A pedestrian crash was reported on Oct 19, 2025 at approximately 5:30 AM on Arleta Avenue near Wentworth Street in Van Nuys, California. Clear weather was noted at the time of the crash. 1 person was killed. This crash was classified as a hit and run and 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
You're not a case number here. Every case I take is personal.
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 Hit and Run
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.
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 19, 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 19, 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.
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.
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 in the early morning hours (2-6 AM), when low traffic volumes can lead to higher speeds and reduced alertness. Road design features like rumble strips, adequate lighting, and clear lane markings are critical during these hours when fewer visual cues keep drivers oriented.
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 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.
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 April 19, 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 19, 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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