Personal Injury Blog

When you are grieving the accidental death of a family member, you may not immediately appreciate the full extent of how that person’s passing may affect your life….

If you have suffered a serious injury in an accident, you may be wondering whether you need to hire a personal injury attorney to represent you. While it…

While car, truck, and motorcycle accidents can happen anywhere, there are some roads that are significantly more dangerous than others.

Being involved in a car accident can be a traumatic and overwhelming experience, leaving you feeling shaken and unsure of what to do next. That’s why we have…

Getting hurt in an accident can be confusing and frustrating, especially when you need to file a lawsuit in order to seek compensation for your losses. At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we are here to help injured plaintiffs through every stage of the litigation process.

Car accidents can be life-altering events that can lead to serious physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial loss. If you are involved in a car accident, it is…

GJEL Accident Attorneys has a track record of success when it comes to California Wrongful death cases. Our attorneys have recovered over $950,000,000 for our clients who have…

Drowsy driving is a serious issue that is often overlooked by many drivers. When a driver is feeling sleepy, it can impair their ability to drive safely and…

Wrongful death lawsuits can be filed when someone dies due to someone else’s negligence or intentional actions. It is important to consider several factors before suing for wrongful…

Are motorcycles dangerous to drive? In California, the answer to that is yes. Let’s look at some of the data to see why. According to the California Highway…

Carpool lanes are an essential part of the Bay Area’s transportation infrastructure, designed to encourage carpooling, reduce traffic congestion, and improve air quality. As the population continues to…

Understanding the average settlement for car accident back and neck injuries can be crucial if you or a loved one have been in an accident. It’s important to…

Each year, the holiday season brings excitement about seeing family, eating delicious meals, and even opening a few presents. For some, the season marks a series of events complete with dinner parties and elaborate decorations. In addition to this seasonal mirth, families must consider safety issues related to driving long distances in rough conditions, the potential for shopping mall mishaps, and dangers associated with holiday decorations and lights. To help navigate those additional considerations, we’ve developed a list of some of the most common holiday-related injuries and some precautions families can take to avoid trips to the emergency room this winter.

On the air for more than 20 years, the iconic family cartoon sitcom “The Simpsons” has covered just about every topic you can think of. So it’s no surprise that the show has addressed – and mocked – many legal issues. In fact, The Simpsons has managed to cover personal injury law, sexual harassment, false advertising, criminal law, food safety, copyright law, and more. While the plots of these episodes themselves are hilarious, they wouldn’t be quite as great without shuckster attorney Lionel Hutz (Phil Hartman). We’ve compiled a list of our favorite lawsuits in the Simpsons, in chronological order.

As one of the most anticipated holidays of the year, Halloween can be lots of fun for people of all ages. But with everyone out and about, things…

For countless Americans across the United States, working is not only a necessity but a case of survival. With the cost of living continuing to rise, and wages…

The countdown has begun for the highly anticipated release of ‘Barbie’ (July 21st 2023), a movie dedicated to a doll that has become one of the most influential…

Following the return of spring sports schedules across the US, a national spike in sports-related injuries is inevitable. So, as Americans around the country take to basketball courts,…

The average personal injury settlement is $52,900, according to Martindale-Nolo Research, but the settlement range is $3,000 to $75,000. Thirty percent of claimants receive nothing, while a good…

If you’ve been injured due to negligence, then you are entitled to receive compensation from the guilty party. However, the State of California imposes a strict deadline known as a statue of limitations that limits the amount of time following an accident in which you are allowed to file a claim.

Many bicyclists in the Bay Area wonder: Do I have to walk my bike across the crosswalks in California? Technically, in the state you are supposed to walk your bike whenever you are in a crosswalk. Indeed, under California Vehicle Code 21200, which governs the operation of bicycles in the state, it is unlawful to ride across a crosswalk. For your own health and safety, the best thing you can do is to get off your bike when crossing the street. That being said, if a serious bicycle accident does occur while you are riding in a crosswalk, do not automatically assume that you are the party at fault.

A lot of people ask, “Do I even need a lawyer for my accident case?” Very often, the answer is no. However, if you were seriously injured in an accident, you should always work with an experienced San Jose personal injury attorney.

