A sideswipe collision was reported on May 1, 2026 at approximately 11:20 PM on I-5 near SR-170 in Van Nuys, California. Clear weather was noted at the time of the crash. 1 person was injured. This crash was classified as a car 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
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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 Car Accident
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.
Document the scene while you can
Take photos of vehicle damage, skid marks, traffic signals, and the overall scene from multiple angles. Get the other driver's insurance info and license plate. If there are witnesses, get their contact information before they leave.
Don't give a recorded statement to any insurance company
The other driver's insurer will call you, sometimes within hours. They'll ask you to describe what happened "for their records." What they're actually doing is looking for anything they can use to reduce or deny your claim. You are not obligated to give a recorded statement.
File your government tort claim before November 1, 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 November 1, 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.
California car accident law
How Fault Works in a California Car Accident
California uses a "pure comparative fault" system. That means even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover damages. Your compensation gets reduced by your percentage of fault, but it doesn't disappear. If you're found 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you'd recover $80,000.
Insurance companies love to use comparative fault as a bargaining chip. They'll throw out a high fault percentage early in negotiations to justify a low offer. That initial number isn't based on evidence. It's a negotiation tactic. Don't accept a fault determination from an adjuster without having your own attorney review the facts.
Soft tissue injuries, the kind adjusters love to minimize, often require the most careful documentation. MRI results, consistent treatment records, and a clear connection between the crash and your symptoms are what move the needle. Gaps in treatment give adjusters ammunition to argue you weren't really hurt.
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
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 crash occurred late at night, when reduced visibility and higher speeds on empty roads combine to increase crash severity. Adequate street lighting, reflective lane markings, and proper signage are essential safety features during nighttime hours. Their absence is a design deficiency.
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
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in California?
The statute of limitations for a personal injury claim from a car accident in California is two years from the date of the crash. If a government entity is involved (for example, a city vehicle or a road design defect), you have only six months to file a government tort claim. Waiting too long can permanently bar your case.
What if I was partially at fault for the car accident?
California uses pure comparative fault. You can recover damages even if you were partially responsible. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you were 30% at fault and your damages are $100,000, you'd recover $70,000. Insurance companies often exaggerate your fault percentage to lower their payout.
Should I accept the insurance company's first offer?
Almost never. First offers are designed to close your claim cheaply before you understand its full value. You may not know the extent of your injuries for weeks or months. Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you can't go back for more, even if your condition worsens. Get an attorney's opinion before signing anything.
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 November 1, 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 November 1, 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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