West Hollywood Personal Injury Lawyer

Personal Injury Lawyer West Hollywood, CA

If you’ve been injured in an accident in West Hollywood, CA, you’re likely facing medical bills, lost income, and an insurance company focused on paying as little as possible. The physical recovery is challenging enough without the added burden of fighting for fair compensation.

Our West Hollywood, CA personal injury lawyer understands the unique challenges accident victims face in this densely populated community, from collisions along Santa Monica Boulevard to pedestrian accidents near the Sunset Strip. We provide free consultations and handle cases on contingency, so you owe nothing unless we win.

Why Choose Cohen Injury Law Group for Personal Injury in West Hollywood, CA?

Local Legal Knowledge and California Personal Injury Law

West Hollywood packs nearly 36,000 residents into just 1.9 square miles, creating one of the most densely populated cities in California. Santa Monica Boulevard serves as the city’s main artery, carrying thousands of vehicles daily through commercial districts and residential neighborhoods. The Sunset Strip draws visitors from around the world to its legendary clubs and restaurants. Fountain Avenue, Melrose Avenue, and La Cienega Boulevard add to the traffic complexity.

Founding partner Wayne R. Cohen has practiced personal injury law since 1991. He graduated with distinction from the University of Michigan and earned his law degree cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law. His legal analysis has appeared in Fortune, the Los Angeles Times, Newsweek, US News, CNBC, and the ABA Journal. Managing partner Nicholas E. Cohen earned his undergraduate degree from USC and his law degree from Loyola Law School Los Angeles. He brings both legal skill and business acumen to every client relationship.

Together, they lead a firm focused on obtaining maximum compensation for injured clients. If you need a personal injury attorney in West Hollywood, CA, our team combines local knowledge with decades of courtroom experience.

No Fees Unless We Win

Personal injury representation at Cohen Injury Law Group operates on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront. We cover all case expenses. If we don’t recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing. Quality legal representation shouldn’t depend on your bank account.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Nick is an excellent attorney that will go above and beyond for his clients. He helped me win a life changing amount of money when no one else thought I had a case.” — Andrew Romanoff

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in West Hollywood

West Hollywood personal injury attorneys at Cohen Injury Law Group handle a broad range of accident cases. Each situation requires its own strategy based on the specific facts and injuries involved.

• Car accidents. Collisions happen constantly along Santa Monica Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard, and the residential streets connecting them. We pursue claims involving negligence, distracted driving, speeding, and impaired drivers.
• Truck accidents. Delivery vehicles and commercial trucks navigate West Hollywood’s narrow streets daily. When these larger vehicles cause accidents, the injuries tend to be severe, and liability often extends to trucking companies and their insurers.
• Motorcycle accidents. Lane splitting, left-turn collisions, and distracted drivers create constant hazards for motorcyclists. Riders frequently suffer back injuries, broken bones, and road rash requiring extensive medical treatment.
• Pedestrian accidents. West Hollywood’s walkable neighborhoods, busy entertainment districts, and active nightlife put pedestrians at risk. Crosswalk collisions, backing accidents in parking lots, and drivers running red lights cause devastating injuries to people on foot.
• Bicycle accidents. Cyclists share the road with impatient drivers throughout West Hollywood. Dooring accidents, right-hook collisions, and vehicles crossing into bike lanes result in brain injuries, fractures, and other serious harm.
• Slip and fall accidents. Property owners bear responsibility for maintaining safe premises. Wet floors in retail stores, uneven sidewalks, poor lighting in parking garages, and broken stairs can all result in serious injuries.
• Dog bites. Under California Civil Code Section 3342, dog owners face strict liability when their animals bite someone in a public place or lawfully on private property. The victim need not prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous.
• Rideshare accidents. Uber and Lyft operate heavily throughout West Hollywood. These accidents involve layered insurance policies that require careful analysis to ensure victims receive full compensation.

California Legal Requirements for Personal Injury Claims

California law establishes rules and deadlines that directly affect your ability to recover compensation after an accident.

Statute of Limitations

Under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, you have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Miss this deadline and courts will almost certainly dismiss your case, regardless of fault or injury severity.

Some exceptions exist. Injuries that weren’t immediately apparent may have a later discovery date. The California courts provide additional information about these exceptions. Speaking with an attorney promptly protects your rights.

Claims Against Government Entities

Accidents involving city buses, county vehicles, or dangerous conditions on public property require an administrative claim before you can file suit. This claim must typically be filed within six months of the accident. The rules are strict, and failing to comply usually prevents any recovery.

Comparative Fault

California uses a pure comparative fault system. You can recover damages even if you were partially responsible for your accident. Your compensation is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. If a jury finds you 25% responsible, you receive 75% of your total damages.

Insurance adjusters routinely inflate victims’ fault percentages to reduce payouts. Strong evidence and thorough investigation counter these tactics.

