The Most Dangerous Woodland Hills Crosswalks (And What To Do If You’re Hit)

Woodland Hills offers a unique blend of suburban life and urban density, from the bustling high-rises of Warner Center to the endless shops and restaurants along Ventura Boulevard. But this mix of activity, combined with major arterial roads feeding the 101 freeway, creates a hazardous environment for pedestrians. Wide boulevards, high-speed traffic, and complex intersections put anyone on foot at risk.

A leisurely walk to the mall or a quick crossing to grab dinner can turn into a life-altering event in seconds due to a distracted or negligent driver. At Walch Law, our family has represented injured pedestrians across the San Fernando Valley for over 45 years. We know that certain intersections, because of their design and traffic patterns, are consistent hotspots for accidents.

Disclaimer: This list is not an official ranking but is based on data-informed examples, known high-injury corridors, and common crash factors. Dangerous conditions exist at any intersection, and pedestrians should remain alert citywide. Always check for current city safety improvement projects.

5 Examples of High-Risk Crosswalks in Woodland Hills

These intersections serve as case studies for how traffic volume, road design, and driver behavior can create a perfect storm for pedestrian injuries.

1. Topanga Canyon Boulevard & Ventura Boulevard

This is arguably the epicenter of Woodland Hills and one of its most perilous crossings. It’s a massive intersection that handles local traffic, shoppers, and a constant flow of vehicles getting on and off the 101 freeway. The high volume of turning traffic and evening crowds from nearby bars and restaurants make it a persistent danger zone.

• Key Dangers: Heavy turning traffic creates conflicts with pedestrians in the crosswalk. Mid-block crossings are common as people dash between shops. At night, drivers leaving dining spots may be tired or impaired, adding another layer of risk.

2. Topanga Canyon Boulevard & Victory Boulevard

As the gateway to Warner Center and Westfield Topanga & The Village, this intersection is a hub for commuters, shoppers, and bus riders. The sheer width of the boulevards and the constant flow of traffic make crossing on foot a daunting and dangerous task.

• Key Dangers: Extremely long crossing distances leave pedestrians exposed in the intersection for extended periods. Right-on-red turns are a major hazard, as drivers look left for cars and often fail to see pedestrians to their right. The area is also a major transfer point for LA Metro buses, leading to crowds of people rushing to make connections.

3. Ventura Boulevard & Winnetka Avenue

Ventura Boulevard is notoriously challenging for pedestrians, and the intersection with Winnetka is a prime example. The road’s slight curves, combined with numerous driveways for businesses and strip malls, create unpredictable traffic patterns and blocked sightlines for both drivers and walkers.

• Key Dangers: Constant conflict from cars entering and exiting driveways. The evening sun glare can blind westbound drivers, making it difficult for them to see people in the crosswalk. Sightlines can be obstructed by parked cars and landscaping.

4. Oxnard Street & Canoga Avenue

Surrounded by business parks, office buildings, and retail centers, this intersection sees a major surge of foot and vehicle traffic, especially during the lunch rush. The mix of passenger cars and larger commercial trucks adds to the complexity and danger.

• Key Dangers: A high volume of delivery trucks and commercial vehicles with large blind spots. Complex signal phasing for multiple turning lanes can confuse drivers. The area sees a significant mix of pedestrians, cyclists, and scooter riders, increasing the potential for collisions.

5. De Soto Avenue & Ventura Boulevard

Another major junction on the Ventura corridor, this intersection suffers from heavy traffic spilling over from the nearby 101 freeway. The leafy, mature trees that make Woodland Hills beautiful can also create visibility problems here, particularly at night.

• Key Dangers: Permissive left turns force drivers to focus on finding a gap in traffic rather than looking for pedestrians. Poor or inconsistent lighting under tree canopies and building overhangs can make pedestrians nearly invisible after dark.