No, there is no minimum guaranteed settlement amount. The facts of every case are different. Some personal injury cases do not offer any settlements but others may over…

Many people ask, what are the questions they want answered when they’re interviewing a lawyer. This is a great initial question, as you will not be able to select the best lawyer to handle your case unless you know what questions you need to ask in order to research the issue. Here, our experienced San Jose personal injury attorneys have put together a list of seven important questions that you should consider asking a lawyer before hiring them to handle your case.

Rear end collisions are one of the most common – but luckily one of the least serious – accident types. What is often most complex about these accidents, however, is not the extent of the injuries that they cause, but is determining who is to be held liable for damages. Because California is an at-fault, or tort liability state for car accidents, determining fault in all crashes that result in damages, even if those damages are minor, is important. It should also be noted, of course, that while most rear-end collisions are not serious, those that occur at high speeds have the potential to be very severe, and could even be fatal.

What happens if you got hurt in a car accident but did not realize the extent of your injuries until days or weeks later? What if your decision to delay seeking medical treatment exacerbated your injuries, resulting in the need for more extensive and costly medical treatment? Regardless of when you decided to seek medical treatment after the crash, an Oakland car accident lawyer can help.

If you live in California and you are involved in a car accident, the driver who caused the accident is responsible for paying for it. However, drivers rarely pay for accidents that they cause out of pocket – instead, they turn to their auto insurance liability policies to pay for damages.

You don’t need money to hire a personal injury attorney like GJEL Accident Attorneys because we work on a contingency fee basis. this means you don’t pay unless…

No, an attorney cannot settle your case without your consent. It’s an ethical violation if your attorney settles your case without your consent A lawyer is not allowed…

What is the role of a private investigator? In short, the private investigator helps to determine the series of events that led to the car accident in which you sustained your injuries. You might be asking yourself: why do I need to work with a private investigator? Law firms across Northern California, and indeed across the country, rely on the services of private investigators to obtain specific information about an accident and to help determine who may be liable for injuries that occurred.

At GJEL Accident Attorneys we have recovered over $10 Million Dollars for our clients suffering from Post Concussion Syndrome in California. If you or someone you love is…

Following the return to spring sports schedules for many across the United States, it’s inevitable that we’re going to see a spike in sports-related injuries nationally. So, as…

We’ll discuss California laws governing car rentals, the various insurance-like products that rental companies sell, and free or low-cost alternatives.

It seems hardly a day goes by without hearing something in the news about an accident caused by texting and driving, in California and throughout the US.

While many of us are aware of the dangers outside our front door, are we aware of hazards within our own four walls? In an attempt to raise…

People who follow the news in the United States are not strangers to disturbing legal stories that often dominate the headlines. From the Casey Anthony trial that concluded last month, to the Scott Peterson verdict years before, and even the controversial O.J. Simpson murder case nearly 20 years ago, it’s often difficult to avoid the day’s most followed legal stories. But there are thousands of legal stories that go unnoticed each year by much of the general public, or are nearly forgotten years later. In the four following examples, documentary film makers have exposed and revitalized those stories to create powerful documentary films discussing a variety of troubling legal issues. We’ve compiled the trailers for the films Hot Coffee, Capturing the Friedmans, Deliver Us From Evil, and Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father, along with short descriptions and reviews.

Were you or someone you love injured in an accident in Piedmont, California? If so, call GJEL Accident Attorneys today for a free case review. Attorney Andy Gillin…

Spring break is a vacation period in early spring to be enjoyed by college students in every state of America. Although many jet-set abroad, most stay in the…

The film industry is loaded with movies throughout history that have a focus on lawyers and the drama that takes place in the courtroom. This list contains the…

There are so many safety factors to consider when your teenager begins driving. When it comes to teen brain development, distracted driving, and graduated license laws, parents have a strong role in assuring that their children stay safe behind the wheel. Great safety strategies include educating your teen about the dangers of distracted driving, and creating a teen-parent safe driving contract that rewards safe driving behavior. But there’s one aspect for new teen drivers that parents have complete control over: what car (if any) they will drive.

These 15 Driving Distractions Could Ruin Your Day. Wouldn’t it be nice to settle in to your morning commute in total relaxation, catching up with a friend in the passenger seat next to you, or with hundreds of friends all at once on social media?

