Highway crashes on the 134, 2, 5, 210, 101, and 405 cause devastating injuries at freeway speeds. Attorney Anand Desai has spent 20+ years fighting for highway accident victims across Los Angeles County — and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
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Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is different.
Highway collisions are fundamentally different from surface-street accidents. The speeds are higher, the injuries are more severe, and the legal complexities multiply when government agencies like Caltrans, multiple insurance companies, and commercial vehicle operators are involved. Anand Desai Law has the experience, resources, and courtroom tenacity to handle even the most complex highway accident cases in Los Angeles County.
Attorney Anand Desai — a Loyola Law School graduate and USC alumnus — brings over 20+ years of legal experience and more than 50 jury trials to every highway accident case. His background as a former Los Angeles County Public Defender gave him elite litigation skills that translate directly to aggressive personal injury representation.
Here is what makes our firm the right choice for your highway accident case:
• Freeway-Specific Expertise: We handle collisions on every major freeway in the Glendale and LA region — the 134, SR-2, I-5, 210, 101, and 405. We understand Caltrans maintenance records, construction zone protocols, and government tort claim procedures.
• Government Claims Experience: Highway defect cases against Caltrans require filing a government tort claim within six months. We have extensive experience navigating the Government Claims Act and holding public entities accountable for dangerous road conditions.
• Multilingual Representation: Our team communicates in 11 languages — English, Spanish, Armenian, Farsi, Korean, Hindi, Punjabi, Gujarati, Thai, Tagalog, and Russian — ensuring every client receives full legal support in their preferred language.
• No Financial Risk: We handle every highway accident case on a contingency fee basis. You pay zero upfront. We only get paid when you get paid.
Call us or fill out the form. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and answer all your questions — at no cost.
We gather evidence, work with experts, handle the insurance companies, and build your claim for maximum compensation.
We don’t get paid unless you win. 100% contingency fee — no upfront costs, no hidden charges, no risk to you.
Glendale sits at the convergence of several of Southern California's most heavily traveled freeways, making highway accidents a daily reality for residents and commuters. The SR-134 (Ventura Freeway) runs east-west through the heart of Glendale, connecting the 101 in Studio City to the 210 in Pasadena. It is one of the most congested freeways in the region during peak hours, with bumper-to-bumper traffic creating conditions ripe for rear-end collisions and chain-reaction pileups.
The SR-2 (Glendale Freeway) runs north-south and provides a critical link between Glendale and the 210 Freeway. Its on-ramps and off-ramps at Mountain Street, Verdugo Boulevard, and Colorado Street see frequent merge-related collisions. The I-5 (Golden State Freeway) borders Glendale to the west and carries some of the heaviest traffic in the nation, mixing commuter vehicles with heavy commercial trucks heading to and from the ports.
Beyond Glendale's immediate borders, our clients are frequently injured on the 210 (Foothill Freeway), the 101 (Hollywood Freeway), and the 405 (San Diego Freeway). Each of these corridors presents unique hazards — from steep grades and sharp curves to high-speed merge lanes and frequent construction zones. Our firm's knowledge of these specific roadways and their history of accidents, construction projects, and maintenance deficiencies gives our clients a significant advantage.
Highway accidents in the Glendale and greater Los Angeles area occur for a range of reasons, many of which involve clear violations of California traffic law. Speeding is the most common factor — at freeway speeds of 65 mph or higher, the force of impact increases exponentially, and stopping distances grow dramatically. California Vehicle Code Section 22350 establishes the basic speed law, which prohibits driving faster than is safe for current conditions regardless of the posted limit.
Distracted driving is an increasingly lethal factor in highway crashes. California Vehicle Code Section 23123.5 prohibits drivers from holding and operating a mobile phone while driving, but texting, social media, and GPS use continue to cause devastating freeway collisions. At 65 mph, looking at a phone for just five seconds means traveling the length of a football field essentially blind.
Unsafe lane changes under Vehicle Code Section 21658, following too closely under Section 21703, and driving under the influence under Vehicle Code Sections 23152-23153 are all leading causes of highway collisions. Fatigued driving is another significant and underreported factor, particularly among commuters on long freeway stretches and commercial vehicle operators. Our firm investigates every potential cause of your highway accident to identify all liable parties and maximize your compensation.
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is responsible for designing, constructing, and maintaining the state highway system. When Caltrans fails to uphold these responsibilities, motorists pay the price. Under California Government Code Sections 830-835.4, Caltrans can be held liable for dangerous conditions on state highways that cause injury, provided the agency had actual or constructive notice of the hazard.
