This was a rough year for Los Angeles drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. While we know that driving in this area can be complicated, it seems like traffic fatalities and injuries are increasing each year despite efforts to improve safety. At the Law Offices of Howard Craig Kornberg, our car crash lawyers in Los Angeles want to discuss information in statistics provided by the LAPD for 2019. Our team is dedicated to helping victims harmed by negligent drivers secure the compensation they need.
2019 was supposed to be a year of safety. LA, along with other California cities, has been working diligently to decrease the number of traffic deaths, car crashes, and fatal hit-and-run incidents. However, at a press conference at the end of December, the Los Angeles Police Department stated that there were 236 traffic deaths and more than 54,000 crashes in the city throughout the year. Fatal crashes increased by 32% over the last five years, according to police.
A local news agency reported that there was also a 7% increase in hit-and-run accidents in 2019 from the previous year.
According to police, pedestrian accidents contributed to much of the increase in fatal crashes in the city. LAPD data shows that approximately two-thirds of traffic deaths in 2019 involved pedestrians. When speaking specifically about hit-and-run crashes, LAPD Chief Michal Moore says that “The key for hit-and-runs, for me, is this: it’s an accident, don’t make it a crime.”
Moore is encouraging defensive driving, and he also stresses the importance of defensive walking if you are a pedestrian. Be aware of your surroundings if you are walking around the city. Understand that pedestrian crashes lead to more devastating injuries than other types of traffic incidents. It is not uncommon for a pedestrian to sustain the following after a collision with a vehicle:
Los Angeles is supposed to be a part of the global “Vision Zero” project, an initiative that aims to eliminate all traffic fatalities in the city. The initiative began in 2015 and the completion date is supposed to be 2025.
If you or somebody you care about has been injured in an accident that was caused by another driver’s reckless or careless actions, contact an attorney immediately. At the Law Offices of Howard Craig Kornberg, we are ready to get to work on your behalf. Our goal is to secure the compensation you deserve, which can include:
When you need a personal injury attorney in Los Angeles, you can contact us by clicking here or calling 310-997-0904 for a free consultation.