When representing claimants seeking damages for wrongful death pursuant to California’s statutory scheme (Code Civ. Proc. § 377.60), counsel for a decedent’s heirs must consider as well whether…

‘Clumsy’ is a word many people use to describe themselves, especially if they’re somewhat accident-prone and have a habit of tripping over, knocking into things, or dropping stuff….

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,…

There are 5 important steps to take after an accident: Seek Medical Assistance, Exchange Contact and Insurance Information, Gather and Secure Evidence, Be Wary of Insurance Adjusters, and Contact a Qualified Attorney

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…

A pedestrian walking on a sidewalk in a shopping center is struck by a runaway vehicle attempting to park in the center’s parking lot. The driver mistakenly hit…

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 real, to commemorate the 9 years the 90’s mega-sitcom fantastically mocked most aspects, significant and mundane, of real life. And the show’s take on the legal industry was no different. Check out our list.

Anytime that you are involved in a car accident, or any other serious accident type that necessitates emergency medical care, you should make sure that an accident report is filed with the police (in fact, in the event of a car accident, California law requires that you report the accident if anyone is injured or killed, or damages total more than $750).

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…

When an accident occurs in California, whether an automobile accident or an accident such as a slip and fall on someone else’s property, the way that injuries are almost always paid for is through liability insurance. Because California is an at-fault state, the insurance company of the person whose negligence caused the accident and related injuries is responsible for paying for the injured party’s damages.

Getting hit by a car while walking or riding your bicycle is an awful thought. So the image of a pack of cyclists being run over by a SUV is nothing short of terrifying. Last year, four cyclists were injured in San Francisco’s Mission District after a man in an SUV allegedly ran them down in what the San Francisco Chronicle calls a “six-minute rampage.” The driver, David Mark Clark, now faces four counts of attempted murder, and his attorney has unofficially said Clark will seek an insanity plea. Click through for five more important California bike accident lawsuits.

Most lawyers and their clients know that, under California law, a person can be compensated for the full amount of damages (medical expenses, lost earnings, compensation for pain…

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…

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,…

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….

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 was clear that film writers are comfortable fudging the facts and realities when it comes to telling a compelling story. Not surprisingly, the same is true for legal comedies… to an even more outlandish extent. But since comedies typically aren’t bound by realism or attention to detail, the freedoms taken in the films described below are perhaps more forgivable than those taken in courtroom dramas. Take a look at our list, ranging all the way from Legally Blonde to Ghostbusters II.

Under California law, registered domestic partners are “two adults who have chosen to share one another’s lives in an intimate and committed relationship.”‘ The California Domestic Partner Rights…

One common attribute of the “gig economy,” particularly associated today with “high tech” companies, is the retaining entity’s (The Company’s) frequent reliance on a worker placed by an employment agency

As dockless bike share startups expand across the Bay Area, a new mode of shared mobility has emerged: electric scooters.

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…

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…

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…

A great deal of litigation, in California and elsewhere has surrounded the issue of whether ride-service drivers should be construed as employees (or agents) of their “platform,” thereby rendering the platform or service vicariously liable for a driver’s negligently caused vehicular accidents.

The details of your state’s driving laws might not be a major influence on the events of your daily life, but if you or your teenager is getting a license, you want to make calls or text while behind the wheel, or your elderly parents are losing their motor skills, knowledge of the relevant regulations becomes essential. Looking at driver laws nationwide, the trend is moving toward stricter graduated license laws for teen drivers, and heightened regulations against distracted driving. Scroll over this interactive map to see the details of your state’s driving laws and how they compare to others.

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.

Just because DTX remains in limbo doesn’t mean that Caltrain’s 4th & King Station and the Transbay Transit Center should be disconnected indefinitely.

As car sharing becomes a viable alternative to car ownership in California, you might wonder if you can rent out your car to others. The law says you can.

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 deadline for filing your claim or to convince you to take a settlement with a specific deadline.

Lines often extend across the entire platform adjacent to large swaths of empty spaces between doors, making entering and exiting the platform difficult.

It is hard to think of any public safety issue that has received more attention over the last few years than the use of smartphones while driving…

You don’t necessarily know what will happen if you get into a collision and need help from your insurance provider…

There’s no sugarcoating how brutal these cuts will be for weekend passengers traveling to work, a Giants’ game, or other events and activities.

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.

If you want to make an informed decision about auto insurance, it’s not enough to compare one or two sets of rate quotes. So many factors affect insurance rates.