A sideswipe collision was reported on Oct 26, 2025 at approximately 12:55 PM on I-405 near Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks, California. Clear weather was noted at the time of the crash. 1 person was injured. This crash was classified as a hit and run and motorcycle 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
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Dangerous intersection
Is I-405 & Ventura Boulevard a Dangerous Road?
When the same intersection produces crash after crash, the problem may not be the drivers. I-405 & Ventura Boulevard has logged 39 crashes in the last 9 months and 15 resulting in injuries. Patterns like this can point to dangerous road design: poor sight lines, bad signal timing, missing turn lanes, or inadequate signage.
This road is on the City of Los Angeles High Injury Network, officially recognized as one of the most dangerous corridors in the city
39Crashes reported at this intersection in the last 9 months
↓Injury crashes at this intersection DOWN 40% in recent months
38% of crashes here result in injuries
Rear End collisions account for 51% of crashes
Most crashes here happen around 7 PM on Sats
81Walk Score: Very Walkable. High foot traffic increases pedestrian exposure at this intersection
This road is part of the City of Los Angeles High Injury Network, which means the city has officially documented its danger. HIN designation is direct evidence the city was on notice. In California, cities and counties can be held liable for dangerous road conditions they knew about or should have known about.
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 Hit and Run
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.
File a police report immediately
A police report is mandatory for a hit-and-run claim. Call 911 from the scene if you haven't already. Give them whatever you remember: vehicle color, make, model, partial plate, direction of travel. Nearby businesses may have surveillance footage, but it gets overwritten fast.
Open a UM/UIM claim on your own policy
If the other driver can't be identified, your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage steps in. If they're found but don't carry enough insurance, your underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage fills the gap. These are claims on your own policy, and your own insurer still has to treat you fairly.
File your government tort claim before April 26, 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 April 26, 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.
Hit and run accident law
How Hit and Run Claims Work in California
When the other driver flees the scene, your claim doesn't disappear. It shifts to your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. California requires every auto policy to include UM coverage unless you specifically waived it in writing. If you didn't waive it, you're covered.
There's a critical difference between an "identified" and "unidentified" hit-and-run driver. If police track down the driver (through surveillance footage, witness descriptions, or plate readers), you can file directly against their liability insurance. If the driver is never found, your UM claim is the path forward. Either way, you deserve compensation for your injuries.
Here's the honest answer about hit-and-run claims: your own insurance company is not on your side. They owe you coverage under the policy, but they're still looking to pay as little as possible. Treating a UM claim like an adversarial proceeding, with proper documentation and legal representation, is how you protect yourself.
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.
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Dangerous road design
Road Design Factors in Sideswipe Crashes
Sideswipe crashes often point to lane design problems: faded lane markings, narrowing lanes that force drivers to merge without warning, confusing lane drops, and poor merge geometry. When two vehicles collide side-to-side while traveling in the same direction, the road layout is worth scrutinizing.
Poorly designed on-ramps and off-ramps are a common culprit. Short merge lanes that don't give drivers enough distance to match traffic speeds, combined with limited sight lines from curves or walls, create predictable crash patterns. If multiple sideswipe crashes have occurred at the same location, that pattern is evidence of a design deficiency.
This intersection has recorded 39 crashes in the last nine months. Injury crashes here have trended down 40% compared to the prior period, but the intersection still has an active crash history. The most common crash type at this intersection is Rear End, accounting for 51% of incidents.
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 if the hit-and-run driver is never found?
Your claim doesn't disappear. If the driver can't be identified, your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on your own auto policy pays for your injuries. California requires every auto policy to include UM coverage unless you specifically waived it in writing. You file the claim against your own insurer.
Do I need a police report for a hit-and-run claim?
Yes. A police report is essentially required for a hit-and-run UM claim. Your insurer will ask for it. Beyond that, the police report triggers investigation, including checking nearby surveillance cameras, license plate readers, and canvassing for witnesses. File it as soon as possible while evidence is fresh.
Can I sue my own insurance company after a hit and run?
If your insurer denies or underpays a valid UM claim, you may have a bad faith claim against them. California law requires insurers to handle claims fairly and in good faith. Unreasonable delays, lowball offers, or outright denials of valid claims can expose the insurer to additional damages beyond the original policy limits.
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 April 26, 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 April 26, 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.
Can I sue the city if the road design caused this crash?
Yes. In California, cities, counties, and Caltrans can be held liable for dangerous road conditions they knew about or should have known about. I-405 & Ventura Boulevard has logged 39 crashes in the last 9 months. A pattern like that can be evidence the government was on notice and failed to act. Common road design problems include poor sight lines, missing turn lanes, bad signal timing, and inadequate signage. If a government entity is responsible, you must file a claim within 6 months of the accident, not the usual 2-year statute of limitations.
What is the High Injury Network and does it help my case?
The High Injury Network (HIN) is a list of streets the City of Los Angeles has officially identified as the most dangerous for traffic injuries and fatalities. If your crash happened on an HIN road, it means the city was already on notice that the road was dangerous. That is direct evidence in a government liability claim. It makes it much harder for the city to argue they did not know about the problem.
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