Common highway defects that give rise to Caltrans liability include potholes and deteriorated pavement, missing or damaged guardrails, inadequate drainage causing standing water, faded lane striping, malfunctioning highway lighting, debris left on the roadway, improperly designed on-ramps and off-ramps, and insufficient signage for curves, grades, or construction zones. On the freeways surrounding Glendale — particularly the aging stretches of the 134 and SR-2 — these defects are not uncommon.
Pursuing a claim against Caltrans requires navigating the Government Claims Act. Under Government Code Section 911.2, you must file a formal written claim with Caltrans within six months of the accident — not the standard two-year statute of limitations. This claim must contain specific information including the date, location, circumstances, and the amount of damages sought. If Caltrans rejects the claim (or fails to respond within 45 days), you then have six months to file a lawsuit. These strict deadlines make early legal representation essential.
Multi-vehicle pileups are among the most complex personal injury cases because they involve multiple at-fault parties, multiple insurance companies, and often conflicting accounts of how the chain reaction began. On the congested freeways around Glendale — particularly the 134 and I-5 during rush hour — pileups involving five, ten, or even twenty vehicles are not rare, especially in adverse weather conditions or when visibility is reduced by sun glare.
Determining fault in a multi-vehicle highway pileup requires sophisticated accident reconstruction. Our firm retains experienced accident reconstruction experts who use physical evidence, electronic data recorders (vehicle black boxes), dashcam footage, freeway camera recordings, and witness testimony to establish the sequence of impacts and identify which driver or drivers initiated the chain reaction. In many cases, multiple parties share fault, and California's pure comparative negligence system allows injured victims to recover from each liable party in proportion to that party's responsibility.
Insurance coverage issues are particularly complex in pileup cases. When the at-fault driver's liability limits are insufficient to cover your damages, we look to additional sources of recovery including your own underinsured motorist coverage, commercial vehicle policies, and government entity liability. We also investigate whether any vehicle involved had mechanical defects — such as brake failure or tire blowouts — that may bring a product liability claim into play.
If your highway accident was caused in whole or in part by a dangerous condition on a state highway, county road, or city street, your claim is subject to the Government Claims Act under California Government Code Section 900 et seq. This statute imposes a strict six-month deadline for filing a formal written claim with the responsible government agency — far shorter than the two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims.
The government tort claim must include specific information: your name and address, the date and location of the incident, a general description of the injury and how it occurred, the names of any public employees who caused the injury (if known), and the amount of damages claimed. If the claim exceeds $10,000, you may state that the amount exceeds the jurisdictional limit. The claim must be filed with the correct agency — Caltrans for state highways, the county for county roads, or the city for municipal streets. Filing with the wrong agency does not satisfy the requirement.
After you file, the government agency has 45 days to respond. If they reject the claim or fail to respond, you have six months from the date of rejection (or from the expiration of the 45-day period) to file a lawsuit. If you miss the initial six-month filing deadline, you may apply for late claim relief under Government Code Section 911.4, but approval is not guaranteed. At Anand Desai Law, we handle government tort claims regularly and ensure every procedural requirement is met on time.
Highway accidents produce some of the most serious injuries our firm handles — traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, multiple fractures, internal organ damage, severe burns, and wrongful death. The compensation available in these cases reflects the severity of these injuries. Economic damages cover all quantifiable losses: emergency medical care, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, prescription medications, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, property damage, and future medical costs. We work with life care planners and medical economists to project the full lifetime cost of your injuries.
Non-economic damages compensate for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent disability, disfigurement, and loss of consortium. There is no cap on non-economic damages in California personal injury cases (unlike some other states), and these damages often constitute the largest portion of a highway accident settlement or verdict.
In cases involving drunk driving, extreme recklessness, or other egregious conduct, punitive damages may be available under California Civil Code Section 3294. These damages are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior. Our firm also aggressively pursues all available insurance coverage, including stacking underinsured motorist policies when applicable. Call Anand Desai Law at (833) 270-7800 for a free consultation about your highway accident case. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Safety is the top priority. If your vehicle is drivable, move to the right shoulder or the nearest exit. Turn on your hazard lights. Call 911 immediately — California Highway Patrol (CHP) responds to freeway accidents. Do not stand in travel lanes or near fast-moving traffic. Document the scene with photos if it is safe to do so. Get the other driver's information and insurance details. Seek medical attention even if injuries seem minor — adrenaline can mask serious conditions. Then call Anand Desai Law at (833) 270-7800 before giving any statements to insurance companies.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has primary jurisdiction over accidents on state highways and freeways, including the 134, SR-2, I-5, 210, 101, and 405. CHP officers prepare a Traffic Collision Report that documents the scene, identifies involved parties, records witness statements, and often includes the officer's assessment of fault. In fatal or major-injury collisions, CHP's Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) may conduct a more detailed investigation. Our firm obtains these reports and supplements them with our own independent investigation, including accident reconstruction analysis.
