A crash was reported on Jan 30, 2026 at approximately 8:15 PM on US-101 near Balboa Boulevard in Encino, California. Clear weather was noted at the time of the crash. 1 person was injured. This crash was classified as a motorcycle accident case.
If you were involved, the other driver's insurance company may have already contacted you with a settlement offer. Early offers are almost always lower than what your claim is actually worth. Insurers count on people settling before they understand the full extent of their injuries. You have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim in California, but key evidence like surveillance footage and witness memories doesn't last that long. A free consultation with our senior attorneys costs you nothing and helps you understand your options.
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I grew up in the San Fernando Valley, graduated from El Camino Real High School and UCLA Law School, and I've spent my career representing people who were hurt because someone else wasn't paying attention. I take these cases personally because I've watched families in this community deal with the aftermath of serious crashes. If you were injured, I want to hear what happened.
Arya Firoozmand, Esq.
Founding Partner · UCLA Law
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Dangerous intersection
Is Balboa Boulevard & US-101 a Dangerous Road?
When the same intersection produces crash after crash, the problem may not be the drivers. Balboa Boulevard & US-101 has logged 54 crashes in the last 9 months and 23 resulting in injuries. Patterns like this can point to dangerous road design: poor sight lines, bad signal timing, missing turn lanes, or inadequate signage.
This road is on the City of Los Angeles High Injury Network, officially recognized as one of the most dangerous corridors in the city
54Crashes reported at this intersection in the last 9 months
↑Injury crashes at this intersection UP 100% in recent months
43% of crashes here result in injuries
Rear End collisions account for 44% of crashes
Most crashes here happen around 9 AM on Mons
49Walk Score: Car-Dependent. High foot traffic increases pedestrian exposure at this intersection
This road is part of the City of Los Angeles High Injury Network, which means the city has officially documented its danger. HIN designation is direct evidence the city was on notice. In California, cities and counties can be held liable for dangerous road conditions they knew about or should have known about.
Injured at a Dangerous Intersection? The City May Owe You Compensation.
When a road or intersection is poorly designed, the government agency responsible for maintaining it can be held liable. If you were seriously hurt, talk to a senior attorney about whether a dangerous road design claim applies to your case.
Government claims are often subject to strict filing deadlines. An attorney can help you understand what applies to your situation.
Next steps
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Get medical attention immediately
Even if you feel fine, get checked out. Some of the most serious injuries from crashes, like internal bleeding and traumatic brain injuries, don't always show symptoms right away. A medical record from the day of the crash also becomes critical evidence later.
Document the road conditions at the scene
Gravel, oil slicks, potholes, uneven pavement, and faded lane markings are invisible to investigators who arrive hours later. Take close-up photos of the road surface, any debris, and anything that could have contributed to the crash before the scene gets cleaned up.
Don't accept blame for lane splitting
California is the only state that explicitly allows lane splitting under Vehicle Code 21658.1. Insurance adjusters and even police officers sometimes treat lane splitting as automatic fault. It isn't. Whether you were splitting legally is a separate question from who caused the crash.
File your government tort claim before July 30, 2026
If a government entity is responsible for this crash, whether because of road design, missing signals, or a government vehicle, you have a strict six-month deadline to file a tort claim. That deadline is July 30, 2026. Miss it and you lose your right to sue entirely, no matter how strong your case is.
Talk to a personal injury attorney before the insurance company
Insurance adjusters will reach out quickly, and they're not calling to help you. They want a recorded statement and a fast settlement before you understand what your case is actually worth. A free consultation with an attorney costs you nothing and protects everything.
Motorcycle accident law
How California Law Treats Motorcycle Riders
California is the only state that explicitly legalizes lane splitting under Vehicle Code 21658.1. But legality doesn't stop insurance adjusters from treating it like automatic fault. If you were lane splitting at the time of the crash, the question is whether you were doing it safely given traffic speed and conditions, not whether you were doing it at all.
