Glendale Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Pedestrian Accident Attorney In Glendale, AZ
More than 130,000 pedestrians go to emergency rooms or urgent care centers each year after being hit by a car, according to the CDC. Many of those accidents—about 6,000 per year—cause fatalities and wrongful death. Alcohol contributes to nearly half (47%) of all pedestrian deaths. If you or someone you care about has been hit by a car, semi-truck, or any other vehicle in Arizona, you may be entitled to compensation.
Contact our Glendale pedestrian accident attorney at Klink Law by calling (602) 483-6059 today for a free consultation and guidance on holding a negligent driver accountable.
What To Do If You’ve Been Hit By A Car
With more people walking or using public transportation, pedestrian accidents have increased on public roads. Drivers who are distracted or not paying attention often strike people who are crossing streets or walking nearby. In these situations, the pedestrian bears the physical and emotional costs. After a pedestrian injury in Arizona, remember these important steps:
- Call the police and make a report. Your report can be crucial in establishing the context of the event.
- Takedown witness information at the scene. Witness testimonies can provide invaluable support for your case.
- Take photos and video of the accident scene. Visual evidence can vividly illustrate the scene's details.
- Collect as much of your own evidence as possible, including names, police reports, and so on. Comprehensive documentation is essential.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Prioritize your health while obtaining medical records for legal use.
- Call a pedestrian accident attorney in Glendale, AZ. Professional advice can guide your next steps effectively.
- Don’t speak to an insurance adjuster until you’ve had a consultation with an attorney. Protect your rights by ensuring that you’re adequately represented.
Taking action quickly can improve both your physical recovery and the outcome of your legal claim. Early steps help preserve critical evidence, and prompt medical care reduces the risk of hidden injuries. Contacting a pedestrian accident lawyer from our team helps you understand your options and avoid costly mistakes with insurance companies.
Proving Driver Negligence In An Arizona Pedestrian Accident
In most pedestrian accident cases, the primary issue is whether a driver acted negligently or failed to use reasonable care. An experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in Glendale, AZ who has handled personal injury cases will know how to build a strong case. Proving negligence usually requires evidence of four specific elements.
Duty
The law requires drivers to use caution when they see people on the road. If a driver does not follow this duty, accidents can happen that harm pedestrians.
Breach
If a driver fails to act the way a reasonable person would in the same situation, they breach their legal duty. In Arizona, these are some basic duties drivers must observe. Breaching this duty and causing an injury may make a driver liable for damages.
- Follow the speed limit or drive at a safe speed given road or weather conditions.
- Stop at a red light or stop sign to allow pedestrians to cross.
- Watch for pedestrians at a crosswalk or a well-known crossing.
- Stop for a school bus that was letting off children.
- Check for pedestrians before backing out of a parking space.
- Yield the right of way to pedestrians walking in a parking lot.
Courts also look at whether the driver became distracted by using a phone, GPS, or another object. Evidence such as camera footage or witness statements can help demonstrate whether the driver met or failed this duty of care.
Causation
To succeed in a claim, you need to show that the driver's actions directly caused your injuries. For instance, if a driver's carelessness put you or others in harm’s way and injuries followed, their conduct may satisfy the causation requirement.
After lawyers confirm the link between the injury and the accident, they can pursue compensation based on the complete set of losses. Legal teams often work with health professionals to demonstrate how a particular injury relates to the collision, which strengthens proof of causation.
Damages
Pedestrian accident victims may suffer injuries and property damage. These can include substantial physical and emotional harm, time away from work, and growing expenses. Without a pedestrian accident attorney in Glendale working on your case, you may not receive the full compensation you need to cover your damages.
Lawyers calculate damages by reviewing more than medical bills. Claims often include compensation for lasting pain, a reduced ability to enjoy life, lost future earnings, and permanent disability. By considering both current and future losses, you present a stronger legal claim.
Arizona Pedestrian Laws & Safety Tips
Learning and following Arizona pedestrian laws keeps you safer and may strengthen your legal claim. The law expects pedestrians to make their actions easy for drivers to predict. Success in a legal case grows when your pedestrian accident attorney in Glendale can show that you followed every rule. Stay alert and follow these critical laws to avoid risk:
Arizona law requires pedestrians to cross at marked crosswalks where available and avoid crossing between parked cars or outside specific areas. Pedestrians have rights but must also follow rules—such as obeying traffic signals and not stepping into traffic unexpectedly. Violating these rules may impact your claim, especially if a court finds your actions contributed to the accident. State statutes also ban walking along highways where sidewalks are present. Review the law before walking to help protect your rights and your safety.
Common Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents cause many types of injuries, from minor scrapes to devastating harm. Broken bones, concussions, and brain injuries are common. People often suffer back or neck injuries that can require months or years of care. Severe impacts can also cause organ damage, deep cuts, or joint injuries that limit mobility.
Sometimes these injuries lead to lasting disabilities that affect a person’s home and work life. Hospital stays, physical therapy appointments, and pain management frequently follow. Children and older adults face special risks and may need longer recovery times. Knowing the scope of possible injuries helps families make informed choices about medical care and legal support after a pedestrian accident.
