Man killed in hit-and-run outside Sherman Oaks Hospital: what families should know

A recent ABC7 report shared that a 62-year-old man was killed in a hit-and-run outside Sherman Oaks Hospital after midnight on Van Nuys Blvd; police say the driver of a black Tesla Model Y fled south and remains at large.1 Stories like this are heartbreaking—and they raise urgent legal questions for families: What are our rights? How does a claim work when the driver flees? What can we do right now to protect our case? If this is your scenario, you need find the best Sherman Oaks hit and run law firm for you and your family. This is more than just money, it is closure. At Walch Law, we are ready to help.

Key points at a glance

• Hit-and-run is not a bar to recovery: You may still have options, including uninsured motorist (UM) coverage and potential third-party liability.
• Fast evidence preservation is critical: Nearby cameras, vehicle data, and witness statements can disappear within days.
• Wrongful death claims can cover more than medical bills: Families may pursue funeral costs, loss of financial support, and non-economic losses.

Your rights after a Sherman Oaks pedestrian hit-and-run

• Civil claims vs. criminal case: Police investigate and may file criminal charges when the driver is found. Separately, the family can bring a civil wrongful death claim to seek compensation. These are independent tracks.
• Insurance avenues even if the driver isn’t identified:
  • Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM): If the decedent or a resident relative carried auto insurance with UM, it can apply to pedestrian hit-and-run crashes.
  • Medical payments (Med-Pay): Some policies include no-fault medical benefits that can help with immediate expenses.
• Third-party liability: Depending on facts, potential claims could involve entities responsible for dangerous road conditions (e.g., lighting, sight lines) or other negligent actors. These assessments are fact-specific.

What evidence matters most

• Video footage: Hospital exteriors, nearby businesses, traffic cameras, residential doorbell cameras, and transit cameras along Van Nuys Blvd.
• Event Data Recorder (EDR) and telematics: If the vehicle is identified, onboard data can show speed and braking. Prompt preservation letters are crucial.
• Witness statements: Names, phone numbers, and exact vantage points.
• Scene documentation: Photos of the roadway, lighting, debris, and any vehicle parts left behind.
• Official reports: LAPD report number, collision diagrams, and supplemental updates.

Common defenses—and how we respond

• Sudden emergency or fault-shifting: Insurers may argue the pedestrian’s conduct caused the crash. Comparative negligence rules still allow recovery even if fault is shared; thorough reconstruction, video, and expert analysis can correct the record.
• Identity unknown: We pursue parallel paths—UM claims while assisting law enforcement efforts and conducting our own private investigation to locate the vehicle.

What damages can families seek?

• Economic: Funeral/burial costs, loss of financial support/benefits, and household services.
• Non-economic: Loss of love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance, protection, and guidance.
• Survival actions: In certain cases, damages for the decedent’s pre-death pain and suffering may be available, depending on case posture and applicable rules.

Timing and urgent deadlines

• Government claims: If a dangerous public condition contributed, special claims procedures and short deadlines apply—acting quickly is essential. You only have 6 months to file a Sherman Oaks wrongful death lawsuit but the good news is that it takes exactly one call to Walch Law to do so.
• Insurance notifications and preservation: Early notice helps protect UM/UIM rights and preserve evidence.

What to do now

• Secure the report number and any immediate evidence (photos, videos, witness info).
• Avoid recorded statements with insurers before speaking to counsel.
• Gather insurance policy information for UM/UIM review.
• Contact a pedestrian wrongful death attorney immediately to send preservation letters and coordinate investigation.

How Walch Law can help With Deadly Pedestrian Accident Lawsuits
We move fast to secure footage, issue preservation demands, reconstruct the crash, and evaluate all insurance avenues—including UM/UIM—while guiding families through the civil process with care and clarity. Our consultations are free and confidential, and we work on contingency, meaning no fees unless we recover for you.

If you have information that could assist LAPD, please contact law enforcement. If you’re a family seeking legal guidance, reach out to us—we’re here to help you navigate the next steps and protect your rights.