Berkeley’s Vibrant Campus Community Needs Dedicated Advocacy
Berkeley is a dynamic university city — home to UC Berkeley, a diverse population of students, faculty, artists, and professionals, and one of the most progressive, walkable communities in the East Bay. From the bustling energy of Telegraph Avenue to the transit hubs along University Avenue and Shattuck Avenue, daily life mixes heavy pedestrian and cyclist traffic with commuters heading to campus, BART stations, and beyond.
I have recovered over $25 million for injury victims throughout the Bay Area, including many Berkeley clients. As a solo practitioner with extensive trial experience, I personally handle every case and deliver the focused, aggressive representation that busy students, families, and professionals need. My car accident practice in Berkeley is tailored to the unique mix of campus life, transit corridors, and urban density that defines this iconic city.
When you hire me, you get me directly — the same attorney who will fight insurance companies and secure the full compensation you deserve.
High-Risk Corridors & Crash Patterns in Berkeley
Berkeley’s High Injury Network highlights corridors where pedestrian, cyclist, and vehicle conflicts are most severe. The dense student population, BART and bus routes, and mix of residential and commercial streets create hazards that differ from larger industrial cities or sprawling Silicon Valley areas.
Key high-risk locations I regularly handle for Berkeley clients include:
- Telegraph Avenue — the iconic student and shopping corridor near UC Berkeley
- University Avenue corridor and its BART station area
- Shattuck Avenue (downtown and north Berkeley stretches)
- Ashby Avenue and San Pablo Avenue intersections
- I-80 and SR 13 freeway ramps and access points
- Areas near the UC Berkeley campus and People’s Park vicinity
Common crash types in Berkeley:
- Pedestrian and cyclist strikes along Telegraph Avenue and near campus
- Sideswipe and rear-end collisions at busy transit stops and BART stations
- Distracted-driving incidents involving students and delivery vehicles
- Left-turn and T-bone crashes at signalized intersections
- Multi-vehicle pile-ups on University and Shattuck during commute hours
- Fog-related or visibility issues on hilly routes near the Berkeley Hills
I stay current with Berkeley Police Department and Alameda County crash data to build stronger claims for Berkeley clients.
Injuries I Handle and the Compensation You Deserve
Crashes in Berkeley often involve vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists, students) and can lead to serious injuries that disrupt studies, careers, or daily life. I aggressively pursue full recovery for:
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Spinal, neck, and back trauma
- Fractures, broken bones, and severe soft-tissue damage
- Whiplash and long-term chronic pain
- Catastrophic injuries that affect your ability to attend classes or work
You may be entitled to:
- All past and future medical treatment costs
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage and other out-of-pocket expenses
I work on a pure contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win.
Proven Results for Berkeley Clients
I have secured substantial settlements and verdicts for injury victims in the East Bay, including numerous Berkeley cases. Every client receives the same meticulous, results-driven representation.
Small Firm Dedication. Big Firm Results.
I am a UC Hastings College of the Law graduate who founded the Law Office of John J. Roach in 2015. Licensed in all California courts and fluent in Spanish, my practice focuses on delivering personalized, high-impact representation to clients across the entire Bay Area.
My San Francisco Office – Serving All of Berkeley
I proudly serve clients throughout Berkeley — from the UC campus and downtown to the hills and every neighborhood in between. Flexible appointments, including evenings and weekends, are available.
Law Office of John J. Roach 1388 Sutter Street, Suite 810 San Francisco, CA 94109
Phone: (415) 851-4557
Fax: (415) 484-7283
Practice Areas Car Accidents • Truck Accidents • Motorcycle Accidents • Bicycle Accidents • Pedestrian Accidents • Rideshare Accidents • Slip and Fall • Dog Bites • Wrongful Death
Don’t let the insurance company undervalue your Berkeley crash claim.
