A rear-end collision was reported on Apr 28, 2026 at approximately 6:30 PM on Chatsworth Street near Andasol Avenue in Granada Hills, California. Clear weather was noted at the time of the crash. 1 person was killed. This crash was classified as a motorcycle accident and wrongful death case.
When a crash kills someone, the family has the right to file a wrongful death claim under California Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60. A spouse, domestic partner, children, or dependents can pursue damages including funeral costs, lost future income, and loss of companionship. The statute of limitations is two years from the date of death. If dangerous road design contributed to this crash, a government tort claim must be filed within six months. Insurance companies move fast after a fatal crash, and the offers they make early are not designed to be fair. A free consultation with our senior attorneys can help you understand your legal options.
Your attorney
Senior Attorneys, Not a Call Center
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
You're not a case number here. Every case I take is personal.
Could the road be at fault?
Not Every Crash Is the Driver's Fault
Some crashes are caused by dangerous road conditions: poor sight lines, missing signage, bad signal timing, or roads that weren't designed for the traffic they carry. In California, cities, counties, and Caltrans can be held liable when they knew or should have known about a dangerous condition and failed to fix it. If the road played a role in this crash, you may have a claim against the government agency responsible for maintaining it.
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 Fatal Motorcycle Accident
Take care of yourself and your family first
Nothing about this process needs to happen today. Give yourself time to grieve and be with your family. When you are ready, the steps below will help you protect your legal rights. There are deadlines that matter, but none of them are immediate.
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 October 28, 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 October 28, 2026. Miss it and you lose your right to sue entirely, no matter how strong your case is.
Talk to a wrongful death attorney before the insurance company
Insurance companies move fast after fatal crashes. They will contact family members with early settlement offers before anyone has had time to understand what the case is worth. A free consultation with a wrongful death attorney costs you nothing and protects your family's right to full compensation.
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.
Because this crash resulted in a fatality, surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim under CCP 377.60 in addition to any personal injury claims by surviving victims. The statute of limitations for wrongful death is two years from the date of death.
When a crash results in death, the legal landscape changes significantly. Surviving family members may bring a wrongful death action under CCP 377.60, which covers loss of financial support, companionship, and guidance. A separate survival action can address the deceased person's pain and suffering before death. The statute of limitations is two years from the date of death.
Our founding partners trained at UCLA Law and built L&F Brown on a simple idea: take fewer cases, fight harder on each one. You work directly with a senior attorney from your first call through settlement. No hand-offs, no assembly line.
6,000+ Cases75+ Years CombinedMartindale-Hubbell Preeminent
Dangerous road design
What Causes Rear-End Crashes at This Location
Rear-end collisions are the most common type of crash on California roads, and they're not always the trailing driver's fault. Short yellow intervals at traffic signals, sudden grade changes that hide stopped traffic, and inadequate advance warning signs all contribute to rear-end crashes. When the road design creates conditions where stopping distances are insufficient, the entity responsible for the road may share liability.
High-speed arterials are particularly prone to these crashes when signal timing doesn't account for approach speeds. California's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) sets standards for yellow-light duration based on speed limits, but many intersections haven't been updated as traffic patterns changed.
This crash happened during the evening commute (3-7 PM), the highest-volume period on most California roads. Intersections and road segments that weren't designed for current traffic volumes see disproportionate crash rates during these peak hours.
Did You Lose a Loved One in This Crash?
If someone in your family was killed in this crash, our wrongful death attorneys can help you understand your legal rights. We handle cases on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we recover for you.
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.
What should I do if a family member died in this crash?
First, take care of your family. When you're ready, consult a wrongful death attorney. Under California law, surviving spouses, children, and certain other family members can file a wrongful death claim. There are strict deadlines, especially if a government entity is involved (six months for a tort claim). A free consultation can help you understand your options without any obligation.
What is the government tort claim deadline of October 28, 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 October 28, 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.
No commitment. Speak directly with a senior attorney.
Client Stories
Hear From the People We've Helped
“I had a very good experience with these lawyers. I’d recommend them to anyone looking for quality legal advice and fantastic service. Curt is an Ace.”
Jack Hoskinson
“Overall experience was great. Arya was extremely knowledgeable and guided me through a stressful time in my life. Response times were quick and reassuring. Very happy with the outcome of my case.”
David Chau
“Helped now on three different occasions. Have referred Curt to at least three other people.”
Scott MacDonell
By the Numbers
75+
Years Legal Experience
6,000+
Clients Served
One
Case at a Time
See how our senior attorneys can help with your case
UCLA Law trained. Personalized care. Life-changing results.
6,000+ Cases 75+ Years Combined Martindale-Hubbell Preeminent