UCLA Law Trained Drunk Driver Accident Lawyers in Sherman Oaks
If you were hit by a drunk driver in Sherman Oaks, California, you may be entitled to more than ordinary compensation — California courts have held that DUI can constitute the 'conscious disregard' required for punitive damages under Civil Code §3294. L&F Brown builds the full record of the driver's conduct, pursues every insurance layer, and fights for every dollar the law provides.
A Sherman Oaks Resident, Not a Remote Law Firm
I live in Sherman Oaks. I earned my law degree at UCLA, and my connection to Sherman Oaks goes back further — founding partner Arya Firoozmand previously lived near the Ralphs on Ventura and Hazeltine. We've both spent many nights at Mizlala and The Little IZAKA-YA next door with our families. We know how hard it is to get to the 405 from Sherman Oaks, the Westfield Fashion Square area, and what it takes to get fair results for people injured in this community.
Why Sherman Oaks Drunk Driver Accident Lawyer Cases Are Different
This is the local knowledge that shapes how we approach your case from day one — the courts where it will be heard, the roads where it happened, the properties with prior incident history. Most firms would need to look this up.
The US-101 and I-405 interchange near Sherman Oaks is one of the busiest and most crash-prone freeway junctions in Los Angeles. High-speed weaving traffic, aggressive merging, and chronic congestion create year-round collision risk.
Sherman Oaks cases file at Van Nuys Courthouse West, one of the busiest civil courts in LA County. We know the judges, the dockets, and how to move cases efficiently through this court system.
California courts have repeatedly held that driving under the influence can constitute "malice" or "conscious disregard for the rights and safety of others" — the standard for punitive damages under Civil Code §3294. This can significantly increase your total recovery beyond compensatory damages alone.
California's dram shop law (Business and Professions Code §25602) limits social host liability but allows claims against commercial establishments that serve visibly intoxicated customers who later cause accidents. If a bar or restaurant over-served the driver, they may share liability.
Most Firms Will Take Your Case.
Few Will Actually Fight For It.
From the moment a claim is filed, the other side is building a case against yours. Adjusters document inconsistencies, make early offers designed to be accepted, and count on injured people to take less than they deserve. Most personal injury firms respond by loading up their docket — you get assigned to a paralegal, your calls go unanswered, and your case settles fast because the firm needs to move on.
We built L&F Brown differently.
- You talk to a founding partner. Not intake staff, not a junior associate — a UCLA Law-trained senior attorney who handles your case personally from first call to resolution.
- We limit our caseload on purpose. More cases means less attention. We take fewer so every client gets the time and resources their case actually requires.
- We don't settle until the number is right. Insurance companies know which firms fold early. We're not one of them — and they know it.
Evidence fades. Deadlines are real. The sooner you have an attorney building your case, the better your position. This is our personal commitment to every client we take on.
What We Know About Sherman Oaks That Affects Your Case
- Westfield Fashion Square —Corporate-owned regional mall with a professional liability team. Slip & fall and parking structure incidents here are routinely contested — prior incident history at the property is critical evidence we request early.
- US-101 / I-405 interchange —One of the most congested freeway intersections in the country. Rear-end and lane-change crashes are frequent; fault in multi-vehicle incidents requires fast evidence preservation before footage disappears.
- Van Nuys Courthouse —Cases file at the Van Nuys Courthouse of LA County Superior Court. We know the local judges and how Sherman Oaks-area juries evaluate damages.
- Dense apartment stock —Sherman Oaks has substantial multi-unit residential development. Premises liability against property management companies is a recurring case type — these defendants operate very differently from individual homeowners.
- Sepulveda Blvd medical corridor —Multiple medical practices and outpatient facilities. We know which specialists produce injury documentation that holds up under cross-examination from insurance defense counsel.
Sherman Oaks Roads Where Drunk Driver Accident Lawyer Crashes Happen
Local road patterns determine what evidence we seek, which defendants we name, and how we frame fault. These are the corridors in Sherman Oaks where crashes concentrate.
- highUS-101 / I-405 interchange
One of the most congested freeway interchanges in the country. Weaving traffic, sudden stops, and high speeds make this a consistent source of rear-end, sideswipe, and multi-vehicle collisions.
- highVentura Blvd (Sherman Oaks section)
Dense commercial strip with heavy pedestrian activity, bus stops, and frequent turns. Rear-end and pedestrian collisions are common, particularly near Westfield Fashion Square.
- highVan Nuys Boulevard
Major north-south corridor with significant truck and bus traffic. Side-impact collisions at intersections are frequent due to the high volume of turning movements.
