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Personal Injury Blog

Southern California’s Roads are Death Traps for Wheelchair Users

California pedestrian accident lawyers have long been concerned about the high rates of pedestrian accidents, especially in southern California. The lack of awareness about motorist responsibilities and a disturbing lack of respect for the rights of pedestrians to be on the streets, have meant hundreds of pedestrians are injured or killed in accidents in southern California every year. So, it’s no wonder that our roads are even more dangerous for those on motorized wheelchairs.

PE.com has a report on how dangerous it is for wheelchair users to get around in Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange Counties and other areas in southern California. Just last month, a man in Yucaipa sustained critical injuries in an accident involving a truck, as he crossed a street in his motorized wheelchair. The truck was being driven by a 16-year-old boy. Police determined that the boy had not been speeding. Other Southern California residents, who rely on motorized wheelchairs and electric scooters to get around, have similar experiences to recount. One Temecula resident, who has been using his electrical scooter to get around since 1986, has been struck three times. At least one of these accidents was severe enough to require hospitalization.

These people complain that while they don’t have any problems getting around in the quieter streets of residential neighborhoods, it’s a nightmarish situation trying to navigate crowded streets and distracted drivers when they head into the city. Several of these accidents have involved wheelchair occupants being struck by vehicles driven by distracted motorists. One wheelchair-bound patient, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, was struck in the parking lot of her apartment building by a truck. The driver had apparently been distracted by his passenger when he struck the woman. She was thrown several feet away, and her motorized wheelchair was badly damaged.

Electrical scooters and wheelchairs allow those who can’t drive cars, to get around easily and comfortably. Mobility scooters are much faster than wheelchairs. Because a wheelchair occupant sits lower on the ground, he is much less visible to a motorist. Motorists are typically conditioned to look for other motorists, motorcyclists or bicyclists, who are much more visible than a wheelchair user. You also have problems with drivers who are distracted by their passengers, because of road distractions and from cell phone use. Sometimes, you have motorists who simply aren’t paying enough attention to people around them. This places users of wheelchairs and electrical scoters at a great advantage.

Users of these mobility devices are required to use sidewalks, just like pedestrians. However according to these people, most of the dangers to their safety comes from a shortage of adequate number of sidewalks in southern California.  As California pedestrian accident lawyers, we know that this lack of sufficient sidewalks poses a real danger to pedestrian safety.

Being mobile and able to get around on their own safely and easily, is a right that the physically challenged enjoy. It’s unfortunate that these people continue to be at risk from poor urban planning by authorities who have failed to take their needs into consideration.

The Reeves Law Group is a law firm with offices throughout California dedicated exclusively to the representation of personal injury victims, including victims of pedestrian accidents. Please visit our website at trlglaw.com. If you desire a free consultation on a personal injury matter, please call us at (800) 644-8000 or email us.

The Reeves Law Group is not acting as legal counsel for any party in the matters discussed in this posting.

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