Were you or a loved one hit by a car while walking in Phoenix, Arizona? Pedestrian accidents often result in serious injuries, expensive medical bills, and lost wages. Insurance companies might try to pay less than you deserve, and dealing with them alone can be stressful. You should not have to fight for fair compensation on your own while recovering from your injuries.
A Phoenix pedestrian accident lawyer from Triumph Law Group can protect your rights and handle the legal process while you focus on healing. We can gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and take your case to court if needed. Call us today at 602-595-5559 for a free consultation to learn more about your legal options and take the next step toward getting the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Phoenix
Phoenix pedestrian accidents happen for many reasons. Some involve drivers who fail to follow traffic laws, while others result from motorists behaving recklessly or ignoring conditions that require extra caution. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents in Phoenix:
- Distracted Driving: Drivers who look at their phones, adjust their GPS devices, or focus on anything other than the road sometimes fail to notice pedestrians in time to stop.
- Failure to Yield at Crosswalks: If a driver speeds through a crosswalk without slowing down, pedestrians might not have enough time to react and get out of the way.
- Speeding in Pedestrian Areas: Drivers who go too fast in school zones, residential areas, or downtown streets increase the risk of hitting a pedestrian.
- Drunk or Drugged Driving: Drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs often have slower reaction times and poor judgment, so they’re more likely to overlook pedestrians crossing the road.
- Ignoring Traffic Signals and Stop Signs: When a pedestrian crosses legally at an intersection, they expect drivers to stop. Drivers who ignore traffic signals can cause serious accidents.
- Backing-Up Accidents in Parking Lots: Drivers who reverse out of driveways or parking spaces without checking behind them can hit pedestrians walking by.
- Poor Lighting and Low Visibility: If drivers fail to take extra precautions in areas with poor lighting or low visibility, they are more likely to crash into pedestrians.
Pedestrian Laws in Phoenix, Arizona
Pedestrians and drivers in Phoenix must follow Arizona’s traffic laws to reduce accidents and improve safety. Below is an overview of the Arizona laws that apply to pedestrians and the motorists who drive near them in Phoenix.
Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) § 28-791
Pedestrians must obey traffic signals at intersections unless local ordinances require stricter compliance. Pedestrians may be prohibited from crossing certain roadways outside of crosswalks in business districts or on designated highways.
ARS § 28-792
Drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing in marked or unmarked crosswalks if there are no traffic signals in place or in operation. Pedestrians must not leave roadside curbs or other places of safety and enter the paths of oncoming vehicles when drivers cannot stop in time to yield. If a vehicle stops at a crosswalk to allow a pedestrian to cross, other drivers approaching from behind must not pass the stopped vehicle.
ARS § 28-793
Pedestrians crossing outside of crosswalks must yield the right-of-way to vehicles on the road. This rule also applies to pedestrians crossing roadways where pedestrian tunnels or overhead crossings are available. Pedestrians must use marked crosswalks when crossing between adjacent intersections where traffic control signals are in operation.
ARS § 28-794
Drivers must exercise due care to avoid hitting pedestrians, use their horns when necessary, and take extra precautions when children or those who appear confused or incapacitated are on the roadway.
ARS § 28-795
Pedestrians should move quickly, when practicable, and walk along the right half of crosswalks when using crosswalks to cross the road.
ARS § 28-796
If sidewalks are available, pedestrians must use them instead of walking on the roadway. If no sidewalks are available, pedestrians walking along roadways must walk on the left side or shoulder, facing oncoming traffic when practicable. People cannot stand in roadways to solicit rides from motorists.
ARS § 28-797
Motorists must slow to 15 miles per hour in designated school crossings and stop when children are in school zone crosswalks. Civil penalties apply for violating school zone speed limits or stopping requirements, with increased penalties for certain violations.
Arizona Pedestrian Accident Statistics
Each year, the Arizona Department of Transportation publishes a report detailing the traffic accidents that occurred throughout the state. Below are some sobering statistics regarding the frequency of accidents involving pedestrians and the circumstances surrounding these devastating incidents:
- There were 1,882 pedestrian accidents throughout Arizona in 2023, representing 1.54 percent of all 122,247 traffic accidents that occurred statewide that year.
- There were 271 pedestrian fatalities in Arizona car accidents in 2023, representing 20.73 percent of all traffic fatalities in Arizona that year.
- More than 14 percent of Arizona pedestrian crashes were fatal in 2023.
- Men accounted for the majority of pedestrian fatalities.
- Most pedestrian crashes (more than 93 percent) occurred in urban areas.
- Fatal pedestrian crashes were more common in urban areas, but rural areas had a higher percentage of fatal crashes relative to total crashes.
- Most pedestrians who died in pedestrian accidents were crossing the road at the time of the incident (53.9 percent).
- Most pedestrian crashes happened in daylight, but dark conditions (both lit and unlit) accounted for the most fatal pedestrian accidents.
- Crashes in well-lit dark areas were more common than those in unlit areas, but unlit conditions had a higher fatality rate.
- The peak hour for Arizona pedestrian crashes in 2023 was between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
- The majority of pedestrian crashes happened in clear weather conditions, making up nearly 89 percent of total pedestrian collisions.
- Few crashes occurred in extreme weather conditions like snow, fog, or blowing sand, possibly due to reduced pedestrian activity during such events.
Pedestrian Accident FAQs
Many people do not know their rights or the steps they should take after a pedestrian accident. Below are some frequently asked questions about pedestrian accident injury cases in Phoenix to help you understand your legal options and what to expect after a crash.
What should I do after a pedestrian accident?
Call 911 and seek medical attention right away, even if you do not feel hurt. Get the driver’s contact and insurance information, take photos of the scene, and collect witness statements if possible. Save all medical records and other documents related to the incident, and contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
How much time do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim in Arizona?
Arizona law gives most accident victims two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Some cases have shorter deadlines, so it’s best to contact an attorney soon after the incident to identify applicable time limits and protect your rights.
Do I need a lawyer for a pedestrian accident claim?
Yes. Pedestrian accident claims can be difficult because they often involve severe injuries and large potential payouts. Insurance companies might try to shift blame or downplay injuries to avoid paying full compensation. A lawyer can help by gathering evidence, negotiating with insurance companies, and representing you in court if necessary.
Contact a Phoenix Pedestrian Accident Attorney
If you were injured in a pedestrian accident in Phoenix, you could be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, income losses, and more. A Phoenix personal injury lawyer from Triumph Law Group can review your case, explain your options, and fight for the recovery you deserve. Call 602-595-5559 today for a free consultation to get the legal help you need to move forward.
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