A brain injury in Richmond can leave you with overwhelming medical bills, time away from work, and uncertainty about your future. On top of the financial stress, symptoms like headaches, confusion, or memory loss can make daily life a struggle.
These injuries often result from traffic collisions, workplace accidents in Richmond’s industrial zones, or falls on unsafe property. No matter the cause, you should not have to face the consequences alone when negligence played a role.
You deserve compensation for hospital treatment, ongoing therapy, lost income, long-term care, and the pain and suffering caused by your brain injury.
Contacting a Richmond brain injury lawyer at GJEL Accident Attorneys is the first step to protect your rights and pursue accountability from the negligent party.
Our Richmond brain injury legal team will guide you through the critical steps you need to take right away so you never feel uncertain about what to do next.
We take on every part of the legal process, from working with medical experts to negotiating with insurers, so you can focus on healing and regain stability.
Every second matters after a brain injury. Acting quickly can make all the difference in securing the care and compensation you need.
Call GJEL Accident Attorneys Now
or Visit Our Richmond Office
Our 24-hour brain injury attorneys in Richmond are ready to help day or night. Call now or visit our office for immediate legal support.
What to Do After a Head Injury in Richmond, CA
Time is critical after any head trauma. Follow these essential steps to protect your health and legal rights:
1. Call 911 for emergency symptoms
Seek immediate help if you experience loss of consciousness, severe confusion, repeated vomiting, seizures, worsening headache, or clear fluid from nose/ears. Richmond paramedics will likely transport serious trauma cases to Highland Hospital in Oakland (East Bay’s only adult Level I trauma center) or John Muir Medical Center Walnut Creek (Contra Costa County’s Level II trauma center).
Get the support of a trusted Richmond brain injury lawyer today at GJEL Accident Attorneys
2. Get medical evaluation even for “minor” symptoms
Visit Kaiser Richmond Medical Center (901 Nevin Ave) or your nearest ER within 24 hours. Brain injuries often have delayed symptoms—what seems minor today could worsen tomorrow. Document all symptoms with medical staff, including headaches, dizziness, memory issues, or mood changes.
3. Obtain the Richmond Police report
Request your report from Richmond Police Department at 401 27th St, Richmond, CA 94804 or call (510) 621-1708.
For California Highway Patrol accidents on I-80 or I-580, visit the CHP Golden Gate Division office or request online.
Reports typically take 10-14 days.
4. Document everything immediately
Photograph vehicle damage, the accident scene, and visible injuries
- Photograph vehicle damage, the accident scene, and visible injuries
- Save damaged helmets, clothing, or safety equipment
- Screenshot weather/traffic conditions from that day
- Get contact information from all witnesses
- Keep a daily symptom journal as brain injury effects can evolve over weeks
5. Preserve critical evidence before it disappears Many Richmond intersections and businesses have surveillance cameras that overwrite footage within 7-30 days. Acting quickly helps us secure video from nearby stores, traffic cameras, or dash cams that could prove fault.
6. Be cautious with insurance companies Don’t give recorded statements or sign releases without legal advice. Insurance adjusters often minimize brain injuries as “just concussions” before you know the full extent of your condition.
Contacting a richmond brain injury lawyer can make a significant difference.
7. Contact a Richmond brain injury lawyer promptly California’s 2-year statute of limitations seems long, but building a strong TBI case takes time. If a government vehicle was involved (AC Transit, city vehicle), you have only 6 months to file a government claim.
8. Follow up with specialists Request referrals to neurology at Kaiser Richmond or UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland for pediatric cases. Document all appointments, therapy sessions, and work/school limitations.
Need immediate help?
Call our Richmond office at 510-231-0290.
We can start preserving evidence while you focus on recovery. Free consultations available at our office at 653 S 31st St Suite 1, or we’ll come to you.
