by Zayed Al-Sayyed

Pedestrian AccidentsJanuary 28, 20230 comments

Pedestrian Accidents in Arizona

Did you know that the number of pedestrian deaths in Arizona is 62 percent higher than the national average? Thanks to year-round sunshine and plentiful sidewalks, we live in an incredibly walkable state. Unfortunately, that also means that pedestrian accidents in Arizona are more common than they are in most states.

Today, our legal experts are diving deeper into this topic and revealing everything you should know about pedestrian accidents in Arizona. Stay tuned and feel free to reach out if you still have questions after reading this blog post.

Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Knowing how accidents occur can help to prevent them from taking place. Let’s go over some of the main causes of pedestrian accidents in Arizona.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving includes everything from applying makeup to fiddling with the GPS, and it’s a leading cause of pedestrian accidents. When drivers pay attention to their food, drink, phones, or passengers, they are less likely to notice pedestrians crossing the street.

Speeding

In Arizona, speeding is considered to be a form of reckless driving. That’s because it’s harder to maintain control of a speeding vehicle. Unfortunately, when pedestrians are struck by speeding vehicles, they are far more likely to sustain life-threatening injuries.

Taking a Left-Hand Turn

Left-hand turns are another common cause of pedestrian accidents in Arizona. Oftentimes, when drivers are focused on clearing the intersection, they forget to check the adjacent crosswalk for pedestrians. In this instance, pedestrians have the right of way. However, drivers might not realize they are there until it’s too late.

Arizona Pedestrian Laws

So, what should Arizona drivers know about pedestrian laws? Aside from exercising extreme caution, drivers are expected to do the following:

• Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks 
• Avoid passing another vehicle when it’s stopped at a crosswalk 
• Avoid passing a school bus when its stop sign is extended (and lights are flashing)
• Reduce speed to 15mph or less when traveling through a school zone 

Determining Fault of Pedestrian Accidents in Arizona

When pedestrian accidents in Arizona occur, who is to blame? Is it the pedestrian illegally crossing the road? Or the driver who wasn’t paying attention? As experts in Arizona traffic law, we can attest that the answer is both.

All Arizona drivers are required to obey traffic laws and drive with caution. So if they breach that duty and cause a pedestrian accident, they can be sued for negligence.

However, Arizona pedestrians also have a duty to obey traffic laws and exercise caution. If a pedestrian fails to do so (say they dart out into the middle of a busy roadway), they can also be sued for negligence.

If you’re not sure who is at fault for your pedestrian accident, enlisting the assistance of an experienced pedestrian accident attorney can help you to determine that.

Phoenix Car Accident Attorneys

If you or a loved one have been involved in a pedestrian accident in Arizona, the next step is to meet with a pedestrian accident attorney. With ample experience in this area, the attorneys here at The Law Office of Zayed Al-Sayyed can help you navigate the personal injury claim process and determine how to move forward.

With our team by your side, you can expect to benefit from the full force of our famous Aggressive Compassionate Representation. Contact us today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.