A sideswipe collision was reported on Feb 25, 2026 at approximately 3:05 PM on Winnetka Avenue near Nordhoff Street in Canoga Park, California. Clear weather was noted at the time of the crash. 2 people were injured. This crash was classified as a hit and run and pedestrian accident and truck accident case.
If you were involved, the other driver's insurance company may have already contacted you with a settlement offer. Early offers are often 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 UCLA-trained attorneys costs you nothing and helps you understand your options.
Your attorney
UCLA-Trained 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, '14
You're not a case number here. Every case I take is personal.
Dangerous intersection
Is Nordhoff Street & Winnetka Avenue a Dangerous Road?
When the same intersection produces crash after crash, the problem may not be the drivers. Nordhoff Street & Winnetka Avenue has logged 3 crashes in the last 9 months and 3 resulting in injuries. Patterns like this can point to dangerous road design: poor sight lines, bad signal timing, missing turn lanes, or inadequate signage.
3Crashes reported at this intersection in the last 9 months
1.0x#3 most dangerous intersection in Canoga Park, 1.0x the average
100% of crashes here result in injuries
Broadside collisions account for 67% of crashes at this intersection
Most crashes here happen around 3 PM on Weds
62Walk Score: Somewhat Walkable. Moderate pedestrian activity means drivers and walkers regularly share this space
In California, cities and counties can be held liable for dangerous road conditions they knew about or should have known about. A pattern of crashes is exactly the kind of evidence that establishes notice.
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 UCLA-trained 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
Internal bleeding and brain injuries don't always show symptoms right away, and a same-day medical record becomes critical evidence later.
File a police report immediately
A police report is mandatory for a hit-and-run claim. Give whatever you remember: vehicle color, plate, direction of travel.
Open a UM/UIM claim on your own policy
If the driver can't be identified, your UM coverage steps in; if underinsured, UIM fills the gap, and your own insurer must still treat you fairly.
File your government tort claim before August 25, 2026
If a government entity shares responsibility, you have a strict six-month deadline: August 25, 2026. Miss it and the right to sue is gone.
Talk to a personal injury attorney before the insurance company
They want a recorded statement and a fast settlement before you know what your case is worth. A free consultation protects you.
Hit and run accident law
How Hit and Run Claims Work in California
When the other driver flees, your claim shifts to your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, which California requires on every auto policy unless you waived it in writing.
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 a commercial truck was involved, federal FMCSA regulations apply to this crash. Driver hours-of-service logs, vehicle maintenance records, and electronic data recorders should be preserved immediately through a spoliation letter before the trucking company can alter or overwrite them.
Our founding partners trained at UCLA Law and built Westwood Law on a simple idea: take fewer cases, fight harder on each one. You work directly with a UCLA-trained 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 markings, lanes that narrow without warning, confusing drops, or short on/off-ramp merges that don't give drivers room to match traffic speed.
This intersection has recorded 3 crashes in the last nine months. The most common crash type at this intersection is Broadside, accounting for 67% of incidents.
This crash happened during the evening commute (3-7 PM), the highest-volume period on most California roads. Intersections and road segments that weren't designed for current traffic volumes see disproportionate crash rates during these peak hours.
Injured in a car accident in Canoga Park?
If you or someone you love was hurt in a car accident in Canoga Park, our attorneys can help you understand your options. We handle cases on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we win.
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 August 25, 2026?
August 25, 2026, six months from the date of this crash, not the usual two-year statute of limitations. It applies whenever a government entity shares responsibility, and missing it bars your claim against that entity permanently.
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. Nordhoff Street & Winnetka Avenue has logged 3 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.
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Client Stories
Hear From the People We've Helped
Daniel Wanardi
Mr. Firoozmand was both professional and informative during our consultation. He gave me the clarity I needed to move forward with my situation. Thank you.
Stacey Flora
Curt helped me so much with just a single phone call! He renewed my trust in attorneys.
Scott MacDonell
Not only was Arya easy to communicate with, incredibly intelligent with how he planned to achieve the goals, but he was also very warm and caring. I really enjoyed working with Arya. Warm, ethical, and intelligent is a great combo!
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