Legend at Law · Better Rely on Eli
California & Arizona Personal Injury LawyerYour case deserves more than a number.
Insurance companies see a claim file. Attorney Eli S. Cohen sees a person, and he personally handles your case from the first call to the final resolution. Licensed in California and Arizona. Free consultations, available 24/7.
- Licensed in California & Arizona
- Super Lawyers Rising Stars 2027
- Over $30 million recovered*
- No fee unless we recover
*Includes results obtained at prior firms or as part of trial teams. Gross amounts. Each result depended on the facts of that case; results will differ if based on different facts. See Disclaimer.
$30M+*
Recovered in settlements and verdicts
$60.3M*
Jury verdict as a member of the trial team in City of Modesto v. Dow Chemical Co.
2 states
Licensed in California (2013) and Arizona (2021)
Both sides
Former insurance defense counsel, now fighting for injured people
*Includes results obtained at prior firms or as part of trial teams. Gross amounts. Each result depended on the facts of that case; results will differ if based on different facts. See Disclaimer.
One attorney, two states
Licensed to represent you in California and Arizona
The two states treat injury claims differently, from insurance minimums to government-claim deadlines. Eli is admitted to practice in both, so you get advice grounded in the law that actually governs your case.
California
Office in Westwood, Los Angeles. Representing injured people throughout California, including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. State Bar of California member since 2013.
Arizona
Representing injured people in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler and across Arizona. State Bar of Arizona member since 2021. Consultations by phone or video, any time.
Practice areas
Injury cases we handle in California and Arizona
Car Accidents
Rear-end, T-bone, head-on, hit-and-run, drunk and distracted driver crashes in California and Arizona.
Rideshare Accidents
Uber, Lyft and Waymo collisions, where coverage depends on what the app was doing at the moment of the crash.
Truck Accidents
Commercial trucks, delivery vans and 18-wheelers, where the driver, carrier, loader or manufacturer may share fault.
Motorcycle Accidents
Riders face serious injuries and insurer bias. We document the crash and push back on unfair blame.
Pedestrian Accidents
People hit in crosswalks, parking lots and on sidewalks, often with life-changing injuries.
Bicycle & E-Bike Accidents
Cyclists struck by drivers who passed too close, turned across them or opened a door.
Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist
When the at-fault driver has little or no insurance, your own policy may have to pay. Insurers often resist.
Catastrophic Injuries
Brain, spinal cord, burn and other injuries that change a life and require future care.
Wrongful Death
Helping families seek accountability and financial security after a preventable death.
Premises Liability
Slip and fall, trip and fall and other injuries caused by dangerous property conditions.
Dog Bites
Bites and attacks, including cases involving children and dogs owned by neighbors or family.
Defective Products
Holding manufacturers accountable for design flaws, manufacturing defects and missing warnings.
Why clients choose this office
You work directly with your lawyer, not a case manager
At large firms, injured clients are often passed between assistants. Here, Eli reviews your records, makes the strategy decisions, and handles the negotiations and court appearances himself.
No fee unless we recover
You pay no attorney’s fee unless we recover compensation for you. Case costs are explained up front in your written fee agreement.
Direct attorney access
You can reach your attorney directly throughout your case, from the first call to the final resolution.
Prepared for trial
Every case is prepared as if it will go to a jury, which gives you real leverage when it’s time to negotiate a settlement.
Inside knowledge of insurers
As former in-house counsel for an insurance company, Eli knows how insurers evaluate claims and how they try to minimize them.
Meet your attorney
Eli S. Cohen
Eli has practiced law since 2013. He was admitted to the State Bar of California in December 2013 and to the State Bar of Arizona in February 2021. Before representing injured people, he served as in-house counsel for an insurance company, defending personal injury lawsuits through discovery, mediation and jury trial. Today he uses that experience on the other side of the table.
- Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2027
- Trial team member, City of Modesto v. The Dow Chemical Co.: $60,300,000 jury verdict*
- J.D., UC Hastings College of the Law (now UC Law San Francisco), 2013
- B.A. in History, magna cum laude, UCLA, 2010
Legal education videos
Short answers from Eli to the questions injured people ask most.
Minimal impact DOES NOT mean minimal injury.
Why little or no visible vehicle damage does not prove you were not hurt, and how insurers use "low impact" arguments against injured people.
Before You Give Insurance a Recorded Statement, Watch This
What to know before you talk to the other driver's insurance company or agree to give a recorded statement.
Car Accident? These 3 Mistakes Could Ruin Your Case.
Three common mistakes after a car accident that seem harmless in the moment but can hurt a claim later.
Before I Fought for You, I Defended Insurance Companies. Here’s What You Should Know.
Eli explains how his years defending insurance companies shaped the way he now represents injured people.
Two states, different rules
Injured in California or Arizona? Key rules to know
Deadlines can be shorter than people expect, especially when a government agency is involved. These are general rules with exceptions, so speak with a lawyer about your situation as soon as possible.
California
- Deadline to file a lawsuit: generally 2 years from the date of injury. Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1
- Claims against a government agency: a written claim generally must be presented within 6 months. Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2
- If you were partly at fault: you can still recover. Under pure comparative fault, your compensation is reduced by your share of fault. Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975)
- Dog bites: owners are generally strictly liable for bites in public or where the victim was lawfully on private property, even if the dog never bit before. Cal. Civ. Code § 3342
Arizona
- Deadline to file a lawsuit: generally 2 years from the date of injury. A.R.S. § 12-542
- Claims against a public entity: a notice of claim generally must be filed within 180 days, and a lawsuit within 1 year. A.R.S. §§ 12-821.01, 12-821
- If you were partly at fault: you can still recover. Arizona also uses pure comparative fault. A.R.S. § 12-2505
- Dog bites: owners are generally strictly liable for bites in public or where the victim was lawfully on private property, and the deadline for a strict-liability claim can be as short as 1 year. A.R.S. §§ 11-1025, 12-541
General information only, not legal advice. Exceptions can shorten or extend these deadlines (for example, for minors or late-discovered injuries). Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Common questions
Personal injury questions, answered
How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?
The consultation is free. Our office works on a contingency fee, so you pay no attorney’s fee unless we recover compensation for you. If there is no recovery, you will not owe attorney’s fees, but you may be responsible for repaying case costs the firm advanced, as explained in your written fee agreement.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in California or Arizona?
In both states, the general deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of injury. Claims against a government agency have much shorter deadlines: generally six months to present a claim in California, and 180 days to file a notice of claim in Arizona. Exceptions apply, so contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
Can I still recover if the accident was partly my fault?
Usually, yes. California and Arizona both follow “pure comparative fault.” Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, but being partly responsible does not by itself bar your claim.
Will I work directly with the attorney?
Yes. Eli S. Cohen personally handles every case he takes. He reviews your records, makes the strategy decisions, and handles negotiations and court appearances, and you can reach him directly throughout your case.
What is my injury case worth?
It depends on the facts: how serious your injuries are, your medical bills and future care, lost income and earning capacity, pain and suffering, who was at fault, and the insurance coverage available. No lawyer can honestly promise a result. A free consultation is the best way to understand the strengths of your claim.
Do I have to live in Los Angeles to hire you?
No. The office is in Westwood, Los Angeles, and represents injured people throughout California and Arizona. You can start with a free consultation by phone, any time of day.
Free case review
Tell Eli what happened
Send a short description and Eli will contact you personally. Prefer to talk now? Call any time. Consultations are free and there is no obligation.
- Phone (24/7)(310) 294-1604
- Emaileli@elicohenlaw.com
- Office907 Westwood Blvd., Suite 1015
Los Angeles, CA 90024 - Office hoursMon–Fri, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
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