Rider bias is real and it shows up everywhere, from police reports to jury pools. Officers sometimes assume the motorcyclist was at fault without investigating further. Jurors sometimes see riding a motorcycle as inherently risky, which gets twisted into blame. A good attorney knows how to reframe the narrative around what the other driver actually did wrong.
Motorcycle crash injuries tend to be severe: road rash, broken bones, spinal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries are common even at lower speeds. The absence of protective steel around a rider doesn't reduce the driver's liability. Damages should reflect the full extent of injuries, not some discounted amount because you chose a motorcycle.
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Dangerous road design
Road Design and Crash Liability
Not every crash is purely a driver's mistake. Road design, maintenance failures, and missing safety features all contribute to crashes in California. Under Government Code 835, public entities can be held liable for "dangerous conditions" on public property that cause injury. Poor lighting, missing signage, confusing lane configurations, and deferred maintenance are all factors that shift some responsibility from the driver to the road owner.
If this location has a pattern of crashes, that history becomes evidence. A public entity that knew about recurring crashes and failed to address the underlying design problem can be held accountable. This is where crash data, engineering reports, and government claim filings become critical.
This intersection has recorded 54 crashes in the last nine months. Injury crashes here are trending up 100% compared to the prior period. The most common crash type at this intersection is Rear End, accounting for 44% of incidents.
This crash happened during evening hours (7-10 PM), when reduced visibility starts to play a role. Inadequate street lighting, missing reflective lane markings, and unlit crosswalks all become more dangerous as daylight fades.
Were You Injured in This Crash?
If you or someone you love was hurt in this crash, our attorneys can help you understand your options. We handle cases on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we win.
Frequently asked questions
Common Questions About This Type of Crash
Is lane splitting legal in California?
Yes. California is the only state that explicitly legalizes lane splitting under Vehicle Code 21658.1. The law doesn't set specific speed limits for lane splitting, but the CHP recommends it only when traffic is moving at 30 mph or less and the rider isn't going more than 10 mph faster than surrounding traffic. Lane splitting alone is not evidence of fault.
Do motorcycle riders face bias in accident claims?
Unfortunately, yes. Insurance adjusters, police officers, and jurors sometimes view motorcycling as inherently risky and assign more blame to the rider than the evidence supports. This is why documentation is so important in motorcycle cases. Photos of the scene, witness statements, and expert reconstruction can counter that bias effectively.
What damages can a motorcycle accident victim recover?
The same damages as any other motor vehicle crash: medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. Motorcycle injuries tend to be more severe, so damages are often higher. The fact that you were on a motorcycle rather than in a car does not reduce what you're entitled to recover.
How do I know if my injuries are serious enough to file a claim?
There's no minimum injury threshold for filing a personal injury claim in California. If someone else's negligence caused your injuries and you have medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering, you likely have a valid claim. Many injuries that seem minor at first, like whiplash or soft tissue damage, can develop into chronic conditions. Get a medical evaluation and a legal consultation.
What is the government tort claim deadline of July 30, 2026?
If a government entity shares responsibility for this crash, whether through road design, a government vehicle, or maintenance failures, you must file a government tort claim within six months of the incident. For this crash, that deadline is July 30, 2026. This is separate from the two-year statute of limitations. Miss it and your claim against the government is gone permanently, even if the road design was clearly at fault.
Can I sue the city if the road design caused this crash?
Yes. In California, cities, counties, and Caltrans can be held liable for dangerous road conditions they knew about or should have known about. Balboa Boulevard & US-101 has logged 54 crashes in the last 9 months. A pattern like that can be evidence the government was on notice and failed to act. Common road design problems include poor sight lines, missing turn lanes, bad signal timing, and inadequate signage. If a government entity is responsible, you must file a claim within 6 months of the accident, not the usual 2-year statute of limitations.
What is the High Injury Network and does it help my case?
The High Injury Network (HIN) is a list of streets the City of Los Angeles has officially identified as the most dangerous for traffic injuries and fatalities. If your crash happened on an HIN road, it means the city was already on notice that the road was dangerous. That is direct evidence in a government liability claim. It makes it much harder for the city to argue they did not know about the problem.
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