The streets of Los Angeles are filled with pedestrians. Residents and tourists alike enjoy the many attractions the city has to offer. Unfortunately, more people on the streets simultaneously increases the risk of a pedestrian accident. While pedestrians and drivers try to be fully aware of their surroundings, accidents still happen. Pedestrians are utterly unprotected from harm, leaving them more vulnerable on streets and roads. Even a slow collision can lead to devastating injuries. Los Angeles pedestrians are at great risk for injury. If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident, you have legal options. It is important that you contact a Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible.
Los Angeles is Second Deadliest City for Pedestrians
According to the LA times, Los Angeles is the second-deadliest U.S City for pedestrians. In 2021, 128 people in Los Angeles were killed in pedestrian-involved accidents. That number continues to rise, with 135 pedestrians killed in Los Angeles through the end of November of 2022.
Because of its traffic volume, Los Angeles is one of the more dangerous cities in the United States for pedestrians. Yet traffic isn’t solely responsible for the rising number of pedestrian injuries and fatalities. Distracted driving, which occurs when a motorist pays attention to a smartphone or similar device and ignores the road, has reached epidemic levels.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that a quarter of all road accidents are linked to distracted driving. Many of these distracted drivers become so inattentive that they drift into walkways or sidewalks or fail to stop and respect the right of way of pedestrians.
Fortunately, California law protects any pedestrian who has been injured as the result of another motorist’s negligence.
What to Do When Involved in a Pedestrian Accident
It’s important to understand that pedestrian injuries don’t necessarily involve a vehicle striking a person. Pedestrians often are the victim of secondary injuries from flying or falling debris — or even the mental anguish of seeing another person suffer a significant injury.
In any case, it’s imperative to take action to ensure the safety of everyone on the scene.
- First, after an accident, make sure that all parties are out of danger and away from broken glass and other hazards.
- Next, contact the authorities so medical personnel can render necessary aid and law enforcement can process the scene of the accident.
- Take photos, shoot video, and gather any witness statements. Do not make any statements discussing liability.
- If you’ve been injured, seek medical attention at once. Pedestrians who have been struck by cars are at risk of serious and long-lasting orthopedic injuries (add other types of injuries), so it’s essential to seek an immediate medical evaluation.
Work With a Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Attorney
If you have recently visited Los Angeles, or you are a resident you are at risk to a pedestrian accident. If you have found yourself involved in a pedestrian accident, working with a Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorney can help. The pedestrian accident attorneys at B|B Law Group, can help you earn compensation to pay for any medical bills, time taken off from work, and other unexpected financial burdens you may face because of the pedestrian accident.
B|B Law Group Can Help You with Your Pedestrian Accident
Whether you were struck by a moving vehicle while in a crosswalk or walking along the side of the road, our pedestrian accident attorneys can help. Our lawyers have successfully represented many clients in Los Angeles and other areas of California who have been injured in a pedestrian accident. We are ready to use our expertise and experience to help you with your accident. Contact us today and see how our Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorneys can help you.
Common Injuries Sustained in Pedestrian Accidents
As pedestrians are completely exposed with no form of protection, they are susceptible to suffering serious injuries in an accident.
Some frequently seen injuries our clients sustained include:
Broken Bones: Fractures are some common injuries we see in pedestrian accidents.
Amputations: In some cases, a pedestrian may lose a limb if it is crushed by a car. For example, if a pedestrian is hit by an automobile while walking their bike and the bike gets caught under the car, the force of the impact could result in the amputation of the pedestrian’s leg.
Wrongful Death: In the most severe cases, pedestrian accident injuries can result in the death of the victim. This is an unthinkable tragedy for the victim’s family, and our attorneys will fight to get them the justice and compensation they deserve.
These are just some of our clients’ most seen injuries in pedestrian accidents. If you have been hit by a car or other vehicle it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Even if you don’t have signs of injury right away, that doesn’t mean you have been spared. Some injuries, like internal bleeding, may not present symptoms right away and could be fatal if left untreated.
What Evidence Will Be Used in a Pedestrian Accident Claim?
Any personal injury case will require evidence to prove negligence. Pedestrian accidents are no different. In order to prove fault in your accident, we will need to gather key evidence.
Some common pieces of evidence we will look for include:
The police report: The police report from the accident will contain important information like the driver’s name and insurance information, as well as any citations that were issued. This is used to make clear where the fault lies and to start the insurance claim process.
Eyewitness testimony: Additionally, if there were any witnesses to the accident, we would need to speak with them to get their account of what happened. This can be used to corroborate your version of events and help prove liability.
Photographs and videos of the scene: Next, photographs or videos of the accident scene can be used to show what happened and who is liable for the damage. For example, if there is video footage of the chain of events that led to the accident, this can be used to demonstrate whose actions had the largest impact on why the accident occurred.
Your medical records: Lastly, your medical records will document the injuries you sustained in the accident and the treatment you have received. This is important to show the severity of your injuries and that you received treatment immediately after the collision, demonstrating a clear link between the accident and your injuries.
Each case will reach a resolution using a different combination of evidence. The only way to know for sure what evidence will be necessary to prove liability in your case is by contacting a Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorney.
Contact a Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Injuries sustained in pedestrian accidents can lead to a lifetime of physical injuries and/or disabilities. If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, don’t hesitate to contact a Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorney.
Since pedestrian injury cases can be quite complex, it’s important to work with a firm, like B|B Law Group. We have the experience to handle the toughest pedestrian accident cases.
By finding the right lawyer, you can help ensure that you receive everything to which you’re entitled under the law.
At B|B Law Group, our goal is simple: preserve and protect the legal rights of the people of Southern California. Our award winning team of attorneys are experienced in the fields of personal injury, employment and habitability law, and it is our mission to provide our clients with the best legal representation.
If we don’t win, you don’t pay
If your case isn’t successful, you have our guarantee that you won’t have to pay for anything. No hidden fees, costs, or conditions — that’s our promise.
