Pedestrian Hit on Sherman Way in Reseda: Your Rights
If a car hit you while you were crossing or walking along Sherman Way in Reseda, you are facing one of the most physically devastating experiences a person can endure. This article explains what California law says about your rights, what to do in the hours ahead, and what compensation you may be entitled to.
Why Sherman Way Is Dangerous for Pedestrians
Sherman Way is a major east-west arterial running through Reseda with heavy vehicle traffic, multiple lanes, and speeds that regularly exceed 40 mph. The intersections at Sherman Way and Reseda Blvd, Sherman Way and Lindley Ave, and Sherman Way and other cross streets see constant foot traffic from residents walking to businesses, bus stops, and nearby neighborhoods.
The road was designed for vehicle throughput. Pedestrians crossing a wide, fast-moving road face drivers focused on traffic flow, not on people at the crosswalk. Left-turning and right-turning drivers frequently fail to check for pedestrians before completing their turns. This is the most common cause of pedestrian injuries on Sherman Way.
What to Do After Being Hit on Sherman Way
Get medical attention immediately. Do not refuse paramedics. Go to Northridge Hospital at 18300 Roscoe Blvd. Pedestrian injuries including traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, and fractures often do not show full symptoms for hours. A same-day medical record ties your injuries to the crash.
Call LAPD. Sherman Way is a city street. LAPD handles the investigation. Get the report number and follow up to obtain a copy.
Document the scene. Photograph the crosswalk, traffic signals, the vehicle, your injuries, and any skid marks or debris. Take wide shots and close-ups.
Get witness names and numbers. Sherman Way is busy. Other pedestrians, drivers who stopped, and people at nearby businesses may have seen what happened.
Do not speak to the driver's insurance company. Decline recorded statements. Tell them your attorney will be in contact.
Contact a pedestrian accident attorney. An attorney who handles pedestrian accident cases in Reseda can send preservation letters to Sherman Way businesses before surveillance footage is overwritten.
California Crosswalk Law and Your Case
Under CVC 21950, drivers must yield to any pedestrian in a marked or unmarked crosswalk. If you were in a crosswalk on Sherman Way when hit, the driver violated this law, and that is strong evidence of negligence.
California uses pure comparative fault. Even if you share some responsibility, you can still recover damages reduced by your percentage. If found 20% at fault with $500,000 in damages, you recover $400,000.
Even crossing outside a crosswalk does not automatically make you at fault. Drivers must exercise due care to avoid hitting pedestrians under CVC 21954.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Medical expenses: Emergency care at Northridge Hospital, surgeries, specialist follow-up, physical therapy, and future treatment. Future medical costs are often the largest component.
Lost wages and earning capacity: Income lost during recovery and reduced future earning ability if injuries are permanent.
Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, PTSD, and loss of enjoyment of life. No cap in California.
Property damage: Personal items damaged in the crash.
Pedestrian accident cases on Sherman Way in Reseda have produced settlements ranging from $200,000 to $700,000 depending on injury severity, liability clarity, and insurance coverage.
Do Not Wait to Get Help
The driver who hit you has an insurance company working for them right now. Their goal is to pay you as little as possible. You deserve someone working just as hard for you.
L&F Brown represents pedestrian accident victims throughout Reseda. We know Sherman Way, we know the Van Nuys Courthouse West, and we know how to build cases that produce results. No fees unless we win.
What to Do After Being Hit by a Car in Reseda
If you were struck by a vehicle while walking near Reseda Blvd, Sherman Way, Vanowen St, and Victory Blvd, the most important step is getting medical attention immediately. Call 911 from the scene. Even if you think your injuries are minor, the force of a vehicle impact can cause internal injuries that are not immediately apparent. Get to Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills or Northridge Hospital Medical Center for a full evaluation.
While waiting for emergency services, try to document the scene if you are physically able. Use your phone to photograph the vehicle that hit you, the license plate, the intersection or location, any traffic signals or signs, and your visible injuries. Get contact information from any witnesses who saw the accident.
Do not accept any offer from the driver's insurance company without speaking to an attorney first. Pedestrian accident claims involve serious injuries with long recovery timelines, and early settlement offers rarely reflect the true value of these cases. The insurance company wants to close your claim quickly, before the full extent of your injuries and future medical needs is known.
LAPD investigates pedestrian accidents on city streets, while CHP handles incidents on freeways and highway on/off ramps. The police report is an important piece of evidence, but it is not the only factor in determining liability. Your attorney can supplement the police investigation with independent evidence, witness statements, and expert analysis. If litigation becomes necessary, your case would be heard at Van Nuys Courthouse West, where pedestrian accident claims are regularly adjudicated.
What to Do After Being Hit by a Car in Reseda
If you were struck by a vehicle while walking near Reseda Blvd, Sherman Way, Vanowen St, and Victory Blvd, the most important step is getting medical attention immediately. Call 911 from the scene. Even if you think your injuries are minor, the force of a vehicle impact can cause internal injuries that are not immediately apparent. Get to Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills or Northridge Hospital Medical Center for a full evaluation.
While waiting for emergency services, try to document the scene if you are physically able. Use your phone to photograph the vehicle that hit you, the license plate, the intersection or location, any traffic signals or signs, and your visible injuries. Get contact information from any witnesses who saw the accident.
Do not accept any offer from the driver's insurance company without speaking to an attorney first. Pedestrian accident claims involve serious injuries with long recovery timelines, and early settlement offers rarely reflect the true value of these cases. The insurance company wants to close your claim quickly, before the full extent of your injuries and future medical needs is known.
LAPD investigates pedestrian accidents on city streets, while CHP handles incidents on freeways and highway on/off ramps. The police report is an important piece of evidence, but it is not the only factor in determining liability. Your attorney can supplement the police investigation with independent evidence, witness statements, and expert analysis. If litigation becomes necessary, your case would be heard at Van Nuys Courthouse West, where pedestrian accident claims are regularly adjudicated.
Learn more at our Reseda personal injury page or call us today.
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