Visitors travel to the West Coast for its beaches, hot weather, and environmental beauty. California sees thousands of tourists a year when they set out to sightsee and enjoy one of the most popular destinations in the U.S. Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents have been on the rise over the past few years among locals and visitors alike.

Locals enjoy walking to work, school, or for pleasure in high-tourist locations like Anaheim, Irvine, and Costa Mesa. But the chance of getting hurt on foot is relatively high. The traffic may have slowed down during the pandemic, but the number of car-pedestrian accidents has not.

Tourists are more prone to getting hurt in large cities across Los Angeles. They might walk toward unfamiliar territories and get struck by an oncoming vehicle. This example is one of many reasons why a pedestrian accident might occur.

In the Los Angeles Metro area, Orange County has the second-highest level of pedestrian accidents. We break down the trends below, according to The Orange County Register:

  • There were more than 900 reported accidents in 2016 and 2017
  • The cases dropped slightly in 2018 to 817 pedestrian accidents and 69 fatalities
  • In 2019 there were 697 pedestrian accidents and 54 fatalities
  • During the pandemic, 500 pedestrians got injured on busy streets

Los Angeles saw a similar shift in pedestrian accidents, but on a larger scale overall. Nearly 300 Angelenos lost their lives consistently from 2018 to 2020. The study also shows:

  • There were 5,755 pedestrian accidents in 2018
  • The city had 5,664 pedestrian accidents in 2019
  • During the pandemic, more than 4,000 pedestrians got hurt in high populated locations

You should know a few things to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones should you get struck by a car. Make sure to follow the steps below:

  • Call for immediate medical assistance
  • Notify the police and file an accident report
  • Take photographic evidence
  • Ask bystanders and witnesses for contact information or statements
  • Retain an injury attorney before speaking to insurance companies

At Gutierrez Law, our Los Angeles personal injury lawyer has handled numerous pedestrian accident cases, especially since the start of 2020. Last year was challenging for everyone but slowed traffic created fewer hazards for individuals that enjoy walking downtown.

A knowledgeable lawyer can assess your case to get you compensation for the following damages if you get hurt:

  • Medical expenses
  • Loss of income
  • Pain and suffering
  • Other damages

Getting struck by a distracted motorcyclist, bicyclist, or car might leave you or a loved one feeling vulnerable. Recovering will take time, but we’re here to help you through it.