Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney Blog

Published on: April 28, 2023

California Bicycle Laws

As California bicycle accident attorneys, we like to inform cyclists of their legal rights when it comes to riding a bike in the Golden State. California has specific laws that apply to bicyclists. These laws are designed to help ensure the safety of bicyclists and other road users. If you’re a bicyclist in California, it’s important to understand these laws and follow them to avoid accidents and potential legal consequences.

Here are some of the key bicycle laws in California:

Helmet Laws: In California, all bicyclists under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet while riding a bicycle. Additionally, it is strongly recommended that all bicyclists wear a helmet, regardless of their age.

Published on: April 27, 2023

Resources for Victims of Traumatic Brain Injury

by Steven M. Sweat

As attorneys and advocates for brain injury victims, we wanted to provide some resources that may be helpful.

There are several organizations that provide support and resources to victims of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their families. Here are some examples:

Brain Injury Association of America: This is a national organization that provides information, resources, and support to individuals with brain injuries and their families. They also advocate for better policies and funding for brain injury research.

Published on: April 19, 2023

Dangers of Pedestrian Accidents in Los Angeles

by Steven M. Sweat

Los-Angeles-Crosswalk-Accident-Attorneys As Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorneys and injury lawyers, we see the City of L.A. as unfortunately a hotbed of auto v. pedestrian accidents. Los Angeles is a city known for its car culture, where driving is often the primary mode of transportation. However, this means that pedestrians in Los Angeles face significant risks on a daily basis. According to recent statistics, Los Angeles has one of the highest rates of pedestrian accidents in the country, with hundreds of fatalities and thousands of injuries reported each year. In this article, we will explore the dangers of pedestrian accidents in Los Angeles and what can be done to prevent them.

Factors Contributing to Pedestrian Accidents

There are several factors that contribute to pedestrian accidents in Los Angeles. One of the most significant is the high volume of traffic on the city’s roads. With so many cars on the road, drivers may become distracted, speeding, or fail to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks or other areas.

Published on: April 18, 2023

Statistics on Traffic Accidents in California

by Steven M. Sweat

According to the latest available statistics (as of September 2021) from the California Office of Traffic Safety:

In 2019, there were a total of 3,316 fatal and injury crashes involving drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs in California.
In 2019, there were 3,606 fatalities in traffic accidents in California.

Published on: March 23, 2023

Most Dangerous Freeways in Los Angeles

by Steven M. Sweat

With a population of nearly 3.9 million people in the city and more in the county, Los Angeles is one of the most populous areas in the U.S. With its extensive network of crisscrossed freeways, interstates, and highways combined with its large population, it is little wonder that Los Angeles also experiences a high number of motor vehicle collisions every year.

Accident statistics of U.S. cities reveal that Los Angeles is ranked sixth in terms of the greatest car accident risks in the nation. On average, people in Los Angeles only go an average of 5.81 years between motor vehicle collisions. Six of the roads with the greatest number of accidents are located in California. One is in Los Angeles, and two others are in Los Angeles County outside of the city in Glendale and Pasadena.

Los Angeles is also widely known for its car culture and its traffic congestion. On the city’s numerous freeways and highways, traffic accidents are common occurrences. Whether you live in the city, drive into it from outside for work, or are planning a visit, it’s important to understand the risks you face when traveling on the city’s roadways.

Published on: February 3, 2023

Most Dangerous Streets in Los Angeles

by Steven M. Sweat

Los-Angeles-Car-Accident-Lawyers According to the data compiled by the City of Los Angeles based upon Traffic Collision Reports made in relation to auto accidents city-wide from 2010 to the present, the following are the most dangerous roads in L.A.

Western Avenue – 7817 Traffic Collisions
Ventura Boulevard – 7012 Traffic Incidents

Published on: January 20, 2023

California Expands Law on Motorists Passing Bicycles

by Steven M. Sweat

Many Californians enjoy bicycling as a fun recreational activity, an opportunity to get exercise while enjoying the outdoors, and as a means of transportation. As cycling has increased in popularity in the last few years because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of bicycle accidents and resulting injuries have sharply increased. An Oct. 2021 report by the American College of Surgeons found that trauma caused by bicycle accidents surged by 100% during pandemic-related lockdowns.

Some of the dangers involved with riding bicycles can be attributed to sharing the roads with motor vehicles. Both cyclists and motorists must understand the rules of the road and their responsibilities while riding or driving. To try to curb the number of bicycle accidents and their resulting injuries and fatalities, the California Legislature recently passed a bill that aims to protect bicyclists and decrease the danger that they will be involved in accidents. This law became effective on Jan. 1, 2023. Here’s some information about the new law and its impact on the rights and responsibilities of motorists who share the roads with bicyclists.

Bicycle Accident Statistics

Published on: December 20, 2022

Los Angeles Second Deadliest City for Pedestrians

by Steven M. Sweat

Pedestrian fatalities have been increasing across the U.S. In 2021 alone, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reported that an estimated 7.485 pedestrians were killed in the U.S. The GHSA reports that was a 12% increase in the number of pedestrian fatalities over those who were killed in 2020. The GHSA also reports that the number of pedestrian fatalities in 2021 was the largest in four decades.

While the overall pedestrian fatalities in California decreased in 2021 from those killed in 2020, the same is not true for Los Angeles. In LA, 289 people were killed in pedestrian accidents through Dec. 25, 2021. This represented a 21% increase over 2020. A recent report also reveals that Los Angeles has been rated as the second-deadliest city in the U.S. for pedestrians. Here’s what you need to know about this report and what it means for pedestrians in Los Angeles.

Study Shows Los Angeles Dangerous for Pedestrians

Published on: September 6, 2022

Anne Heche Accident Analyzed by Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney

by Steven M. Sweat

The recent accident and subsequent death of actress Anne Heche captivated the attention of many people in California and throughout the U.S. The horrific accident and Heche’s conduct leading up to the crash also raise questions of liability and how the victims might pursue claims to recover damages for their losses. Los Angeles personal injury attorney Steven M. Sweat analyzes the crash from a legal perspective below.

Anne Heche Accident

On Aug. 5, 2022, TMZ reported that Anne Heche had been involved in a hit-and-run crash before she fled and crashed into an occupied home nearby. The second collision ignited a fire that engulfed both her vehicle and the home she crashed into, and the fire destroyed the home. The resident was seated inside of her house at the time of the crash, and Heche’s vehicle stopped just a few feet from her. Thankfully, the resident escaped without injuries. Heche was taken to the hospital with burns and other injuries, and she slipped into a coma and subsequently died a few days later.

Published on: September 6, 2022

Nurse Runs Red Light and Kills 6 People In Los Angeles

by Steven M. Sweat

intersection-accident-attorneys-Los-Angeles

A horrific car crash in Los Angeles claimed the lives of five people and one unborn baby. The multi-vehicle wreck happened on Aug. 4 when a woman sped through a red light while traveling at an estimated 90 miles per hour at 1:30 pm. The tragic collision illustrates the importance of following California’s traffic laws to prevent similar collisions from occurring.

Multi-Vehicle Fatal Collision

A 37-year-old traveling nurse, Nicole Linton had worked in multiple states, including Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas before taking a position in California at the Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center. She had originally graduated from Howard University with a Bachelor’s degree in marketing before changing career paths and becoming a nurse. Linton was licensed as a nurse in California in 2021 and had been working in the state for a year at the time of her collision.