- moderateSepulveda Boulevard
Heavy commercial vehicle and commuter traffic. Multiple intersections with limited pedestrian infrastructure create hazardous crossing conditions.
- moderateRiverside Drive
Curves along the Los Angeles River with reduced visibility. Speed limit compliance issues and limited shoulder space contribute to crashes.
Major Car and Drunk Driver Accident Lawyer Accidents
The 101/405 interchange and Ventura Boulevard create some of the worst traffic congestion in the Valley, with peak-hour gridlock a daily reality for Sherman Oaks residents. These conditions create dangerous merging zones and congested areas.
City surface streets like Ventura Boulevard, Van Nuys Boulevard, Sepulveda Boulevard, Riverside Drive are hotspots for T-bone collisions, rear-end crashes, and pedestrian strikes, especially during rush hours and school drop-off/pick-up times.
We've helped victims injured in:
- Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) accidents near Westfield Fashion Square.
- Delivery vehicle collisions in residential zones like Chandler Estates, Magnolia Woods and Sherman Oaks Hills.
- School zone crashes near Sherman Oaks Elementary Charterand Notre Dame High School.
- Pedestrian accidents near Ventura Boulevard Corridorand Westfield Fashion Square.
- Dog Bites in the Sherman Oaks Hills and Van Nuys adjacent neighborhoods.
DUI Accident Cases We Handle in Sherman Oaks
Every case type below requires different evidence, different defendants, and a different legal strategy. Select yours for a page built specifically around your situation in Sherman Oaks.
DUI Car Accident Injuries
Impaired drivers who run red lights, veer across lanes, or fail to stop — the full range of crash types plus punitive damages potential.
DUI Pedestrian & Cyclist Strikes
Some of the most serious DUI cases — impaired drivers who mount curbs or ignore crosswalks cause catastrophic pedestrian and cyclist injuries.
DUI Wrong-Way Crashes
Head-on collisions caused by impaired drivers entering highways or surface streets in the wrong direction.
Dram Shop Claims Against Bars
Pursuing the bar or restaurant that over-served the driver — expanding available insurance coverage beyond the driver's policy.
DUI Fatalities — Wrongful Death Claims
When a drunk driver kills someone, surviving family members can pursue both compensatory and punitive damages.
Compensation Available in a Personal Injury Claim
Most people who settle too quickly — or hire the wrong firm — leave significant money on the table. Here's the full picture of what a properly documented Sherman Oaks injury claim should recover.
Medical Expenses
ER visits, surgery, physical therapy, medication, and future care costs.
Lost Wages
Income lost while recovering, including salary, hourly wages, and self-employment income.
Lost Earning Capacity
Compensation for permanently reduced ability to work or earn at the same level.
Pain & Suffering
Physical pain and emotional distress — often the largest component of a settlement.
Property Damage
Repair or replacement of your vehicle or other personal property damaged in the incident.
Punitive Damages
Available when conduct was especially reckless or intentional, on top of compensatory damages.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Compensation for no longer being able to participate in hobbies, activities, and daily pleasures you had before the injury.
Loss of Consortium
A spouse or domestic partner's claim for loss of companionship, support, and the marital relationship caused by the injury.
What to Do After a Drunk Driver Accident
DUI accident cases have unique evidentiary opportunities — criminal prosecution records, BAC results, and prior history — that can significantly increase your recovery.
Call 911 and report suspected drunk driving
Tell the dispatcher you believe the other driver was impaired. This initiates DUI testing and documentation.
Cooperate with police but don't speculate
Provide your account of what happened. Ask the officer whether the other driver was tested for alcohol or drugs.
Seek immediate medical care
DUI accidents cause serious trauma. Full emergency evaluation documents your injuries.
Obtain the police report
The DUI arrest record and BAC results are powerful evidence. We obtain these records early in the case.
Document the at-fault driver's impairment evidence
Open containers, smell of alcohol, slurred speech — document anything you observed at the scene.
Contact L&F Brown
DUI cases have additional evidentiary value — criminal records, BAC results, and prior DUI history — that we leverage to maximize your recovery.
“I had a very good experience with these lawyers. I’d recommend them to anyone looking for quality legal advice and fantastic service. Curt is an Ace.”
Jack Hoskinson
“Overall experience was great. Arya was extremely knowledgeable and guided me through a stressful time in my life. Response times were quick and reassuring. Very happy with the outcome of my case.”
David Chau
“Helped now on three different occasions. Have referred Curt to at least three other people.”
Scott MacDonell
75+
Years Legal Experience
6,000+
Clients Served
One
Case at a Time