How does auto-medical payments insurance work?
When you are involved in an accident, the most concerning part is whether or not you have suffered any injuries, and if so, what the outcome of those injuries... Read More
Is lane splitting legal in California?
Many motorcyclists (and automobile) drivers ask whether or not lane splitting in California is legal. In our state, lane splitting is a highly contentious issue that is subject to... Read More
What if I was in a bike accident at night and didn’t have a light or reflective gear?
California Bike Accident Without Lights: Can I Recover Compensation? (GJEL Accident Attorneys) Injured in a Nighttime Crash Without Lights? Don’t Give Up Hope. We Fight for Cyclist Rights, Even... Read More
What if the person at fault has none or inadequate insurance?
When you are involved in an automobile accident in the state of California, whoever is at fault for the accident is responsible for paying for it. This means that... Read More
If I’m in an accident, does it affect my health insurance coverage?
Were you injured recently in a car crash or another accident in Northern California? You might be asking yourself: who will pay for my medical bills, and will using... Read More
What is uninsured motorist coverage [UM/UIM]?
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... Read More
How much do parents influence their teen driver’s safety?
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, states that have adopted Graduated Drivers Licensing programs (GDL) have seen accident rates drop anywhere from 10 to 30 percent among... Read More
2023 GJEL Law Scholarship Winner
GJEL Accident Attorneys is proud to announce Janiyah Williams as the winner of the 2023 GJEL Law Student Scholarship. Law school is expensive, and the attorneys at GJEL understand... Read More
2024 Holiday Safety Tips
The holidays are exciting, but accidents, injuries, or illness can hinder the festivities. Follow our holiday safety tips to keep yourself and your loved ones secure while celebrating. Traffic... Read More
11 Common Christmas Holiday Injuries & Accidents (and how to avoid them)
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... Read More
Automakers Top Technology for Safer Driving
As technology advances, so does its impact on our daily lives, including the way we drive. Car safety technology has come a long way, and now it’s more important... Read More
New California Laws in 2023: Enhancing Safety for Bicyclists, Pedestrians, and Drivers
California has implemented several new laws in 2023 to address the ongoing issues surrounding road safety, particularly for bicyclists and pedestrians. These laws aim to make the state’s roads... Read More
Top Bikeshare Myths
Bike share programs have exploded in cities like Oakland, Washington, D.C. and Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The programs have been widely popular thus far, but to some,... Read More
Understanding Legal Responsibilities in California Cases of Runaway Vehicles and Pedal Errors
On a pavement situated in a shopping center, a passerby was struck by a vehicle that had gone out of control while attempting to park in the mall’s parking... Read More
Police Officer Fired After Deadly Crash
A Stanislaus County Sheriff’s deputy has been fired from his position after being found primarily responsible for a fatal accident that occurred on January 9th, 2022. Eric Fulmer was... Read More
Tragic Bicycle Accident in Stockton Results in Fatality
Stockton, CA – A devastating accident occurred on Tuesday, claiming the life of a 52-year-old bicyclist after being struck by a semi-truck. The collision took place on Mariposa Road,... Read More
The Dos and Don’ts of Dealing with a Car Accident in San Francisco
Car accidents can be overwhelming and stressful. It is important to know what to do and what not to do in case of an accident in San Francisco. In... Read More
How is Regional Medical Center & ER for Trauma
As a personal injury attorney at GJEL Accident Attorneys in California, I have seen first-hand the impact that trauma can have on an individual’s life. If you or someone... Read More
Visiting Alameda Health System-Highland Hospital is for Level 1 Trauma
As much as we try to avoid them, accidents and injuries can happen unexpectedly. Whether it’s a car accident, a fall, or a sports injury, being prepared and knowing... Read More
The Most Common Types of Car Accidents in San Francisco and How to Avoid Them
San Francisco is a beautiful city with a unique culture, iconic landmarks, and beautiful scenery. Unfortunately, like most cities, it is also home to a high number of car... Read More
How to Find the Best San Jose Personal Injury Lawyer Near You
If you or someone you love has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, it’s important to find the right personal injury lawyer to represent your case. Personal injury... Read More
Rising Road Dangers in Concord: A Closer Look at Accident Statistics and How to Stay Safe
As the population continues to grow in Concord, California, so does the concern for road safety. A 2020 report on Contra Costa County reveals alarming accident statistics and rankings,... Read More
Find the Best California Scooter Accident Attorney Near You to Win Your Case
With the growing popularity of scooters in California, there has been a significant increase in scooter and e-scooter accidents. This has led to a rising need for experienced electric... Read More
What Are The Dangers of Drowsy Driving?
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 increase... Read More
Making money doing nothing, these athletes are living the dream
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 struggling... Read More
Becoming a modern day Barbie & Ken could set you back $80k
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 figures... Read More
Settling back into your spring sports schedule? Injury awareness is key!
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 Americans... Read More
How to conquer car rental insurance scare tactics
We’ll discuss California laws governing car rentals, the various insurance-like products that rental companies sell, and free or low-cost alternatives. Read More
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
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
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
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
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
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
Domestic Partner Coverage Rights Under the California Insurance Equality Act
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 and... 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
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
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
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
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
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
Smartphone Use While Driving: The Next Frontier in California Punitive Damages Law?
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... 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
“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
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
Illegal parking continues to plague Oakland’s buffered bike lanes
Oakland’s new buffered bike lanes continue to experience frequent blockages due to illegal double parking. Robert Prinz of Bike East Bay recently posted a video of Webster Street in... Read More
Oakland’s initial ‘Plan Downtown’ concepts fall short of equity and sustainability goals
The Bay Area is in desperate need of housing, especially affordable housing in walkable and bikeable neighborhoods located near transit. Downtown Oakland presents a tremendous opportunity to achieve measurable... Read More
The ‘rescue doctrine’ in California: whose fault counts?
As common law doctrines evolve, sometimes their rationale, and proper application, can get lost; that can be because of just one “less than thoughtful” reported appellate decision. One example... Read More
Oakland pedestrian enforcement operation includes jaywalking tickets, provides fashion tips
The Oakland Police Department issued a press release on Wednesday announcing a pedestrian safety enforcement operation on Monday, February 1st. The press release notes increasing rates of pedestrian collisions... Read More
Downtown Oakland needs accessible & walkable public spaces
What kinds of open spaces does Oakland need? The City recently posed this question via Twitter as a part of its ongoing Downtown Specific Plan efforts. The Downtown Plan... Read More
Tonight: help Bike East Bay improve dangerous roundabout design
Tonight (Thursday January 14th) at 7:00 PM, the Lafayette Circulation Commission will review a dangerous double-wide roundabout proposal at the intersection of Pleasant Hill Road and Olympic Boulevard, two... Read More