Traffic comes fast and fierce throughout Los Angeles. Whether you are heading downtown or cruising along the freeway, it is everywhere. And not only that, but we do everything we can to avoid it by speeding, taking back routes, and switching lanes like we’re filming a live-action set performance of “The Fast and The Furious.”
Well, this is real life and not a movie set. Accidents occur at times that we least expect them. That, on virtue alone, is the very definition of an accident. It’s something we didn’t intend on happening, but deadly crashes occur every day in the city, and things are only getting worse.
What You Should Do Following a Los Angeles Car Accident
If your loved one experienced loss of life after a car accident, consider discussing your legal alternatives with a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles. A Personal Injury Attorney in the legal care team at Kirakosian Law APC can offer you insight for your specific situation by calling (213) 417-9790 or sending us a message via our online contact form.
The Importance of Knowing the Statistics
Understanding Los Angeles’ car accident fatality rates help us understand how well our city performs when it comes to driver safety and awareness. When you can effectively measure the ability of fellow license holders, you may be better prepared for current traffic and road conditions based on subjective, statistical data.
Current Accident Fatality Statistics for Los Angeles, CA
The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) cites that there are at least five motor vehicle fatalities that occur weekly in Los Angeles. That means there are eight traffic fatalities per 100,000 residents every year.
So, how does our fair city stack up to parallel communities such as New York, Chicago, or Boston? It turns out we are more akin to the traffic fatality numbers to that of Las Vegas, Nevada, and El Paso, Texas. This assertion has caught the attention of city officials as well as residents alike.
Pedestrian fatalities are no better. The fatality rate of traffic accidents involving pedestrians two times higher than in San Francisco and four times higher than in Seattle, Washington.
Simply put, more people were killed by vehicles when they were outside of a car rather than being in one. Death by motor vehicle is the leading cause of death for children aged 5 to 14 in Los Angeles County.
The Role of Vision Zero in Los Angeles
Vision Zero is Los Angeles’ solution to reduce fatalities involving motor vehicles across the city. It’s an initiative that uses statistics, big data, active management, and consistent monitoring to reduce residential traffic deaths.
Strategies and tactics that Vision Zero acts on include enhanced road design, improved traffic enforcement measures, and clamping down on individuals who vagrantly ignore posted speed limits.
Not only does Vision Zero recognize the value of human life, but it also considers the economic impact of car accident fatalities on the city, county, and state. In 2010, the total taxpayer cost to handle fatal traffic collisions was nearly 1.5 million dollars.
The majority of these dollars were subsidized by the communities in which they occurred. This requirement places an unfair burden on the civil sector, especially since the accident was the fault of anyone but the negligent parties who caused them.
Then, when you consider the total costs—medical bills, insurance premiums, legal fees, and funeral expenses—the total cost of traffic fatalities in Los Angeles amount to nearly $400 million.
Additional Oversight Creating Unsafe Conditions?
Opponents of Vision Zero believe the program is doing more harm than good by costing the taxpayers precious dollars that could be used on more proactive initiatives. However, the program’s efficacy remains to be seen and gain trust among local residents.
The numbers don’t lie; Los Angeles is still losing too many of its citizens unnecessarily to deadly car accidents.
Contact an LA Personal Injury Attorney for an Initial Consultation
First of all, if you lost a family member in a car accident, the legal team at Kirakosian Law APC wishes to extend our sincerest apologies. While money can never replace the companionship and significance of your loved one, the healing process can begin by having our personal injury attorney holding negligent parties accountable for their actions.
You can schedule an initial consultation with a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer team member today. Feel free to contact our office at your earliest convenience by phone at (213) 417-9790 or via our online contact form.
These blogs are meant purely for educational purposes. They contain only general information about legal matters. They are not legal advice, and should not be treated as such. If you have any specific questions about any legal matter you should consult with an attorney.