A broadside collision was reported on Mar 28, 2026 at approximately 11:10 PM on Reseda Boulevard near Beaufait Avenue in Porter Ranch, California. Clear weather was noted at the time of the crash. 1 person was killed and 1 person was injured. This crash was classified as a drunk driver accident and motorcycle accident and wrongful death case.
When a crash kills someone, the family has the right to file a wrongful death claim under California Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60. A spouse, domestic partner, children, or dependents can pursue damages including funeral costs, lost future income, and loss of companionship. The statute of limitations is two years from the date of death. If dangerous road design contributed to this crash, a government tort claim must be filed within six months. Insurance companies move fast after a fatal crash, and the offers they make early are not designed to be fair. A free consultation with our senior attorneys can help you understand your legal 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 a Fatal Drunk Driving Crash
Take care of yourself and your family first
Nothing about this process needs to happen today. Give yourself time to grieve and be with your family. When you are ready, the steps below will help you protect your legal rights. There are deadlines that matter, but none of them are immediate.
Get the BAC results from the police report
If the other driver was arrested for DUI, the police report will include their blood alcohol concentration. A BAC above 0.08% is powerful evidence, but even a lower reading combined with other impairment evidence can support your claim. Request a copy of the full report, not just the exchange of information.
Explore punitive damages and Dram Shop liability
Drunk driving cases are one of the few areas where California allows punitive damages under Civil Code 3294. If the driver was served alcohol at a bar or restaurant while visibly intoxicated, the establishment may also be liable under Business and Professions Code 25602.1. Both avenues increase what you can recover.
File your government tort claim before September 28, 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 September 28, 2026. Miss it and you lose your right to sue entirely, no matter how strong your case is.
Talk to a wrongful death attorney before the insurance company
Insurance companies move fast after fatal crashes. They will contact family members with early settlement offers before anyone has had time to understand what the case is worth. A free consultation with a wrongful death attorney costs you nothing and protects your family's right to full compensation.
Drunk driving accident law
Your Legal Options After a Drunk Driving Crash
Being hit by a drunk driver opens legal avenues that don't exist in typical car accident cases. California Civil Code 3294 allows punitive damages when the defendant's conduct was "despicable" and done with "willful and conscious disregard" for others' safety. Driving drunk fits that definition. Punitive damages go beyond compensating your losses. They're designed to punish.
If the drunk driver was served alcohol at a bar, restaurant, or event while already visibly intoxicated, the establishment may also be liable under California's Dram Shop statute, Business and Professions Code 25602.1. This is especially relevant when the driver doesn't carry enough insurance to cover your damages, because the establishment's commercial liability policy is often much larger.
The DUI criminal case and your civil injury case are separate proceedings. You don't have to wait for the criminal case to finish before pursuing your civil claim. In fact, a DUI conviction or guilty plea becomes admissible evidence in your civil case, making liability almost automatic.
Motorcycle riders in California have full legal rights on the road, including the right to lane split under Vehicle Code 21658.1. If the rider was lane splitting at the time, the question is whether it was done safely, not whether it happened at all.
Because this crash resulted in a fatality, surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim under CCP 377.60 in addition to any personal injury claims by surviving victims. The statute of limitations for wrongful death is two years from the date of death.
When a crash results in death, the legal landscape changes significantly. Surviving family members may bring a wrongful death action under CCP 377.60, which covers loss of financial support, companionship, and guidance. A separate survival action can address the deceased person's pain and suffering before death. The statute of limitations is two years from the date of death.
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Dangerous road design
Why Broadside Collisions Happen Here
Broadside collisions, sometimes called T-bone crashes, happen when one vehicle strikes the side of another. At intersections, these are often caused by inadequate sight lines, poorly timed signals, or missing protected left-turn phases. When a driver can't see oncoming traffic until it's too late, the intersection design shares responsibility.
Under California Government Code 835, a public entity can be liable for a "dangerous condition" on public property. An intersection with a history of broadside crashes, especially one where the signal timing hasn't been updated to match current traffic volumes, may qualify. Crash history data is key evidence in these claims.
This crash occurred late at night, when reduced visibility and higher speeds on empty roads combine to increase crash severity. Adequate street lighting, reflective lane markings, and proper signage are essential safety features during nighttime hours. Their absence is a design deficiency.
Did You Lose a Loved One in This Crash?
If someone in your family was killed in this crash, our wrongful death attorneys can help you understand your legal rights. We handle cases on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we recover for you.
Frequently asked questions
Common Questions About This Type of Crash
What are punitive damages in a drunk driving case?
Punitive damages go beyond compensating your losses. They're designed to punish the drunk driver and deter similar behavior. California Civil Code 3294 allows punitive damages when the defendant acted with "willful and conscious disregard" for others' safety. Driving drunk qualifies. These damages can significantly increase the total value of your case.
What is Dram Shop liability?
Under Business and Professions Code 25602.1, a bar, restaurant, or other establishment that serves alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person can be held liable if that person then causes a crash. This is called Dram Shop liability. It's especially important when the drunk driver doesn't carry enough insurance to cover your damages, because commercial establishments typically carry larger policies.
Does a DUI conviction help my civil injury case?
Yes. A DUI conviction or guilty plea is admissible evidence in your civil case and essentially proves the driver was negligent. You don't have to wait for the criminal case to finish before filing your civil claim. The two cases are completely separate proceedings with different standards of proof.
What should I do if a family member died in this crash?
First, take care of your family. When you're ready, consult a wrongful death attorney. Under California law, surviving spouses, children, and certain other family members can file a wrongful death claim. There are strict deadlines, especially if a government entity is involved (six months for a tort claim). A free consultation can help you understand your options without any obligation.
What is the government tort claim deadline of September 28, 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 September 28, 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.
News coverage
News Reports About This Crash
Local news outlets covered this crash. Press reports can provide additional details about what happened.
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