Every year, more than 4,000 pedestrians suffer fatal injuries in accidents across the country. Those numbers have stayed more or less consistent, even though the number of people being killed in traffic accidents across the country has been dropping over the past couple of years. A new study finds that older pedestrians involved in accidents are at a much high risk of being killed.

The study was based on an analysis of accident data between 2001 and 2010, and found that senior citizens above the age of 75 had an accident fatality risk that was more than double the fatality rate for pedestrians who were below 34 years of age.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which conducted the analysis, believes that the number of senior pedestrians killed in accidents could actually increase over the next few years, as the number of older pedestrians on our streets increases. That is likely to happen with an explosion in the population of seniors in the country. It is estimated that the senior population in the country will increase dramatically over the next couple of decades, leading not just to an increase in the number of seniors at the wheel, but also on the road.

But while Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyers have found a lot of focus on reducing the number of accidents involving senior drivers, and introducing interventions to help reduce the accident risk of senior motorists, there does not seem to be that much focus on reducing the risk to senior pedestrians.

This is even though senior citizens have been confirmed to be at a much higher risk of senior injuries because of their physical state. Seniors who are injured, may take a much longer time to recover from their injuries, or may never completely recover at all. Severe injuries are also much more likely to leave seniors physically disabled.

In the near future, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s much-valued and anticipated crash test rating system could include a Silver rating that would denote a car’s special safety features for senior citizens.

Los Angeles car accident lawyers believe that this is one of more exciting ideas rolled out by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently. Around the country, there has been an explosion in senior motorist traffic, and senior driver numbers on our roads are only expected to grow over the next decade. In fact, estimates peg the increase in senior motorist at 30% over the next 2 decades. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, older motorists as well as their passengers are much more likely to sustain fatal injuries in an accident compared to younger drivers

With so many senior motorists on our streets, it is important not only that we tweak road design in order to accommodate more senior drivers with their age-related driving restrictions, but also that we modify crash test rating systems in order to determine which automobiles may be safest for senior citizens.

Seniors may experience a number of age-related weaknesses in their driving abilities that may increase their risk of being involved in an accident. A Silver rating which is being proposed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will denote that the car comes with a number of specific safety features that may protect senior drivers from injuries in an accident.

For instance, inflatable seat belts, or systems that reduce the risk of sudden, unintended acceleration in a car, are technologies that are very specifically suitable for senior citizens.

Across California, thousands of drivers will be sharing the road with other drivers over St. Patrick's Day, and many of those motorists will be driving under the influence of alcohol. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Los Angeles car accident lawyers urge all motorists to drive responsibly and safely this St. Patrick's Day, and avoid driving while intoxicated.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, alcohol-related car accidents killed one person every 53 minutes in 2011. According to the agency, on St. Patrick's Day, more than one-third of all fatalities involving a vehicular accident, were caused in an alcohol-related car accident. That makes it 34% of all fatalities that were linked to driving under the influence of alcohol.

Whatever your plans for St. Patrick's Day, make sure that your group designates a sober driver for the evening. Alcohol is a huge part of the St. Patrick's Day festivities, and while there may be nothing that you can do to lower the amount of alcohol consumed, you can behave responsibly by not driving in an intoxicated state, and refusing to be a passenger in a vehicle driven by a person who is clearly under the influence of alcohol.

Alternately, make other transportation plans before evening celebrations begin.  Call a taxi service, or ask a friend for a ride home.

If there is a sober ride program in your community or in your area, use it. Monitor your friends’ drinking, and never let your friends drive under the influence of alcohol. Wear your seat belt.

If you're hosting a St. Patrick's Day party, make sure that all of your guests have a safe ride home by designating sober drivers. Provide plenty of nonalcoholic beverage options for guests.

The Long Beach Press Telegram reports that two suspects have been arrested for a hit-and-run last week that killed a 24-year-old woman in downtown Long Beach.

Police arrested a 26-year-old Compton resident who was charged by the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office with vehicular manslaughter and felony hit and run. A 26-year-old Bellflower man was also arrested for being an accessory.

According to details released by police, the car seems to have been used as a weapon after an argument between associates of the victim and the two men. Witnesses reported an argument between two groups of people which started in a Pine Street restaurant, spilled outside and, allegedly, ended with one of the men intentionally backing a vehicle into Serena Medina and another person who survived the incident. Medina died shortly after being struck. According to the newspaper report, she was the mother of a 4-year-old daughter.   

An incident in which a driver uses their vehicle as a weapon is just one among many examples of the problem that Los Angeles faces regarding hit-and-run injuries and fatalities. Though most such incidents are the result of negligent or grossly irresponsible behavior, there are too many examples in which murderous intent or road rage is also behind such tragedies. In such cases where criminal charges are brought against someone who caused injury or death, a victim and their family may be entitled to punitive damages. Of course a wrongful death suit for punitive damages will not bring Medina back, but it may send a message about the consequences for using a car as a weapon.