Who Is Liable for a Pedestrian 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.

When a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle in Sherman Oaks, determining who is legally liable is the foundation of any injury claim. In most cases the driver bears primary responsibility, but other parties may also be accountable depending on the circumstances of the crash.

The Driver: Primary Liability

California law imposes a duty of care on all drivers to exercise reasonable caution to avoid hitting pedestrians. Specific traffic laws require drivers to:

• Yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks
• Come to a complete stop before crosswalks at red lights and stop signs
• Exercise due care at all times and be prepared to stop when pedestrians are present
• Not pass vehicles that have stopped to yield to a pedestrian

Violations of these duties, documented in a police report from LAPD Van Nuys Division or CHP, establish a strong foundation for liability. Common driver failures that cause pedestrian accidents in Sherman Oaks include failure to yield at Ventura Blvd crosswalks, running red lights at Van Nuys Blvd intersections, distracted driving while entering or exiting commercial driveways, and speeding in school zones or residential areas.

The Driver's Employer

If the driver who struck you was acting within the scope of their employment at the time of the crash, their employer is vicariously liable. Delivery drivers, sales representatives, and employees driving company vehicles are all examples where employer liability may apply. This is important because employers typically carry higher insurance limits than individual drivers.

Government Entities for Dangerous Road Conditions

Sometimes the design or maintenance of Sherman Oaks streets contributes to pedestrian accidents. Liability for road defects can rest with LA County or another government agency if:

• Crosswalk markings were faded or missing on Van Nuys Blvd or Ventura Blvd
• Traffic signals were malfunctioning
• Overgrown vegetation blocked sightlines at an intersection
• Inadequate lighting created hazardous conditions for nighttime pedestrians
• Road design created a hazard that predictably endangered walkers

Claims against government entities require a government tort claim within six months, making prompt action essential.

Property Owners

In some cases, private property owners contribute to pedestrian accidents. A business on Sepulveda Blvd or the Ventura Blvd commercial strip that creates a visual obstruction near a crosswalk, or a property owner who allows overgrown vegetation to block pedestrian sightlines, may share liability for a resulting crash.

Comparative Fault and the Pedestrian

California's comparative fault rules allow defendants to argue the pedestrian shares responsibility. If you were crossing mid-block, crossing against the signal, or otherwise not exercising due care, your recovery may be reduced proportionally. However, you can still recover the portion of your damages attributable to the driver's fault. An experienced Sherman Oaks pedestrian accident lawyer will minimize any fault assigned to you.

If you were hit by a car in Sherman Oaks, contact L&F Brown serving Sherman Oaks for a free consultation. We investigate thoroughly, identify all liable parties, and fight for the maximum compensation available in your case.