Table of Contents
If Los Angeles residents and Vision Zero critics could grade the Vision Zero initiative right now, they’d likely give it much, if any, more than a zero. While admirable, this initiative has annually failed to meet or even come close to its goals, and 2021 proves no exception. Innocent lives are still being taken on the streets of Los Angeles due to the negligence of other drivers and even the city. In fact, injuries and fatalities are rising.
Pedestrian, auto, and bicycle accident victims, as well as their families, may be eligible to pursue compensation for their losses, depending on the specific circumstances. To learn more about potential options, contact Arash Law’s personal injury lawyers at (888) 488-1391.
Vision Zero In 2021
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) reports that through December 25, 2021, 289 individuals lost their lives in traffic collisions last year. This figure represents a 21 percent increase compared to the same timeframe in 2020 and 19 percent over the same period in 2019. Additionally, a total of 1,465 people were severely injured on L.A.’s streets through the same date, a 30 percent increase over 2020 numbers. The LAPD defines “severely injured” as a condition that requires medical transport after the crash.
Pedestrians seem to be increasingly at risk in this city, as 486 were severely injured by motorists in 2021. Injuries rose 35 percent over 2020, and pedestrian deaths increased by six percent to 128. It’s no wonder that L.A.’s transportation advocates are frustrated, among other things. These individuals have long argued that Vision Zero, a program initiated by Mayor Eric Garcetti in 2015 aimed at ending traffic deaths, lacks necessary funding and is a low priority for the mayor and City Hall leaders.
John Yi, executive director of Los Angeles Walks, says the city has failed and is nowhere near achieving its goal of zero deaths, attributing this to a leadership failure at the city level. Even though data from 2021 is still under analysis, the L.A. Department of Transportation says that residents in underserved communities are disproportionately losing their lives in auto accidents.
According to the LAPD, the riskiest intersections through December 25, 2021, in Los Angeles include:
- San Pedro Street/Washington Boulevard in South L.A.
- Florence Avenue/Vermont Avenue in South L.A.
- Oxnard Street/Van Nuys Boulevard in Van Nuys.
- Highland Avenue/Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood.
Chief Michel Moore urged the public to obey speed limits and underscored the problem of roadway violence during a police commission meeting in December. Moore spoke about a dramatic increase in accidents causing both fatalities and injuries. He took the time to draw attention to the recent deaths of many pedestrians, including Arian Rahbar, a 21-year-old USC student who died after being hit by a racing motorist in South L.A., and 85-year-old Parviz Behna from Reseda, who was also killed by a motorist.
If you lost a loved one to a pedestrian, bicycle, or other type of traffic accident, our wrongful death attorneys can help you seek compensation for the resulting losses. Los Angeles DOT spokesman Colin Sweeney reported that the 2021 statistics reveal multiple contributing factors to these accidents and fatalities, including speeding and reckless driving, as well as design trends that make cars deadlier than ever before, with heavier frames and the addition of distracting features. Future analysis of the data will reveal more specific trends.
Pandemic Ushers In A Rise Of Traffic-Related Deaths
Unfortunately, it’s not just Los Angeles that is experiencing a marked rise in traffic deaths. According to preliminary figures from the federal government, there was an 18 percent increase in traffic fatalities in the first half of 2021 across the entire U.S. In October, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg labeled the trend a “crisis” but also called it “preventable.” It’s a hard pill to swallow; however, considering the upward tick of these accidents coupled with the safety gains in motor vehicles in recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed drivers for the worse. They are reckless and more likely to:
- Speed
- Drink alcohol
- Use drugs
- Leave their seat belts unbuckled.
According to the Los Angeles Department of Transportation’s data, L.A.’s pre-pandemic numbers reveal that overall deaths from traffic crashes stayed about the same from 2017 to 2019 after decreasing slightly from 2016’s numbers. According to the data provided by the department, the number of pedestrians who lost their lives either increased or remained flat during that time period.
Collisions resulting in severe injuries to bicyclists were rising before the pandemic. The numbers increased again in 2021, up 24 percent through December 25. During the same period in 2020, 18 bicyclists were killed, representing a 20 percent increase over the previous year.
If you or someone you know is involved in a traffic accident, a personal injury lawyer can help you understand your rights and legal options. They can gather evidence, assess liability, and pursue compensation for losses.
Mayor Garcetti On The Current State Of Vision Zero
Garcetti blames smartphones and the distractions they can cause for many collisions. He touts that the city has:
- Added bike lanes during the pandemic.
- Examined the city’s dangerous intersections to come up with solutions.
- Supported a new state law drafted to help cities have more control over speed limit laws.
Critics claim that Garcetti doesn’t mention Vision Zero as frequently as he promotes other initiatives. “I speak out all the time,” Garcetti refuted. “I do on panels, I go out there, internationally, to kind of be part of this movement to make sure that we have more walkable, livable cities.”
