Available 
SHERMAN OAKS, Los Angeles County, Calif., Oct. 14, 2026 — A motorcyclist was injured Tuesday evening, October 13, in a multi-vehicle crash on northbound Interstate 405 near the US-101 connector, according to the California Highway Patrol. The collision reportedly involved a car, a second car, and the motorcycle, and left the rider on the ground near the lanes of traffic.
The CHP's traffic log describes several vehicles involved near the Ventura Boulevard interchange, including what was reported as a blue Toyota sedan and a white sedan colliding with the motorcycle. The crash blocked the carpool lane and the number one lane on northbound I-405, according to the log. Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded and transferred care of the injured rider.
The rider was reported leaning against the center divider in the immediate aftermath, before being moved for treatment. CHP units held the blocked lanes for an extended period as crews worked to clear the scene. The number one lane reportedly reopened roughly an hour after the crash, though the carpool lane remained closed longer.
Towing the motorcycle proved difficult. Dispatch records show at least two towing companies were contacted, with one reporting trouble locating the scene from the southbound side before a crew made visual contact with CHP units. An additional tow unit was requested later in the evening specifically to bring in a flatbed capable of moving the motorcycle to the shoulder.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation. Our thoughts are with those who were injured, and we wish them a full recovery.
When Motorcycle Crashes Are Most Likely to Happen
Evening hours carry a disproportionate share of motorcycle collisions on Southern California freeways, and the stretch between late afternoon and early night is often the busiest window. Commute traffic is still heavy, light is fading or already gone, and riders become harder for drivers in cars and trucks to spot in side mirrors or blind spots.
Weekday evening crashes like this one also tend to involve lane changes and merging, points where a motorcycle's smaller profile can disappear between vehicles. Fatigue after a full workday, combined with drivers rushing to get home, adds another layer of risk during this stretch of the clock.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, motorcycle fatalities decreased from 649 in 2022 to 583 in 2023. The drop suggests gains are possible, but evening commute hours on dense urban freeways remain a recurring setting for these crashes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are motorcycle crashes more likely to cause serious injury?
Riders have no frame or airbags between themselves and the road or another vehicle, so even lower-speed impacts often cause direct contact with pavement or metal. Injuries to the head, limbs and torso are common even in crashes that a car occupant would walk away from.
How do left-turning cars cause motorcycle collisions?
A car turning left across traffic may misjudge a motorcycle's speed or simply not see it due to its narrow profile. This type of misjudgment is one of the most common ways cars and motorcycles collide at intersections and merge points.
What can drivers do to watch for motorcycles?
Checking mirrors and blind spots twice before changing lanes, and giving motorcycles a full lane's width of space, helps drivers register a bike before committing to a maneuver.
What should a rider do after a motorcycle crash?
Stay as still as possible until emergency responders arrive, especially if there's any pain in the neck, back or limbs. Even when injuries seem minor, a medical evaluation afterward can catch issues that aren't immediately obvious.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Crash in Sherman Oaks, CA
Anyone involved in or witnessing a motorcycle crash in Sherman Oaks should move to a safe area away from live lanes if possible and call 911 right away. Riders who are injured should avoid removing a helmet unless trained personnel advise it, since doing so can worsen a neck or spine injury.
Getting checked by a medical provider as soon as possible matters even when a rider feels able to walk away, because adrenaline can mask pain from fractures or internal injuries. Keeping records of any treatment, along with photos of the scene if it's safe to take them, can help later if questions arise about how the crash happened.
