Feb 23, 2026 Pedestrian Crash at Darby Avenue & Sherman Way.

Date Feb 23, 2026

Time 3:20 PM

Severity 1 Injured

Collision Type Pedestrian Crash

Weather Clear

A pedestrian crash was reported on Feb 23, 2026 at approximately 3:20 PM on Darby Avenue near Sherman Way. in Reseda, California. Clear weather was noted at the time of the crash. 1 person was injured. This crash was classified as a hit and run and pedestrian 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.

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 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 23, 2026

If a government entity shares responsibility, you have a strict six-month deadline: August 23, 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.

Reseda Hit and Run Lawyer →

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Dangerous road design

How Intersection Design Fails Pedestrians

Pedestrian crashes at intersections often trace back to crosswalk design, signal timing, and lighting, not just distracted drivers. California's Complete Streets Act (AB 1358) requires agencies to plan for all road users, and an undesigned intersection with a crash pattern may face liability.

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 Reseda?

If you or someone you love was hurt in a car accident in Reseda, our attorneys can help you understand your options. We handle cases on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we win.

Hit and Run Lawyer in Reseda → Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Reseda →

Frequently asked questions

Common Questions About This Type of Crash

What if the hit-and-run driver is never found?

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 23, 2026?

August 23, 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.

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Pedestrian Crash on Darby Avenue at Sherman Way.