Every year, we check over grim statistics about car accidents, fatalities, damages, and injuries. We always hope that the number will go down, that we will have learned something from the previous years. Unfortunately, though, that is not always the case.
But that doesn’t mean that it is not worth it to try. Just knowing the total number of collisions, or even the number of hospitalizations and deaths is not enough. We need to look more deeply to get at the crux of these different situations.
An interesting, and frightening, statistic is that of the number of accidents involving car crashes and pedestrians in LA. As a Los Angeles resident, these numbers tell very sad stories, but hopefully you will be able to learn from them.
In 2019, 236 people were killed on the road in Los Angeles, about 60% of them were on foot or riding bikes. This means more than half of the victims weren’t even driving. An even sadder figure to consider is this: for those aged 5 to 14 years of age, motor vehicle crashes were the number one cause of death. Very concerning as well is the fact that senior citizens are at a higher risk of death as well, with 30% of bikers or pedestrians who were killed or severely injured being aged over 64 years of age or aged 18 and lower.
And not all areas are equally dangerous. There is evidence that underserved neighborhoods are disproportionately affected by these types of accidents. In addition, some particularly dangerous areas and intersections have been identified. The city of Los Angeles has implemented a “living” map that details areas considered to be “high injury networks.” The map can be consulted online and it is updated in real-time. You can click different routes and see statistics and warnings. For example, if a certain road is to be marked, the information will be displayed with cross streets; that way you will be able to understand precisely where the most issues occur.
This map was not the only effort made by the city, however. Since 2015, Los Angeles has committed itself to a Vision Zero program. The goal of the program is to increase safety and awareness for pedestrians, bikers, and, especially, drivers. The program began in 2012 in Chicago and has since spread to over 40 cities across the country. While some years still bring loss of life in increasing numbers, cities with the program in place are in a better position to actually learn from their mistakes. The programs establish information campaigns, school, and other youth initiatives, and a record-keeping system that pinpoints issues in order to improve. For LA, the goal is to have zero pedestrian deaths by the year 2025.
While this work is to be greatly applauded, the responsibility for you and your family to be safe ultimately rests with you. Keep informed about best practices for pedestrian safety, and learn about the conditions of the roads you use. If the unthinkable happens, and you or someone you love is in an accident, make sure to call a trusted pedestrian accident attorney, along with the police and the ambulance.
blogs
Five Products for Truck Driver Safety
Truck drivers are the backbone of the economy, and their safety is of the utmost importance. Not only are they at special risk of trafficaccidents, but truck driving comes with a host of other dangers. The easiest way to stay safe while driving any vehicle is being aware of your surroundings and making sure your […]
Safety Tips for Rideshares
Companies like Uber, Lyft, and others have changed the game when it comes to the gig economy, the taxi industry, and, of course, just getting around in general. For most of us passengers, these ridesharing companies offer an increase in convenience, especially in California where public transport is not entirely dependable. Besides the convenience issue, […]
What to Know About Arizona’s Lemon Law
Like many other states, Arizona has a Lemon Law in place to help protect consumers who buy faulty vehicles from being stuck with them with no recourse. Arizona’s lemon law, though, is a little different from other states, with certain restrictions in place that are specific to Arizona. Here are a few basic guidelines to […]
Five Slip and Fall Facts
The more we have to go out into the world, the more dangers we’ll face. The key is not to be worried about it, but to be prepared and act safely. It also helps to know what to do and who to contact in the case of suffering a slip and fall injury yourself. Avoiding […]
Commercial Truck Accidents
While it may not seem like it, there are bigger differences when dealing with a truck accident than just the size of the vehicle. Although they are well insured, companies with commercial trucks will fire back at you with a whole legal team to avoid paying out for damage, injury, or even death. This is […]
Workman’s Compensation and COVID in California
This past year has redefined a lot of things we usually take for granted. We’ve experienced new definitions of work, and even health, in general. Between telecommuting, staggered shifts, and widespread relocation, the face of business has changed rapidly. We have seen the rise of “essential workers” and “heroes” among our everyday neighbors and friends. […]
Four Surprising Myths about Motorcycle Accidents and Injuries
Motorcycles have become a pretty popular way to get around in the country. In California alone, there are over 790,000 registered motorcycles. This number is set to increase as more people choose the convenience and the fun that comes with getting around on a motorcycle. But despite these increasing numbers, there are countless myths and […]
Lemon Laws for Defective Hyundai Vehicles in California
If your newly acquired or leased Hyundai car has repeated problems that require repair, the vehicle manufacturer or its licensed representative owes you a refund, repair, or replacement. If you wind up with a lemon car and the manufacturer is not willing to take care of the vehicle, you will need to seek the counsel […]
Bicycle Accidents
Bicycles may be a reliably safe mode of transportation but, as in so many accidents out in the world, the problem is not often with the mode of transportation you’re in, but how the person who hits you is traveling. Every year, more than 50,000 bicyclists are injured in collisions with automobiles. Too few of […]
Top Five Most Common Car Accidents
Despite the plethora of traffic rules and safety measures implemented, car accidents are still quite rampant in the country. According to a report on the World Health Organization website, over three million people are injured in auto-accidents yearly, while 30,000 others succumb to their injuries. As experienced car accident attorneys, we’ve handled our fair share […]
contact form
