A pedestrian crash was reported on May 28, 2026 at approximately 11:43 PM on Ventura Boulevard near Radford Street in Studio City, California. Cloudy weather was noted at the time. 1 person was injured. This crash was classified as a drunk driver accident and 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
An Attorney Who Knows Studio City Firsthand
I previously lived in Studio City and know this neighborhood, the Ventura Boulevard dining strip, Cahuenga Pass, Coldwater Canyon, from years of daily life here. I've spent many nights on the patio at Black Liquor Market and Firefly, and watched Ventura evolve into what it is today, especially the stretch near Laurel Tavern. I earned my law degree at UCLA and now practice as a founding partner at Westwood Law.
Brian Liu, Esq., Founding Partner
UCLA Law, '96 · Former Studio City Resident
I lived in Studio City, and the familiarity with these streets and traffic patterns is something you only get from actually living here.
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 Drunk Driving Crash
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.
Get the BAC results from the police report
The police report includes the driver's blood alcohol concentration, powerful evidence even below the 0.08% threshold with other signs of impairment.
Explore punitive damages and Dram Shop liability
Civil Code 3294 allows punitive damages in drunk driving cases, and a bar that served a visibly intoxicated driver may be liable under BPC 25602.1.
File your government tort claim before November 28, 2026
If a government entity shares responsibility, you have a strict six-month deadline: November 28, 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.
Drunk driving accident law
Your Legal Options After a Drunk Driving Crash
Being hit by a drunk driver opens extra legal avenues: Civil Code 3294 allows punitive damages for "willful and conscious disregard" of safety, and a bar that served the driver while visibly intoxicated may share liability under the Dram Shop statute, BPC 25602.1.
The hit-and-run circumstances of this crash mean your claim may involve uninsured motorist coverage on your own policy. California law requires UM coverage unless you specifically waived it. Your attorney can help navigate whether to pursue the at-fault driver directly (if identified) or through your own policy.
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.
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
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 occurred late at night, when reduced visibility and higher speeds on empty roads combine to increase crash severity. Adequate street lighting, reflective lane markings, and proper signage are essential safety features during nighttime hours. Their absence is a design deficiency.
Injured in a car accident in Studio City?
If you or someone you love was hurt in a car accident in Studio City, our attorneys can help you understand your options. We handle cases on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we win.
What are punitive damages in a drunk driving case?
Punitive damages go beyond compensating your losses. They're designed to punish the drunk driver and deter similar behavior. California Civil Code 3294 allows punitive damages when the defendant acted with "willful and conscious disregard" for others' safety. Driving drunk qualifies. These damages can significantly increase the total value of your case.
What is Dram Shop liability?
Under Business and Professions Code 25602.1, a bar, restaurant, or other establishment that serves alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person can be held liable if that person then causes a crash. This is called Dram Shop liability. It's especially important when the drunk driver doesn't carry enough insurance to cover your damages, because commercial establishments typically carry larger policies.
Does a DUI conviction help my civil injury case?
Yes. A DUI conviction or guilty plea is admissible evidence in your civil case and essentially proves the driver was negligent. You don't have to wait for the criminal case to finish before filing your civil claim. The two cases are completely separate proceedings with different standards of proof.
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 November 28, 2026?
November 28, 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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