Most of the country is focused on the COVID-19 pandemic. This global health crisis has undoubtedly affected most people throughout the United States. However, the personal injury lawyers at JML Law have been interested to see how traffic fluctuations throughout the pandemic have affected accident and injury rates. In most areas of the country, traffic did slow down for a period of time. However, law enforcement agencies around the country reported an increase in speeding and in fatal accidents. However, in a bit of good news, it seems that the number of bicycle versus car collisions in the Los Angeles area fell during a recent 11-week period.
A Fall In Bicycle Crashes In LA
A recent article by Crosstown LA has indicated that the number of collisions between cars and bicycles in LA has plunged significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. An analysis by Crosstown indicates that over a recent 11-week period, bicycle versus vehicle accidents fell by approximately 71%, dropping from 561 crashes to 164 crashes during the same period of time from the previous year.
While the coronavirus pandemic has not brought much good news, this is certainly a good unintended side effect. When Mayor Eric Garcetti ordered businesses to close on March 15 to slow the spread of COVID-19, the number of car trips around the city decreased immediately, as did the number of overall vehicle accidents.
Los Angeles Police Department Sgt. Sean Karmody said that the decrease in these accidents is not surprising due to the lessened amount of traffic. However, bicyclists and pedestrians in LA still need to be concerned about safety.
We Still Need To Be Aware Of Safety Around Cyclists
Despite the rising number of COVID-19 cases in California and across the US, the economy will continue to open back up. However, many people are taking social distancing very seriously and have chosen not to return to public transportation. This could lead to an increase in people using bicycles to get to and from work or to run errands. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation has expedited the construction of multiple bike lanes and safety projects since March of this year. There have already been nearly 28 miles of bike lanes upgraded or installed since March, and there are currently an additional 5.5 bike lane miles under construction in the city.
Let Us Help If You Have Been Injured
If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a bicycle accident caused by the careless and negligent actions of another driver, contact the team at JML Law today. Our knowledgeable and experienced Los Angeles bicycle accident attorneys will conduct a full investigation into your case so we can secure the compensation you are entitled to. This could include coverage of your medical bills, lost income if you could not work, pain and suffering damages, and more. When you need a Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling us at 818-610-8800.
