Non-motorized scooters named America’s most dangerous Christmas toy, again
Christmas is a magical time of year for millions of families across the United States, with children all over the country often experiencing new food, toys and traditions, often... Read More

Credit Issues in Underinsured Motorist Claims
Among the issues unresolved since the introduction of underinsured motorist coverage in California by the 1984 passage of Ins C 11580.1(p) is the computation of the award by the... Read More
4 Real and 5 Fictional Seinfeld Lawsuits
Gearing up for the holiday weekend, we thought it necessary to revive GJEL Accident Attorneys' legal humor category. With that, we've compiled 9 Seinfeld-related lawsuits, five fictional and four... Read More

Marin County Motorcycle Accident Settlement [$200,000]
$700,000 for a motorcycle vs. auto accident in Marin County. Read More
Here are the Scariest Roads in California
What comes to mind when you think of traffic laws? There are right-of-way rules that say who yields and who proceeds at traffic intersections and crosswalks. And speed limits.... Read More
15 Back to School Safety Tips for Kids and Drivers
Summer vacation is coming to an end and the back to school blitz is officially here. With kids getting set to resume their daily commute, and some younger children... Read More

Bicycle Accident Settlement
$22.5 Million for a bicycle accident case Read More

Wrongful Death Road Defect Verdict
GJEL recovered 11.6 Million Dollars for a client in a California wrongful death settlement. Read More

Wrongful Death Paid in Trial
GJEL Accident Attorneys recovered 13.6 Million Dollars for a client which was paid during trial. View more about the wrongful death verdicts and settlements from GJEL. Read More


Map of California DMV Offices
Safe driving behavior begins at the Department of Motor Vehicles. Teen drivers are tested by their local DMV before receiving their license, and all drivers must go through the... Read More

Who is responsible for self driving car accidents?
It is clear that the object of romantic interest in the Beatles’ song never anticipated a self-driving (“autonomous”) car; but as that technology gets closer to becoming a commercial... Read More

Hartford Insurance Claims: Hartford Personal Injury Lawyers
GJEL has recovered millions of dollars from The Hartford Insurance for injured victims. If you were injured and you think you might have a case against The Hartford Insurance,... Read More
Wrongful Death Settlement for Pedestrian Accident | GJEL
A retired high school teacher and a longtime resident of rural Sonoma County was walking across Franz Valley School Road to retrieve his morning newspaper from the roadside mailbox... Read More

Ford Explorer Rollover Settlement
Our client was a fourteen-year-old girl who was in a car with her two friends, who were also minors. The car they were traveling in belonged to our client’s... Read More

Unsafe Lane Change Accident Settlement
Case Details: Our client, an experienced bicyclist, was riding westbound on Lone Tree Way in Antioch, California. He was in the #3 lane approaching the on-ramp for northbound Highway... Read More
Pedestrian Accident with Serious Injuries | Case Study | GJEL
GJEL Accident Attorneys successfully represented a pedestrian who suffered severe injuries after being struck by a car in a crosswalk. Our attorneys proved the driver’s negligence and secured a... Read More
Compensation for Post-Concussion Syndrome After a Car Accident: Your Legal Rights
If you’re experiencing symptoms of post-concussion syndrome following a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses and other damages. This article explains the link between... Read More

Compensation for Pedestrian Hit By Car
About The Accident Our client was assembling furniture for his new residence on the driveway- pavement in front of his space at the garage shared with other condo owners.... Read More
Caltrans Accident Settlement: GJEL Attorneys Secure $250,000 for Injured Motorist
Were you injured in an accident involving a Caltrans vehicle? This article details how GJEL Accident Attorneys successfully represented a seriously injured motorist, securing a $250,000 settlement against Caltrans.... Read More

$3.6 Million Serious Injury Accident Settlement & Payout Amount
Our 81 year-old client suffered severe spinal injuries when he fell while trying to uncover patio furniture at a second home in Copperopolis, California, owned by a family member.... Read More

