GJEL Accident Attorneys · Berkeley, California
Injured in a Berkeley crash? Tell us what happened. A GJEL lawyer can review your options and explain what comes next.
A lawyer will personally review your case and call you shortly.
We’ll call from a local number and tell you when to expect us.
If a crash in Berkeley has left you injured, you may be dealing with medical care, missed work, and questions from insurers at the same time. You do not need to know who was legally at fault or what your claim is worth before calling. GJEL offers a free case review, and there is no fee unless and until we win.
Our Berkeley office is at 1214 Fourth Street. We have handled car accident claims involving Berkeley roads and I-80, including disputes over how a crash occurred and who was responsible. The two published case accounts below show the evidence and liability issues we addressed. They are historical examples, not predictions about your case.
These published accounts show two different liability questions in Berkeley-area crashes and how GJEL approached them.
$417,500
Approaching Berkeley on I-80
Our client was struck from behind while slowing for traffic. The driver and his employer said another crash caused the sudden braking. GJEL used the California Highway Patrol report to challenge that account. The published case describes a $417,500 payment for medical losses, past and future wage loss, and pain and suffering. Published in 2009.
Read the full case study$690,000
Berkeley
A stolen vehicle crashed into our client during a pursuit. GJEL pursued a claim involving the manager of the auto repair shop from which the car was stolen. The published account reports a $690,000 payment to our client. Published in 2009.
Read the full case studyThese cases were published in 2009. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, injuries, and available coverage.
We start with your account, the available crash report, photographs, witness details, medical records, and insurance information. When fault is disputed, we compare the competing explanations against the physical evidence and look for other sources, such as available video or vehicle records. The I-80 case above illustrates why a report can matter when another driver gives a different account.
We then assess the injuries and their effect on work and daily life, identify potentially available coverage, and discuss the choices with you. Some claims resolve through negotiation. If a lawsuit is appropriate, we prepare for that path and explain the decision before you make it.
Move to safety and seek medical help if you are hurt. Keep photographs, witness contact details, the other driver’s insurance information, and any report number you receive. Save medical bills, work records, and messages from insurers. You can contact us even if you do not have every document yet.
A police or CHP report and a report to your insurer serve different purposes. California’s DMV also requires an SR-1 traffic accident report within 10 days if anyone is injured or killed, or property damage exceeds $1,000. The SR-1 is required in addition to a report to police, CHP, or an insurer. The DMV page explains the filing steps and what information to gather.
If Berkeley police handled the crash, an involved person can request a collision report through the Berkeley Police Department Records Bureau. The city lists a $10 fee and asks for the case number if known, along with the date, time, location, and a description of the record. If CHP handled it, use the CHP collision report request instructions.
California uses comparative fault. Being partly responsible does not automatically prevent recovery, but it can reduce the amount. The evidence, not an insurer’s first assessment, should guide the discussion.
We review the available policies, including any uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage that may apply. Coverage depends on the policy and the facts of the crash.
We consider documented medical needs, lost income, the effect of the injury on your life, liability evidence, and available coverage. An early offer may arrive before the full extent of an injury is known. No published result or average can tell you what your own case is worth.
California Courts says the usual deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the injury. A claim against a government agency can require an earlier claim filing, usually within six months, before a lawsuit. Other rules or exceptions may affect a particular case. Read California Courts’ deadline guidance and government claim guidance. If you are unsure when a deadline applies, ask a lawyer to review the facts, even if you think time may have passed.
Andy Gillin, GJEL’s founding and managing partner, earned his bachelor’s degree at UC Berkeley. His published Berkeley case accounts include the two examples above. Our Berkeley office is at 1214 Fourth Street, and the firm also offers home and hospital visits when needed. A GJEL lawyer can review what happened, discuss the evidence and insurance questions, and explain whether the firm can help. The first review is free and carries no obligation.
The Berkeley Police Department’s 2025 annual report records 784 collisions citywide, including 499 injury collisions and five fatal collisions. It lists University Avenue at West Frontage Road (15 collisions, 13 involving injury) and Haste Street at Shattuck Avenue (13 collisions, all involving injury) among its highest-count intersections. These are reported counts, not a measure of the chance of crashing at a particular location. The circumstances of your crash still require an individual investigation.
Share what happened, when and where the crash occurred, your injuries, and any insurance or report details you have. Photos, medical records, and witness names can help, but you do not need a complete file before contacting us.
No. The California DMV says an SR-1 is a separate filing when someone was injured or killed, or property damage exceeded $1,000. It is due within 10 days. See the DMV’s official instructions.
That position may be disputed. We review the report, photographs, witness accounts, and other available evidence before assessing responsibility. California’s comparative fault rule can allow a recovery even when an injured person shares some responsibility.
The initial case review is free and carries no obligation. There is no attorney fee unless and until we win.
Choose the type of accident or injury to see information written for this city.
Our office is located at 1214 Fourth St, Berkeley, CA 94710, United States. The office sits in West Berkeley, near the Fourth Street shopping area and close to Gilman Street. It’s in a mixed commercial district with shops, offices, and light industrial spaces nearby. You can reach the office easily from I-80, using the Gilman Street or University Avenue exits toward Fourth Street. Street parking is available along Fourth Street and nearby side streets, with additional public parking options in the surrounding area.
Tell us where the crash happened and how you are doing. A GJEL lawyer can review your situation, explain the next steps, and tell you whether we can help. The review is free and carries no obligation.
Not sure you have a case? That’s what the call is for. Even if you think you were partly at fault, call.
If you lost someone you love, we can handle the legal side while your family grieves. California law limits how long you have to file. Don’t wait to find out where you stand.
A lawyer will personally review your case and call you shortly.
We’ll call from a local number and tell you when to expect us.