Los Angeles Car Accident Rates
Posted on November 16, 2017 Written By: iadminlaw
In any major metropolitan area, there are going to be some unfortunate accidents. That’s the natural result of having a lot of people—and a lot of vehicles—in close proximity. Some cities are more dangerous than others, though, with accidents more frequent and more numerous. The question that we’re addressing today is, how does Los Angeles stack up against other areas? Is it pretty par for the course—or is it an especially risky place to drive?
We’ll answer that question by looking at a few Los Angeles car accident statistics—and then, we’ll consider some of the implications of those facts and figures.
Car Accident Trends in Los Angeles
Unfortunately, the statistics paint a pretty grim story of driving in Los Angeles: Despite some noble public efforts to curb car accidents, the accident rate has actually increased significantly in recent years.
A report from KTLA has the specifics. In 2016, the article says, some 260 people were killed in traffic crashes on city streets—representing a 43 percent increase from the previous calendar year.
“Rising traffic deaths appear to be more than a one-year fluke,” the article continues. “So far in 2017, crash fatalities are 22 percent higher than in the same period last year.”
Troubling Trends, Despite Noble Intentions
This, of course, was not the intention. When Mayor Garcetti first announced his Vision Zero plan, the aim was for traffic deaths to decrease by some 20 percent by the end of 2017—a goal that is not likely to be met.
These are grim findings, and they paint Los Angeles as an especially risky place to drive: these accident increases outpace national trends by several percentage points. Meanwhile, cities like New York have actually implemented programs similar to Vision Zero and gotten great results—making Los Angeles an unwelcome outlier.
And it’s not just risky to be a motorist. Pedestrians, too, are at risk. “Through mid-March, pedestrian collisions were up 3 percent compared with 2015, but fatalities involving pedestrians surged 58 percent over the same period,” The Los Angeles Times reports.
Why is Los Angeles Having More Accidents?
It’s natural to wonder why these adverse trends are occurring. There are many theories, and a lot of factors to consider. One suggestion is that the local police department isn’t issuing enough speeding citations, which could be contributing to the jump in accident rates.
“The number of speeding tickets issued annually has dropped from 100,000 in 2010 to about 17,000 in 2015,” says the Times report.
Meanwhile, those who support the Vision Zero policy say the program is simply underfunded, and that’s why it hasn’t delivered results.
Regardless, those who live in Los Angeles should understand the risks they face—and also have a plan for dealing with these risks.
What to Do About Los Angeles’ Accident Rates
It goes without saying that those who live and drive in Los Angeles should exercise all due caution as they seek to get around—but even if you’re the safest driver in the world, you may still find yourself involved in a serious accident. That’s because there is simply no accounting for other drivers and their behavior.
Having auto insurance is a must, then, as it can come in handy should the unthinkable happen to you. Even auto insurance is not a guarantee, though, and in some cases your insurance company may actually do more harm than help.
As much as we’d all like to think our insurance companies exist to protect us, the reality is that they exist to generate revenues—and as such, they can’t always be relied upon to offer good, timely help, or to hold up their end of the bargain. Even drivers with excellent coverage may find, to their shock and dismay, that their claims are rejected.
It is in these situations that legal assistance is needed. A good car accident lawyer in Los Angeles can help you fight for your rights and receive your rightful compensation. That’s another big recommendation, then: Drive carefully, exercise all possible caution, be insured, and also have the name of a good Los Angeles car accident attorney on hand—just in case.
Choose I Accident Lawyer
As you look for a reputable car accident lawyer in Los Angeles, we’d welcome you to consider I Accident Lawyer—and for a few different reasons. We are seasoned personal injury professionals. We focus exclusively on car, truck, motorcycle, and pedestrian accidents. We only represent drivers—never insurance companies. We fight hard on your behalf, and we only get paid if you win your case.
If you or a loved one is in an accident in Los Angeles, call us directly. We can:
- Get your car out of the impound, or towed to wherever you need it to be;
- Ensure that your medical costs are covered;
- Reimburse you for any out-of-pocket expenses;
- See to any repair or replacement needs for your vehicle;
- Evaluate the total worth of your case;
- Deal with your insurance company directly, allowing you to focus on recovery;
- Fight for you to receive full compensation.
There’s no getting around it: Los Angeles is a big and busy city, and it poses a lot of dangers to those who are simply trying to get around. Hopefully, you’ll never be involved in an accident. But if you are, you’ll want to have a legal champion in your corner. That’s where we come in.
Be prepared for anything—including the unpleasant realities of driving in Los Angeles. Reach out to the Los Angeles car accident lawyers at I Accident Lawyer any time.
