Los Angeles Ranks High for Pedestrian Deaths
Los Angeles is known for having some of the worst traffic congestion in the country, which unfortunately leads to a large number of negligent drivers on the road at any given time. As of 2014, there were more than 7.4 million vehicles registered in Los Angeles County, which is a marked increase from just 15 to 20 years ago.
Many areas of the city, such as Glendale, seem relatively safe and quiet, but are plagued with far too many dangerous driving incidents for residents to feel safe. In fact, Glendale has consistently ranked poorly on traffic collision, pedestrian safety and bad driving surveys.
Since October, the area has seen a number of horrific traffic accidents, including a rollover crash in La Crescenta, a drunk drag racing incident on the eastbound Foothill (210) Freeway, and a car driving into a Glendale smoke shop. This is all in addition to vicious occurrences of road rage that have become commonplace.
LA ranks high on list of pedestrian deaths
Los Angeles is the city with the second highest number of pedestrian deaths, falling behind only New York City, as of 2012, according to vehicle crash statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. During that year, 99 pedestrians were killed in the city, compared with 127 in New York. However, the per-100,000 pedestrian fatality rate of 2.57 percent in Los Angeles was much greater than New York’s 1.52 percent.
In total, pedestrian deaths made up 41 percent of all car crash fatalities in Los Angeles, compared with 47 percent in New York. Comparatively, pedestrian deaths accounted for just 14 percent of traffic fatalities nationwide. Pedestrians were involved in 21.4 percent of traffic fatalities in California during 2012.
Civil liability issues
Drivers are required by law to exercise reasonable caution behind the wheel. They must drive at a safe speed for road conditions, keep their eyes on the road, maintain control of the vehicle and keep their vehicle maintained. Each state has their own laws governing road behavior. In some cases, certain types of conduct — driving while impaired, willfully violating rules of the road, etc. — automatically results in a presumption of negligence and the driver must prove their innocence.
In other cases, without a presumption of negligence, the injured party — pedestrian, another driver or passenger — must demonstrate that the driver exhibited reckless behavior. Not just that, they’re also tasked with showing exactly how the actions of the negligent driver led to their specific injuries. They must keep detailed medical, financial and property damage records to use as evidence.
It is possible for both parties to be considered negligent if each person failed to exercise a reasonable standard of care — even in pedestrian cases.
If you have suffered harm caused by a negligent driver, you should ally yourself with a skilled personal injury lawyer who has successfully litigated claims both in and out of court. For more information about pursuing your legal options in the wake of a car crash or pedestrian knock-down, contact Ellis Law today to schedule a free consultation with Los Angeles car accident lawyers who provide unwavering advocacy for their clients.