Los Angeles is one of the most highly-trafficked and car-crazy cities on the planet. The large, sprawling city is filled with roads and highways. Its public transportation is extremely limited, so most people find it easier to drive to wherever they need to go.
The car accident statistics in the city are grim. Car accidents are the fourth highest cause of premature death for L.A. residents. In 2019, there were 236 traffic deaths and over 54,000 crashes. According to law enforcement the city has seen a 32% increase in fatal crashes over the last five years. These numbers outpace national trends, and there has been an especially alarming increase in the number of pedestrians hit and killed by cars in the city.
Pedestrian accident attorneys Los Angeles have seen a remarkable rise in the number of car accident cases they handle. Pedestrian accident attorneys Los Angeles are the professionals that accident victims turn for legal help when they need compensation from a car accident.
Why Accidents Continue to Rise in Los Angeles
The high number of pedestrian deaths in L.A. are partially attributed to speeding vehicles. According to a recent study, a pedestrian has an 80% greater chance of being killed if struck by a vehicle moving at a speed higher than 40mph. Although the city is large and spread out, many of its neighborhoods are congested. They are filled with people walking, jogging, playing—in short, engaged in the normal activities of community life. When vehicles speed through these neighborhoods, it puts people in danger.
Another reason for the grim figures is the sheer number of vehicles on the road. This increases year after year. Indeed, car sales and registrations continue to rise across Southern California.
Distracted drivers are significantly more likely to be involved in accidents, as they have less time to react. Sending and receiving text messages is an activity that some drivers cannot resist. Satellite radios, GPS systems, and elaborate interior entertainment suites also keep drivers from paying attention to the road and what is going on around them.
You Are Owed a Duty of Care
If you are a pedestrian who was struck and injured by a driver, you should hold them accountable. A personal injury attorney in Los Angeles can help you do so. A personal injury attorney in Los Angeles can help you build a case against the person whose recklessness caused you so much pain and suffering.
Pedestrians have a right of way in Los Angeles, and drivers owe them a reasonable duty of care. This means that they must take the same amount of care a normal person would have taken in the same situation to avoid hitting a pedestrian. This can mean following traffic laws, driving while fully alert and not while intoxicated or drowsy, and using headlights when in a poorly lit area. If a driver was not taking a reasonable amount of care when they hit you, then your accident attorney can argue that they were negligent. If fault is put on the driver for being negligent, you can be compensated for your pain and suffering.
Pedestrian accident lawyers Los Angeles know how to put a case like this together. The pedestrian accident lawyers Los Angeles you hire will make the connection between your injuries and the irresponsible behavior of the driver using solid evidence that will hold up in court.
Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyers can help you get justice. If you have been hit by a car, you should speak to Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyers to review your options.
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