East Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer

Plaintiff-focused car accident lawyers preparing every case with experience and dedication.

If a car accident in East Los Angeles has left you injured, our East Los Angeles, CA car accident lawyer at Cohen Injury Law Group is here to help. Our founding attorney has been handling car accident and personal injury cases since 1991. Contact us to discuss what happened and find out what your claim may be worth.

Car Accident Lawyer East Los Angeles, CA

A car accident lawyer represents people who have been injured in motor vehicle collisions caused by another driver’s negligence. That includes investigating the crash, determining fault, calculating the full value of your losses, negotiating with insurance carriers, and filing a lawsuit when the insurer refuses to make a fair offer.

East Los Angeles sees heavy traffic on the I-10, the 710, Atlantic Boulevard, Whittier Boulevard, and dozens of smaller residential streets. Congestion, aggressive driving, poorly maintained roads, and distracted motorists all contribute to serious collisions in the area. An East Los Angeles car accident attorney understands how these crashes occur locally, which courts hear the claims, and what it takes to hold the at-fault party accountable under California law.

Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle in East Los Angeles

Car crashes in East Los Angeles take many forms. Some involve two vehicles at a traffic signal. Others involve commercial trucks, rideshare drivers, or impaired motorists on the freeway. We handle claims across all of the following accident types.

• Truck accidents. Crashes involving commercial trucks on the I-10 or 710 can be devastating because of the size and weight difference between a tractor-trailer and a passenger vehicle. Trucking companies and their insurers fight aggressively to minimize liability.
• Motorcycle accidents. Riders have virtually no structural protection in a collision with a car or truck. We represent motorcyclists injured by drivers who failed to yield, check blind spots, or maintain a safe following distance.
• Pedestrian accidents. East Los Angeles has heavy foot traffic near transit stops and commercial corridors. Distracted or speeding drivers put pedestrians at serious risk of fractures, head injuries, and internal organ damage.
• Bike accidents. Cyclists face dooring, right-hook turns, and drivers who refuse to share the road. When negligent driving causes a crash with a rider, the injuries are often severe relative to the speed of impact.
• Rideshare accidents. Crashes involving Uber and Lyft vehicles create layered insurance questions that standard car accident claims do not. Which policy applies depends on the driver’s app status at the moment of the collision.
• Rear-end collisions. The most common crash type in East Los Angeles is frequently caused by tailgating, distraction, or sudden stops in heavy traffic. Whiplash and disc injuries are typical, even at relatively low speeds.
• Head-on collisions. When a driver crosses the center line or enters a highway going the wrong direction, the outcome is usually catastrophic. These collisions are among the most likely to result in permanent disability or death.
• Hit-and-run accidents. California law requires drivers to stop and identify themselves after any collision. When they flee the scene, victims may still recover through their own uninsured motorist coverage and other avenues.
• DUI and impaired driving. A driver who causes a crash while under the influence faces criminal charges and may also be held liable in a civil lawsuit. Impaired driving cases often support claims for heightened damages beyond standard compensation.
• Distracted driving crashes. Texting, phone calls, and GPS use remain among the leading causes of car accidents in East Los Angeles. Cell phone records and other digital evidence can help establish that a distracted motorist caused the collision.

Why Choose Cohen Injury Law Group as My Car Accident Lawyer in East Los Angeles, CA?

Experienced Legal Representation

Wayne R. Cohen is the founding partner of Cohen Injury Law Group. He has practiced personal injury law since 1991, with over 35 years of plaintiff-side trial work in car accident and injury cases. Wayne graduated from the University of Michigan and earned his law degree cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law. He serves as a Professorial Lecturer at George Washington University Law School and has been featured in the LA Times, CNBC, Fortune, USA Today, Newsweek, and the ABA Journal.

Nicholas E. Cohen is the Managing Partner of the firm. He graduated from USC and earned his J.D. from Loyola Law School Los Angeles. Nicholas combines legal skill with a sharp operational focus that keeps the firm’s caseload moving and clients informed.

Wayne Cohen has recovered millions of dollars for clients injured in car crashes and other accidents. As your personal injury lawyer in East Los Angeles, CA, Cohen Injury Law Group handles car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

What Is Important to Understand About a Car Accident Case?

