Hit-and-Run on the I-5 in Sun Valley: Next Steps

Arya Firoozmand, Esq.

Local Sun Valley Injury Attorney · UCLA Law

Arya Firoozmand is the founding partner at L&F Brown. A San Fernando Valley native, he graduated from El Camino Real High School and UCLA Law School and represents injured clients from communities across the entire Valley, including Sun Valley.

The I-5 Freeway through Sun Valley carries thousands of vehicles daily at high speeds. When a hit-and-run happens on this stretch of freeway, the consequences are often severe. The speed of freeway traffic means harder impacts and more serious injuries. The hit-and-run driver can disappear quickly by taking any of several exits or continuing along the freeway. And the shock of a high-speed collision makes it difficult to capture details about the fleeing vehicle.

If you were the victim of a hit-and-run on the I-5 in Sun Valley, here are the steps you need to take to protect your health, preserve your rights, and pursue the compensation you are owed.

Step 1: Get Safe and Call 911

Your immediate priority is safety. If your vehicle is drivable, move to the right shoulder or the nearest safe location. Turn on your hazard lights. If you cannot move the vehicle, stay inside with your seatbelt fastened until help arrives. The I-5 is dangerous for anyone standing on or near the roadway.

Call 911 immediately. CHP handles accident response on California freeways, including the I-5 through Sun Valley. When you call, provide your location as precisely as possible, including the direction of travel and the nearest exit. Tell the dispatcher that the other vehicle fled the scene. Provide any details you remember about the hit-and-run vehicle, including color, make, model, license plate (even a partial plate helps), and the direction it was heading.

The CHP report is critical to your case. It documents the accident, the hit-and-run, and your initial account of what happened. This report is required to file an uninsured motorist claim with your insurance company.

Step 2: Document Everything You Can

While you wait for CHP to arrive, document as much as possible:

• Write down everything you remember about the other vehicle immediately, before details fade
• Take photos of your vehicle damage, the road conditions, your location on the freeway, and any debris left by the other vehicle
• Look for witnesses in other vehicles who may have stopped or who saw the accident. Get their names and phone numbers
• Check whether any nearby vehicles have dashcam footage that may have captured the hit-and-run
• Note the time, weather conditions, and traffic conditions at the time of the accident

Any piece of evidence, no matter how small, can help identify the hit-and-run driver. A partial license plate combined with the vehicle's color and model can be enough for investigators to narrow down the suspect.

Step 3: Get Medical Attention

Freeway hit-and-run accidents on the I-5 often involve high-speed impacts that cause serious injuries. Even if you feel fine at the scene, the adrenaline rushing through your body can mask pain from fractures, internal injuries, or spinal damage. Get a thorough medical evaluation at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center or the nearest emergency facility as soon as possible.

Common injuries from freeway hit-and-runs include:

• Whiplash and cervical spine injuries from sudden deceleration
• Concussions and traumatic brain injuries from head impacts
• Broken bones from high-speed collisions
• Internal bleeding and organ damage
• Herniated or bulging discs
• Knee, shoulder, and wrist injuries from bracing for impact

Prompt medical attention creates the documentation connecting your injuries to the accident. Insurance companies will try to argue your injuries were pre-existing or caused by something else if you delay treatment.

Step 4: Notify Your Insurance Company

Report the hit-and-run to your auto insurance company as soon as possible. Provide the basic facts: the date, time, and location of the accident, the CHP report number, and that the other driver fled. Do not provide detailed statements or speculate about the accident. Keep your report brief and factual.

Notify your insurer that you will be filing an uninsured motorist claim. Your UM coverage applies to hit-and-run accidents when the at-fault driver is not identified. Also inquire about your medical payments coverage and collision coverage for vehicle damage.

Step 5: Contact an Attorney

A Sun Valley hit-and-run lawyer brings resources and expertise that dramatically improve your chances of a successful outcome:

• Obtaining freeway surveillance footage from Caltrans cameras on the I-5
• Working with CHP investigators to share evidence and coordinate the search for the hit-and-run driver
• Hiring private investigators to canvas the area, check body shops for recent repairs matching the damage profile, and track down leads
• Handling the UM claim against your own insurance to ensure you receive full policy value
• Managing all communications with insurance adjusters so you do not accidentally damage your case

Freeway Hit-and-Runs Are Investigated Differently

CHP investigates freeway hit-and-runs differently than LAPD handles surface street cases. CHP has access to freeway surveillance cameras, toll booth records, and a database of registered vehicles that can be searched by partial plate information and vehicle description.

Your attorney coordinates with CHP throughout the investigation, requesting updates, providing additional information from independent investigation, and ensuring the case remains a priority. When CHP identifies a suspect, the criminal case and your civil case proceed on parallel tracks.

Compensation After an I-5 Hit-and-Run

Whether the driver is identified or not, you can pursue compensation for your injuries. If the driver is found, you file a liability claim against their insurance. If not, your UM coverage provides compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering up to your policy limits.

Freeway hit-and-run cases often involve significant injuries due to the high speeds involved, making the stakes substantial. An attorney ensures every available dollar of coverage is accessed and maximized.

Act Now

Uninsured Motorist Coverage After a Sun Valley Hit-and-Run

When a hit-and-run driver on San Fernando Rd, Sunland Blvd, I-5, and Glenoaks Blvd cannot be identified, your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage becomes the primary source of compensation. California law treats hit-and-run accidents as uninsured motorist claims, allowing you to recover from your own policy.

Many people do not realize they have UM coverage or how it works. California Insurance Code Section 11580.2 requires all auto insurers to offer UM coverage, and most policies include it unless the policyholder explicitly rejected it in writing. Check your declarations page or call your agent to confirm your coverage limits.

Filing a UM claim is not as simple as reporting the accident and receiving a check. Your own insurance company assigns an adjuster who investigates the claim and evaluates your injuries, just as the at-fault driver's insurer would. That adjuster's goal is to pay as little as possible. Having an attorney levels the playing field and ensures your own insurer treats your claim fairly.

If you and your insurer cannot agree on a fair settlement, California law provides for binding arbitration of UM disputes. This process takes place outside of Van Nuys Courthouse West but follows formal legal procedures. An attorney experienced in UM arbitration knows how to present your case effectively and push for full value of your injuries and losses.

Contact L&F Brown in Sun Valley immediately after a hit-and-run on the I-5. Evidence disappears quickly, and the sooner we begin investigating, the better your chances of identifying the driver and maximizing your compensation. The consultation is free.