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Child Pedestrian Safety – Protecting Your Children

Thousands of children are injured as pedestrians in traffic accidents each year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration figures show that in 2010, of the children killed in traffic accidents between the ages of 5 and 9, nearly 1/5 were pedestrians. Those under the age of 15 accounted for 23% of pedestrian injuries in traffic accidents. Most accidents occur near the child’s home or on neighborhood streets between the hours of 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Not surprisingly, pedestrian safety for children has become a topic of renewed study.

Parents and caregivers may be most familiar with their children’s abilities, but commonly overestimate their walking skills. Such confidence can often lead to dangerous situations that could easily be avoided. In order to help children become safe pedestrians, it is important for adults to understand how children view the world, as well how their abilities to exercise reason change over time. Young children are not developmentally able to navigate traffic safely for several reasons:

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Rules of the Road for Pedestrians

California is blessed with great diversity in many things; the people who live and work here; the variety of terrain, from beaches and ocean cliffs to mountains and forests, to deserts; and a climate that ranges from the balmy subtropical to snow-covered slopes. This makes for an array of choices when it comes to outdoor activities available to residents and visitors.

Due partly to the richness of our environment, and partly to fact that a large portion of our population is dedicated to participating in a healthy, active, outdoor lifestyle, there is more than frequent opportunity for pedestrians to come into contact with motorists. The outcome is not always positive. Pedestrian accidents are often the result. One of the first things parents teach children is to be aware of and alert to the dangers of auto traffic. As adults, we frequently forget to follow this same advice. That is why it’s important for pedestrians make a conscious effort to understand and obey traffic laws in order to protect themselves.

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A Bus Accident Can Change Your Life

Buses are one of the most common forms of transportation in this country. From regional transit authorities, to city transportation, to school buses, we rely on them to take us places when we don’t have the means, or desire, to drive. But with so many buses on the road, that all too often translates into bus accidents. Chatsworth bus accidents can be a very serious matter, which is why you deserve the intervention of a competent attorney if you’re involved in one.

There are several dangerous factors involving using a bus for transportation that we typically don’t think about. One is the fact that a vast majority of them, no matter their origin, don’t provide seat belts for passengers. While this is a hazardous scenario for adults, it is particularly dangerous for young children when traveling to and from school.

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You’ve Been Injured. What Next?

Personal injury cases are based on the premise that someone was injured by the act of another person or entity. If you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, you should seek out a top personal injury attorney who can fight for you and your rights. Since these cases are not necessarily clear cut, it is rarely advisable for you to go this alone.

When pursuing your personal injury case, the first thing on your list should be finding a good attorney. Even after you have narrowed down your choices, you still need to do a little research in order to make sure that he or she will be the right fit for you. This means looking for reviews from other clients, complaints, and even pending lawsuits that may have been filed. The Better Business Bureau is a great place to find this kind of information.

The Face to Face Meeting

You will next want to set a meeting with your attorney. Here, you will discuss the details of your case to determine if you do, in fact, have a viable claim. This is when your attorney will instruct you on what can be expected through each step of the process. This is also the time that your attorney will instruct you as to what will be expected of you. This will include any information you may have, the facts of your case, contacts who can help to verify your case, and any other information pertinent to your claim. The defendant’s attorney will also be contacting your attorney to swap information material to the case.

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Protect Your Health and Your Legal Rights ~

If you’re involved in any kind of vehicular accident, there are certain rules you should follow. Some of these rules are required by law, others are there to protect your rights. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in an auto accident, a bicycle accident, a motorcycle accident, or are hit by any one of them while walking down the sidewalk as a pedestrian. These rules apply in all situations. While you should always consult with a personal injury attorney for legal advice immediately following any accident, you also need to know, in advance, what to do in case of an emergency.

• Remain as calm as possible. Being involved in an accident is almost always an emotional experience. You may be afraid of potential consequences. You may also be in pain. However, staying as calm as you can is in your best interest. You will be less likely to say or do something that could be detrimental should legal proceedings result.
• First, if anyone was injured in the accident, call 911. “Anyone” means yourself and passengers in your vehicle as well as other drivers, and passengers in other vehicles. Emergency personnel should be contacted even if the injuries seem minor. Second, call the police so the facts of the accident can be documented. In most instances, a single call to 911 will likely dispatch both the police and paramedics.  (Note: In certain instances, the police may refuse to come or prepare a report.)
• Even if you believe the accident was entirely your fault, do not make any statements to that effect. Doing so can have serious legal consequences, and might even affect your insurance coverage. You are not obligated to provide this information before obtaining legal advice.

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A 50-year-old woman lost her life recently after being severely injured in a pedestrian accident at the intersection of Victory Boulevard and Platt Avenue in Woodland Hills, according to an article in The Los Angeles Daily News.