Mayor Garcetti launched the Vision Zero program in 2015. The primary focus of Vision Zero is the principle that traffic fatalities can be prevented with engineering, enforcement, education, evaluation, and community engagement. Soon after its launch, it failed to meet its first goal of decreasing traffic deaths by 20 percent by 2017.
“Every traffic death is a tragedy, and this year’s deaths are a sobering reminder of how critical our work continues to be,” Sweeney said. He also reported that the LADOT has performed thousands of street safety treatments in areas well-known for high accident rates, targeting traffic signs, crosswalks, refuge islands, and other areas. Avalon and Adams boulevards also recently received substantial improvements aimed at reducing crash risks, he said.
Community Pushback On Vision Zero
Sadly, some traffic procedures have faced pushback from businesses and residents. For example, in 2017, Councilman Mike Bonin, chair of the city’s transportation committee, endured a recall threat by area residents angry that a Playa del Rey initiative removing traffic lanes and adding more bike lanes increased their commute times. The car lanes were later restored to their original number and position.
According to Councilman Bonin, the latest traffic crash statistics are a “public health crisis” and show the need for additional resources. He reassured L.A. residents that he remains committed to the Vision Zero initiative and will seek additional funding, staff, and advocacy to help protect them. He is also hopeful that a new law allowing more local control of speed limits will help achieve the Vision Zero goals.
Vision Zero’s Budget
Since its inception, Vision Zero has received between $26 million and $47 million in annual funding. This year, Vision Zero had a budget of over $61 million. According to Sweeney, Vision Zero funding is spread between multiple departments, including the:
- Department of Engineering
- Bureau of Street Lighting
- LAPD
Even with the increase in budget, it seems Vision Zero may still be lacking. The head of the city’s Department of Transportation, Seleta Reynolds, went on record in 2017 saying that it could take up to $80 million to see a 20 percent decrease in severe and deadly crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists in Los Angeles. Transportation consultant Tamika Butler believes Vision Zero needs to be a higher priority and to receive more funding, possibly from LAPD and the fire department.
Effecting Change Through Voting
Safe-street activist and founder of Streets for All, Michael Schneider, is one of many who are turning their attention to June’s primary election. During this election, voters will voice their opinions on several city council races, as well as a mayoral race. Scheider points out that L.A. is still “unnecessarily dangerous” for pedestrians and bicyclists. “We need to elect politicians in 2022 that will actually reallocate space from cars to make our streets safer for all, and not just pay lip service to Vision Zero.”
What To Do If You Were In An Accident
Whether you were a pedestrian, cyclist, biker, passenger, or motorist hurt in an accident, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries and losses, depending on the specifics of the crash. However, your ability to pursue damages partially depends on the actions you do or don’t take after the accident. Generally, it is essential to seek both medical care and legal assistance to help protect your health and your potential claim, if applicable.
See a doctor as soon as possible, even if you aren’t actively experiencing any symptoms or pain. Depending on the severity of your accident and injuries, you can either take an ambulance to the hospital from the scene or have a friend drive you directly to the nearest emergency department or urgent care facility. If your injuries don’t appear to be severe, you may want to make an appointment to see your own physician.
It’s not uncommon for some injuries to lack immediate symptoms. Yet, they could still be severe or life-threatening, such as internal bleeding. Seeing a doctor promptly provides medical documentation of your injuries. This can help demonstrate that your injuries are related to the accident if questions arise during the claims process.
It’s also essential to continue to follow your doctor’s advice. For instance, if they suggest you go to physical therapy, come back for additional checkups, not lift anything over 10 pounds, or something else, obey your doctor’s orders. Any noncompliance on your part may affect your claim.
Once you are medically stable, consider contacting a personal injury accident attorney promptly. Early legal assistance can be beneficial for several reasons:
- You may risk losing the ability to pursue a claim if you wait too long, as California personal injury claims are subject to a two-year statute of limitations from the date of the accident, with few exceptions.
- We can start collecting valuable evidence to support your claim.
- We handle communications with the other party’s insurance company.
- Our lawyers are dedicated to helping you pursue the compensation available under the law.
- We guide you through the claims process, allowing you to focus on rest and physical recovery.
You may receive offers that are not enough to cover your losses. Our personal injury lawyer in California can evaluate your case, review settlement offers on your behalf, and help you make informed decisions.
Speak With Our California Car Accident Lawyers
If you’re looking for an experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney, our lawyers at Arash Law provide personalized and compassionate legal representation to injured victims in a wide range of accident claims. Our firm assists in seeking damages for injury victims and their families. We represent personal injury clients in:
- San Francisco
- Riverside
- Sacramento
- San Jose
- Los Angeles
- San Diego
- Sherman Oaks
- And other nearby cities
We take customer service and our clients’ needs seriously. As such, our car accident lawyers make every effort to accommodate their concerns during the legal process.
Our experienced injury attorneys offer confidential, free initial consultations. Contact us at (888) 488-1391, or complete our “Do I Have A Case?” form here to discuss your options with our lawyers.