Common Factors That Make These Crossings Dangerous

These Woodland Hills intersections share a set of risk factors that are common across Los Angeles:

• “Multi-Threat” Scenarios: A driver in one lane stops for a pedestrian, but in doing so, blocks the view of a driver in the next lane who doesn’t stop and strikes the pedestrian.
• Permissive Left Turns: A solid green light allows drivers to turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic. This forces their attention away from the crosswalk where a pedestrian may be legally crossing.
• Short Walk Signal Intervals: The “Walk” signal may not provide enough time for an elderly person, someone with a disability, or a parent with children to cross the wide boulevards before the countdown begins.
• Speeding and Distracted Driving: Drivers who are texting, talking, or simply going too fast are the single greatest threat to pedestrian safety.
• Poor Lighting: Inconsistent or inadequate street lighting makes it incredibly difficult for drivers to see people on the road at night.

What to Do If You Are Hit in a Crosswalk: A Step-by-Step Guide

The actions you take immediately after an accident are vital for your health and the strength of your legal claim.

1. Get Medical Care: Your top priority is your health. Call 911 and go to the hospital. This ensures your injuries are treated and professionally documented from the very beginning.
2. Report the Incident: Make sure police respond to the scene and that a Traffic Collision Report is created. Get the incident number.
3. Document Everything: If you can, use your phone to take photos and videos of the scene, including the car, license plate, crosswalk markings, traffic signals, street lighting, and your injuries.
4. Get Witness Information: Ask anyone who saw the crash for their name and phone number. Independent witnesses provide powerful, unbiased evidence.
5. Preserve Evidence: Keep your torn clothing, broken glasses, and damaged shoes. Do not wash them. They are part of the evidence.
6. Request Video Footage: An attorney can send preservation letters to nearby businesses and file official requests for footage from LADOT’s ATSAC traffic cameras or LA Metro buses.
7. Avoid Recorded Statements: The driver’s insurance company will call you. Politely decline to give a recorded statement and tell them your lawyer will be in contact.
8. Contact an Attorney Immediately: Evidence disappears fast, especially video footage. An experienced pedestrian accident lawyer needs to launch an investigation right away.

Who is Liable in a Pedestrian Accident?

• The Driver: Drivers have a legal duty to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Even after California’s jaywalking reform (AB 2147), drivers are still required to use due care to avoid hitting a pedestrian, regardless of where they are crossing.
• A Government Entity: If a dangerous condition like a malfunctioning signal, poor intersection design, or missing signage caused the accident, you may have a claim against the city or county. However, you must file a formal Government Claim within six months of the injury. This is a very strict deadline.
• Other Parties: If the driver was working for a company like Uber or Lyft, or driving a commercial vehicle, additional insurance policies may apply. In a hit-and-run, your own Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage is your source of compensation.

Damages You Can Recover

A successful claim can provide compensation for all of your losses, including:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages and loss of future earning ability
• Physical pain and emotional suffering
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Wrongful death damages for the family if the accident was fatal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What if I crossed outside the crosswalk?
You can still have a strong case. California is a “comparative negligence” state, which means you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault. Your total recovery would simply be reduced by your percentage of fault.

2. Who pays for my injuries in a hit-and-run?
Your own auto insurance policy’s Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage would cover your injuries and damages. It is critical to have this coverage.

3. Do pedestrian beacons or scrambles help?
Pedestrian-activated beacons (RRFBs) and all-way “scramble” crosswalks can improve safety, but they are not foolproof and cannot stop a distracted driver. Never assume a driver sees you.

4. How long do I have to file a claim?
You generally have two years to file a lawsuit. However, if a public entity like the City of Los Angeles might be at fault, you only have six months to file a formal Government Claim.

5. Will the insurance company try to blame me?
Almost certainly. It is a standard tactic for insurance adjusters to shift blame to the pedestrian to reduce the value of their claim.

6. Do I need a lawyer if the driver’s insurer accepts fault?
Yes. An insurer accepting fault does not mean they will offer you fair compensation. The best Woodland Hills pedestrian accident lawyer will fight to ensure your settlement covers all future medical needs and the full extent of your pain and suffering, not just the initial bills.

Walch Law: Your Woodland Hills Pedestrian Accident Advocates

When you’re injured in the Valley, you need a law firm that knows the streets, the courts, and the insurance company tactics. The family team at Walch Law has been fighting for injured pedestrians for over four decades. We understand the unique dangers of Woodland Hills and are experts at navigating the tight deadlines for claims against public entities.

Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation. We will listen to your story and explain how we can help. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing until we win your case. Call us now: 18449995342