During the afternoon of Thursday May 11, Highway 99, near Modesto, was brought to a standstill for over an hour after four or five vehicles were involved in a collision. Just after 12.45pm, California Highway Patrol, fire, and AMR personnel were called to the scene of the car accident, where one car had overturned. A chain reaction of additional collisions meant that a total of eight cars had been involved in a car accident by the time emergency services reached Highway 99. Only one minor injury was reported as a result of the incident, but the northbound lanes over the Tuolumne River were closed for over an hour as the scene was cleared.
How Common are Los Angeles Car Accidents, and Why Do They Happen?
Despite efforts by Los Angeles authorities to completely reduce fatal traffic accidents by 2025, figures continue to increase year on year. Vision Zero was introduced in 2016 with the aim of gradually reducing fatal car accidents, before eradicating them by 2025, but the reality is that the situation is getting worse. Why does this happen?
In 2016 alone, Los Angeles saw 55,360 traffic accidents, representing a 7% increase on 2015 figures, and an alarming 20% compared to 2014. More concerning are the figures relating specifically to fatalities, which increased by 43% in the year when Vision Zero came into effect. 260 people lost their lives to Los Angeles auto accidents over that period. As if that was not enough by itself, the figures continued to increase throughout 2017. While trends across the entire United States show that fatalities on the roads are increasing, Los Angeles is far ahead of the national average of 6%.
Much of the increase has been found to occur in situations where pedestrians are struck by traffic, either while crossing the road, or simply due to being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Between 2015 and 2016, fatal pedestrian accidents rose by 50%.
As to why fatal Los Angeles auto accidents are continuing to increase, there is no definitive answer. Instead, the increase is likely to comprise each of the common causes of Los Angeles auto accidents, namely:
- Driving at excessive speed
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Higher number of vehicles using Los Angeles roads
- Distracted driving, including using a cellphone while behind the wheel
- Failure to yield, or to stop at a red traffic light
- Failure to comply with road signage
Speed is definitely a major factor when it comes to fatal car accidents involving pedestrians. As a Los Angeles car accident attorneys will tell you, a pedestrian has a 10% chance of sustaining fatal injuries when struck by a car travelling at 20mph, increasing to 80% when that same vehicle is moving at 40mph.
Injured in a Los Angeles Car Accident? Speak to an Expert Attorney Today
When you have been injured in a Los Angeles car accident, our attorneys could help you recover damages in respect of your injuries and their consequences.