Call or text (415) 851-4557 today for a free, no-obligation consultation. I am ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Berkeley’s combination of a large UC Berkeley student population, dense transit corridors, and heavily used bike routes creates one of the highest rates of pedestrian and cyclist injuries in the East Bay. Telegraph Avenue near campus, University Avenue near the BART station, and Shattuck Avenue are all documented on Berkeley’s High Injury Network. Drivers unfamiliar with campus traffic patterns, distracted students, and delivery vehicles competing for space on narrow streets all contribute. I regularly handle these cases and use Berkeley Police Department and Alameda County crash data to establish liability.
Absolutely. Students injured in car accidents near UC Berkeley have the same legal rights as any other California resident to pursue full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If your injuries have forced you to miss class, delay graduation, or lose part-time work income, those losses are also recoverable. With extensive trial experience representing Bay Area injury victims, I offer free consultations — call (415) 851-4557 any time.
California gives most personal injury victims two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit. However, if a government vehicle — such as a UC Berkeley shuttle, AC Transit bus, or city vehicle — caused your accident, you must file a government tort claim within just six months. Missing either deadline permanently eliminates your right to compensation. If you were hit by any publicly operated vehicle in Berkeley, contact me at (415) 851-4557 immediately.
Yes. Crashes near BART stations on University and Ashby Avenues often involve multiple potentially liable parties — private drivers, rideshare companies dropping off passengers, and in some cases BART itself if station infrastructure contributed to the crash. I investigate all potential sources of liability in Berkeley transit-area cases to ensure no compensation is left on the table. Call (415) 851-4557 for a free case evaluation.
Delivery and rideshare accidents on Telegraph Avenue are increasingly common due to the high volume of DoorDash, Amazon, Uber, and Lyft activity near campus. Liability depends on whether the driver was actively on a delivery or ride at the time — if so, the company’s commercial policy applies, which typically provides significantly higher coverage than personal auto insurance. I handle these multi-party Berkeley cases and know how to maximize recovery against corporate insurers.
Yes — I serve clients throughout the entire Bay Area, including all Berkeley neighborhoods from the flatlands to the hills. Cases are handled remotely and in-person with flexible scheduling including evenings and weekends. Most initial consultations can be done by phone or video. Call or text (415) 851-4557 — available 24/7. Hablamos español.
Move to safety if possible, call 911 to report the accident and request medical help, exchange information with all drivers involved, and take photos of the scene, vehicle positions, damage, and any visible injuries. Near Telegraph Avenue or campus, photograph nearby businesses that may have surveillance cameras — student-heavy areas have high foot traffic and plenty of potential witnesses. If a rideshare, delivery, or UC shuttle was involved, note the vehicle number and company. Seek medical attention right away, even if you feel fine — adrenaline can mask serious injuries like concussions and whiplash. Do not admit fault or give recorded statements to insurance adjusters without legal counsel. Call me at (415) 851-4557 as soon as possible to protect your rights.
You can still recover compensation under California’s pure comparative negligence rule. Even if you are found partially at fault — for example, crossing Telegraph Avenue outside a crosswalk or riding a bicycle without a helmet — your recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies aggressively pursue this defense in Berkeley because of its dense pedestrian and cyclist traffic. I push back with scene investigation, Berkeley Police Department crash records, witness statements, and accident reconstruction to minimize any fault assigned to you.
Nothing upfront. I work on a pure contingency-fee basis — you pay no attorney fees unless I recover compensation for you. No hourly charges, no retainer, no out-of-pocket costs. My fee is a percentage of your final settlement or verdict, clearly explained in writing before you sign anything. Initial consultations are always free and confidential, and I offer evening, weekend, and hospital visit appointments — including phone and video consultations for busy Berkeley students and working professionals.
You still have options. If the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) policy can provide compensation. If you are a UC Berkeley student, check whether you are covered under a parent’s auto policy or your own — either may include UM/UIM. I review every available policy — yours, the at-fault driver’s, and any applicable commercial or rideshare policies — to identify all potential sources of recovery. Call (415) 851-4557 for a free evaluation.