Hit and Run on Van Nuys Blvd in Sherman Oaks: What to Do

Arya Firoozmand, Esq. — Founding Partner

Local Sherman Oaks Injury Attorney · UCLA Law

Arya Firoozmand is the founding partner at L&F Brown. He grew up in the San Fernando Valley, graduated from El Camino Real High School and UCLA Law School, and has spent his career representing injured clients across the Valley — including Sherman Oaks and the 405 corridor.

Van Nuys Blvd is one of the most heavily used surface streets in the Sherman Oaks area, running through a dense commercial and residential corridor. With high traffic volume, multiple business driveways, frequent lane changes, and pedestrian crossings, this road sees a significant number of accidents. When a driver causes a crash and then flees, victims on Van Nuys Blvd are left to deal with the aftermath alone.

Here is exactly what to do if you are the victim of a hit and run on Van Nuys Blvd in Sherman Oaks.

Immediate Steps at the Scene

• Call 911 immediately. LAPD Van Nuys Division responds to traffic crashes on Van Nuys Blvd. An officer will arrive, take your statement, begin an investigation, and file a hit and run report. This report is critical documentation for your insurance claim.
• Try to note the fleeing vehicle. If you can safely observe the vehicle, note the color, make, model, and any partial license plate. Even one or two digits can help LAPD track the driver through DMV records and license plate readers deployed throughout Sherman Oaks.
• Look for witnesses. Businesses along Van Nuys Blvd, nearby pedestrians, or other drivers may have seen the crash. Ask for contact information from anyone willing to provide it.
• Photograph everything. Take photos of your vehicle damage, your injuries, the road surface, skid marks, and the surrounding area. Capture any nearby business signs that might have cameras facing the street.

Security Cameras Along Van Nuys Blvd

This is one of the most important steps after a Van Nuys Blvd hit and run. The dense commercial corridor along Van Nuys Blvd means there are businesses with security cameras facing the street on nearly every block. Your attorney can send legal preservation letters to these businesses immediately, demanding they retain any footage from the time of your crash before it is automatically deleted.

Sherman Oaks Hospital at 4929 Van Nuys Blvd, retail stores, restaurants, gas stations, and other businesses along the corridor may all have footage that captures the fleeing vehicle's appearance and direction of travel. This evidence has helped identify hit and run drivers in many Sherman Oaks cases.

Seek Medical Attention Promptly

Even if you feel okay immediately after the crash, go to Sherman Oaks Hospital or your own doctor as soon as possible. Injuries like whiplash, concussion, and internal trauma may not be apparent at the scene. Medical records created close to the time of the crash create an essential link between the collision and your injuries for insurance and legal purposes.

Filing a Claim Under Your Uninsured Motorist Coverage

When a hit and run driver cannot be identified, your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is the primary source of compensation. California law requires you to meet certain conditions to file a UM claim for a hit and run: the accident must have been witnessed by someone other than you, or there must be physical contact between vehicles. Your attorney will help you navigate these requirements.

Do not try to negotiate directly with your own insurer on a UM claim. Even your own insurance company will look for ways to minimize your payout. A Sherman Oaks hit and run accident lawyer protects your interests throughout this process.

Contact L&F Brown serving Sherman Oaks today for a free consultation. We act fast to preserve evidence and pursue every available dollar for Van Nuys Blvd hit and run victims.