Worst Injuries After A Torrance Pedestrian Accident
Torrance is a vibrant city with busy streets, shopping areas, and parks, making it a favorite spot for walkers. However, with all that foot traffic comes a higher risk of pedestrian accidents, and even a minor collision can lead to serious injuries that can affect lives.
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at some of the worst injuries after a Torrance pedestrian accident, from broken bones to head and spinal trauma. We will also discuss the potential impact of these injuries on your personal injury claim and how proper legal representation can significantly aid in securing the compensation you deserve.
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Why Pedestrian Accidents in Torrance Can Be So Severe
Pedestrian accidents in Torrance can be particularly serious due to a combination of factors that put walkers at a high risk of injury. Unlike drivers, pedestrians have no physical protection in the event of a collision. This makes even a low-speed impact potentially life-threatening.
In 2023, more than 290 pedestrians were injured in Los Angeles County, highlighting the vulnerability of those on foot. Several factors contribute to the severity of pedestrian accidents in Torrance:
- Distracted Driving: Drivers using mobile phones or engaging in other distractions may fail to notice pedestrians at crosswalks or intersections.
- Speeding and Reckless Driving: Excessive speed reduces a driver’s reaction time and increases the severity of collisions.
- Failure to Yield: Drivers not yielding the right of way at crosswalks can lead to accidents, especially at busy intersections.
- Impaired Driving: Alcohol or drug impairment significantly impairs a driver’s ability to react and make safe decisions.
- Poor Visibility: Inadequate street lighting or weather conditions can make it difficult for drivers and pedestrians, leading to accidents.
- Poorly Designed Intersections: Intersections lacking proper signage, signals, or visibility.
- Fatigue and Drowsy Driving: Drivers operating vehicles while fatigued may have delayed reaction times and impaired judgment.
- Jaywalking and Pedestrian Behavior: Pedestrians crossing outside designated crosswalks or ignoring traffic signals increase the risk of accidents.
High-Risk Areas in Torrance
Certain locations in Torrance are more prone to pedestrian accidents due to high foot traffic and complex patterns:
Pacific Coast Highway
A high-speed roadway where pedestrians may attempt to cross, leading to severe accidents. Just in April this year, a tragic hit-and-run led to a pedestrian’s death. One driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, and another fled the scene.
Normandie Avenue & Torrance Boulevard
Located near residential neighborhoods and local businesses, this area sees steady pedestrian activity. Limited visibility during peak traffic hours and vehicles turning quickly onto Torrance Blvd have made this intersection a spot of concern for both residents and safety advocates.
Hawthorne Boulevard & 190th Street
This intersection connects to several retail zones and office areas, where drivers often rush through yellow lights or turn without checking for people crossing.
Artesia Boulevard & Crenshaw Boulevard
A major corridor with constant flow, shopping centers, and nearby schools — creating a higher risk for pedestrians, especially during rush hours.
Sepulveda Boulevard
Stretching across the heart of Torrance, Sepulveda Boulevard is one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares. With multiple lanes, high-speed traffic, and frequent crossings near shopping centers and schools, even a moment of distraction can lead to a serious pedestrian accident.
The Worst Injuries After a Torrance Pedestrian Accident
When a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle, the human body takes the full force of the impact. Without the protection of a seatbelt, airbags, or a metal frame, even a low-speed crash can cause catastrophic injuries. Below, we explain some of the most common and severe injuries pedestrians face — and how they can affect long-term recovery and personal injury claims.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
A traumatic brain injury can happen when a pedestrian’s head strikes the ground, a vehicle, or another object during a collision. These injuries range from concussions to severe brain trauma that causes permanent cognitive impairment.
Victims may experience memory loss, difficulty concentrating, headaches, or changes in personality and mood. In severe cases, TBIs can lead to long-term disability, affecting a person’s ability to work or even perform daily tasks. Symptoms aren’t always visible right away, so getting medical care immediately after a Torrance pedestrian accident is a must.
