Hit by a Car on Ventura Blvd in Sherman Oaks: What Are Your Rights?

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.

Ventura Blvd in Sherman Oaks is one of the most active commercial streets in the San Fernando Valley. Restaurants, retail shops, offices, and entertainment venues line the boulevard, drawing large numbers of pedestrians throughout the day and evening. The combination of high vehicle traffic, multiple driveways, and dense pedestrian activity makes Ventura Blvd one of the more dangerous streets in the area for people on foot.

If a car hit you while you were walking on or crossing Ventura Blvd in Sherman Oaks, you have legal rights, and California law strongly protects pedestrians.

Your Legal Rights as a Pedestrian on Ventura Blvd

California law gives pedestrians the right of way in several important situations:

• In marked crosswalks at all intersections along Ventura Blvd
• In unmarked crosswalks at intersections where no marked crosswalk exists
• When a pedestrian signal indicates it is safe to cross

Drivers on Ventura Blvd are required by California Vehicle Code to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and to exercise due care at all times. When a driver fails to yield, runs a red light, speeds through a crossing zone, or is distracted, and strikes a pedestrian, they are liable for all resulting injuries and damages.

Steps to Take After Being Hit on Ventura Blvd

• Call 911 immediately. LAPD Van Nuys Division responds to pedestrian accidents on Ventura Blvd within Sherman Oaks. An officer will take statements, document the scene, and file a report. Ask for the report number before officers leave.
• Do not leave the scene before receiving medical evaluation. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries. Paramedics will assess you on scene. If you need further care, Sherman Oaks Hospital at 4929 Van Nuys Blvd is located just a short distance away.
• Photograph everything you can. The position of the vehicle, the crosswalk markings, the traffic signal state, and your injuries. If the driver moved the car, note that it was moved and by whom.
• Get witness information. Ventura Blvd has pedestrian traffic at most hours. Other walkers, diners from patio restaurants, and nearby shoppers may have seen what happened. Witness accounts are powerful evidence.
• Note nearby businesses with cameras. Restaurants, banks, and retail shops along Ventura Blvd frequently have exterior security cameras facing the street. Your attorney can request this footage before it is overwritten.

Who Pays for Your Injuries?

The driver's auto liability insurance is responsible for compensating you. If the driver was working at the time of the crash, their employer's commercial policy may also apply. In rare cases where a road defect or signal malfunction contributed to the crash, LA County or another government entity may share liability.

What You Are Entitled to Recover

As a pedestrian injured on Ventura Blvd, you may be entitled to:

• Medical bills including emergency care and all follow-up treatment
• Lost wages from time missed at work
• Future medical costs and rehabilitation expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and psychological harm from the traumatic experience
• Permanent disability or disfigurement damages

Pedestrian injuries are often severe, and the compensation available can be substantial. Do not accept an early settlement offer before understanding the full cost of your injuries.

Contact a Sherman Oaks pedestrian accident lawyer at L&F Brown serving Sherman Oaks today for a free consultation. We will protect your rights and pursue every dollar you are owed.