Los Angeles Injury Lawyer Blog

The number of pedestrian fatalities in the San Fernando Valley, California doubled to six during the first two months of this year according to the Los Angeles Police Department,. The total number of those hit by motor vehicles also increased 12 percent to a total of 121 during the same period. Although the report focused mainly on pedestrian-automobile accident, bicyclists are also susceptible to similar accidents from negligent and speeding cars and trucks.

In response to the increase in collisions, the Los Angeles Police Department is increasing its efforts to crack down on negligent and careless motorists by conducting undercover operations. During this “sting” operation, an officer dressed in plain clothes repeatedly crosses the street and nearby officers sit ready to ticket offending motorists who fail to pay attention and give the walker the right of way. The department hopes that these undercover stings will increase the safety habits of drivers while also reducing the number of pedestrian accidents and fatalities.

A study conducted by University of California-Los Angeles found that most accidents occurred during rush hour where traffic is at its busiest and drivers are in a hurry to get somewhere. Also, in most cases, pedestrians were hit while in the crosswalk and not jay-walking. Thus, contrary to popular myth, pedestrian-car accidents occurred at the fault of the driver and not the pedestrian.

There are a variety of different types of accidents that can occur when pedestrians are involved including the pedestrian being hit, knocked over, run over, and even dragged. Most of the time, the driver is liable for failure to yield to a pedestrian’s right of way, stop when required at a crosswalk, crowd bicyclists on the road, or drive too dangerously fast on residential roads. Wherever the driver is liable for wrongdoing, the victims of these accidents have solid claims for recovery. However, even where the driver was not negligent, the victim may still recover against the city or county for a malfunctioning street light or missing street sign.

If you have been injured while crossing the street or riding a bicycle, you will need competent representation from an experience personal injury lawyer. The attorneys at Greenberg & Rudman LLP have extensive experience litigating in accidents involving motor vehicles. If you are located in California, call us now at 1-800-ALAWPRO (1-800-252-9776) for a free initial interview regarding your case.