Phoenix Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Hurt in a Pedestrian Accident in Phoenix? You Have Rights. Let Us Help Protect Them.  The beautiful Phoenix weather often results in lots of foot traffic throughout the city. Yet, despite the city’s beauty, pedestrian accidents can and do happen, and they can be absolutely devastating. In fact, the Arizona Department of Transportation reports that there are 21 pedestrian-motor vehicle accidents every single day. Out of that number, 18 pedestrians are injured. Most Phoenix pedestrian accidents aren’t the fault of the pedestrian. Read Our FREE Personal Injury Guide

Common Causes of Phoenix Pedestrian Accidents

Most Phoenix pedestrian accidents happen because:

• The driver of the motor vehicle did not see, or chose to ignore a stop sign or stop light.
• The driver was speeding, and they were unable to stop at an intersection.
• The driver simply did not pay enough attention to watch for pedestrians.
• The driver refused to slow down while a pedestrian was walking.
• The driver turned into the path of a pedestrian who was in an intersection.
• The driver did not check behind them before backing out of a driveway.
• The driver tried to pass a vehicle that stopped because of a school bus or a cross walk.

Arizona Law Protects Pedestrians

Under Arizona state law, the driver of a motor vehicle is always required to yield to pedestrians crossing the street. Pedestrians also have the right of way if they are on the opposite end of the road but still close enough to the vehicle that it creates a dangerous situation. Additionally, if a driver approaches a cross walk and another vehicle is stopped to allow a pedestrian to stop, all other drivers are also required to stop. The cross walk does not have to be marked.

Pedestrian Accidents Have the Potential to Cause Serious or Deadly Injuries

The body has very little protection from the impact. In addition to the impact the body has with the motor vehicle, there could be at least one more impact. That impact occurs when the pedestrian hits the ground, a curb, or another object. Broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, internal injuries, and spinal cord injuries are common. Medical bills, depending on the severity of the injury, can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Spinal cord injuries could result in millions of dollars in medical costs. Sadly, Phoenix pedestrian accidents may result in a fatality. Families are left without their loved one, without added income, and face exorbitant medical costs and final expenses. Family members may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim against the driver of the vehicle.

Are Pedestrians Treated Fairly by Insurance Companies?

All drivers in Phoenix, Arizona are required to carry a minimum amount of car insurance. In theory, the purpose of car insurance is to put the victim of the accident as close as possible to where they were before the accident. Yet, pedestrians aren’t always treated fairly by insurance companies. Insurance companies are in business to make a profit. They may try to get you to accept an offer that’s far less than you need to cover your medical expenses, let alone pay you appropriately for lost wages or pain and suffering. For families suffering from the pain of losing a loved one, the insurance company may not pay enough to take care of the outstanding medical expenses and the last expenses. If you or someone you love was involved in a pedestrian accident, don’t deal with the insurance company on your own. Talk with a Phoenix pedestrian accident lawyer. You need someone to look out for what’s in your best interest and help you protect your legal rights.

Proving Negligence in a Pedestrian Accident

Like other forms of personal injury, a pedestrian accident relies on the concept of negligence. In Arizona, the civil courts rely on a concept known as comparative negligence. This means that the insurance company and the court will look at the actions of the pedestrian as well as the driver. If the pedestrian is shown to be at fault for the accident, the compensation they may be eligible to receive could be reduced or totally eliminated. A Phoenix pedestrian accident lawyer can help determine if a driver breached the duty they had for you as a pedestrian. If so, that breach must have caused actual harm. The best way to prove negligence is to show that the driver violated an Arizona traffic law. This could involve speeding, distracted driving, reckless driving, being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or simply not respecting the pedestrian’s right of way.

You Need An Experienced Phoenix Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

If you or someone you love was involved in a pedestrian accident, you could be entitled to financial compensation. The type of financial compensation that may be available largely depends on the facts surrounding the accident. The most typical forms of compensation for victims of these devastating accidents include medical bills, future medical expenses, lost wages, the inability to earn a wage in the future, pain and suffering, and final expenses. Contact a Phoenix pedestrian accident lawyer to find out what you may be entitled to. Read Our FREE Personal Injury Guide Subscribe to our YouTube channel for regular updates.