A pedestrian crash was reported on Jan 24, 2026 at approximately 9:20 PM on Sherman Way near Bellaire Avenue in Valley Glen, 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 pedestrian 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.
Your attorney
Senior Attorneys, Not a Call Center
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.
Dangerous intersection
Is Bellaire Avenue & Sherman Way a Dangerous Road?
When the same intersection produces crash after crash, the problem may not be the drivers. Bellaire Avenue & Sherman Way has logged 4 crashes in the last 9 months and 2 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
4Crashes reported at this intersection in the last 9 months
50% of crashes here result in injuries
Side Swipe collisions account for 50% of crashes
Most crashes here happen around 6 PM on Weds
79Walk 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 July 24, 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 July 24, 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.
Pedestrian victims have strong protections under California law. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks, and even if the pedestrian shared some fault, comparative negligence allows recovery of reduced damages.
Our founding partners trained at UCLA Law and built L&F Brown on a simple idea: take fewer cases, fight harder on each one. You work directly with a senior attorney from your first call through settlement. No hand-offs, no assembly line.
6,000+ Cases75+ Years CombinedMartindale-Hubbell Preeminent
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 intersection has recorded 4 crashes in the last nine months. The most common crash type at this intersection is Side Swipe, accounting for 50% of incidents.
This crash happened during evening hours (7-10 PM), when reduced visibility starts to play a role. Inadequate street lighting, missing reflective lane markings, and unlit crosswalks all become more dangerous as daylight fades.
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 July 24, 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 July 24, 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. Bellaire Avenue & Sherman Way has logged 4 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.
No commitment. Speak directly with a senior attorney.
Client Stories
Hear From the People We've Helped
“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
By the Numbers
75+
Years Legal Experience
6,000+
Clients Served
One
Case at a Time
See how our senior attorneys can help with your case
UCLA Law trained. Personalized care. Life-changing results.
6,000+ Cases 75+ Years Combined Martindale-Hubbell Preeminent