Hit and Run Motorcycle Accident Settlement Example
Our client was driving his motorcycle into an intersection in Mountain View, California, when he was struck by a car from his left-side that had entered the intersection against... Read More
$200,000 Settlement – Honda Car Accident Injury Case
GJEL Accident Attorneys successfully obtained a $200,000 settlement for a client who suffered serious injuries in a four-vehicle car accident. The article details how GJEL navigated the complexities of... Read More

San Francisco Motorcycle Accident Settlement $10,000,000
GJEL Accident Attorneys has recovered over $100 Million Dollars for victims injured and killed in Motorcycle accidents. Here is how GJEL helped one family after a serious motorcycle accident.... Read More
Motorcycle Accident Settlement: $220,000 for Gasoline Leak Injury
This article details a motorcycle accident settlement where GJEL Accident Attorneys secured a $220,000 settlement for their client. The motorcyclist was injured after hitting a gasoline leak caused by... Read More

Over $3.5 Million Recovered for Serious Injury Accident
Our 81-year-old client suffered severe spinal injuries when he fell while trying to uncover patio furniture at a second home in Copperopolis, California, owned by a family member. This... Read More
Will a Third Westbound Lane Solve Traffic Congestion crossing the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge?
The Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) is making a strong push to add a third westbound lane on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge to alleviate congestion during the morning rush... Read More

The Top Reasons to Go To Law School
The attorneys at GJEL recently hosted a scholarship program and asked incoming law students why they wanted to go to law school. As a part of this contest, the... Read More
AC Transit increases Transbay fares to pay for broken Salesforce Transit Center
Beginning January 2019, AC Transit increased Transbay fares by $1 to $5.50 for a one-way trip to San Francisco and by $36 to $198 for a monthly pass. This... Read More
FordGO Bike in San Francisco Impeding Expansion of Bike Share Program
MTC’s Restrictive Ford GoBike Contract Impeding Expansion of Shared E-Bikes Overshadowed by the expansion of scooters, shared pedal-assist e-bikes have quietly grown in popularity this year. Across the country,... Read More
Most Unlikely Courtroom Comedies
Last week, we brought you some of the most absurd attempts of replicating judicial in the most unlikely courtroom dramas. Ranging from Chicago to Miracle on 34th Street, it... Read More
Grand Avenue Improvements a Step Forward, But Safety Concerns Remain
Several highly-anticipated pedestrian safety improvements recently opened along Oakland’s Grand Avenue. One of the City’s high injury corridors, Grand has long served as a regional relief valve to I-580... Read More

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death Settlement in Drunk Driving Case | GJEL
When drunk driving leads to the wrongful death of a loved one, GJEL Accident Attorneys is here to fight for justice. This article highlights a case where we secured... Read More
Why Does Regional Measure 3 Divert Bridge Tolls to Santa Clara County and Other Unrelated Projects?
Just about everyone agrees that the Bay Area’s congested transportation system is in dire need of reinvestment. Read More

$11.7 Million in Traffic Wrongful Death Case
A Contra Costa County jury has awarded $11.7 million to the family of a man who died on a badly maintained stretch of county road while trying to help... Read More
Bankrupt Bluegogo Auctions Leftover Bikes for as Little as $1 Each
While LimeBike’s rapid expansion has brought thousands of bikes to dozens of cities across the U.S., not all dockless bike share operators have found success. Bluegogo, the first dockless... Read More

$4 Million Child Wrongful Death Verdict
In what appears to be the largest wrongful death settlement for a child in California history, the family of a 4-year- old girl killed in a traffic accident has... Read More

