Long Beach Car Accident Lawyer

Car accident lawyers with over 35 years of experience recovering compensation for injured clients.

If you have been injured in a car accident in Long Beach, our attorney is here to help you. Long Beach sees heavy traffic on the 405, the 710, and Pacific Coast Highway, and the collisions that result are often severe. Cohen Injury Law Group handles these claims as your Long Beach, CA car accident lawyer with no upfront fees. Contact us to discuss your case.

Car Accident Lawyer Long Beach, CA

A car accident lawyer represents people injured in collisions caused by another driver’s negligence. That work includes investigating the crash, establishing fault, calculating the full value of your losses, and negotiating with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. When a fair settlement is not offered, the case goes to court.

Long Beach sits at the junction of the 405 and 710 freeways and handles enormous commercial traffic from one of the busiest ports in the country. Trucks moving cargo north on the 710, commuters pushing through the 405, and tourists along the coast all share road space with local drivers on streets that are already congested. A car accident attorney in Long Beach knows the collision patterns specific to this city and what evidence it takes to prove the other driver was at fault.

Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle in Long Beach

Car crashes in Long Beach follow recognizable patterns, and in most cases the at-fault driver had an opportunity to prevent the collision. We handle car accident cases throughout Long Beach involving the following.

• Rear-end collisions. Tailgating and distracted driving in stop-and-go traffic on the 405 and 710 cause rear-end crashes that produce whiplash, herniated discs, and concussions. These are the most common type of car accident in Long Beach and the injuries are frequently underestimated by adjusters.
• Head-on collisions. A driver who crosses the center line or enters a roadway in the wrong direction creates one of the most dangerous crash scenarios on the road. Head-on impacts produce catastrophic injuries and fatalities at a higher rate than any other collision type.
• Hit-and-run accidents. When a driver strikes your vehicle and flees, the victim may still recover compensation through uninsured motorist coverage. We investigate these cases aggressively and pursue every available source of recovery.
• Freeway accidents. High-speed collisions on the 405, 710, and 22 produce severe injuries because of the velocity at impact. Multi-vehicle pileups during heavy commute traffic are common on these corridors and create complex liability questions involving multiple drivers.
• Truck accidents. Commercial trucks moving cargo to and from the Port of Long Beach share the road with passenger vehicles on the 710 and surrounding streets. The weight difference between a loaded truck and a car makes these crashes among the most devastating.
• Motorcycle accidents. Drivers who fail to check for riders before turning or changing lanes cause collisions that leave motorcyclists with severe injuries. Adjusters use anti-rider bias to minimize these claims, and experienced representation is needed to counter it.
• Rideshare accidents. Uber and Lyft crashes create layered insurance disputes that depend on the driver’s app status at the time of the collision. Identifying which policy applies is the first step in any rideshare claim.
• DUI and impaired driving. Drivers who cause crashes while under the influence face both criminal charges and civil liability. Impaired driving cases often support claims for heightened damages and are responsible for a disproportionate share of fatal collisions in Long Beach.

Why Choose Cohen Injury Law Group as My Car Accident Lawyer in Long Beach, CA?

Proven Results for Accident Victims

Cohen Injury Law Group takes every car accident case on contingency. You pay nothing upfront and owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. The firm absorbs the cost of investigation, professional consultation, and trial preparation.

Wayne R. Cohen, founding partner, has practiced personal injury law since 1991. More than 35 years of plaintiff-side litigation have shaped his approach to fighting insurers who undervalue car accident claims. Wayne graduated from the University of Michigan and Miami Law School cum laude, lectures at GW Law School, and has been cited in the LA Times, CNBC, Fortune, USA Today, and the ABA Journal. Nicholas E. Cohen, Managing Partner and graduate of USC and Loyola Law School, directs case operations and litigation strategy across the firm.

Wayne Cohen has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients, and Cohen Injury Law Group brings that same preparation to every burn injury case in Long Beach. As your personal injury lawyer in Long Beach, CA, we handle these claims on contingency.

