A single-vehicle crash was reported on Dec 31, 2025 at approximately 2:40 PM on Van Nuys Boulevard near Gladstone Avenue in Pacoima, California. Raining weather was noted at the time. 1 person was injured. This crash was classified as a pedestrian accident case.
If you were involved, the other driver's insurance company may have already contacted you with a settlement offer. Early offers are almost always lower than what your claim is actually worth. Insurers count on people settling before they understand the full extent of their injuries. You have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim in California, but key evidence like surveillance footage and witness memories doesn't last that long. A free consultation with our senior attorneys costs you nothing and helps you understand your options.
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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 Being Hit by a Car
Get medical attention immediately
Even if you feel fine, get checked out. Some of the most serious injuries from crashes, like internal bleeding and traumatic brain injuries, don't always show symptoms right away. A medical record from the day of the crash also becomes critical evidence later.
Determine right-of-way while details are fresh
Were you in a crosswalk? Was the walk signal active? Were you crossing mid-block? These details matter for liability. Write them down or record a voice memo as soon as you can. Memories fade, and the driver's insurer will build their version of events quickly.
File your claim against the driver's auto policy
As a pedestrian, you don't have your own auto insurance covering this crash. Your claim goes against the driver's liability policy. If the driver was uninsured or fled the scene, you may still have options through your own uninsured motorist coverage if you have a vehicle policy.
File your government tort claim before June 30, 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 June 30, 2026. Miss it and you lose your right to sue entirely, no matter how strong your case is.
Talk to a personal injury attorney before the insurance company
Insurance adjusters will reach out quickly, and they're not calling to help you. They want a recorded statement and a fast settlement before you understand what your case is actually worth. A free consultation with an attorney costs you nothing and protects everything.
Pedestrian accident law
Your Rights After Being Hit by a Vehicle
California law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks. An unmarked crosswalk exists at every intersection where roads meet, even without painted lines. If you were hit while crossing at an intersection, the driver likely owed you the right-of-way regardless of whether lines were painted on the road.
Comparative fault still applies to pedestrian cases. If you were jaywalking or crossing against a signal, you can still recover damages, but your percentage of fault reduces the amount. Insurance companies routinely overstate pedestrian fault to minimize payouts. The actual facts of where you were and what the driver was doing matter more than the insurer's initial narrative.
One of the trickiest parts of a pedestrian claim is figuring out which insurance pays. You file against the driver's auto liability policy. Your health insurance might cover initial treatment, but it has a right to be reimbursed from your settlement (called subrogation). Coordinating these moving pieces is why most pedestrian victims work with an attorney.
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
Fixed Object Crashes and Roadside Design
When a vehicle leaves the road and strikes a fixed object like a pole, tree, or barrier, the severity of injury often depends on roadside design. The "clear zone" concept requires that the area alongside the road be free of rigid obstacles or protected by crash-attenuating barriers. Missing guardrails, unshielded utility poles, and improperly placed sign posts within the clear zone are all design deficiencies.
Breakaway sign supports and energy-absorbing barriers exist precisely because engineers know vehicles will leave the road. When a public entity fails to install these countermeasures at a location with a history of run-off-road crashes, that failure can support a claim under Government Code 835.
This crash occurred during midday hours, when traffic volumes are moderate but speeds tend to be higher due to less congestion. Higher travel speeds reduce reaction time and increase crash severity, especially at intersections with short yellow intervals.
Were You Injured in This Crash?
If you or someone you love was hurt in this crash, our attorneys can help you understand your options. We handle cases on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we win.
Frequently asked questions
Common Questions About This Type of Crash
What is an unmarked crosswalk in California?
An unmarked crosswalk exists at every intersection where two roads meet, even without painted lines. Under California Vehicle Code 275, the crosswalk is the extension of the sidewalk or property line across the intersection. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in unmarked crosswalks just as they would in marked ones.
Can I recover damages if I was jaywalking?
Yes. California's comparative fault system means you can recover damages even if you were crossing outside a crosswalk. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but it doesn't go to zero. The driver still had a duty to watch for pedestrians and avoid hitting them.
Whose insurance pays for a pedestrian accident?
The claim goes against the driver's auto liability insurance. If the driver was uninsured or fled the scene, your own uninsured motorist coverage (if you have a vehicle policy) can step in. Your health insurance may cover initial treatment but has a right to be reimbursed from your settlement through subrogation.
How do I know if my injuries are serious enough to file a claim?
There's no minimum injury threshold for filing a personal injury claim in California. If someone else's negligence caused your injuries and you have medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering, you likely have a valid claim. Many injuries that seem minor at first, like whiplash or soft tissue damage, can develop into chronic conditions. Get a medical evaluation and a legal consultation.
What is the government tort claim deadline of June 30, 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 June 30, 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.
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