Types of Brain and Head Injury Cases in Richmond We Handle
Here are the types of brain and head injury cases in Richmond we handle for you. As your lawyers, we hold negligent drivers, employers, property owners, medical providers, and insurers accountable when their actions cause traumatic brain injuries. Our goal is to secure compensation for your medical treatment, rehabilitation, lost wages, long-term care, and family support.
| Case Type | How We Help |
| Concussion / Mild Brain Injury Cases | We prove negligence when Richmond accidents cause concussions and pursue compensation for your medical care and recovery. |
| Post-Concussion Syndrome Claims | We represent you when lingering concussion symptoms disrupt your life after a Richmond crash and insurers dispute your claim. |
| Moderate to Severe Brain Injury Cases | We fight for you when catastrophic brain injuries in Richmond cause permanent disability and lifelong medical needs. |
| Diffuse Axonal Brain Injury Cases | We prove liability when Richmond crashes cause diffuse axonal injuries and pursue full compensation for your care. |
| Coup-Contrecoup Brain Injury Cases | We represent you when violent impacts in Richmond cause coup-contrecoup brain injuries and long-term complications. |
| Brain Contusion & Hematoma Cases | We fight for you when Richmond accidents cause brain bleeding or swelling and require urgent surgery or ICU care. |
| Skull Fracture Head Injury Cases | We prove negligence when Richmond accidents cause skull fractures and fight for compensation for your medical expenses. |
| Hypoxic / Anoxic Brain Injury Cases | We represent you when Richmond medical errors or accidents deprive the brain of oxygen and cause lifelong injury. |
| Motor-Vehicle Brain Injury Claims | We hold negligent drivers accountable when Richmond car or truck crashes cause traumatic brain injuries. |
| Workplace Brain Injury Cases | We represent you when Richmond workplace accidents or falls cause brain injuries and pursue full compensation. |
| Fatal Brain Injury Cases | We represent families when traumatic brain injuries in Richmond take a loved one’s life, pursuing wrongful death damages. |
| Brain Injury Insurance Dispute Cases | We challenge insurers in Richmond who deny or underpay brain injury claims and fight for fair compensation. |
Getting the Right Medical Care Near Richmond
Quick access to specialized brain injury treatment in the East Bay can significantly impact recovery outcomes and case values:
For Emergency Trauma: Highland Hospital in Oakland serves as the regional Level I trauma center where Richmond’s most severe brain injuries are treated. Their comprehensive trauma team handles complex cases requiring neurosurgery.
Contra Costa County Trauma Care: John Muir Medical Center Walnut Creek operates the county’s designated Level II trauma center, providing advanced neurological care for Richmond area residents with moderate to severe TBI.
Local Follow-Up Care: Kaiser Richmond Medical Center at 901 Nevin Avenue offers neurology services, imaging, and rehabilitation programs essential for ongoing brain injury treatment. Their integrated system helps coordinate the complex care TBI patients need.
Pediatric Specialists: Children with head injuries may be referred to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland for specialized pediatric neurology unavailable at local facilities.
Important Note: Doctors Medical Center in San Pablo closed in 2015. Richmond residents should not delay treatment trying to reach this former facility. Current emergency options include Kaiser Richmond or the trauma centers mentioned above.
How GJEL Proves Your Richmond Brain Injury Case
Building a compelling TBI case requires thorough evidence gathering and expert testimony. Our Richmond brain injury lawyers utilize comprehensive proof strategies:
Medical Imaging Documentation: We obtain all CT scans, MRIs, and specialized imaging like DTI (Diffusion Tensor Imaging) from your treatment at Kaiser Richmond or Highland Hospital, working with radiologists to identify subtle brain changes insurers might overlook.
Neuropsychological Testing: Comprehensive cognitive assessments document memory loss, processing speed changes, and executive function problems affecting Richmond residents’ ability to work or attend Contra Costa College. These objective tests counter insurance claims that symptoms are “subjective.”
Life Care Planning: For moderate to severe injuries, we engage certified planners who calculate lifetime costs for medical care, therapy, medications, and home modifications. Professional life care planning after brain injuries ensures full compensation for future needs.
Economic Loss Analysis: Working with vocational experts to document lost earning capacity, whether you worked at Chevron Richmond Refinery, the Port of Richmond, or local businesses. We calculate both past and future wage losses.
Biomechanical Evidence: Accident reconstruction specialists analyze crash dynamics from Richmond intersection collisions or freeway accidents, proving forces sufficient to cause brain trauma even without visible head wounds.
Witness Testimony: Statements from family, coworkers, and friends documenting personality changes and daily struggles. Understanding typical symptoms of traumatic brain injury helps witnesses provide relevant observations.
Prior Medical Records: Comparing pre and post-accident functioning to demonstrate the injury’s impact on your life.
