The unfortunate reality is that pedestrian accidents often end in tragedy. The human body has virtually no protection against the force of a vehicle that weighs thousands of pounds slamming into it. Pedestrian accidents are not uncommon in and around the Los Angeles area. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more pedestrians have been present on the roadways. As the economy has begun to reopen, albeit not evenly, we need to be concerned about tragic crashes occurring in our area.
Pedestrian crashes and the pandemic
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, there were 893 pedestrian fatalities and more than 14,000 pedestrian injuries during the latest reporting year across the state. Unfortunately, a high percentage of all pedestrian accidents lead to an injury or fatality. This is concerning, especially because there has been such an increase in pedestrian activity in and around the Los Angeles area since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Towards the beginning of the crisis, more and more people turned to outdoor exercise and leisurely walking as a way to distract themselves from the ongoing health crisis. Then, due to the unrest after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, thousands of pedestrians took to the streets to protest police tactics across the country.
While increased pedestrian activity should be seen as a good thing, the reality is that individuals are at risk of serious injury, particularly as the economy begins to reopen. All across the United States, law enforcement agencies have reported an increase in speeding-related vehicle accidents and an increase in traffic fatalities as economies have begun to reopen.
The CHP has reported that there has been an 87% increase in tickets issued to motorists operating more than 100 mph since the economy has begun to reopen in the state. This is a significant problem for pedestrians. While the survival rate for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle moving at 20 mph is 90%, the survival rate drops to 15% when a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle traveling at 40 mph. Those who do survive pedestrian crashes, often sustain broken and dislocated bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal organ damage, and more.
Let our team help you through this
If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a pedestrian crash caused by the negligence of another driver, contact an attorney as soon as possible. At the Law Offices of Howard Kornberg, we have extensive experience handling these cases and are ready to get to work helping you today. We will investigate what happened and work to secure any compensation you may be entitled to. This can include coverage of all crash-related medical bills, lost income if you are unable to work while you recover, pain and suffering damages, and more. When you need a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 310-997-0904 for a free consultation.
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