Going outside and walking around should never mean our lives are in danger. Whether we are out for a walk, a jog, or just getting to the store and back, we should be able to count on safety. Unfortunately, there are plenty of careless and negligent drivers out there. At JML Law, our Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorneys are ready to get to work on your case if you have been injured. Today, we want to discuss a recent hit-and-run incident that killed a woman in South LA recently.
This is a tragic case
On Aug. 21, police say that a hit-and-run driver fatally struck a 58-year-old woman who was using a marked crosswalk in the Vermont Vista neighborhood. Video footage of the incident shows the impact at the intersection of West 98th Street and South Vermont Avenue at around 11 p.m. that day.
The footage shows the victim exiting a Metro bus station before entering the crosswalk. She made it about halfway across the street when she realizes that two vehicles were approaching. The video shows that she tried to back up before being struck.
The car that struck her continued driving away from the scene. As of this writing, the driver has not been apprehended.
A woman who identified as the victim’s daughter said that her mother was on her way home from work when she was killed. “Whoever did this, I hope they have a conscious,” said another family member. “You’ve hurt a lot of people, whoever you are. You broke a family circle.”
These incidents are often devastating
Nearly all pedestrian crashes lead to an injury or fatality. The human body does not have protection from the force of a vehicle slamming into it. It is not uncommon for us to see victims of pedestrian crashes with severe, life-altering injuries.
The latest reporting data from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) shows us that there were 811 California pedestrian fatalities and 15,200 pedestrian injuries in 2017. Pedestrian fatalities increased by 14.2% during a five-year period from 2013 to 2017.
Some of the main causes of pedestrian crashes include:
- Speeding drivers
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving
- Drivers failing to yield the right-of-way
Our team is ready to get to work
Have you or a loved one been injured in a pedestrian crash that was caused by another person’s negligence? If so, you should consider seeking legal assistance as soon as possible. It may be the only way to secure the compensation you deserve. At JML Law, our knowledgeable and experienced team is ready to get to work on securing the compensation you deserve. This can include coverage of:
- All of your medical expenses
- Lost income if you cannot work
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Possible punitive damages against a negligent party
When you need a Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorney, you can contact us by calling us at 818-610-8800 for a free consultation today.