What makes fatal pedestrian accidents highest in Los Angeles when compared with the rest of the nation? This is not an outlier, as Orange County ranks tenth in the nation and San Diego had the seventh highest rate of fatal pedestrian accidents in the nation. Fatal pedestrian accidents in Los Angeles increased 80 percent from 2015 to 2017 based upon information contained within the Los Angeles Department of Transportation “Vision Zero 2018” action plan. Local officials described it as a “360 degree experience” when you are walking on Southern California streets.
The combination of spectacular year-round weather and a high number of pedestrians and cyclists contributes to the unfortunate likelihood of a pedestrian accident. In many cases, these a pedestrian accident may occur in a parking lot or the driveway leading into a store or commercial business. Pedestrians and bicyclists are no match for a motor vehicle. These collisions usually result in serious injuries including:
- Broken Ribs or Pelvis
- Fractures and Broken Bones
- Knee Injury
- Serious Head Trauma
- Internal Injuries
When an accident results in the loss of the life of the pedestrian due to the fault of the motorist it is known as a wrongful death. The family of the victim may pursue a legal claim to seek compensation for the loss of time they would have enjoyed with their loved one, the loss of intimate time with a spouse or the love of a parent or child, as well as final expenses and the loss of income from a breadwinner.
The factors which rank fatal pedestrian accidents highest in Los Angeles and throughout Orange County and Southern California are the focus of several programs throughout the area. Drivers should exercise extreme caution when pulling into the store or a shopping area, a commercial district as well as while driving on busy urban streets. Pedestrians and bicyclists can seem to appear out of nowhere, but the driver of the vehicle will almost always be liable for resulting pedestrian injury and wrongful death claims.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian accident or lost their life in a fatal pedestrian accident we invite you to contact us or call (949)305-1400 for a free consultation to speak personally with an experienced and highly recommended Los Angeles and Orange County personal injury attorney.