Critical Deadlines and Court Venue for Richmond Brain Injury Cases
Missing filing deadlines eliminates your right to compensation, regardless of injury severity. Contra Costa County has specific requirements:
Standard Personal Injury Deadline: You have 2 years from the accident date to file a brain injury lawsuit in California. This deadline applies to most Richmond car accidents, falls, and private property incidents.
Government Claims Act Requirements: If your brain injury involved a government entity (Richmond city vehicle, AC Transit bus, BART property, or dangerous road conditions), you must file an administrative claim within 6 months. This shortened deadline catches many victims unaware, eliminating their rights before they realize the injury’s severity.
Where Richmond Cases Are Filed: Brain injury lawsuits for Richmond residents are filed at Contra Costa County Superior Court in Martinez (725 Court Street, Martinez, CA 94553). Despite Richmond having a courthouse, civil cases proceed through Martinez for trials and major hearings.
Discovery and Deposition Locations: While the case is filed in Martinez, depositions and mediations often occur in Richmond or Walnut Creek for convenience. Our Richmond office at 653 S 31st St frequently hosts these proceedings.
Special Circumstances: Minor children injured in Richmond have extended deadlines (typically until age 20), but immediate action preserves evidence. Delayed discovery rules may apply if brain injury symptoms appeared later, though proving this requires careful documentation.
Why Timing Matters: Beyond legal deadlines, early action allows us to preserve surveillance footage from Richmond businesses, obtain witness statements while memories remain fresh, and document your condition before insurance companies argue you’ve recovered.
Don’t risk missing critical deadlines. Contact our Richmond brain injury attorneys at 510-231-0290 for a free case evaluation. We’ll ensure all deadlines are protected while you focus on recovery.
Get Your Free Richmond Brain Injury Case Review Today
Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen or evidence to disappear. Every day matters when building a strong brain injury claim. Our Richmond traumatic brain injury lawyers have recovered millions for Contra Costa County families and understand exactly what it takes to prove these complex cases.
You pay nothing unless we win. We advance all case costs and work on contingency, so you can focus entirely on healing while we handle the insurance companies, medical records, and legal deadlines.
Available 24/7 • Hablamos Español • Home & Hospital Visits Available
Or visit us at 653 S 31st St Suite 1, Richmond, CA 94804
Getting to Our Richmond Office
GJEL Accident Attorneys Richmond Office
653 S 31st St Suite 1, Richmond, CA 94804
Call: 510‑231‑0290
Easy Directions from Richmond Landmarks:
From Kaiser Richmond Medical Center: Head south on Macdonald Ave for 0.5 miles, turn right onto S 31st St. Our office is on the right, just past Bissell Ave. (3-minute drive)
From Richmond BART Station: Exit onto Macdonald Ave heading west. Continue for 0.8 miles, then turn left onto S 31st St. Look for our office on the right side after Bissell Ave. (5-minute drive, 15-minute walk)
From Hilltop Mall/Hilltop Area: Take Hilltop Dr south to I-80 East. Exit at Macdonald Ave, turn right (west) and continue for 1.5 miles. Turn left onto S 31st St. We’re on the right. (8-minute drive)
From Point Richmond/Marina Bay: Head north on Garrard Blvd, which becomes Harbour Way. Turn right onto Macdonald Ave, continue for 1.2 miles, then turn right onto S 31st St. (7-minute drive)
From Richmond City Hall/Civic Center: Head west on Macdonald Ave for approximately 0.4 miles. Turn left onto S 31st St. Our office is on the right after Bissell Ave. (2-minute drive)
From Contra Costa College: Take San Pablo Ave south for 1.5 miles, turn right onto Macdonald Ave. Continue for 0.7 miles, then turn left onto S 31st St. (6-minute drive)
Parking: Free street parking is available on S 31st St and nearby Bissell Ave. The office is wheelchair accessible with ground-floor entry.
Can’t travel due to your injuries? We regularly meet clients at Kaiser Richmond, at home, or via video consultation. Call 510-231-0290 to arrange a convenient meeting location. Retry
Related Richmond Legal Service Pages
If your injury wasn’t caused by a brain injury, choose the correct page below to connect with one of our Richmond lawyers who specialize in your accident type.
Richmond personal injury lawyer
Richmond truck accident lawyer
Richmond scooter accident lawyer
Richmond bicycle accident lawyer
Richmond wrongful death lawyer
