Phoenix Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

According to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), more than 1,500 pedestrians were either injured or killed in accidents involving motor vehicles last year. Pedestrian accidents are a very serious problem, especially in the Phoenix metropolitan area, where traffic moves quickly and many drivers aren’t accustomed to watching out for pedestrians.

Many people who have been involved in a pedestrian accident experience a great deal of pain and uncertainty. They may be confused about what to do next. The Phoenix pedestrian accident attorneys at Suzuki Law Offices can guide you through the legal process and help you make the right decisions after a personal injury or the wrongful death of a loved one.

Pedestrian Laws in Arizona

Pedestrian-related traffic laws in Arizona are designed to ensure the safety of pedestrians and drivers on the road. These laws help define the rights and responsibilities of both pedestrians and motorists.

Here is an overview of key pedestrian laws in Arizona:

• Crosswalks: At marked crosswalks: Vehicles must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians who are crossing or about to cross the roadway within a marked or unmarked crosswalk. At unmarked crosswalks: In the absence of a marked crosswalk, drivers must still yield the right-of-way to pedestrians at intersections.
• Pedestrian Signals: Pedestrians must obey pedestrian signals (e.g., “Walk” or “Don’t Walk” signals) when provided at intersections.
• Jaywalking: Jaywalking is prohibited. Pedestrians should not cross the road outside of marked or unmarked crosswalks at locations other than intersections.
• Pedestrian Right-of-Way: In general, pedestrians have the right-of-way when they are within a crosswalk or at an intersection. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in these situations.
• Yielding at Intersections: When making a turn at an intersection, drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
• Yielding on Sidewalks: Drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians on sidewalks when entering or exiting a driveway, alley, or private road.
• Yielding to Blind or Disabled Pedestrians: Drivers must always yield the right-of-way to blind pedestrians using a white cane or guide dog.
• Right Turns on Red: In Arizona, you can make a right turn on a red light after coming to a complete stop, provided there is no oncoming traffic and no pedestrians in the crosswalk.
• Pedestrian Responsibilities: Pedestrians must obey traffic signals and crosswalks. They should use crosswalks when available. When walking on the road where there are no sidewalks, pedestrians should walk on the left side, facing oncoming traffic.
• School Zones: Special rules and lower speed limits often apply in school zones to protect children walking to and from school.
• Pedestrian Prohibited Areas: Pedestrians are generally not allowed on controlled-access highways (freeways).
• Yielding to Emergency Vehicles: Both pedestrians and drivers must yield the right-of-way to emergency vehicles with flashing lights and sirens.

Violating pedestrian-related traffic laws can result in fines, points on your driver’s license, and potentially higher insurance rates for drivers. Additionally, you could also be held liable for an accident if violating a pedestrian law causing a crash.

Understanding Your Pedestrian Accident Claim

Pedestrians are vulnerable when sharing the road with motorists. Many drivers fail to pay attention to their blind spots or simply engage in distracting driving behaviors, such as texting while driving, resulting in collisions with pedestrians. If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, you need to seek legal representation from our firm as soon as possible.

Some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents include:

• Drivers talking on a cell phone or texting
• Motorists driving at excessive or unsafe speeds
• Drivers failing to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians
• Drivers disobeying traffic signals or stop signs
• Drivers disregarding dangerous weather conditions
• Drivers operating under the influence of alcohol
• Drivers failing to signal before making a turn

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Who is Liable for a Pedestrian Accident?

In most cases, drivers have a duty to exercise reasonable care while operating a vehicle. They are expected to follow traffic laws and be attentive to their surroundings, especially in areas where pedestrians are present, such as crosswalks, intersections, and school zones. Drivers who breach this duty by engaging in reckless driving can be held liable for accidents that result from their negligence.

Pedestrians also have a duty to exercise reasonable care for their own safety. This includes obeying traffic signals, using crosswalks when available, and not suddenly darting into the path of oncoming vehicles. If a pedestrian’s actions contributed to the accident through negligence, their recovery in a personal injury claim may be reduced in proportion to their degree of fault, following Arizona’s comparative negligence law.

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What to Expect When You Work With Our Firm

The road to recovery after a pedestrian accident may be long, painful, and difficult, but our firm can help make it easier. You and your family should not have to shoulder a financial burden caused by someone else’s negligence. We can assist you in filing a claim against the at-fault individual so that you may obtain the compensation you deserve. When you visit our office for your free initial consultation, we will have an in-depth conversation about your accident and how it has impacted your life.

You are welcome to bring your family members with you, as we often talk to entire families about a personal injury or the loss of a loved one. At Suzuki Law Offices, our focus is not just on negotiating favorable settlements or winning trials, but helping clients restore their lives after being unjustly injured. Whether your accident occurred in a crosswalk, parking lot, sidewalk, driveway or other space shared by cars and pedestrians, we will take action to achieve the best results.