A low-speed hit outside a restaurant on Ventura Boulevard and a chain-reaction crash on the 405 call for different evidence. On Ventura, the address and driveway matter. On the freeway, the lane and ramp can matter just as much.
Igarian Law Firm represents people injured in Sherman Oaks from our office in Panorama City. Tell us what happened and what you’ve heard from the insurer so far. We can help you work out what to do next.
Call (818) 714-2144 for a free consultation.
What Should You Do After an Accident in Sherman Oaks?
- Get somewhere safe. Call 911 if you need emergency help and get medical care for your injuries.
- Save what you can. If it’s safe, take photos of the scene and damage, and get the names of anyone who saw the accident.
- Write down the details. Keep the report number, the agency that responded and the nearest address or cross street.
- Keep the original files. Download dashcam clips before they’re overwritten. Hold on to bills, repair estimates, pay records and insurer messages.
- Read before you sign. If an insurer asks for a recorded statement or a release, make sure you understand what it’s asking for.
Injury Cases We Handle in Sherman Oaks
- Car accidents: left turn collisions, rear end crashes and intersection wrecks on Ventura, Sepulveda and Van Nuys Boulevards.
- Freeway accidents: multi car crashes near the 405 and 101 interchange.
- Parking lot accidents: collisions and falls at shopping centers, garages and the Galleria area.
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents: crossings along Ventura Boulevard and near restaurants and shops.
- Motorcycle and truck accidents: freeway merges and delivery trucks serving local businesses.
- Rideshare accidents: crashes involving Uber, Lyft and other drivers.
- Premises liability and wrongful death: unsafe conditions at a business or building, and cases where a family loses someone because of another party's negligence.
How Does a Sherman Oaks Injury Claim Work?
We start with what happened and how the injury has affected you. From there, we gather the records that support your claim.
- Investigation. We look at the report, photos, witness accounts and any available video to see how the accident happened.
- Documenting your losses. We review your treatment records, bills and time away from work.
- Dealing with insurance. We handle claim communications and explain any offers you receive.
- Resolving the claim. When we have enough information about your injuries and losses, we can make a demand. If settlement talks stall, we’ll discuss whether filing a lawsuit makes sense.
What Can You Recover After a Sherman Oaks Accident?
Economic losses are the ones with a receipt or a pay stub:
- Medical bills, past and future
- Lost income while you recover, including self employed and commission work
- Reduced ability to earn in the future, if your injuries are lasting
- Vehicle repair or replacement
- Other out of pocket costs, like prescriptions and travel to treatment
Non economic losses are harder to put a number on but are real:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In a wrongful death case, a family may also recover funeral costs and the loss of financial support and companionship. No lawyer can promise an amount, and the value of a case depends on your injuries, the evidence and the insurance available.
Where Do Crashes Happen in Sherman Oaks?
The 101 and 405 interchange and the exits off the 101
If you drive through the 101 and 405 interchange, you know the moment when one driver needs to move over just as another is trying to get out of the same lane. That’s how sideswipes can happen. The Van Nuys Boulevard and Woodman exits have a different setup for rear-end crashes: traffic can slow sharply as cars line up for the light at the end of the ramp. Caltrans has identified congestion on the 405 corridor up to the 101 as a problem its proposed express lanes are meant to address.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim in California?
| Situation | Deadline or rule |
|---|---|
| Most injury lawsuits | Two years from the date of injury (Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1) |
| Claim against a city, county, Metro or other public agency | A claim generally must be presented within six months (Government Code section 911.2) |
| You were partly at fault | You can still recover, but your award may be reduced by your percentage of fault |
The deadline can change depending on the facts. A DMV SR-1 report is separate from an injury claim and generally must be filed within 10 days if the crash causes injury, death or more than $1,000 in property damage.
Reports, Courts and Hospitals Near Sherman Oaks
Van Nuys and West Valley community police resources serve portions of Sherman Oaks. Use the exact location and the LAPD station finder to confirm the correct contact.
Van Nuys Community Police Station, 6240 Sylmar Avenue, Van Nuys.
West Valley Community Police Station, 19020 Vanowen Street, Reseda.
- Reports: LAPD traffic report requests or CHP crash report requests. Use the agency that actually investigated the incident.
- Nearby medical resource: Valley Presbyterian Hospital, 15107 Vanowen Street, Van Nuys, CA 91405.
- Court filing: The neighborhood of an accident does not by itself determine civil venue. Confirm the proper courthouse and assignment through the Los Angeles Superior Court Filing Court Locator before filing.
Meet Robert Igarian
Robert Igarian founded Igarian Law Firm. He earned his law degree from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, after studying political science at Cal State Northridge. He speaks English and Armenian and works directly with clients on their injury claims. Meet Robert Igarian
California State Bar No. 304345. View attorney profile
What Does It Cost to Hire a Sherman Oaks Injury Lawyer?
The first conversation is free. We take qualifying cases on contingency, so attorney fees are payable only if we recover compensation. The written fee agreement explains how fees and case costs are handled.
Our office is at 14500 Roscoe Boulevard, Floor 4, Panorama City, CA 91402. Office hours and directions
Sherman Oaks Injury Claim FAQs
Talk to a Sherman Oaks Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have a report number, photos or a letter from the insurer, have them handy when you call. We can start with whatever you have.
Call (818) 714-2144 or request a free consultation
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This page provides general information and does not create an attorney-client relationship.
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