Yes. Under California Government Code Sections 830-835.4, Caltrans can be held liable for dangerous conditions on state highways, including potholes, missing guardrails, inadequate signage, faded lane markings, and poor drainage. However, you must file a government tort claim within six months of the accident — not the standard two-year statute of limitations. This claim must be filed with the State of California through Caltrans. If rejected, you have six months to file a lawsuit. Our firm has experience handling Caltrans claims and ensures every procedural deadline is met.
Compensation depends on the severity of your injuries, the cost of medical treatment, lost income, and the impact on your quality of life. Highway accidents tend to produce more severe injuries due to the speeds involved, which often means higher compensation. We pursue economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, future care costs), non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress), and when applicable, punitive damages. Every case is unique, and we provide an honest assessment during your free consultation. Call (833) 270-7800. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 30% at fault and your total damages are $1,000,000, you would recover $700,000. Insurance companies often exaggerate the victim's fault to reduce payouts. Our firm builds strong evidence to minimize any fault attributed to you and aggressively challenges unfair fault assessments by insurers and opposing attorneys.
For personal injury claims against private parties, you have two years from the date of the accident under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. For wrongful death claims, the two-year period runs from the date of death. For claims against government entities like Caltrans or the City of Glendale, you must file an administrative tort claim within six months of the accident under Government Code Section 911.2. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your claim. Contact our firm as soon as possible to protect your rights.
The timeline varies significantly based on the complexity of the case, the severity of injuries, and the number of parties involved. Straightforward cases with clear liability may settle in 6 to 12 months. Complex cases involving government entities, multiple vehicles, or severe injuries often take 12 to 24 months or longer, especially if litigation is required. We never rush a settlement — we wait until you have reached maximum medical improvement so we can accurately value your claim. If insurers refuse to offer fair compensation, we are prepared to take your case to trial.
California has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the country. If an uninsured driver caused your highway accident, your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may provide compensation for your injuries. We review your auto insurance policy to identify all available coverage. We also investigate whether other parties may be liable — such as the vehicle's owner, a government entity responsible for a road defect, or an employer if the driver was operating a company vehicle. Our goal is to find every available source of compensation for your injuries.
Yes. If debris on the highway caused your accident, several parties may be liable. If the debris fell from a commercial truck, the trucking company and driver may be responsible under federal regulations requiring proper cargo securement. If Caltrans or a local agency failed to clear known debris from the roadway within a reasonable time, the government entity may be liable. If the debris resulted from a prior accident that was not properly cleared, law enforcement agencies may share responsibility. We investigate the source of the debris and pursue all responsible parties.
Almost never. The first offer from an insurance company after a highway accident is almost always significantly lower than the true value of your claim. Insurance adjusters make early offers hoping to settle before you understand the full extent of your injuries and before you hire an attorney. Many highway accident injuries — including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and soft tissue injuries — have symptoms that develop or worsen over weeks or months. Accepting an early settlement means you cannot seek additional compensation later. Let Anand Desai Law evaluate your case and negotiate for the full compensation you deserve.
Anand Desai is a dedicated personal injury attorney serving Glendale and the greater Los Angeles area. A graduate of Loyola Law School with an undergraduate degree from USC, Anand has been a member of the California State Bar (#249768) since 2007, bringing 20+ years of legal experience to every case he handles.
Anand specializes in personal injury law, with particular expertise in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, and catastrophic injury cases. His deep understanding of California personal injury law, combined with his tenacious negotiation skills, has helped him secure millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for his clients.
What truly sets Anand apart is his commitment to his community. His firm is one of the only law offices in Glendale that offers services in 11 languages, including Spanish, Armenian, Hindi, Gujarati, Korean, Tagalog, Farsi, Mandarin, Japanese, Vietnamese, and English — reflecting the rich diversity of the communities he serves.
“I fight for every client like they’re family. When you hire me, you’re not just getting a lawyer — you’re getting someone who genuinely cares about your recovery and your future.”
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