Pedestrians Are in Danger at Many Los Angeles & Fresno Intersections
Pedestrian Accidents in Los Angeles
A quick internet search reveals numerous pedestrian accidents in and around Los Angeles. In a matter of three days, at least five pedestrian accidents were reported in the greater Los Angeles area.
- Los Angeles County Judge Daniel L. Brenner died when he was struck and killed while crossing the street on Beverwil Drive in the Pico-Robertson Area on February 15, 2016
- A pedestrian was struck and killed in the 20200 block of Barnard Avenue in Walnut on February 15, 2016.
- A 24-year old man was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver at the intersection of Cesar E. Chavez Avenue and Soto Street in Boyle Heights on February 15, 2015.
- A hit-and-run driver critically injured an 18-year old young woman on Gale Avenue at Riderwood Lane in Hacienda Heights on February 14, 2016.
- A pedestrian was critically injured in a hit-and-run collision at the intersection of Saticoy Street and Eton Avenue in the Canoga Park area on February 13, 2016.
In all of the above pedestrian accidents, a driver was responsible for the victim’s injuries. According to California vehicle law, drivers are responsible for watching out for pedestrians. If a driver does not stop at a crosswalk or stop for a pedestrian crossing the road at an intersection, the driver can be held liable for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, physical pain, emotional suffering, permanent disability, and other compensable damages.
However, in some cases, the cause of the accident may be due to a poorly designed intersection. The victim may have a claim against several defendants, including government entities, for injuries sustained due to dangerous road design.
Fresno Area Pedestrian Accidents
A man was killed recently on Golden State Boulevard, when he was struck while crossing the street near West and McKinley. As a result, Golden State Boulevard was closed for several hours between Pine and McKinley. While beeping crosswalk signals have been employed in Fresno for over 15 years, several crossings were recently outfitted with talking signals for visually impaired pedestrians. Train tracks at intersections are no exception, as a pedestrian was struck and killed by an Amtrak train just last weekend.
Do City Streets Put Pedestrians at Risk?
The Los Angeles Times conducted a study of pedestrian accidents in and around Los Angeles and found that almost 25% of all pedestrian accidents occurred at less than 1% of the city’s intersections. From 2002 through 2013, pedestrians were involved in more than 58,000 accidents in Los Angeles County. After analyzing data collect from reports sent to the California Highway Patrol, the Times identified 579 intersections in L.A. County that had a higher rate of crashes between vehicles and pedestrians compared to the country average.
Most of the dangerous intersections are located in downtown Los Angeles; however, Koreatown and Hollywood have a high number of pedestrian deaths and injuries. If a pedestrian can prove the accident was due to a poorly designed intersection, the pedestrian may have a claim against the city and/or other parties. Proving this type of claim can be very difficult; therefore, the victim should consult with an experienced Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible. The attorney will investigate and identify the responsible parties to file a personal injury claim to collect compensation for the pedestrian’s damages.
Safety Tips for Pedestrians to Avoid Pedestrian Accidents
While L.A. needs to work on making its streets safer for pedestrians, and Fresno is no stranger to it’s own cases of pedestrians being struck by other vehicles, you can take precautions to reduce your risk of being injured in a pedestrian accident.
- Cross in a crosswalk if one is available.
- Always stay alert and look in all directions before crossing.
- Avoid distractions such as cell phones and other electronic devices.
- Do not wear headphones when walking.
- Make eye contact with drivers to signal you want to cross the road and to make sure the driver sees you.
- Do not cross the street unless there is sufficient time to make it safely to the other side.
Have You Been Injured in a Pedestrian Accident?
If you were involved in a pedestrian accident in Fresno or Los Angeles, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, time away from work, out of pocket expenses and pain & suffering. The pedestrian accident lawyers of Torem & Associates want to help you and your family receive the compensation you deserve under California’s personal injury laws. Call our office at (888) 500-5000, chat with a representative online, or use our convenient online contact form to schedule a free consultation.
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