$10.6 Million Wrongful Death Settlement for Defective Tire | GJEL
A defective tire tragically led to the death of a young child. This article details how GJEL Accident Attorneys fought for the grieving family and secured a $10.6 million... Read More
Oakland’s Pedestrian Signals Remain Confusing and Unpredictable
In 2015, Oakland enacted a Pedestrian Signal Policy intended to fix its frustrating and nonsensical crosswalk signals, a hindrance to the City’s walkability. The City previously installed hundreds of... Read More
$1.7 Million Medical Malpractice Verdict in Richmond, CA | GJEL
When medical negligence leads to devastating consequences, GJEL Accident Attorneys are here to hold the responsible parties accountable. This article highlights a case where we secured a $1.7 million... Read More
Will AC Transit’s Transbay Fare Hikes Sabotage its Ridership?
While the Bay Area engages in a spirited debate over increasing bridge tolls, AC Transit is quietly moving forward with a big increase in Transbay fares. Despite substantial Transbay... Read More
BART’s Excursion Fare: How the Agency Earns Millions from Passengers Not Riding Trains
Been in a situation where you need to exit a BART station shortly after entering it? If so, chances are you’ve been hit by BART’s Excursion Fare. Read More
The perils of through-double-right turns for bicyclists
Biking on most urban streets may not always be a stress-free experience, but an individual with basic bicycle safety knowledge can usually navigate through streets without incident if everyone... Read More
Marin County’s Awful Freeway Bus Stops Put Riders in Danger
Bus pads play a critical role in connecting Marin’s communities via transit. However, their hazardous conditions put bus riders in danger. Read More

