Hit-and-Run on the 118 in Pacoima: What to Do Right Now
A driver hit you on the 118 Freeway near Pacoima and kept going. Whether it happened near the I-5 interchange, the Glenoaks Blvd exit, the Osborne St on-ramp, or somewhere between, you are now sitting with injuries, a damaged vehicle, and no idea who hit you. Freeway hit-and-runs move fast. The driver disappears at 60-plus miles per hour, and the window to preserve evidence is shorter than you think.
This guide tells you exactly what to do, in order, to protect yourself and your legal claim.
Why the 118 Freeway Is Different
Hit-and-runs on the 118 near Pacoima have characteristics that set them apart from crashes on city streets. First, they happen at freeway speed, which means the injuries tend to be more severe. A sideswipe at 65 mph, a rear-end collision in stop-and-go near the I-5 merge, or a lane-change crash near the Glenoaks exit can cause serious spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and internal bleeding.
Second, the 118 is a CHP-patrolled freeway. California Highway Patrol, not LAPD, has jurisdiction over crashes that occur on the 118 Freeway. This matters because CHP handles the investigation, issues the traffic collision report, and runs any pursuit or follow-up to identify the fleeing driver. Knowing which agency to work with from the start prevents confusion and delays.
Third, evidence on the 118 disappears faster than on surface streets. Caltrans operates traffic monitoring cameras on the 118, but these cameras are designed for traffic flow management, not surveillance. Their footage is typically overwritten within 24 to 72 hours. There are no storefront cameras on a freeway. Witnesses are other drivers who may never be seen again unless they stop at the scene. The clock on evidence starts running the moment the other driver speeds away.
Step 1: Get Safe and Call 911
If your vehicle is drivable, move it to the right shoulder or the nearest off-ramp. Turn on your hazard lights. If your car is disabled in a travel lane, stay in the vehicle with your seatbelt on until CHP arrives, unless there is an immediate danger like fire or oncoming traffic that makes staying more dangerous than exiting.
Call 911 immediately. Tell the dispatcher you were in a hit-and-run on the 118 Freeway, your direction of travel, and the nearest exit or landmark. Describe the fleeing vehicle: color, make, model, size, license plate (even a partial), and the direction it was heading. CHP can begin looking for the vehicle immediately if you call fast enough.
If anyone is injured, request paramedics. The closest major hospital is Olive View-UCLA Medical Center at 14445 Olive View Dr in Sylmar, which is minutes from the 118 via the I-5 or Glenoaks Blvd.
Step 2: Document the Scene
While you wait for CHP, use your phone to take photos and video of everything:
- Your vehicle damage from multiple angles
- The position of your car on the road or shoulder
- Any debris, paint transfer, or skid marks on the pavement
- The road conditions, including lane markings, signage, and lighting
- Your own visible injuries
If other drivers have stopped, talk to them. Get their names, phone numbers, and ask what they saw. Did they see the other vehicle? Can they describe it? Did anyone capture dashcam footage? Dashcam evidence from other drivers on the 118 has been the key to identifying hit-and-run drivers in numerous cases.
Step 3: Get Medical Treatment
Go to Olive View-UCLA Medical Center the same day, even if you feel functional after the crash. At freeway speeds, adrenaline masks injuries that may not present symptoms for 24 to 48 hours. Whiplash, concussions, internal bleeding, and spinal disc injuries are all common after 118 Freeway collisions, and they all benefit from early diagnosis.
A same-day medical record is also critical evidence. It connects your injuries directly to the crash. If you wait days or weeks to see a doctor, the insurance company will argue your injuries were not serious or were caused by something else. Close that gap on day one.
Step 4: Request the CHP Traffic Collision Report
CHP will generate a traffic collision report for your crash. This report includes the time, location, road conditions, your description of the fleeing vehicle, and any witness information collected at the scene. You will need the report number for your insurance claim and for your attorney. Follow up with the CHP Newhall area office to obtain a copy once it is completed, which typically takes a few days to two weeks.
Step 5: Notify Your Insurance Company
Contact your auto insurer the same day to report the hit-and-run. Tell them you have a CHP report number and that you are preserving your right to file an uninsured motorist (UM) claim. Do not give a recorded statement yet. The claims adjuster will ask for one, but you are not required to provide it at this stage. Let your attorney handle that communication.
Check your declarations page for your UM coverage limits. If the hit-and-run driver is never found, your UM coverage is the primary source of compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If the driver is found, you can pursue their liability coverage directly.
Step 6: Preserve Caltrans and Dashcam Footage
Caltrans cameras on the 118 near Pacoima capture traffic flow but overwrite quickly. Your attorney can send a formal preservation request to Caltrans within hours of the crash. This must happen immediately, waiting even a few days may be too late.
If you have your own dashcam, save the footage to a separate device. Do not let it get overwritten. If another driver offered their dashcam footage, get a copy before you part ways. This footage can identify the make, model, color, and potentially the license plate of the fleeing vehicle.
Step 7: Contact a Hit-and-Run Attorney
A Pacoima hit-and-run lawyer can begin working your case immediately. Within hours of being retained, your attorney can:
- Send preservation letters to Caltrans for 118 camera footage
- Contact CHP to coordinate on the investigation
- Begin the UM claim process with your insurer
- Identify and reach out to potential witnesses
- Coordinate your medical care documentation at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center
Time is the most valuable thing you have in a 118 Freeway hit-and-run. Every hour that passes without action is an hour of evidence potentially lost.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Whether the driver is found or your claim goes through UM coverage, hit-and-run victims on the 118 can recover:
Medical expenses: Emergency treatment at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, surgeries, imaging, specialist visits, physical therapy, and future medical costs related to the crash.
Lost wages: Income lost while you recover, and reduced earning capacity if your injuries are long-term.
Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety about driving on the freeway, and reduced quality of life.
Property damage: Vehicle repair or replacement, plus rental car expenses during the repair period.
Freeway hit-and-run cases often carry higher settlement values than surface street cases because the injuries are more severe. Crashes at highway speed on the 118 near Pacoima regularly result in six-figure recoveries when properly documented and presented.
Do Not Wait
The 118 Freeway hit-and-run evidence window is measured in hours, not weeks. CHP footage, Caltrans cameras, and witness availability all degrade rapidly. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.
L&F Brown represents hit-and-run victims throughout Pacoima and the San Fernando Valley on contingency. No fees unless we recover for you. Visit our Pacoima personal injury page or call today for a free consultation.
Injured in Pacoima? Talk to a local attorney, no fee unless we win.
Learn about our Pacoima personal injury services →
Talk to a senior attorney directly.
