa, California.
GJEL auto accident attorneys successfully recovered $100,000 from Liberty Mutual
as part of a total settlement of $338,000. The balance of the settlement was
paid by a smaller carrier, Westport Insurance.
$690,000
21st Century
In this auto accident case, our client suffered injuries to his right arm,
along with other internal injuries, when he was struck as a result of a high-speed
pursuit through Berkeley. The defendant in this case was an auto repair shop
in Oakland. The auto repair shop had left the keys in a customer's car in a
high-crime neighborhood, allowing a thief to steal the car and ultimately injure
our client. The case resulted in a $690,000 payment from 21st Century to our
client.
Zurich
2005 - $575,000
Our client in this case was an elderly pedestrian who suffered a broken hip
when she was knocked to the sidewalk by falling scaffolding at a construction
site in San Francisco. Although the defendants denied responsibility for the
scaffolding, GJEL accident attorneys used industry expert consultants and the
depositions of numerous employees to show fault on the part of defendant. Our
attorneys also used life care plan consultants and a video of testimony from
our client's family to confirm the severity of the injuries and the traumatic
effect on her lifestyle. Zurich ultimately paid $575,000 to settle the case.
Kemper
2003 - $300,000
In this case, GJEL accident lawyers represented an Oakland woman who required
knee surgery after sustaining injury as a result of a car accident which occurred
at a flashing red-light intersection. The defendant driver and his employer
took the position that the accident was the fault of the Oakland woman, but
they were not able to sustain that position after GJEL attorneys' investigation
of the case. The result of this case was a $300,000 payment from Kemper to our
client.
Progressive
$110,000
In 2005, GJEL auto accident attorneys represented the victim of a truck vs.
car accident that occurred on Kirker Pass Road in Concord, California. The rear
end collision was caused when a truck approaching Concord Boulevard failed to
brake properly and slammed into the back of our client's car, causing a concussion,
as well as neck and back pain. Progressive paid our client $110,000 to settle
the case.
American Eagle
$300,000
This case involved a truck vs. multiple car accident on California SR 132 near
Modesto. Our client suffered from severe shoulder, hip, leg, and back pain after
the truck's trailer sideswiped our client's vehicle. American Eagle Insurance
paid $300,000 to settle the case.
Nationwide
$120,000
In 2004 GJEL represented a Berkeley woman injured in a car vs. pedestrian accident
near the intersection of Ashby & Claremont in Berkeley. Our client suffered
nerve damage in her foot and a bruised knee when she was struck in a marked
crosswalk by the oblivious driver of an SUV. Nationwide Insurance agreed to
pay $120,000 to our client in a pre-trial settlement.
