by Zayed Al-Sayyed

Pedestrian AccidentsSeptember 30, 20230 comments

Pedestrian Laws in Arizona

 Whether you are exploring the downtown area or going for a hike in a rural area, Arizona creates the perfect landscape to travel on foot. However, just like drivers have a set of laws they need to abide by on roadways, pedestrians do too.

Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents do happen. This makes it important to understand the pedestrian right of way laws in Arizona and ways to prove driver responsibility.

You may be able to receive compensation for your injuries, which is why it’s best to work with an experienced Arizona pedestrian lawyer, like the team at the Zlawyer.

Understanding Right of Way Laws in Arizona

Pedestrian right of way laws look to ensure the safety of both pedestrians and drivers. The first right of way law you should be familiar with is jaywalking. Although jaywalking isn’t specifically defined in Arizona regulations, Statute 28-793 does outline road crossing parameters.

Specifically, this statute describes that pedestrians may cross the street responsibly when no crosswalk is present. If there is a clear crosswalk, pedestrians must use it. Pedestrians must also wait until the roadway is clear to walk. An accident caused by a pedestrian walking into oncoming traffic is often the fault of the pedestrian in Arizona courts.

Each jurisdiction may impose slightly different jaywalking laws, making it important to understand the legislation you are subject to. Another right of way law deals with sidewalks. Pedestrians are not permitted to walk on the roadway when there is a sidewalk present. If there is no sidewalk, pedestrians must walk against traffic to ensure visibility by drivers.

Pedestrians don’t always have the right of way when crossing the road. The pedestrian must give the driver time to see and react to the pedestrian before they begin crossing. If ample time was not given, the pedestrian could be at fault for roadway accidents.

Ways to Prove Liability in Arizona Pedestrian Accidents

Proving liability in Arizona pedestrian accidents can become complex, especially with subjective evidence. To bolster your pedestrian case, look for the following sources of evidence:

• Video surveillance of the incident
• Photos and videos from the scene
• Eyewitness testimonials
• Accident reconstruction
• Statements from involved parties
• Vehicle dashcam footage
• Police reports

The more evidence you can gather, the stronger your case will be. In addition, filing a lawsuit shortly after the accident helps ensure that all relevant information is gathered. It’s much easier to recall what happened last month compared to over a year ago. Not to mention that Arizona has a statute of limitations on pedestrian accidents, which is generally two years from the incident.

How to Choose the Right Attorney

Working with the right attorney can help you navigate the complexities of Arizona pedestrian laws. If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident involving a negligent driver, contact one of our team members right away.

We can work alongside you from start to finish, maximizing your compensation and helping you prove driver liability. Reach out to the Zlawyer today to learn more.