Pedestrian Accidents
Protecting Rights of Injured Walkers and Runners
Los Angeles is a city built for cars, not walkers. So, it is no surprise that L.A. has one of the highest rates of pedestrian deaths in the country. In fact, more than 19,000 pedestrians have been struck by cars in Los Angeles during the period between 2003 and 2009, which is an average of 2,700 people each year.
The Rudman Law Firm, APC is a well-respected personal injury law firm that serves Los Angeles, Encino and our surrounding communities in Southern California. Our lawyers draw on more than 75 years of combined experience to help injured pedestrians recover.
If you were hit by a car, our attorneys pursue justice against the driver who injured you. We strategically negotiate for your maximum possible damages. However, if the insurance company refuses to settle for the amount you are entitled to, our attorneys do not hesitate to take your case to trial to aggressively advocate for your rights.
The Most Deadly L.A. Streets for Pedestrians
Although pedestrian accidents occur citywide, you are most in dangers at certain deadly intersections, including 7th and Spring, Hollywood and Highland, and Hollywood and Western. Unfortunately, poor road design, maintenance and enforcement remain systemic problems on L.A. streets.
Municipal, California and federal departments of transportation have the ability to improve road design to better protect pedestrians by reducing speed limits and adding speed bumps in locations with high foot traffic. In addition, road systems could be redesigned to include more sidewalks, crosswalks, islands, overpasses and underpasses, better lighting and other pedestrian-friendly features.
Driver Negligence
Even if you are in a designated walk area and obey traffic laws, you are still at risk of being hit. A distracted, speeding or drunk driver may not see you until it is too late. Negligent conduct that puts you at risk includes:
- Texting: California law prohibits use of handheld electronic devices for all drivers. This includes texting or talking on a handheld phone while driving. Novice and bus drivers are also banned from using hands-free devices to talk or text.
- Speeding: Although slow moving automobiles can seriously injure or kill a pedestrian, speed contributes greatly to the risk of being hit in the first place and the risk of dying. A speeding driver has less time to react to a pedestrian in the roadway. The force of the impact with a speeding car is also much worse than that of a vehicle travelling at lower speeds.
- Drunk Driving: In California, a driver is considered intoxicated at a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent or more. Even legal prescription medication can render a driver too impaired to drive. Drunk drivers put all motorists at risk, but pedestrians are particularly vulnerable, especially in Los Angeles’s popular late night and tourist destinations.
Get the Help You Need After Being Hit By a Car
The Rudman Law Firm, APC can help you recover after a pedestrian car crash. Schedule your complimentary case evaluation with our knowledgeable auto accident attorneys by calling our Encino office at (818) 769-6969 or by calling us toll free at (844) 478-3626 / (844) 4RUDMAN. We make a contingency payment arrangement to handle your case.