Pedestrian Hit on Victory Blvd in Lake Balboa: Your Rights

Arya Firoozmand, Esq.

Local Lake Balboa Injury Attorney · UCLA Law

Arya Firoozmand is the founding partner at L&F Brown. A Woodland Hills native, he graduated from El Camino Real High School and UCLA Law School and knows the Lake Balboa community from years of personal and professional experience.

Victory Blvd is one of the busiest and most dangerous roads for pedestrians in Lake Balboa. The boulevard's wide lanes, heavy traffic, and limited pedestrian-friendly infrastructure make it a persistent hazard for people on foot. If you were hit by a car while walking, jogging, or crossing Victory Blvd, you have important legal rights and may be entitled to substantial compensation for your injuries.

Why Victory Blvd Is Dangerous for Pedestrians

Victory Blvd stretches across the entire San Fernando Valley, and the section running through Lake Balboa presents multiple dangers for pedestrians:

• Wide lanes encourage higher vehicle speeds, giving drivers less time to react to pedestrians
• The intersection at Victory Blvd and Balboa Blvd has complex turning movements that put pedestrians in crosswalks at risk
• Bus stops along Victory Blvd bring pedestrians into close proximity with moving traffic
• Shopping centers and restaurants generate pedestrian foot traffic that must cross busy lanes
• Long blocks between crosswalks tempt pedestrians to cross mid-block where drivers may not expect them
• Limited street lighting in some areas makes pedestrians less visible at night

Your Rights as a Pedestrian in California

California law provides strong protections for pedestrians. Under Vehicle Code Section 21950, drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians in any marked crosswalk or at any intersection, whether or not the crosswalk is marked. Drivers must also exercise due care to avoid hitting pedestrians on any part of the road.

If a driver strikes you on Victory Blvd, you have the right to pursue compensation for all of your injuries and losses. The driver's duty of care does not depend on whether you were in a crosswalk. While crossing outside a crosswalk may affect the percentage of fault assigned to you, it does not eliminate your right to recover damages.

Common Injuries From Pedestrian Accidents on Victory Blvd

The injuries sustained in pedestrian accidents on Victory Blvd are often severe due to the speed of traffic:

• Traumatic brain injuries from striking the vehicle or pavement
• Broken legs, hips, and pelvis from the initial point of impact
• Spinal cord injuries that may result in paralysis
• Internal bleeding and organ damage
• Torn ligaments and tendons in the knees and ankles
• Severe cuts, abrasions, and road rash
• Psychological trauma including PTSD and anxiety

Emergency treatment for pedestrian injuries in Lake Balboa typically begins at Valley Presbyterian Hospital. Depending on the severity, victims may need multiple surgeries, extended hospitalization, and months of physical rehabilitation.

Compensation Available to Pedestrian Accident Victims

If you were hit on Victory Blvd, you may be entitled to recover:

• All medical expenses, including emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, and physical therapy
• Future medical costs for ongoing treatment and rehabilitation
• Lost wages from time missed at work during your recovery
• Reduced earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job
• Pain and suffering for the physical agony caused by your injuries
• Emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and fear of crossing streets
• Loss of enjoyment of life if your injuries limit your activities

Steps to Take After Being Hit on Victory Blvd

If you are able to do so after being struck, take these steps:

• Call 911 to request LAPD and paramedics
• Do not move if you think you may have a spinal injury
• Get the driver's name, phone number, license plate, and insurance information
• Ask any witnesses to stay and provide their contact information
• Photograph the scene, including the intersection, traffic signals, and vehicle damage
• Go to Valley Presbyterian Hospital for a thorough medical evaluation
• Contact a Lake Balboa pedestrian accident lawyer before speaking with the driver's insurance company

Investigating a Victory Blvd Pedestrian Accident

LAPD responds to pedestrian accidents on Victory Blvd and generates a traffic collision report. This report documents the officer's findings about fault, speed, road conditions, and witness statements. Your attorney will supplement the police investigation with independent evidence gathering, including:

• Surveillance footage from businesses along Victory Blvd
• Traffic signal timing data from the City of Los Angeles
• The driver's cell phone records to check for distracted driving
• Accident reconstruction analysis to determine vehicle speed and impact dynamics

Government Liability for Unsafe Conditions on Victory Blvd

If a dangerous road condition on Victory Blvd contributed to your accident, such as a broken crosswalk signal, inadequate lighting, or missing pedestrian signage, the City of Los Angeles may share liability. These claims require a government tort claim filed within six months of the accident.

Contact L&F Brown for a Free Consultation

What to Do After Being Hit by a Car in Lake Balboa

If you were struck by a vehicle while walking near Balboa Blvd, Victory Blvd, Vanowen St, and Haskell Ave, 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 Valley Presbyterian Hospital 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.

If you were hit on Victory Blvd in Lake Balboa, do not wait to get legal help. L&F Brown fights for pedestrian accident victims and has the experience to hold negligent drivers accountable. We offer free consultations and handle all cases on a contingency fee basis. Cases may proceed to Van Nuys Courthouse West if litigation is necessary. Visit our Lake Balboa page to learn more.