What does litigation mean in a personal injury case?
In every case, the anticipated goal is to have the case settle quickly, meaning that each party is able to reach mutually agreeable terms and conditions of an agreement... Read More
Are Insurance Company Deadlines Important?
To be sure, the insurance company’s goal is to pay as little as possible for claims. As such, it may try to tell you that you have missed a... Read More
BART should eliminate platform door markings for new train fleet
Lines often extend across the entire platform adjacent to large swaths of empty spaces between doors, making entering and exiting the platform difficult. Read More
A driver’s guide to auto insurance claims in California
You don’t necessarily know what will happen if you get into a collision and need help from your insurance provider... Read More
Could Caltrain Have Avoided Brutal Cuts to Weekend Service?
There’s no sugarcoating how brutal these cuts will be for weekend passengers traveling to work, a Giants’ game, or other events and activities. Read More
‘Shops at the Ridge’ Create Suburban Dystopia at 51st and Broadway
Due to a lack of vision coupled with mismanaged implementation, the 51st and Broadway area has become even more of a mess today than it was before. Read More
Bakersfield Moves Forward with Horrific Centennial Corridor Project
The City of Bakersfield and Caltrans has continued down a failed 1950s path toward social, economic, and environmental ruin. Read More
Introducing the Hack Your Auto Insurance series
The series will discuss insurance topics that every driver ought to know in clear and simple terms, using up-to-date information. Read More
GIG Carshare Offers New Mobility Option to East Bay
Oakland and Berkeley residents have an exciting new mobility option after the launch of GIG, a one-way car share service by AAA and Ridecell. Read More
Bike to Work Day 2017: Ribbon Cuttings and Milestones in the East Bay
After last year’s momentous Bike to Work Day that saw the unveiling of new high-profile protected bikeways in Berkeley and Oakland, this year’s event on Thursday, May 11th was... Read More
San Jose Alcohol Related Injuries Are Up
Compared to other population centers in California, the San Jose area appears to be doing well at limiting alcohol-involved injuries, according to the California Highway Patrol’s latest report on... Read More
San Jose bicycling is more dangerous than we thought
The latest annual report on motor vehicle collisions from the California Highway Patrol has a ton of information about what’s happening on California roads and highways, with extensive datasets... Read More
ACE extension to Merced a poor choice for gas tax funding
The Merced extension will serve very few riders and makes little sense in the context of California’s high speed rail priorities... Read More
Why police should pay more attention to bicycle safety
On Feb 23, a 9-year-old girl riding a bicycle in San Jose was injured in an auto collision. A few weeks later, the same thing happened to an 11-year-old... Read More
AC Transit board calls Telegraph Avenue road diet a “disaster” and “absolute disgrace”
The project has decreased collisions for all modes by 40 percent, increased yield rates, and reduced speeding. However, not everyone is happy... Read More
The Most Dangerous Intersections for Bay Area Cyclists
View the most dangerous Intersections for Bay Area Cyclists with this interactive map provided by GJEL Accident Attorneys. Read More
Key collision factors in San Jose are getting worse
Last week, we looked at the number of motor vehicle injuries occurring in the San Jose area and concluded that traffic safety around GJEL’s San Jose office is getting... Read More
San Jose-area roadside danger is rising
Numbers don’t lie. But unless you have experience analyzing data, it can sometimes seem difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the stories they tell. Read More
Casual carpool continues to thrive despite lack of resources
While the Bay Area is known for its ride-hailing transportation startups, a low-tech casual carpool system has continued to thrive into its fourth decade. Read More
Avoid these San Jose intersections on St. Patrick’s Day
Whether driving or riding in a passenger seat, there’s no way to guarantee your safety in a car, on any day of the year. But you can educate yourself... Read More
Introducing San Jose by the Numbers, a GJEL traffic safety series
Through nearly 40 years of representing accident victims and families, GJEL has shown that many injuries suffered on the roads are preventable. Our efforts to improve traffic safety extend... Read More
Half a century later, Redwood City intersection to get crosswalks
Half a century ago, Caltrans plowed through Redwood City to build Woodside Road... Woodside Road was built according to the era’s abysmal design highway standards, creating a barrier between... Read More
Despite its flaws, Telegraph Avenue redesign is working
The City of Oakland released a progress report for the Telegraph Avenue Complete Streets Project to assess the project’s performance over its first six months. Read More
BART to Silicon Valley to cost $644,000 per new passenger
Buried in the EIR/EIS is an astonishing revelation of how cost-ineffective the BART extension will be in attracting new transit riders. Read More
Will Bluegogo compete for the Bay Area’s bike share market?
As Bay Area Bike Share inches toward a tenfold expansion by 2018, a new Chinese bike share company, Bluegogo, may try to beat it to the streets. Read More
Protected intersections arrive in the Bay Area
These innovative Dutch-inspired designs (amongst the first dozen built in the U.S.) seek to maintain physical separation between drivers and bicyclists through an intersection. Read More
BART surprises commuters with sudden holiday service cuts
Commuters working between Christmas and New Years were surprised to encounter sudden cuts in BART service this week. Read More
High fares, TNCs, and cheap parking undercut Oakland Airport Connector ridership
The controversial Oakland Airport Connector (OAC) is losing money and struggling to meet ridership projections... Read More
Oakland’s inequitable and ineffective free holiday parking persists
Parking can be a sensitive issue in most cities, and Oakland is no different... Read More
Will Bay Area Bike Share underperform expectations in the East Bay?
After several years of anticipation, the expansion of Bay Area Bike Share (recently rebranded as Ford GoBike) from 700 to 7,000 bikes will finally commence Spring 2017... Read More
Two potential “peanutabout” locations in Oakland
Oakland has several skewed intersections that could be candidates for peanutabout designs. In particular, two intersections exhibit potential for such a design... Read More
Oakland moves parking kiosk into brand new bike lane
Recently, the City made a perplexing change to the design that relocated the parking attendant kiosk into the middle of the bike lane... Read More
The complicated story behind widening Highway 1 in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz County is in the midst of a debate over how to relieve gridlock along Highway 1. Traffic congestion has continued to worsen in recent years along the... Read More

“Bay Bridge Forward” to add much-needed capacity to Transbay commute
Facing crush-load BART trains, packed buses and ferries, and congested freeways, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission recently approved $40 million in near-term capacity relief. The “Bay Bridge Forward” program seeks... Read More

Photos from the 2016 Summer Intro to Careers in Law Program
This summer marked the fourth year our firm has hosted local high school students for a one week program offering an introduction to careers in law. Once again, a... Read More

