A sideswipe collision was reported on Nov 21, 2025 at approximately 10:00 AM on Sheldon Street near San Fernando Road in Sun Valley, California. Raining weather was noted at the time. 1 person was injured. This crash was classified as a pedestrian accident and truck 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.
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Dangerous intersection
Is San Fernando Road & Sheldon Street a Dangerous Road?
When the same intersection produces crash after crash, the problem may not be the drivers. San Fernando Road & Sheldon Street has logged 9 crashes in the last 9 months and 3 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
9Crashes reported at this intersection in the last 9 months
↑Injury crashes at this intersection UP 100% in recent months
33% of crashes here result in injuries
Side Swipe collisions account for 67% of crashes
Most crashes here happen around 7 AM on Suns
56Walk Score: Somewhat 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 Being Hit by a Car
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.
Determine right-of-way while details are fresh
Were you in a crosswalk? Was the walk signal active? Were you crossing mid-block? These details matter for liability. Write them down or record a voice memo as soon as you can. Memories fade, and the driver's insurer will build their version of events quickly.
File your claim against the driver's auto policy
As a pedestrian, you don't have your own auto insurance covering this crash. Your claim goes against the driver's liability policy. If the driver was uninsured or fled the scene, you may still have options through your own uninsured motorist coverage if you have a vehicle policy.
File your government tort claim before May 21, 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 May 21, 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.
Pedestrian accident law
Your Rights After Being Hit by a Vehicle
California law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks. An unmarked crosswalk exists at every intersection where roads meet, even without painted lines. If you were hit while crossing at an intersection, the driver likely owed you the right-of-way regardless of whether lines were painted on the road.
Comparative fault still applies to pedestrian cases. If you were jaywalking or crossing against a signal, you can still recover damages, but your percentage of fault reduces the amount. Insurance companies routinely overstate pedestrian fault to minimize payouts. The actual facts of where you were and what the driver was doing matter more than the insurer's initial narrative.
One of the trickiest parts of a pedestrian claim is figuring out which insurance pays. You file against the driver's auto liability policy. Your health insurance might cover initial treatment, but it has a right to be reimbursed from your settlement (called subrogation). Coordinating these moving pieces is why most pedestrian victims work with an attorney.
Because a commercial truck was involved, federal FMCSA regulations apply to this crash. Driver hours-of-service logs, vehicle maintenance records, and electronic data recorders should be preserved immediately through a spoliation letter before the trucking company can alter or overwrite them.
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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 9 crashes in the last nine months. Injury crashes here are trending up 100% compared to the prior period. The most common crash type at this intersection is Side Swipe, accounting for 67% 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 is an unmarked crosswalk in California?
An unmarked crosswalk exists at every intersection where two roads meet, even without painted lines. Under California Vehicle Code 275, the crosswalk is the extension of the sidewalk or property line across the intersection. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in unmarked crosswalks just as they would in marked ones.
Can I recover damages if I was jaywalking?
Yes. California's comparative fault system means you can recover damages even if you were crossing outside a crosswalk. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but it doesn't go to zero. The driver still had a duty to watch for pedestrians and avoid hitting them.
Whose insurance pays for a pedestrian accident?
The claim goes against the driver's auto liability insurance. If the driver was uninsured or fled the scene, your own uninsured motorist coverage (if you have a vehicle policy) can step in. Your health insurance may cover initial treatment but has a right to be reimbursed from your settlement through subrogation.
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 May 21, 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 May 21, 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. San Fernando Road & Sheldon Street has logged 9 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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