What Is Important to Understand About a Car Accident Case?

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Car Accident Cases

California car accident claims compensate the injured person for every loss caused by the collision.

Economic damages include medical bills, surgery, rehabilitation, medications, projected future treatment, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity. These amounts are supported by medical records, billing statements, and professional testimony. Crashes that cause brain injuries or spinal cord damage often carry lifetime care costs that must be fully projected and included in the claim.

Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent disability. California does not cap non-economic damages in most car accident cases. When a collision is fatal, surviving family members may file a wrongful death claim for lost income, funeral expenses, and loss of companionship.

Liability requires proving the other driver was negligent. California applies a comparative fault standard under Civil Code Section 1714. If you share some responsibility, your recovery is reduced proportionally but not eliminated.

What Are Important Aspects of a Car Accident Case?

Several factors shape how a car accident claim plays out in Long Beach. Understanding them early gives you a meaningful advantage.

• Fault and evidence. Police reports, photographs, witness statements, and surveillance footage form the backbone of your claim. What you do after the accident directly determines what evidence will be available later. Traffic camera footage from Long Beach intersections can be particularly valuable but is often overwritten within days.
• Insurance limits. Even when fault is clear, the at-fault driver’s policy limits can cap what their insurer pays. Underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy may bridge the gap.
• Medical documentation. Gaps in treatment give adjusters a reason to argue your injuries are not serious. Consistent records that connect your condition to the crash are what hold the claim together.
• Adjuster tactics. Insurance adjusters minimize injuries, inflate your fault percentage, and push quick settlements before the full value of the claim is known. Having an attorney who recognizes these strategies early prevents you from settling for less than you deserve.

What Is the Car Accident Case Timeline?

Most Long Beach car accident cases follow a general sequence, though how long each phase takes depends on injury severity, the number of parties, and whether the case goes to trial.

• Medical treatment. Reach maximum medical improvement before settling so your damages reflect the full scope of your injuries rather than an incomplete snapshot.
• Investigation. Your attorney gathers the police report, medical records, witness statements, and any available surveillance footage. In Long Beach, evidence from port-area truck crashes and freeway collisions must be secured before it disappears.
• Demand. Once treatment is complete and damages are calculated, a formal demand package is sent to the at-fault driver’s insurer.
• Negotiation. The insurer responds and settlement discussions begin. Be cautious with any early settlement offer made before you have finished treatment.
• Litigation. If the insurer will not offer fair value, a lawsuit is filed. Trial in Los Angeles County may take 12 to 18 months or more after filing.

What Should You Bring to Your Car Accident Consultation?

The more documentation you bring to the first meeting, the sooner your attorney can evaluate the claim and identify the strongest path forward. Gather whatever you have from the following:

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

You do not need everything organized before calling. We can help track down records that are still outstanding and advise you on what to preserve.

What Are Important California Legal Resources for Car Accident Cases?

California law provides protections for people injured in motor vehicle collisions. These resources are a starting point for understanding how car accident claims work.

• CCP Section 335.1 imposes a two-year deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit in California, starting from the date of the accident.
• Every person in California owes a duty of reasonable care under Civil Code Section 1714, which also establishes the comparative fault rules that apply when liability is shared.
• Civil Code Section 3333 governs the calculation of damages and permits recovery for all harm caused by the defendant’s wrongful conduct.
• The California Courts self-help section covers the basics of filing a civil lawsuit, including cases in Los Angeles County.
• NHTSA research data tracks motor vehicle crash statistics at the national level, including data relevant to Long Beach corridors.

Reach Out to Cohen Injury Law Group to Schedule a Consultation

Car accident victims in Long Beach deserve attorneys who will fight for the full value of their claim rather than accept the first number an insurer puts forward. Cohen Injury Law Group takes these cases on contingency with no fees unless we win. Contact us to schedule a consultation.