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 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.
What do we know about the 2019 crashes in LA?
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:
- Traumatic brain injuries/head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries/paralysis
- Internal organ damage/internal bleeding
- Broken or dislocated bones
- Severe lacerations or amputations
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.
Let us get to work for you today
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 Kornberg, we are ready to get to work on your behalf. Our goal is to secure the compensation you deserve, which can include:
- Coverage of medical expenses related to the incident
- Lost wages and benefits if you cannot work
- Coverage of physical therapy
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Possible punitive damages against any grossly negligent party
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.
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