Torrance Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

Urban areas, and especially heavily populated areas with a large tourism industry that promote ecofriendly alternatives to driving, can be very dangerous for people who choose to reduce their carbon footprint by walking. This is especially true for pedestrians in Torrance, Hawthorne, Gardena, Carson, and other cities around the Los Angeles Metro area. Pedestrians, when navigating around skateboarders, bicyclists, and scooters are forced to contend with motor vehicles – this causes pedestrian accidents to occur in many locations including:

• Sidewalks;
• City streets;
• Crosswalks; and
• Intersections.

Even pedestrians exercising caution are at risk – California has more pedestrian-vehicle fatalities than any other state and pedestrian deaths in the state account for 14 percent, nearly 701 individuals, of the total traffic deaths the state sees per year. Though some pedestrian accidents are caused by honest mistakes, many do result from negligence; if you were hurt in a pedestrian accident, contact an experienced Torrance Pedestrian Accident attorney to learn if you may be entitled to compensation for your damages.

Pedestrian Accidents in Torrance

Torrance has a beautiful climate, sea breezes, easy access to the ocean and surrounding attractions, and promotes local projects such as the Downtown Torrance Pedestrian Improvement to encourage citizens and tourists alike to walk as both a way to enjoy the weather and be environmentally friendly. However, the high numbers of pedestrians in Torrance don’t come without risk or cost – just a month ago a pedestrian was struck and killed near Artesia Boulevard, and 2 months ago at the corner of Sepulveda and Hawthorne Boulevards a 19 year old pedestrian was struck and killed on an island separating lanes at the intersection.

It is important for pedestrians be cautious anywhere they walk in cities such as Torrance and Hawthorne, but especially around major thoroughfares like Del Amo Boulevard, Hawthorne Boulevard, Crenshaw Boulevard, and Artesia Boulevard to avoid become another statistic of an injured or killed pedestrian in the South Bay.

Causes of Torrance Pedestrian Accidents

Traffic congestion, road rage, and motorists engaged in distracted driving, speeding, improper turns, and driving under the influence all contribute to pedestrian accidents which can result in catastrophic or even fatal injuries. However, there are other less-obvious factors that come into play which cause a significant amount of pedestrian injuries and fatalities in and around Torrance.

Location

It should come as little surprise that most pedestrian accidents occur in urban areas. However, 69 percent of these incidents happen at non-intersections where there is no marked pedestrian crosswalk.

Visibility Conditions

Time of day and weather conditions have a large impact on pedestrian accidents. Most accidents take place in low-light conditions; 72 percent occur at night. With the highest two accident time frames being between 6 and 9 p.m. and 9 p.m. and midnight, it is no surprise pedestrians should take extra care at dusk, nighttime, and dawn. Any weather conditions – including the haze and the marine layer in Torrance that happen often – affecting visibility also increase the risk to pedestrians. Be extremely cautious in fog or rainy conditions.

Age

Children and elderly persons are far more likely to be accident victims than other age groups. Elderly pedestrians account for nearly 20 percent of deaths and 10 percent of injuries each year, and children under 14 account for 15 percent of pedestrian deaths in 2013.

Alcohol

Nearly half of all pedestrian-vehicle accidents involve at least one party under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol impairs perception, reflexes, and other motor skills, so it is advisable to use extreme caution or avoid alcohol entirely as both a pedestrian or a driver.

Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Pedestrians are extremely at risk for serious injuries when involved in accidents because of their small size relative to motor vehicles and scooters. Even when all possible care is exercised by pedestrians, common injuries – if the pedestrians are lucky enough to survive – can include serious trauma to the:

• Head and brain;
• Neck;
• Back;
• Bones and teeth;
• Internal organs; and
• Skin.

What is the Recovery Process for Victims of a Torrance Pedestrian Accident?

Pedestrians most commonly seek recovery in civil court by arguing their injuries resulted from another party’s negligence. If the victim can establish another party:

• Had a legal duty of care to them,
• Breached that duty through act or omission, and
• The breach caused their injuries, the offending party will be liable for the victim’s damages absent asserting and proving a valid legal defense.

Damages

After establishing negligence, a Torrance pedestrian may recover for damages they can prove in court. Compensatory damages are intended to make a victim whole for injuries and can be awarded for concrete, clear harms such as:

• Hospital bills,
• Medical expenses,
• Lost wages,
• Property damage, and
• Funeral expenses.

In addition, courts allow victims to recover damages for more abstract damages which often reflect physical, psychological, or emotional trauma such as:

• Loss of consortium;
• Disfigurement; and
• Pain and suffering.

Negligence can be difficult to establish, as it can be tricky to establish a breach of duty as well as to establish that breach as the cause of a victim’s injuries. It can also be tricky to establish damages that lack a concrete price tag. Due to these potential pitfalls, it is advisable you work with an experienced Torrance pedestrian accident attorney to make sure you present the strongest claim possible.

What Steps Should I Take if I am Involved in a Pedestrian Accident?

If you’re the victim of a pedestrian accident in Torrance, the South Bay, or the Los Angeles Metro area, a few simple steps will go a long way to caring for your health and helping any legal claim you may bring for recovery.

Seek Immediate Medical Treatment

Though some pedestrian injuries are obvious, even if you believe you weren’t hurt it is important to seek medical treatment if you are involved in an accident because some injuries – especially traumatic brain injuries which are common in these types of collisions – may delay in presenting obvious symptoms for days or even weeks. For you and your legal claims it is imperative to follow all medical recommendations and treatment plans, take medicine exactly as prescribed, attend all follow-ups and appointments, and keep records of all expenses related to treatment related to your damages.

Collect Evidence Regarding the Accident and Your Injuries

If you’re injured in a Torrance pedestrian accident, it’s critical you to try to gather evidence that can substantiate your injuries and help establish fault in the accident for any claims you may pursue. If you can, get both witness contact information and take pictures of the accident scene and your injuries – time fades recollections and accidents scenes are cleared. You also should obtain copies of any police reports related to the accident, keep copies of medical bills and any expenses incurred, and retain paystubs showing any lost wages.

Speak to a Torrance Pedestrian Accident Attorney

If you’re a pedestrian and were injured in an accident, contact the experienced Pedestrian Accident attorneys serving Torrance, the South Bay, and the greater Los Angeles area at Steven M. Sweat, Personal Injury Lawyers, APC. We have spent more than 20 years providing dedicated, personalized representation for victims just like you and have recovered millions in compensation for our clients. Steven M. Sweat has been given the “Super Lawyer” designation by both Los Angeles Magazine and the Thomson Reuters News Service, placing him in the top 5% of all California pedestrian accident attorneys. Contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (866)-966-5240 or on our online Contact Page to schedule a risk-free, no obligation case review – evaluation is confidential and you pay nothing until we win your case. Let us evaluate the facts of your situation and help you secure the best possible outcome to put your life back on track starting today.