Multiple SoCal counties show high pedestrian death rates

Using data it collected from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, the Auto Insurance Center, or AIC, revealed that in 2014, more pedestrian deaths occurred in Los Angeles County than any other US county. With counties like San Diego, San Bernardino and Riverside ranking fourth, sixth and fourteenth respectively, Southern California had a notably high number of pedestrian fatalities overall.

According to analysts, pedestrian deaths in the modern era are far less common than they wore towards the end of the 1970s. The over 5,500 deaths that occurred in 2014, which mainly affected male victims, represented a significantly reduced fatality incidence when compared to the 8,000-per-year figures observed decades ago. The AIC says that incidents that result in pedestrian deaths are usually avoidable when walkers observe basic safety precautions.

Motorists were cautioned to prevent fatal pedestrian collisions by not driving drunk and maintaining appropriate speeds. The AIC also observed that the high number of deaths in Southern California was likely related to the region's abundant vehicle traffic and massive population. The comparative lack of local public transit may also contribute to the fact that even though cities like Boston, Seattle and New York are home to larger populations, they have fewer accidental pedestrian deaths.

Motorists who strike pedestrians can cause them serious injuries that dramatically change their lives. Victims may suffer lasting trauma, lose the ability to work or have to pay significant sums for medical treatment, but they may pursue restitution. Even if drivers get charged with criminal offenses, the penalties associated with being convicted usually don't provide for victims. Survivors usually have to file separate civil lawsuits if they'd like to seek damages to offset their medical costs, lost wages or increased cost of living.