Los Angeles the Second Deadliest City for Pedestrians

Some cities are safer than others when it comes to being a pedestrian. According to new data from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Los Angeles is second only to the Big Apple in terms of pedestrian fatalities.

Some 99 L.A. residents were killed in traffic accidents in 2012 alone, and this startling figure only includes those on foot, not cyclists. That same year, the streets of NYC claimed the lives of 127 pedestrians.  Not surprisingly, just under 1/5 of all pedestrians killed in 2012 were victims of hit-and-run accidents.

Despite recent measures to crackdown on jaywalkers in Los Angeles, with $250 fines put in place December 2013, the city remains a dangerous place for those who traverse sidewalks and roadways on foot.

Sobering statistics for pedestrian dangers in LA

Data from the NHTSA shows that pedestrian fatalities were highest in California (612), followed by Texas and Florida. When looking at the drivers involved in fatal pedestrian accidents, 14 percent had a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .08 g/dL or higher.

In 2012, 242 people were killed in Los Angeles car accidents, with 41 percent of fatalities being pedestrians. This accounts for a 2.57 fatality rate of pedestrians per 100,000 people in L.A.

To reduce the hazards of pedestrian-vehicle accidents, the NHTSA offers the following tips to those on foot:

• Walk on a sidewalk or path whenever possible. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic on the shoulder, as far away from cars as possible.
• Avoid distractions from electronic devices, such as smart phones and other devices that take your attention off the road environment.
• Never assume a driver sees you (he or she could be distracted, under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, or just not seeing you).
• Be predictable: use crosswalks or intersections whenever possible.
• If there is no crosswalk, locate a well-lit area, wait for a gap in traffic that allows you enough time to cross safely, and continue to watch for traffic as you cross.
• Avoid restricted-access highways and other pedestrian-prohibited roadways.
• Be visible: wear bright clothing during the day and reflective materials at night and use a flashlight.

With a spate of hit and runs making headlines in LA news, many police and law officials are calling it a city-wide epidemic.  The LAPD says more than 20,000 hit and runs occur each year, and about a fifth of those are felonies, involving an injury or death.

Earlier this year, Governor Jerry Brown passed AB 184, a law that increases the statute of limitations from three to six years for hit and run accidents. Of AB 184, Los Angeles Assemblyman Mike Gatto says:

“Thousands of hit-and-run victims suffer life-threatening injuries annually. Allowing the perpetrators to avoid prosecution just adds insult to these injuries.”

That is why it is increasingly important to contact a personal injury attorney if you are in an accident, and with your help we can start making Los Angeles a safer place for all.

Respected Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyers

For more than 20 years, Los Angeles car accident lawyers at Ellis Law have been fighting for the rights of those harmed through the negligence of others. Recovery from a pedestrian accident injury can take months or even years, costing a victim thousands of dollars and valuable time off of work.

If you or a loved one was involved in a hit-and-run or other type of accident and are unsure of liability, contact a personal injury lawyer today for a free case evaluation. You may be eligible for significant reimbursement through filing a pedestrian car accident lawsuit in Los Angeles.  Our attorneys charge nothing during your initial consultation, which you can schedule by calling 310-641-3335.

Serving residents throughout Southern California, we can also be reached toll-free: 310-641-3335.