A pedestrian was killed and four others were injured Tuesday night after a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 5 in the San Fernando Valley. The collision happened just before 10 p.m. in the southbound lanes near Penrose Street in Sun Valley.
According to reports from the California Highway Patrol, the crash occurred shortly before 10 p.m. in the southbound lanes near Penrose Street in Sun Valley. Investigators say a pedestrian was walking in traffic lanes when they were struck by a vehicle. After the initial hit, at least two more vehicles got caught up in it, with one car rolling onto its side in the chaos.
Emergency responders from the Los Angeles Fire Department arrived quickly and transported four injured victims to nearby hospitals. Two women, ages 22 and 42, were reported to be in serious condition. A 19-year-old woman and a 7-year-old child were hospitalized in fair condition. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the deceased pedestrian, and the investigation into the crash remains ongoing.
Who can be held liable in a multi-vehicle pedestrian crash?
Determining fault in freeway pedestrian accidents requires careful analysis of evidence, crash reconstruction, and witness testimony. Liability does not automatically fall on a single driver. Several parties may share responsibility depending on how the crash unfolded.
Potentially liable parties may include:
• Drivers who struck the pedestrian
• Drivers involved in secondary collisions
• Commercial vehicle operators or rideshare drivers if applicable
• Government agencies responsible for roadway safety or signage in certain cases
California follows a comparative negligence system, meaning more than one party can share fault. Even if a pedestrian was unlawfully present on a freeway, drivers still have a duty to operate their vehicles safely and avoid collisions whenever reasonably possible.
Common injuries in freeway pedestrian collisions
Pedestrian victims in highway crashes often suffer life-altering injuries due to the force of impact. Survivors frequently face extensive medical treatment, long-term rehabilitation, and permanent disability.
Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal organ injuries, multiple fractures, and severe soft tissue trauma. Victims may require emergency surgery, intensive care treatment, and ongoing medical monitoring, resulting in overwhelming medical bills and lost income.
Passengers and drivers involved in rollover or secondary collisions can also suffer serious injuries even if they were not directly involved in the initial pedestrian impact.
Why multi-vehicle accident claims are complex
Chain-reaction crashes typically involve multiple insurance carriers, conflicting statements, and competing liability claims. Insurance companies often attempt to shift blame to reduce payouts, which can delay compensation for injured victims and their families. Investigations in cases like this frequently involve reviewing traffic camera footage, analyzing vehicle damage patterns, obtaining accident reconstruction reports, and reviewing cell phone records or toxicology results when impairment or distraction is suspected. Because evidence can disappear quickly, early legal intervention is often critical to preserving key documentation.
Legal options for injured victims and families
If you were hurt in a multi-car freeway crash, you shouldn’t have to deal with the fallout on your own. You may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, the income you’ve lost while recovering, any future treatment or care you’ll need, and the pain and trauma you’ve been through. And if you lost someone you love in a pedestrian crash like this, you may have the right to file a wrongful death claim to hold the responsible parties accountable and seek damages for your family’s loss.
Pedestrian accident lawyers at Bojat Law Group represent pedestrians injured in complex multi-vehicle collisions throughout Southern California. Our law firm handles cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients pay nothing unless compensation is recovered. If you or a loved one was injured in a freeway accident, call (818) 877-4878 for a free consultation. Legal guidance early in the process can help protect your claim and ensure critical evidence is preserved.
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