A rear-end collision was reported on Aug 27, 2026 at approximately 5:33 PM on US-101 near Balboa Boulevard in Encino, California. Cloudy weather was noted at the time. 1 person was injured. This crash was classified as a motorcycle 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.
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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 Balboa Boulevard & US-101 a Dangerous Road?
When the same intersection produces crash after crash, the problem may not be the drivers. Balboa Boulevard & US-101 has logged 39 crashes in the last 9 months and 10 resulting in injuries. Patterns like this can point to dangerous road design: poor sight lines, bad signal timing, missing turn lanes, or inadequate signage.
This road is on the City of Los Angeles High Injury Network, officially recognized as one of the most dangerous corridors in the city
24Injury and fatal crashes reported on Balboa Boulevard in Encino in the current reporting window
39Crashes reported at this intersection in the last 9 months
1.5x#4 most dangerous intersection in Encino, 1.5x the average
↓Injury crashes at this intersection DOWN 83% in recent months
26% of crashes here result in injuries
Side Swipe collisions account for 51% of crashes at this intersection
Most crashes here happen around 1 PM on Thus
48Walk Score: Car-Dependent. Car-dependent road design means higher vehicle speeds and fewer pedestrian protections
This road is part of the City of Los Angeles High Injury Network, which means the city has officially documented its danger. HIN designation is direct evidence the city was on notice. In California, cities and counties can be held liable for dangerous road conditions they knew about or should have known about.
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 Motorcycle Accident
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.
Document the road conditions at the scene
Gravel, oil slicks, and faded lane markings are invisible to investigators who arrive later. Photograph the road surface before it's cleaned up.
Don't accept blame for lane splitting
California allows lane splitting under Vehicle Code 21658.1, though adjusters sometimes treat it as automatic fault. Legality is separate from who caused the crash.
File your government tort claim before February 27, 2027
If a government entity shares responsibility, you have a strict six-month deadline: February 27, 2027. 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.
Motorcycle accident law
How California Law Treats Motorcycle Riders
California explicitly legalizes lane splitting under Vehicle Code 21658.1. Insurance adjusters still often treat it as automatic fault, but the real question is whether it was done safely, not whether it happened.
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Dangerous road design
What Causes Rear-End Crashes at This Location
Rear-end collisions, the most common crash type on California roads, aren't always the trailing driver's fault. Short yellow intervals, hidden grade changes, and inadequate warning signs all contribute. California's MUTCD sets yellow-light standards, and an outdated road may share liability.
This intersection has recorded 39 crashes in the last nine months. Injury crashes here have trended down 83% compared to the prior period, but the intersection still has an active crash history. The most common crash type at this intersection is Side Swipe, accounting for 51% 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 Encino?
If you or someone you love was hurt in a car accident in Encino, our attorneys can help you understand your options. We handle cases on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we win.
Yes. California is the only state that explicitly legalizes lane splitting under Vehicle Code 21658.1. The law doesn't set specific speed limits for lane splitting, but the CHP recommends it only when traffic is moving at 30 mph or less and the rider isn't going more than 10 mph faster than surrounding traffic. Lane splitting alone is not evidence of fault.
Do motorcycle riders face bias in accident claims?
Unfortunately, yes. Insurance adjusters, police officers, and jurors sometimes view motorcycling as inherently risky and assign more blame to the rider than the evidence supports. This is why documentation is so important in motorcycle cases. Photos of the scene, witness statements, and expert reconstruction can counter that bias effectively.
What damages can a motorcycle accident victim recover?
The same damages as any other motor vehicle crash: medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. Motorcycle injuries tend to be more severe, so damages are often higher. The fact that you were on a motorcycle rather than in a car does not reduce what you're entitled to recover.
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 February 27, 2027?
February 27, 2027, 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. Balboa Boulevard & US-101 has logged 39 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.
What is the High Injury Network and does it help my case?
The High Injury Network (HIN) is a list of streets the City of Los Angeles has officially identified as the most dangerous for traffic injuries and fatalities. If your crash happened on an HIN road, it means the city was already on notice that the road was dangerous. That is direct evidence in a government liability claim. It makes it much harder for the city to argue they did not know about the problem.
HIN High Injury Network
More Crashes on Balboa Boulevard
Balboa Boulevard is part of the City of Los Angeles High Injury Network. These are other recent injury crashes reported on the same road in Encino.
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