A pedestrian crash was reported on Dec 9, 2025 at approximately 4:00 PM on San Fernando Road near Truesdale Street in Sun Valley, California. Clear weather was noted at the time of the crash. 1 person was killed. This crash was classified as a pedestrian 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
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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 Pedestrian 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.
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 June 9, 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 June 9, 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.
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 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
How Intersection Design Fails Pedestrians
Pedestrian crashes at intersections are rarely just about distracted drivers. Crosswalk design, signal timing, and lighting all play a role. Missing curb extensions that leave pedestrians hidden behind parked cars, signal cycles that don't give enough time to cross, and intersections without adequate street lighting create conditions where collisions are predictable.
California's Complete Streets Act (AB 1358) requires local agencies to plan for all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists. When an intersection with a history of pedestrian crashes hasn't been redesigned to include leading pedestrian intervals, high-visibility crosswalks, or traffic calming features, the responsible agency may face liability.
This crash happened during the evening commute (3-7 PM), the highest-volume period on most California roads. Intersections and road segments that weren't designed for current traffic volumes see disproportionate crash rates during these peak hours.
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 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.
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 June 9, 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 June 9, 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.
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