Updated Insurance Minimums

California increased its minimum auto insurance requirements effective January 1, 2025, the first increase since 1967. Senate Bill 1107 raised minimums to $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, plus $15,000 for property damage. While this insurance increase improves coverage over the old minimums, serious accidents frequently exceed even these amounts.

What Damages Are Recoverable in West Hollywood Personal Injury Cases?

California personal injury law permits recovery across multiple categories of damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages cover your measurable financial losses. Medical expenses, including emergency treatment, surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, medications, and anticipated future care. Lost wages from time away from work during recovery. Reduced earning capacity if injuries affect your ability to perform your job long-term. Property damage, including vehicle repair or replacement.

Documenting economic damages requires gathering medical records, billing statements, employment records, and sometimes professional testimony about future losses.

Non-Economic Damages

Pain and suffering compensation addresses the physical discomfort from your injuries and the challenges of treatment and recovery. Emotional distress damages cover anxiety, depression, fear, and psychological trauma. Loss of enjoyment applies when injuries prevent activities that previously brought pleasure and fulfillment. Relationship impacts, sometimes called loss of consortium, address harm to connections with spouses, children, and family members.

Insurance companies use software programs and formulas designed to undervalue non-economic damages. Our attorneys present these losses persuasively through documentation and testimony.

Punitive Damages

California allows punitive damages when defendants act with malice or conscious disregard for others’ safety. Drunk driving cases sometimes justify these additional awards. Punitive damages aim to punish wrongdoing and deter similar conduct, though courts award them relatively rarely.

What Steps Should I Take After an Accident in West Hollywood?

The actions you take immediately following an accident impact both your recovery and your legal claim.

1. Ensure safety. Move away from traffic if possible without worsening injuries. Turn on hazard lights to alert other drivers.
2. Call 911. Request police and medical assistance. A police report creates essential documentation for your claim.
3. Seek medical attention. Some injuries, including neck injuries and internal trauma, may not produce immediate symptoms. Get examined promptly.
4. Document the scene. Photograph vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic controls, weather conditions, and any visible injuries. Capture everything you can.
5. Exchange information. Collect names, contact information, license plate numbers, and insurance details from all involved parties. Avoid discussing fault.
6. Identify witnesses. Get contact information from anyone who saw what happened. Independent witnesses often prove crucial when accounts differ.
7. Report to the DMV. California law requires reporting accidents involving injury, death, or property damage over $1,000 to the DMV within 10 days.
8. Preserve evidence. Keep damaged clothing and personal items. Don’t repair your vehicle until it has been thoroughly documented.
9. Be cautious with statements. Don’t admit fault at the scene. Don’t give recorded statements to insurance companies without legal advice. Adjusters use your words to reduce your claim.
10. Contact an attorney. Early legal involvement helps preserve evidence, avoid common mistakes, and build the strongest possible case.

Personal Injury Statistics in West Hollywood

Traffic safety in West Hollywood has become an increasingly pressing concern for residents and city officials alike.

According to recent sheriff’s reports, West Hollywood recorded 991 traffic collision investigations in 2025, a 30% increase from 762 the previous year. Santa Monica Boulevard alone accounted for 251 crashes and 90 injuries, making it by far the most dangerous corridor in the city. Fountain Avenue recorded 109 collisions and 51 injuries, ranking second. Fatal collisions doubled from two to four. Pedestrian strikes jumped from 54 to 82, an increase exceeding 50%. Hit-and-run incidents climbed to 211, and DUI-related crashes increased 76%.

These local numbers reflect broader regional patterns. Los Angeles County recorded over 58,000 crashes involving death or injury in 2024, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety and Transportation Injury Mapping System data. The county has averaged nearly 788 traffic-related deaths annually over the past five years, making it one of the deadliest counties in California for traffic fatalities.

Within the city of Los Angeles, traffic deaths exceeded homicides for the third consecutive year in 2024. Pedestrians accounted for more than half of all traffic fatalities, with approximately 170 killed.

Statewide, California saw 4,061 traffic fatalities in 2023, down nearly 11% from 4,539 in 2022. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 40,901 traffic deaths nationally in 2023, a 4.3% decrease from the prior year. Despite these declines, traffic remains one of the leading causes of preventable death in California.

Distracted driving continues to claim lives. NHTSA data shows distracted driving killed 3,308 people nationwide in 2022 and injured approximately 289,310 others. Among those killed, hundreds were pedestrians and cyclists who had no protection against distracted motorists.

West Hollywood Personal Injury Lawyer FAQs

How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?

Nothing upfront. Our firm works on contingency, meaning we receive payment only if we recover compensation for you. Our fee comes as a percentage of your recovery.

How long will my personal injury case take?

Timelines vary considerably. Cases with clear fault and documented injuries may settle in months. Complex cases with disputed liability, serious injuries, or multiple parties often take a year or longer. Trial adds additional time. We can provide a more specific case timeline estimate after reviewing your case.

What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?

Your own uninsured motorist coverage may apply. We also investigate whether other parties bear responsibility, including vehicle owners, employers, or government entities responsible for road conditions.

