Though Los Angeles isn’t known as a city for walking, one of the reasons may be that Los Angeles is one of the most dangerous cities in the nation for pedestrians and bicyclists. According to a recent study by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, pedestrians and bicyclists in the City of Angels are killed by motorists at a much higher rate than other U.S. cities, not including New York.
A Look at the Numbers
The results of the study should give L.A. pedestrians and bicyclists reason for concern. According to the study:
- Pedestrians represent nearly a third of all traffic fatalities in L.A.
- This number is nearly triple the national average of 11.4 percent.
- Approximately 3 percent of those fatalities included bicyclists.
“This is a matter of exposure,” said Professor and study coauthor Michael Sivak. “When you look at large urban areas you have a wider mix of road users.”
Los Angeles County Funding
Many experts have raised concerns regarding to importance placed on pedestrians and bicyclists. According to Eric Burns, the planning and policy director for the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, approximately 20 percent of all trips made in L.A. County are on foot, but less that 1 percent of transportation funding is allocated for improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists.
“If we want to get serious about traffic safety, we need to get serious about funding equity so we can build infrastructure that allows people to walk and bike safely around their communities,” Mr. Burns said.
Recent Safety Legislation Vetoed by the Governor
Legislation was recently submitted that would have required drivers to slow down or give bikers at least three feet of room while passing. The piece of legislation was vetoed by Governor Jerry Brown. He cited concerns that the measure could cause more car accidents.
Other Findings
The study produced some other interesting findings, including:
- Men are more likely than women to be killed in an accident involving a motorized vehicle.
- The majority of fatal accidents occurred in intersections.
- More fatal crashes occurred at low speeds, 35 mph or less.
Your Los Angles Pedestrian or Bicycle Accident
No matter the measures taken by the government, you can’t always avoid being seriously injured in a pedestrian or bicycle accident. An accident can leave you permanently injured and result in a loss of quality of life. You could also be left with a pile of medical bills you can’t pay.
That is why you should call the experienced team at Steinberg Injury Lawyers. If the accident was the result of someone else’s negligence, you might be able to hold that person liable for your damages. We can help you build your accident injury case and will fight hard to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
To get started and to learn more about your case, order your free copy of our book, 7 Biggest Mistakes That Can Ruin Your California Injury Case.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a pedestrian or bicycle accident, contact one of our experienced Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorneys for a free case evaluation at Steinberg Injury Lawyers at (800) 989-6385. We can help you get started today.