Police report that the woman was crossing Platt Avenue in the marked crosswalk when a driver turned the corner from Victory Boulevard onto Platt Avenue, hitting the woman in the crosswalk. The woman suffered severe injuries in the accident. She was taken to a local hospital, but died not long after the accident. The driver stopped at the scene and spoke to police officers. He did not receive a citation at the time, but police are still investigating the San Fernando Valley pedestrian accident.

Pedestrian accidents are a risk in any highly-populated area, but they are a special concern in California, which has one of the highest pedestrian accident rates in the nation, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Nationwide, nearly 13 pedestrians are struck by cars and killed each day, or one pedestrian about every 107 minutes. Pedestrians who are not killed in an accident may still be severely injured, which can leave them with permanent disabilities and staggering medical costs.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian accident, you have certain legal rights under California law. The experienced Woodland Hills pedestrian accident attorneys at The Mandell Law Firm can help you understand your rights and options and fight for any compensation you may deserve. To learn more, call The Mandell Law Firm today at 818-886-6600 for a free and confidential case evaluation.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (LADPW) offers an online “Traffic Safety Tool Kit” designed to help drivers decrease the risk of accidents. In addition to helping drivers understand how to drive more safely, particularly in neighborhoods in the San Fernando Valley and elsewhere, the kit also provides pedestrian safety tips. In order to decrease your chances of being involved in a pedestrian accident in the San Fernando Valley, the LADPW recommends following these safety rules:

• Always use the crosswalk. California law requires drivers to stop for a pedestrian using a crosswalk, whether or not there are painted lines on the road to indicate where the crosswalk should be. However, pedestrians should not assume that a driver can see the crosswalk or will be able to stop quickly if the pedestrian steps out suddenly.
• Watch cars to be sure they are slowing down. Pedestrians are less likely to be hit by cars that are clearly slowing down and stopping at a crosswalk or intersection. If possible, make eye contact with the car’s driver to ensure that they have seen you preparing to cross the street.
• Always use pedestrian “walk” buttons and crosswalk signals if they are available. Only begin crossing the street if the “walk” sign or icon (a walking person) is lit. If the “don’t walk” sign or icon (an upraised hand) is flashing, you should finish crossing the street if you’ve started, but do not start to cross the street. You may not have time to finish, and a driver who is in a hurry may not see you once the light turns green.

If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident in Los Angeles County, the experienced San Fernando Valley pedestrian accident attorneys at The Mandell Law Firm can help you understand your rights and take legal action. To learn more or to schedule a free and confidential consultation, call The Mandell Law Firm today at 818-886-6600.

The city of Northridge installed a new traffic light earlier this month at an intersection where a student was critically injured after a hit-and-run driver struck her in the then-unmarked crosswalk in 2008, according to DailyNews.com.

The intersection is one block from Cal State Northridge, at the intersection of Reseda Boulevard and Vincennes Street. In November of 2008, a Chinese exchange student attending the college was struck while crossing the intersection and was in a coma for weeks. She has since recovered.

The intersection is crossed by almost 200 pedestrians a day when the college is in session, and approximately 40,000 vehicles drive through the intersection every day. Traffic officials recognized the area as dangerous before the car accident occurred after many close calls that involved pedestrians. A public outcry resulted in the new light, which features push buttons and pedestrian countdown signals, as well as some features for handicapped pedestrians. The new light cost $150,000 and was funded by both the state and the city. Another light will be installed two blocks away next year.

Intersections are among the most dangerous areas on streets. Many California motorists are injured in car accidents that occur in intersections, and many of those accidents involve a vehicle being side-swiped, which can be deadly. If you have been injured in a crash at an intersection, you should contact the skilled Northridge car accident attorneys at the Mandell Law Firm. We can help you recover damages against the negligent party involved in the accident. Call us today for a free consultation at 818-886-6600.

A 73-year-old woman was fatally hit by at least seven vehicles around 6:15 a.m. on March 15, 2010 while attempting to cross Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, reported Fox 11 News Los Angeles. The woman was attempting to catch a bus when she was struck by a northbound vehicle and flung into the southbound lane, where she was hit by at least six other vehicles. In addition to the driver who initially hit the victim, only two of the vehicles stopped. The woman died from her injuries. The highway was closed for about six hours during the investigation and during peak traffic hours. No arrests were made.

Pedestrian fatalities in California, like these, are all too common in the United States. In these particular accidents, the pedestrian has the disadvantage and often suffers grave injury and even death. Deadly car accidents can be easily avoided with increased awareness from both drivers and pedestrians. Paying close attention to traffic signs and improved vigilance to all surrounding activity can greatly decrease the number of pedestrian accidents.

If you, or someone you love, have been seriously injured in an automobile accident as a result of negligence, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for any financial losses you have suffered as a result. The San Fernando Valley automobile accident attorneys at the Mandell Law Firm have extensive experience litigating these matters and will competently represent your rights. There are no legal fees unless you are granted a settlement. Call (818) 886-6600 for a free consultation with one of our skilled lawyers regarding your case.

Source:http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/news/local/pedestrian-fatally-struck-on-pch-20100315