Spinal Cord Injuries & Paralysis
The spine is highly vulnerable in pedestrian collisions. A sudden impact can fracture vertebrae or damage the spinal cord, leading to partial or complete paralysis.
Victims may face chronic pain, mobility issues, or loss of sensation below the injury site. Recovery often involves extensive rehabilitation, adaptive equipment, and home modifications. From a legal perspective, spinal cord injuries are among the most valuable claims due to the lifelong cost of care and impact on quality of life.
Multiple Fractures & Orthopedic Injuries
When a pedestrian is struck, they are often thrown onto the pavement or a vehicle, leading to multiple fractures in the legs, arms, hips, or ribs. Some fractures require surgery with metal plates or screws, while others may heal slowly and painfully over months.
Orthopedic injuries can severely limit mobility and independence, especially for those who rely on walking for work or daily activities. These injuries also increase medical costs and recovery time — both of which directly influence a personal injury settlement.
Internal Organ Damage
The impact of a vehicle can cause severe internal injuries that aren’t immediately visible but can be life-threatening. Damage to organs like the liver, spleen, or lungs can lead to internal bleeding and require emergency surgery.
In many Torrance pedestrian accident cases, victims don’t realize they’ve suffered internal trauma until symptoms worsen hours later. That’s why prompt medical evaluation and documentation are needed — not only for health, but also for supporting a future legal claim.
Amputations or Severe Lacerations
Pedestrians hit by vehicles often suffer deep cuts, crushed limbs, or severe tissue damage. In the most serious cases, this can result in amputation — either at the scene or later during medical treatment.
These injuries bring intense physical pain and emotional trauma, as victims must adjust to permanent disability and major lifestyle changes. Prosthetic devices, therapy, and long-term medical care add to the physical and financial burden, making strong legal representation essential for securing fair compensation.
How Injury Severity Impacts Compensation
When it comes to pedestrian accident claims in Torrance, the seriousness of your injuries can greatly influence how much compensation you receive. Insurance companies and courts often use the extent of your injuries as a key factor in determining the value of your case.
More Severe Injuries = Higher Settlements.
It’s not just about what happened — it’s about how much it has affected your life, your health, and your ability to move forward. Recovery takes longer, medical bills pile up, and the impact on your day-to-day life can be huge. Compensation comes in to help you recover both financial and emotional damages.
Economic Damages
Cover the tangible costs of your injury. These are the numbers you can point to — medical bills, receipts, pay stubs. They usually include:
- Medical expenses — everything from your ER visit at Torrance Medical Center, follow-up surgeries, rehabilitation, and medication.
- Lost income — if your injuries kept you from working or affected your ability to earn in the future.
- Out-of-pocket costs — like paying for transportation to appointments or hiring extra help at home while recovering.
Non-Economic Damages
But not everything can be measured in dollars. Non-economic damages reflect the personal impact — your pain, suffering, and how your daily life has changed. Maybe you used to enjoy weekend walks around Del Amo Fashion Center or biking along Torrance Boulevard, but now even simple movements are painful or frightening. Those losses matter too, and they’re an important part of your claim.
Punitive Damages
In some cases, like when a driver was drunk, texting, or speeding through busy intersections, the court may award punitive damages. These aren’t about compensation — they’re meant to punish reckless behavior and discourage it from happening again.
Severe Injuries Deserve Serious Compensation — Call RTM Law!
If you’ve suffered severe injuries after a Torrance pedestrian accident, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. The road to recovery can be overwhelming, but understanding your legal rights can make all the difference in getting the compensation you truly deserve.
Don’t rush into a quick settlement just to move on. Your future health, finances, and peace of mind are important. Call us anytime to learn about your options, ask questions, and get the right legal help you need. Available 24/7 — Free Consultation.
Do You need compassionate support and effective representation?
No fees until we win. Available 24/7.