Should I give a recorded statement to the insurance company?

Not before speaking with an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions that minimize your claim or shift blame to you. Even innocent statements can damage your case.

What if I was partially at fault for my accident?

California’s comparative fault system allows recovery even if you share blame. Your damages are reduced by your fault percentage, but you retain the right to compensation for the portion attributable to others.

How much is my case worth?

Value depends on injury severity, medical expenses, lost income, ongoing effects, pain and suffering, liability clarity, and insurance coverage. We assess these factors after reviewing your specific situation.

When should I hire an attorney?

As early as possible. Knowing when to hire a lawyer helps protect your claim from the start. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and insurance companies begin building defenses immediately.

What if my accident happened at work?

Workplace injuries typically involve workers’ compensation claims, but third-party liability claims may also apply if someone other than your employer caused the injury. Both options may be worth pursuing.

Do I have to go to court?

Most cases settle without trial. But having attorneys willing to try cases produces better settlement offers. We prepare every case for trial.

What medical treatment should I get?

Follow your doctor’s recommendations and attend all appointments. Treatment gaps give insurers arguments that your injuries aren’t serious.

Can I handle my claim without a lawyer?

You can, but statistics consistently show represented claimants recover more, even accounting for attorney fees, than those who handle claims alone.

What happens during a free consultation?

We review your accident facts, discuss your injuries, explain your legal options, and answer your questions. No charge, no obligation.

How do I prove the other driver was at fault?

Through evidence: police reports, witness statements, photographs, video footage, phone records, accident reconstruction. We handle this investigation.

What if my injuries get worse after I settle?

Settlements typically include releases that bar future claims, even if injuries worsen. Understanding your full injury picture before settling is essential.

Will my case go to trial?

Most cases settle. But trial preparation strengthens negotiating position, so we approach every case as if it’s going to court.

Most Dangerous Locations for Personal Injury in West Hollywood

Traffic data identifies several high-risk areas within West Hollywood’s compact geography. The city’s small footprint and high traffic volumes create concentrated danger zones that account for a disproportionate share of collisions.

Santa Monica Boulevard leads the city in collisions, accounting for 251 crashes and 90 injuries in a single year. The boulevard carries heavy traffic through commercial and entertainment districts, with frequent pedestrian crossings, turning vehicles, and transit stops creating constant conflict points. The intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and La Cienega Boulevard sees particularly heavy accident activity.

Fountain Avenue recorded 109 collisions and 51 injuries, making it the city’s second most dangerous corridor. Despite being narrower than Santa Monica Boulevard, it carries significant traffic as drivers use it to avoid congestion on parallel streets. The road’s design and traffic patterns create hazards at multiple intersections.

The Sunset Strip draws visitors from across the region to its legendary clubs, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The combination of nightlife traffic, pedestrians crossing mid-block, limited visibility at night, and impaired drivers creates elevated risk, particularly during evening and late-night hours.

La Cienega Boulevard runs along West Hollywood’s eastern edge, carrying north-south traffic through commercial areas. Intersections with Santa Monica Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard see frequent collisions due to high traffic volumes and complex turning movements.

Melrose Avenue moves through retail and restaurant districts where pedestrians, vehicles, and delivery traffic compete for limited space. The street’s popularity as a shopping destination increases pedestrian activity and accident risk.

Intersections along San Vicente Boulevard and at major cross streets throughout the city also appear regularly in accident reports, reflecting the challenges of managing traffic in such a densely developed area.

What Are Important Local Resources for West Hollywood Personal Injury?

Accident victims in West Hollywood have access to important emergency, medical, and legal resources. The city sits near major trauma centers and courts that serve the Westside. The following information is for reference only. Cohen Injury Law Group does not endorse these organizations, and listing does not imply any business relationship.

Law Enforcement

• West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station – 780 N. San Vicente Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069 – (310) 855-8850
• California Highway Patrol – For freeway accidents – 911 or local CHP office

Medical Facilities

• Cedars-Sinai Medical Center – Level I Trauma Center – 8700 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048 – (310) 423-3277
• UCLA Medical Center – Level I Trauma Center – 757 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095 – (310) 825-9111

Court Resources

• Los Angeles County Superior Court – Beverly Hills Courthouse – 9355 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 – (310) 288-1308
• Santa Monica Courthouse – 1725 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401 – (310) 260-3616

California DMV

• DMV – Multiple locations serve the area – (800) 777-0133

Contact Cohen Injury Law Group

An accident shouldn’t define your future. When someone else’s negligence causes your injuries, you deserve fair compensation for what you’ve lost and what lies ahead.

Cohen Injury Law Group provides free consultations to accident victims in West Hollywood and throughout Los Angeles County. Our personal injury attorneys serving West Hollywood, CA will evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and answer your questions directly. If we take your case, you pay nothing unless we recover for you.

Evidence deteriorates. Deadlines approach. Don’t wait to protect your rights. Contact our firm today to speak with an experienced West Hollywood personal injury attorney about your case.