Just as motorists must follow rules of the road, pedestrians also must do their part to follow laws and best practices to maximize their safety. For obvious reasons, when pedestrians are struck by a vehicle, injuries can be serious or even fatal. In California, the pedestrian fatality rate from road accidents is almost 25% higher than the national average. At particular risk for pedestrian road accidents are adults over 65 and children under 5. Some additional statistics:
- 893 pedestrians were killed on California roadways in 2018.
- That same year, more than 14,000 pedestrians were injured.
- Pedestrian deaths rose 26% percent between 2014 and 2018.
Pedestrian Safety Tips
As a pedestrian, there are several best practices you can follow to remain safe.
- Make yourself visible. Wear bright-colored clothes and carry a flashlight if you are walking at night. If a sidewalk is available, use it.
- Look left-right-left before crossing a street.
- Don’t jaywalk. Cross streets at marked crosswalks/intersections, obey traffic signals, and watch for turning vehicles.
- Stay off the phone, as texting and even talking distracts you from paying attention to your surroundings.
- In a crosswalk, pedestrians have the right-of-way, but make eye contact with drivers – don’t assume the driver can see you.
- Do not enter or stay on a railroad crossing or bridge after a signal is given.
- Stay sober.
Even if you do follow all the rules, accidents can happen. If you are the victim of a pedestrian-vehicle accident, it’s wise to contact a pedestrian accident attorney immediately. Los Angeles wrongful death lawyers and Los Angeles personal injury lawyers can help you determine liability and recover compensation for medical bills and other expenses stemming from injuries you may have sustained. Personal injury lawyers in Los Angeles can also ensure that you are compensated for the pain and suffering endured from any pedestrian accident injuries.
Types of pedestrian accidents
Of course, pedestrian accidents can result in many different types of injuries that will vary in severity depending on factors such as the speed of the vehicle, the point of impact, the age and health of the pedestrian, and the promptness of medical attention. The three most common pedestrian injuries from car accidents are, in order of prevalence, injuries to the lower extremities, injuries to the head, face, and neck (not including spinal injury) and injuries to the upper extremities.
Common injuries in pedestrian accidents include:
- Soft Tissue Injuries: These include bruises, sprains, strains, and contusions. Soft tissue injuries are common when a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle.
- Fractures: Pedestrians can suffer fractures or broken bones, especially in the limbs.
- Head Injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) or concussions can occur if the pedestrian’s head makes contact with the vehicle or the ground.
- Spinal Injuries: Injuries to the spine can occur, leading to damage to the spinal cord and potential long-term consequences such as paralysis.
- Internal Injuries: The force of impact can cause damage to internal organs, leading to internal bleeding or organ damage.
- Cuts and Abrasions: Pedestrians may suffer cuts and abrasions from contact with the vehicle or the road surface.
- Psychological Trauma: Witnessing or experiencing a pedestrian accident can lead to psychological trauma, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Fatal Injuries: Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents can also result in fatalities, particularly in cases of high-speed collisions or severe trauma. This is where a Los Angeles wrongful death attorney can prove indispensable.
Prevention measures, such as pedestrian education, improved infrastructure, and responsible driving, can also contribute to reducing the frequency and severity of pedestrian accidents.
If you are injured as a pedestrian, reaching out to Los Angeles personal injury lawyers is crucial, since you may be eligible to receive damages from the responsible party. John J. Perlstein can help you determine appropriate compensation for your injury or injuries. When a pedestrian accident leads to a fatality, a surviving spouse or family member can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the person or persons liable. Pedestrian accident lawyers are crucial when it comes to getting the compensation you deserve, whether in a personal injury or wrongful death claim.
What causes pedestrian accidents?
Pedestrian accidents can occur in various situations, and often involve a combination of factors. Understanding these situations can help promote awareness and can contribute to efforts to prevent such accidents. Common situations leading to pedestrian accidents include:
- Distracted Driving: Drivers using mobile phones, adjusting the radio, eating, or engaging in other distractions may not be fully attentive to pedestrians, leading to accidents.
- Fatigued driving: Drivers who aren’t alert pose a danger on the road.
- Speeding: Higher speeds reduce a driver’s reaction time and increase the severity of injuries in case of a collision. Speeding in residential areas and near pedestrian crossings is particularly dangerous.
- Failure to Yield: Drivers failing to yield the right of way to pedestrians at crosswalks, intersections, or other designated crossing areas can lead to accidents. Failure to use turn signals correctly can also pose a danger to pedestrians.
- Impaired Driving: Alcohol or drug impairment significantly impairs a driver’s ability to react and make sound judgments, increasing the risk of pedestrian accidents.
- Poor Visibility: Reduced visibility due to weather conditions, inadequate lighting, or obstructed views can contribute to pedestrian accidents. This is especially true during nighttime or in poorly lit areas.
- Ignoring Traffic Signals: Both pedestrians and drivers not following traffic signals, such as running red lights or crossing streets against signals, can lead to accidents.
- Lack of Infrastructure: Insufficient or poorly designed pedestrian infrastructure, such as lack of crosswalks, pedestrian signals, or sidewalks, can increase the risk of accidents.
- Reckless Driving: Aggressive or reckless driving behaviors, such as aggressive speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, or tailgating, pose a danger to pedestrians.
- Backing Collisions: Drivers backing out of driveways or parking spaces may not always see pedestrians walking behind or near their vehicles.
- Inattentive Pedestrians: As mentioned above, pedestrians who are distracted by smartphones, headphones, or other distractions may not be aware of their surroundings, contributing to accidents.
- Poor Road Conditions: Slippery or uneven road surfaces, potholes, and other poor road conditions can increase the risk of accidents involving pedestrians.
- Vehicle defects: Make sure your car is in good working order. Brakes, steering and other systems must receive regular maintenance.
- Pedestrian Population Density: Areas with high pedestrian traffic, such as crowded urban areas, may have a higher likelihood of pedestrian accidents.
It’s crucial to work with personal injury lawyers in Los Angeles to identify the cause of the accident. This way, those who are responsible for the incident are held liable and provide compensation for victims.
Connect With Pedestrian Accident Lawyers to Learn What You Are Owed
Personal injury lawyers in Los Angeles are here to help. All victims of accidents – pedestrians and otherwise–deserve compensation and justice, and it is our sole mission to seek justice on our clients’ behalf. The Law Offices of John J. Perlstein is widely recognized as among the best wrongful death law firms and best personal injury firms in Los Angeles. John J. Perlstein has a successful track record as one of the top pedestrian accident attorneys in the country. He will not rest until he has maximized any compensation that may be due to you or your family.
Our Los Angeles wrongful death law firm practices on contingency. This means you don’t have to pay unless you win. For a free consultation, contact us today.