Despite a goal to end all traffic fatalities in Los Angeles by 2025, deaths continue to steadily climb. Sadly, fatal car accidents impact more than just the victims. California families who have lost loved ones in collisions often struggle to deal with the aftermath of deadly accidents.
Fatalities are on the rise
Data from the Los Angeles Police Department show that 289 people died in traffic accidents between Jan. 1 and Dec. 25, 2021. This is a 19% increase in fatalities over the same period of time in 2019, and 21% more than in 2020. Another 1,465 people suffered severe injuries in 2021 as well, 30% more than in 2020. As defined by the LAPD, severe injuries are those that require victims to be transported away from the collision.
Pedestrians face high risk
Pedestrians, in particular, suffered a lot in 2021. They accounted for 486 of that year’s severe injuries, about 35% more than in 2020. Pedestrian fatalities also rose 6% to 128. LAPD says that some of the main reasons pedestrians, drivers and passengers are facing these higher risks include an increase in:
- Speeding drivers
- Reckless drivers
- Traffic violence
- Deadly car design
There are few things as devastating as the unexpected loss of a loved one. Fatal car accidents frequently leave families struggling to deal with things like unexpected funeral expenses, making it difficult — if not impossible — to fully engage in the grieving process. While there is no undoing the harm of a deadly accident, California families often find that the compensation secured via a wrongful death lawsuit to be invaluable.
