Frequently Asked Questions

Stay in close touch with your attorneys, follow your doctors' treatment plans, and provide documents and answers as the case needs them. You may also prepare for a deposition or mediation, and in rare cases a trial.

Mediation is a voluntary, confidential settlement discussion guided by a neutral who cannot force a result. Arbitration is binding: the arbitrator acts as judge and jury and the parties give up appeal and a jury trial.

Yes, there are usually several chances to settle before trial. Settlement talks start once your treatment and medical future are understood, so the demand reflects the full extent of your injuries.

No. There is no minimum settlement amount in California; the value depends on your injuries, medical expenses, lost income, and the other facts of your case.

Call us for the answer, free: it depends on the details of your case.

You can still bring a claim; GJEL handles many cases with no police report, roughly 10 to 15 percent of its cases. Proving the crash and fault with other evidence, like witness statements and scene investigation, just becomes more important.

No. Settling without your consent is an ethical violation; the decision to settle or go to trial belongs to you, not your lawyer. If it happens, act fast: review the documents, consult another attorney, and you can file a complaint with the California State Bar.

The first step is pursuing the benefits available to you, such as long-term disability, workers' compensation if you were hurt on the job, Social Security disability, or state disability income. Your injury case can also claim the future wages you would have earned.

You may still recover. Under California law your own uninsured motorist coverage automatically includes underinsured coverage, and other avenues, such as employer or city liability, are sometimes available.

Call us for the answer, free: it depends on the details of your case.

Yes. Missing the statute of limitations, generally two years in California, will likely get the case dismissed, and claims against a government entity require a claim within six months. Errors on court filings can also jeopardize compensation.

Yes. When the at-fault party dies, either in the accident or afterward, the claim proceeds against the deceased defendant's estate rather than the person. Filing deadlines still apply, so naming the correct party in time is critical.

The California Vehicle Code does not require you to walk your bike in a crosswalk, but some local ordinances and private-property rules do. Even if you were riding in a crosswalk, a negligent driver who hits you can still be held responsible.

Cyclists generally must ride in the same direction as traffic, and riding against traffic is usually a violation that can bring a citation. Even so, a violation does not automatically make the crash your fault, and you can still pursue compensation.

A ticket for riding on the sidewalk does not decide fault. Drivers still must yield before crossing a sidewalk, and a driver who fails to use reasonable care can be liable for your injuries even if you were cited.

Under California law bike and car accidents are treated identically, with the same fault rules. In practice they can play out differently depending on how friendly the city or county handling the case is toward cyclists.

These are difficult cases, but not hopeless, and GJEL has handled them successfully. One exception is a crash on a well-lighted street where a light or reflector would not have made you more visible.

If your injury is to something other than your head, not wearing a helmet usually makes little difference to the outcome. For head injuries it matters much more, and each case needs individual evaluation.

The person who opened the door is generally at fault: California law says no one may open a vehicle door into traffic unless it is reasonably safe. Liability follows the state's comparative fault rules, so a cyclist can share responsibility in some situations.

The same basic California laws apply, but motorcycle cases often play out differently: riders can face bias, liability disputes are more complex, and injuries tend to be more severe. Those differences can significantly affect the claim.

Yes, lane splitting is legal in California, subject to safety restrictions. State guidelines say it is prohibited when conditions are dangerous or traffic is moving faster than 35 mph, and riders should not go more than 10 mph faster than surrounding traffic.

Check for injuries and call 911, then contact the police and file a report, gather photos and witness information, and seek medical care even if you feel fine. These steps protect both your health and your claim.

A wrongful death lawyer handles the investigation, the claims and filings, and communication with insurers while pursuing accountability and compensation for the family. GJEL takes wrongful death cases on a no win, no fee basis.

California wrongful death claims can recover economic damages such as funeral costs, medical bills before death, and lost future support, plus non-economic damages like loss of love and companionship. There is no average settlement; the value turns on liability, insurance, and the family's losses.

Some California wrongful death cases must be filed within two years of the date of death, but the deadline varies with the circumstances, and the discovery rule can extend it when the cause of death was found later. An attorney should confirm the deadline that applies to your case.

It is usually a multi-step process, not an automatic equal split. The division depends on who is legally eligible under California's wrongful death statute, what losses each person suffered, and whether the family can agree without the court deciding.

Online wrongful death calculators only give rough estimates from inputs like the person's age and income; they cannot account for the facts of your case, policy limits, or state law. An attorney's evaluation gives a more realistic picture.

There is no single average: the payout depends on the facts of the case. Compensation for surviving family members can cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and loss of income, and an attorney can help value the claim.

Bus companies owe passengers a higher duty of care under the Common Carrier Rule, and claims against a public bus agency must be filed within as little as six months. Private bus cases allow the standard two years.

Insurers often start low hoping you settle quickly; an acceptable offer should typically be at least about 80 percent of your case's full value. It should cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future medical needs before you accept.