Pedestrian Accidents

When we get in our car, we assume some risk. Even though our minds are preoccupied by kids’ dance rehearsals or soccer practice, the errands we have to run, or getting to work on time, we know that we may get into a car accident because of other peoples’ actions. But pedestrian accidents are different. No one thinks there is even a chance of getting hit by a car when you take a walk around your neighborhood, get your mail, or go for a quick jog.

Pedestrian accidents are extremely difficult to cope with. Statistically, they are more likely to result in more serious injuries than other types of accidents. This is because in pedestrian accidents, a person with no protection is hit by a car. Even in neighborhoods where speed limits are low, injuries from pedestrian accidents may be worse than injuries from other types of accidents, because in other types of accidents both parties have the safety features built into the car to protect them.

The injury attorneys at Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm near you have significant experience in helping clients who have been injured in pedestrian accidents.  Our offices are conveniently located in Chandler, Peoria, and North Phoenix, and we can meet in-person or over the phone or video call.  You can contact us for a free consultation, or read on to find out more.

By the way, we will also help with other problems that have cost you sleep, like getting a rental car very soon and finding a nearby doctor who can help you. Even the best legal team isn’t good enough if your quality of life isn’t sustainable while justice and compensation are on the way. The whole point of legal action is to regain quality of life, so we help you long-term as attorneys and short-term as your go-to people.

Pedestrian Accidents in the East Valley

The Phoenix area has one of the highest rates in the country for fatal pedestrian accidents. In response, Arizona is deploying the High-intensity Activated crossWalk (HAWK) system first developed in Tucson in the late 1990s. Using the HAWK system, which is designed for high-speed and wide-crossing roadways, drivers receive multiple cues to alert them to the potential presence of a pedestrian.

According to the Arizona Crash Facts Summary published by the Arizona Department of Transportation, there were 1,523 accidents involving pedestrians in 2020. 232 of these were fatal. Not surprisingly, pedestrians were injured in 84% of these accidents.

Men are far more likely to be hurt or injured in pedestrian accidents than are women. The age groups with the highest accident rates are pedestrians age 25–34 and 55–64.

Most accidents happen when pedestrians are crossing roads, and most happen in daylight. In about 13% of cases, the pedestrian involved in an accident had been drinking or appeared to be under the influence of drugs.

Who Is Liable in Pedestrian Accidents?

When a pedestrian is hit by a car, liability will depend on whether the driver, the pedestrian, or both were at fault.

One consideration in determining fault is whether the driver and pedestrian were obeying the law.

If there are no traffic lights or stop signs at a crosswalk, or if the traffic lights are not working, a motorist must yield the right of way to a pedestrian crossing the road within a crosswalk when the pedestrian:

• is on the half of the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling, or
• is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger of being hit by the motorist’s car.

Drivers are also required to:

• Exercise due care to avoid hitting pedestrians
• Warn pedestrians by sounding the horn when necessary
• Exercise proper caution when seeing a child or a confused or incapacitated person on a roadway