Comparative Fault Rules in Arizona Pedestrian Claims
Arizona applies comparative fault in personal injury cases, including pedestrian accidents. This means more than one person can share responsibility for an incident. If a pedestrian’s own actions—like crossing against a light—contribute to the crash, the court may reduce their compensation by the percentage of fault assigned to them.
Even if a pedestrian bears some responsibility, they can still recover damages if another party contributed to the harm. Insurance adjusters often argue that a pedestrian’s conduct played a role to lower settlement offers. Collecting thorough evidence strengthens your position and supports a fair assessment of fault. A pedestrian accident attorney in Glendale can help you address comparative fault and pursue the maximum possible recovery under Arizona law.
Why Klink Law is the Right Choice
Compassionate Service With Proven Results
-
Community CommitmentAs a proud member of Glendale, we serve our neighbors with compassion and respect, aiming to positively impact their lives through exceptional legal representation.
-
Relentless Pursuit of JusticeWe tirelessly fight for injured individuals, dedicated to securing maximum compensation regardless of case complexity.
-
Client-Centered AdvocacyAt Klink Law, we prioritize our clients' needs, offering personalized attention and tailored strategies to support each unique case.
-
Accessible Legal SupportAt Klink Law, we believe in making quality legal representation accessible to all. With free consultations, getting started is easy—contact us today to begin your journey toward justice.
Arizona Pedestrian Accident Statistics
Pedestrian accidents remain a serious concern across Arizona. According to AZ Central, from 2012 to 2019, motor vehicles killed 1,202 pedestrians in the state. In 2018, 245 pedestrians died on Arizona roads—the highest annual total during that period. That year, Arizona ranked fourth highest for pedestrian fatalities nationwide, behind only Florida, Louisiana, and New Mexico.
- Pedestrian deaths have continued to climb since 2010, when they accounted for 16% of all traffic fatalities. Between 2008 and 2019, pedestrian fatalities grew by 46%, while other vehicle accident deaths increased by just 5%.
- A larger proportion of Black, Indian, and People of Color have been killed in these incidents than their overall share of the population, while white/non-Hispanic individuals make up a smaller share of victims.
- Data shows pedestrians face greater risks at night, away from intersections, or close to home. Over the last 10 years, nighttime deaths have gone up 54%, while daytime fatalities rose only 16%.
- Alcohol impairment by the driver or pedestrian appeared in nearly half of all crashes that caused a pedestrian fatality.
- SUVs are tied to a much larger increase in fatal pedestrian crashes than passenger cars. SUV-involved deaths rose 69% over the last decade, compared to a 46% growth linked to passenger vehicle collisions.
Several factors contribute to these statistics, including changing city development, more people walking in business and residential areas, and a wider variety of vehicles on the road. Safety programs and education campaigns aim to prevent injuries, but accident rates remain high. Staying informed about the risks can help promote better safety habits and guide public efforts toward improvements that protect pedestrians throughout Arizona.
Our FAQ
Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 602-483-6059 today!
-
Can Pedestrians In Arizona Walk Along The Side Of The Road?
In Arizona, pedestrians are allowed to walk along the road’s edge as long on a sidewalk. Pedestrians must use any available sidewalk in Arizona. If there is no sidewalk, or if it ends abruptly, then a pedestrian can legally walk on the actual road so long as they stay on the far shoulder. They also have to walk in the opposite direction of traffic so that approaching motorists may see them clearly. Runners should obey all of the same regulations as walkers including running or jogging head-on toward oncoming vehicles.
-
Where Do Most Child Pedestrian Accidents Occur?
Young children are frequently less aware of their surroundings and the risks posed by moving vehicles. Because children are tiny, drivers may have a hard time locating them. This is exactly why when driving through regions that are likely to have more young children, motorists must be extra cautious. For example, the following areas are especially active with younger children:
- Residential neighborhoods
- School zones
- Shopping areas
- Parks and playgrounds
- Recreational areas
It’s also critical for parents to educate their children about the risks of vehicles and roadways. The dangers associated with walking through parking lots and crossing roads should be highlighted. If at all possible, parents should accompany their young toddlers on roadways while holding them or carrying them if they have outgrown a stroller. If your child has been injured by a negligent motorist, contact our Glendale pedestrian accident attorney today.
-
Do I Have A Pedestrian Accident Claim If I Was Jaywalking?
Yes. You are not immediately disqualified from seeking compensation for your injuries if you do not use a crosswalk. Pedestrians and bicyclists have an elevated responsibility of care when they share the road with drivers, therefore they must be carefully watched for. The court may decrease your settlement amount if it rules in your favor, depending on the specifics of your case. Although jaywalking does not help your case, it does not mean your accident is thrown out. That’s why having an experienced Glendale pedestrian accident attorney is so important to a successful personal injury claim.
Curious about the person fighting for your rights? Discover Attorney Klink's journey, passion for justice, and commitment to his clients. Learn how his experience can make a difference in your case!