Uptown’s transformation continues with $6.3 million TIGER grant for 19th street BART station
Transportation funding keeps flowing into Oakland – last week, the Go Uptown project received $6.3 million via an extremely competitive federal TIGER grant. A joint effort between BART and... Read More

Untangling 27th Street in Oakland
As Oakland remakes key Downtown corridors such as Telegraph, Harrison, and 20th, big changes are also in store for 27th Street. Oakland recently submitted a grant application to the... Read More

Why is BART in the long-term airport parking business?
As BART’s ridership has surged over the past five years, the system has developed a shortage of station parking. On a typical weekday, many of BART’s lots fill up... Read More

7 years after cuts, restoration of off-peak BART service remains distant
Seven years ago in the midst of the Great Recession, BART significantly cut evening and Sunday service in an effort to balance its budget. Prior to cutting service, BART... Read More

Should self-driving vehicles be required to get a license?
Following the first fatal accident involving a self-driving vehicle, the debate has been renewed over whether autonomous cars are ready to share the road with traditional vehicles. The accident,... Read More

Even Oakland parking enforcement officers are parking in Telegraph’s protected bike lanes
Oakland’s parking enforcement officers have been criticized recently for their lack of enforcement of illegal and unsafe parking behavior along Telegraph’s new protected bike lanes. Yesterday, parking enforcement was... Read More
How to fix Telegraph Avenue’s protected bike lanes
A month after unveiling a road diet on Telegraph Avenue featuring Oakland’s first protected bike lanes, Telegraph remains a mess. Obstructions of the bike lanes are seemingly never-ending as... Read More
Should self-driving cars still have steering wheels and brake pedals?
Earlier this week, GM CEO Mary Barra said she believes self-driving vehicles should continue to include steering wheels, brake pedals and accelerators as the technology develops. The state of... Read More
Oakland forgets to reinstall parking meters on busy stretch of Grand Avenue
Oakland’s Department of Transportation is finally taking shape, and it can’t come soon enough. In the latest example of poor attention to detail in street design, the City has... Read More
After a momentous Bike to Work Day, more complete streets projects on the way
Last week’s Bike to Work day was one of the most significant in the event’s 22 year history in the East Bay. Four ribbon cuttings occurred in the cities... Read More
West Contra Costa County evaluates high capacity transit options
Without a doubt the greatest challenges facing BART are expanding core capacity and maintaining a good state of repair. At the same time, however, the Bay Area’s regional transit... Read More
Rethinking BART to Santa Clara
After nearly two decades of planning, the timeline for completion of the Silicon Valley BART extension remains uncertain. Later this year, BART will open a five mile, $890 million... Read More

Victims of Unnecessary Heart Surgeries
$111.7 million for victims of unnecessary heart surgeries at Redding Medical Center. Read More
$10.8 Million Settlement for Defective Tire Accident
$10.8 million for a wrongful death against a tire manufacturer and auto supply chain. Read More
BART’s bond measure: aiming too low?
Over the past few weeks, BART and Los Angeles’ Metro have each made big headlines, albeit for very different reasons. In the Bay Area, BART’s ongoing mechanical problems are... Read More
Seven findings from BART’s station profile survey
About every seven years, BART commissions a survey of its stations to learn more about who is riding and where he/she is going. BART’s last survey was done in... Read More
Alameda’s Central Avenue Project moves forward, but weak links remain
Alameda’s Central Avenue Complete Streets Project passed a key milestone in receiving city council approval to move forward into final design. As we’ve previously covered, safety improvements are badly... Read More
Vision Zero or Zero Vision: when will Berkeley fix its unsafe streets?
On February 2nd, Megan Schwarzman was run over by a car while bicycling along Fulton Street near Bancroft Way. Meghan was hit by Berwick Haynes, who was arrested on... Read More
Where should a second Transbay Tube go?
There is a growing consensus that building a second Transbay Tube is critical to the Bay Area’s future. Transbay ridership has skyrocketed in recent years – MTC’s ongoing Core... Read More