The Los Angeles Times reports a fatal hit-and-run pedestrian accident occurred on Thursday evening, December 2 at about 9:15 p.m. in West Los Angeles.
According to Los Angeles police, a woman in her 60s parked her car in the 1700 block of Centinela Avenue. She then attempted to cross the street, but was struck by a motor vehicle. The motorist did not pull over to help the woman or report the pedestrian accident, which motorists are required by law to do. The victim was rushed to a local hospital where she died from the injuries she sustained in the pedestrian accident.
Investigators are still examining the scene of the Los Angeles pedestrian accident and are speaking with witnesses to put together a description of the suspect’s vehicle.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that there were 4,378 pedestrian fatalities in the United States in 2008. This statistic results in an average of a pedestrian death every two hours. Approximately 72 percent of pedestrian fatalities occur in urban areas; most accidents occur in crosswalks, traffic islands, median strips, or sidewalks. People over the age of 64 accounted for 18 percent of pedestrian deaths in 2008. Children (age 15 or younger) accounted for 7 percent of pedestrian deaths that year.
Oftentimes pedestrian accidents result in catastrophic injuries or even death. Unlike motorists or their passengers, pedestrians are not protected from direct contact with the vehicle. On impact, a pedestrian can be thrown great distances and suffer serious injuries, such as internal bleeding, broken bones, traumatic brain injury (TBI), disfigurement, paralysis, or death.
The NHTSA recommends pedestrians cross streets at designated crosswalks to prevent pedestrian accidents and fatalities. You should always look both ways before crossing the street, and wait to see if oncoming vehicles are going to stop to allow you to cross—never assume they will stop. The NHTSA also suggests wearing reflective clothing and using flashlights if you are walking at night to increase your visibility to motorists. Additionally, the NHTSA cautions pedestrians to walk on sidewalks when it is possible, but if you must walk in the street, walk facing traffic.
At Panish Shea & Boyle LLP, our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys have successfully handled a variety of traffic accident cases, including numerous pedestrian accidents that have resulted in catastrophic injury or death. To find out how we can help you, please call our law office today at 1-877-800-1700.
