Although under California Vehicle Code Section 21950 (a) pedestrians in California have a right-of-way to cross a roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, this rule is not always respected by drivers, which in turn results in severe and at times fatal injuries to the pedestrians.
According to Governors Highway Safety Association, 4,735 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in United States, and another 76,000 pedestrians were injured in 2013 alone. California is one of the leading states that contributes to these staggering numbers. For instance, in 2014, about 700 pedestrians died in motor vehicle accidents which is just one death less, 700, from the previous 2013 year. This counts for 23% of all motor vehicle fatalities in all California, which is well above the nation’s average.
Governors Highway Safety Association further found that most of the pedestrian fatalities (70%) occurred between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. and that most of the victims were males.
Alcohol and speed also play a major role in pedestrian accidents. In more than one third of pedestrian accidents alcohol level was above the legal limit, while about 19% of the accidents occurred when drivers were driving over 35 miles per hour.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Los Angeles
As the above statistics indicate the number of pedestrian accidents is staggering. In order to avoid some of those accidents, it is important to understand what are some of the main causes.
- Driver fails to yield a right of way to a pedestrian at a crosswalk or intersection.
- Driver runs a red light.
- Driver is speeding and hits a pedestrian.
- Driver parks and hits a pedestrian.
- Drivers turns on a red light and hits a pedestrian.
- Driver is distracted and fails to see a pedestrian thereby hitting him/her.
- Driver is under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol and hits a pedestrian.
If we all take into consideration these major causes for many pedestrian accidents, we can reduce these staggering and growing numbers of severe injuries and deaths caused by them, as ever single death counts.
Common Types of Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents in Los Angeles
Pedestrians usually suffer the most severe injuries compared to any other motor vehicle accidents, simply because they are unprotected by the vehicle’s frame or its exterior. In addition, the injuries can be increased if the vehicle that hits the pedestrian is a large SUV or a semi-truck. Some of the most common injuries suffered by pedestrians are:
- Spinal injuries,
- Head Injuries,
- Neck Injuries,
- Brain Injuries,
- Paralysis,
- Broken Bones,
- Herniated Discs,
- Amputations, and
- Death
Recovering Damages in Pedestrian Accidents in Los Angeles
As the injuries suffered by pedestrians in pedestrian accidents in Los Angeles are severe and at times fatal, it is crucial that you receive the best medical treatment available. The cost of this medical treatment can often be extremely expensive. This is why it is crucial for a pedestrian accident victim to retain a Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney who knows how to fight for his clients and make this treatment available to them.
Aside from providing the best medical treatment available for his clients, Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer will also fight to compensate his clients for the time lost from work, loss of enjoyment, loss of consortium as well as pain and suffering which resulted from the accident.
Bojat Law Group a Los Angeles Accident Lawyer Firm understands their clients’ suffering and pain. It is this compassionate manner and personal approach as well as aggressive attitude that plays a major role when dealing with clients and obtaining them the most amount of compensation from the insurance companies.