Who Is Liable for a Car Accident in Sherman Oaks?

Arya Firoozmand, Esq. — Founding Partner

Local Sherman Oaks Injury Attorney · UCLA Law

Arya Firoozmand is the founding partner at L&F Brown. He grew up in the San Fernando Valley, graduated from El Camino Real High School and UCLA Law School, and has spent his career representing injured clients across the Valley — including Sherman Oaks and the 405 corridor.

Determining who is legally liable after a car accident in Sherman Oaks is one of the most important steps in any injury claim. In California, liability follows fault, and fault is not always obvious. Multiple parties can share responsibility, and identifying all of them is the key to maximizing your compensation.

The At-Fault Driver

In most crashes, the driver who caused the collision is primarily liable. This includes drivers who ran red lights at Ventura Blvd intersections, merged unsafely at the US-101/I-405 interchange, rear-ended someone on Van Nuys Blvd, or made illegal turns on Sepulveda Blvd. Traffic citations issued by LAPD Van Nuys Division or the California Highway Patrol are strong evidence of fault, though they are not the only factor.

Employers and Vehicle Owners

If the at-fault driver was working at the time of the crash, their employer may share liability under a legal doctrine called respondeat superior. This is especially important when the crash involved a delivery driver, commercial vehicle operator, or anyone else driving for work. Additionally, if someone lent their car to another driver, the vehicle owner can sometimes be held responsible under California's negligent entrustment doctrine.

Government Entities

Sometimes the road itself is to blame. Potholes, missing signage, malfunctioning traffic signals, or dangerous road design on Ventura Blvd, Van Nuys Blvd, or the 405 corridor can make LA County or the California Department of Transportation liable. Claims against government agencies have short notice deadlines, sometimes as little as six months, so it is important to act quickly.

Vehicle Manufacturers

If a defective vehicle part contributed to the crash, such as failed brakes, a malfunctioning steering component, or defective tires, the manufacturer may bear some liability. Product liability claims can run alongside negligence claims against a driver.

California's Comparative Fault Rules

California follows a pure comparative fault system. That means even if you were partly at fault for the accident, you can still recover compensation. Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20 percent at fault for a crash at the 101/405 interchange and your total damages are $500,000, you would recover $400,000. An insurance company may try to inflate your share of fault to minimize your payout, which is one more reason to work with a Sherman Oaks car accident lawyer.

How Liability Is Proved

Evidence matters. Police reports from LAPD Van Nuys Division or CHP, traffic camera footage from commercial areas along Van Nuys Blvd, witness statements, and accident reconstruction analysis all help establish who was at fault. At Sherman Oaks Hospital, medical records documenting your injuries also play a role in linking the crash to your losses.

If you are unsure who is responsible for your accident, contact L&F Brown serving Sherman Oaks for a free case evaluation. We investigate so you do not have to.