A head-on collision was reported on Jan 11, 2026 at approximately 5:05 AM on I-210 near Tyler Street Pedestrian Overcrossing in Sylmar, California. Clear weather was noted at the time of the crash. 1 person was killed. This crash was classified as a truck accident and wrongful death case.
When a crash kills someone, the family has the right to file a wrongful death claim under California Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60. A spouse, domestic partner, children, or dependents can pursue damages including funeral costs, lost future income, and loss of companionship. The statute of limitations is two years from the date of death. If dangerous road design contributed to this crash, a government tort claim must be filed within six months. Insurance companies move fast after a fatal crash, and the offers they make early are not designed to be fair. A free consultation with our UCLA-trained attorneys can help you understand your legal 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 Fatal Truck Accident
Take care of yourself and your family first
Give yourself time to grieve. When you're ready, the steps below protect your legal rights. None of the deadlines are immediate.
Preserve the truck's black box and FMCSA records
Trucks carry electronic logging devices capturing speed and hours of service, which companies can overwrite fast. A spoliation letter preserves it.
Identify every liable party, not just the driver
Truck crashes often involve the driver, carrier, freight broker, manufacturer, and maintenance provider, each with separate insurance.
File your government tort claim before July 11, 2026
If a government entity shares responsibility, you have a strict six-month deadline: July 11, 2026. Miss it and the right to sue is gone.
Talk to a wrongful death attorney before the insurance company
Insurers often contact family members with early settlement offers before anyone understands what the case is worth. A free consultation protects your family's rights.
Trucking accident law
Why Truck Accident Claims Are Different
Commercial trucking is federally regulated by the FMCSA (driver hours, maintenance, cargo securement). A violation becomes powerful evidence, and multiple parties, the driver, the carrier, the freight broker, may share liability.
Because this crash resulted in a fatality, surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim under CCP 377.60 in addition to any personal injury claims by surviving victims. The statute of limitations for wrongful death is two years from the date of death.
When a crash results in death, the legal landscape changes significantly. Surviving family members may bring a wrongful death action under CCP 377.60, which covers loss of financial support, companionship, and guidance. A separate survival action can address the deceased person's pain and suffering before death. The statute of limitations is two years from the date of death.
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Dangerous road design
How Road Design Contributes to Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions, among the deadliest crash types, are often tied to missing center medians, inadequate curve markings, or confusing lane transitions. A road with a crossover-crash history and no median barrier may support a claim under Gov. Code 835.
This crash happened in the early morning hours (2-6 AM), when low traffic volumes can lead to higher speeds and reduced alertness. Road design features like rumble strips, adequate lighting, and clear lane markings are critical during these hours when fewer visual cues keep drivers oriented.
Did you lose a loved one in a Sylmar car accident?
If someone in your family was killed in a car accident in Sylmar, our wrongful death attorneys can help you understand your legal rights. We handle cases on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we recover for you.
Multiple parties can be liable: the truck driver, the trucking company (the carrier), the freight broker who hired the carrier, the company that loaded the cargo, and the maintenance provider. Each may carry separate insurance policies. Identifying all liable parties is essential to maximizing your recovery.
What is a spoliation letter and why does it matter?
A spoliation letter is a legal notice sent to the trucking company requiring them to preserve all evidence related to the crash: black box data, driver logs, maintenance records, dashcam footage, and drug test results. Without this letter, trucking companies can legally overwrite electronic data on regular maintenance cycles. Time is critical.
What FMCSA regulations apply to truck accident cases?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets rules on driver hours of service (max 11 hours driving in a 14-hour window), mandatory rest breaks, vehicle maintenance schedules, cargo securement, and drug and alcohol testing. Violations of any of these regulations can be used as evidence of negligence in your case.
What should I do if a family member died in this crash?
First, take care of your family. When you're ready, consult a wrongful death attorney. Under California law, surviving spouses, children, and certain other family members can file a wrongful death claim. There are strict deadlines, especially if a government entity is involved (six months for a tort claim). A free consultation can help you understand your options without any obligation.
What is the government tort claim deadline of July 11, 2026?
July 11, 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.
Commercial truck data
Trucking Companies Involved in Sylmar Crashes
These commercial carriers have been involved in reported crashes in the Sylmar area, according to federal FMCSA records.
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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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