Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Los Angeles

Being on your feet is good for your health, and the environment. However, it does come with the risk of getting into a pedestrian accident, especially near busy streets in urban areas like Los Angeles. Not every pedestrian accident is the same. There are several common causes law enforcement agencies, medical personnel, and personal injury attorneys see that often lead to catastrophic injuries. Such accidents may be caused by:

Drivers Who Don’t Pay Attention

Distracted driving is one of the biggest risk factors for pedestrian accidents. A driver who is talking on their cell phone, texting while driving, or eating, drinking, or tending to other tasks is a danger to pedestrians and other motorists. Pedestrians using their devices rather than paying attention to their surroundings are at risk too. But as a distracted driver, taking your eyes off the road for a split second can mean disaster if someone suddenly enters the street.

Reckless Motorists

When speeding, a driver cannot react in time if a pedestrian suddenly gets in the way. The sheer force of impact increases the risk of life-threatening injuries. Drivers who run red lights cause many pedestrian accidents. Even after stopped at a red light at a busy intersection, its best to wait a couple of seconds and look around before proceeding. And too many drivers don’t stop or yield when at an intersection.

Driving Under the Influence

Alcohol and drugs impair not only driving skills but also reaction times and thinking and reasoning abilities. Impaired drivers often run red lights, go through crosswalks without looking, or make turns in crowded areas without considering what or who is ahead. To make matters worse, drunk drivers are often out at night, when it’s harder to see.

Inclement Weather

Rain, snow, or fog can make it harder to see pedestrians ahead. Still, many drivers don’t slow down or maneuver to miss pedestrians that may be in the way. Remember, poor weather conditions can make roads slick or slippery, which makes it harder to stop in time, no matter how good a vehicle’s braking system is.

Left-Hand Turns

During a left-hand turn, a driver must navigate more of an intersection than when turning right. They should pay attention to all areas of the crosswalk and not just where their vehicle is. Pedestrians have a legal right to cross the street in the same direction as the original path of the vehicle; drivers must be aware of the potential for someone to be there as they turn.

Backing Up Vehicles

Failure to check behind a vehicle when backing up is a risk to pedestrians. Back-up accidents are common in commercial parking lots, where people must navigate amongst traffic, and at homes where backing up out of a driveway can injure an unsuspecting pedestrian.

Construction

Pedestrian accidents aren’t uncommon at construction zones because people are forced to walk even closer to the street. Drivers may not expect someone to be there. Oftentimes, road barriers and markers are not adequate enough to warn of the danger or provide enough room to keep pedestrians safe from vehicles.

Call The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani

Have you or a loved one been injured by a reckless driver? Our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys are familiar with pedestrian accidents, their aftermath, and legal consequences. Call The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani today and we’ll provide the representation you need and fight for the compensation you deserve. To find out what your case is worth, call 818-514-7643 today!

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