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Car Accident Cases

California car accident claims seek to compensate the injured person for every loss caused by the collision. These fall into two categories.

Economic damages have a defined dollar value. Medical bills, future treatment costs, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, vehicle repair or replacement, and related out-of-pocket expenses all qualify. These amounts are documented through billing records, pay stubs, and testimony from medical and vocational professionals.

Non-economic damages cover losses that are real but harder to measure. Physical pain, emotional distress, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent disability are all compensable under California law. There is no cap on non-economic damages in most car accident cases.

When a crash is fatal, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim to recover lost income, funeral expenses, and loss of companionship. Collisions that cause brain injuries or spinal cord damage often produce lifetime care costs that must be fully accounted for in the claim.

Liability hinges on proving the other driver was negligent. California follows a pure comparative fault standard under Civil Code Section 1714. If you share some responsibility for the crash, your recovery is reduced proportionally by your percentage of fault. But you are not barred from recovering.

What Are Important Aspects of a Car Accident Case?

Several factors affect how a car accident case plays out in East Los Angeles. Understanding them early gives you a stronger position.

• Fault and evidence. Police reports, photographs, witness statements, and traffic camera footage form the core of your claim. The steps you take after a car accident directly shape the evidence available later.
• Insurance policy limits. Even when fault is clear, the at-fault driver’s coverage limits can cap what their insurer will pay. Underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy may fill the gap.
• Medical documentation. Gaps in treatment give adjusters a reason to argue your injuries aren’t serious. Consistent medical records are what connect your condition to the collision.

What Is the Car Accident Case Timeline?

Most car accident cases in East Los Angeles follow a general sequence, though the timeline varies based on injury severity, the number of parties, and whether the case goes to trial.

• Medical treatment. You should reach maximum medical improvement before settling. This way, your damages reflect the full scope of your injuries rather than an incomplete snapshot taken too early.
• Investigation and demand. Your attorney gathers medical records, calculates the total value of your claim, and sends a formal demand letter to the at-fault driver’s insurer. This phase typically takes several weeks to a few months.
• Negotiation. The insurer responds with a counteroffer. Back-and-forth settlement discussions follow. Many auto accident cases in East Los Angeles resolve during this phase without litigation.
• Litigation. If a fair offer is not made, a lawsuit is filed. Discovery, depositions, and pretrial motions follow. Trial may take place 12 to 18 months or longer after the complaint is filed.
• Resolution. Whether through settlement or verdict, the final amount is distributed after deductions for medical liens, outstanding balances, and attorney fees.

Insurers frequently make early offers designed to close your claim before the full value is clear. Be cautious with any initial settlement offer made before you have completed treatment and reached maximum medical improvement.

What Should You Bring to Your Car Accident Consultation?

Come prepared to describe how the accident happened, what injuries you sustained, and what treatment you’ve received so far. Bring as much of the following as you have available:

• A copy of the police report or the case number from the responding agency
• Photos of the crash scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries
• Medical records, bills, and treatment notes related to the collision
• Insurance information for all drivers involved
• Pay stubs or documentation showing missed work and lost income

You don’t need everything organized perfectly before reaching out. We can work with what you bring and help fill in any gaps.

What Are Important California Legal Resources for Car Accident Cases?

California law provides specific protections for people injured in motor vehicle collisions. The following resources offer a starting point for understanding the legal framework.

• The statute of limitations for most personal injury claims in California is two years from the date of the accident, as established by Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1.
• California’s comparative fault standard allows injured parties to recover compensation even when they bear some responsibility for the collision.
• The state’s measure of damages in personal injury actions allows recovery for all detriment proximately caused by the wrongful act of another.
• The California Courts website provides self-help resources for civil matters, including personal injury claims filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
• NHTSA research data publishes motor vehicle crash statistics and safety analysis at the federal level.

For guidance that applies to your specific East LA car accident case, speaking with a qualified attorney is the most direct way to understand your rights.

Reach Out to Cohen Injury Law Group to Schedule a Consultation

If you or someone close to you was injured in a car crash in East Los Angeles, CA, Cohen Injury Law Group is ready to review your case. We handle car accident claims on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us to schedule a consultation.