Pedestrian Accidents

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Phoenix Pedestrian Accident Attorney

In Arizona, pedestrians include people who are traveling on foot, as well as runners, skateboarders, and people in manual or motorized wheelchairs. When a pedestrian is struck by a larger vehicle, they can suffer debilitating or even fatal injuries because there is no buffer between their body and the force of the vehicle colliding with them. At the Saavedra Law Firm, our Phoenix pedestrian accident lawyer may be able to represent you if you were injured or if a loved one was killed by a careless driver.

Claims Based on Pedestrian Accidents

In Arizona, drivers must use reasonable care to avoid hitting pedestrians. Generally, drivers using reasonable care should:

  • Yield to pedestrians crossing in a crosswalk,
  • Drive 15 mph or slower when passing through a school zone,
  • Avoid traveling around another vehicle when it is stopped in a crosswalk, and
  • Avoid traveling around a school bus if its lights are flashing.

Likewise, pedestrians are supposed to use reasonable care when traveling on or near roadways. Pedestrians should:

  • Yield the right of way to vehicles when they are not in a crosswalk,
  • Avoid crossing anywhere but a marked crosswalk between two adjacent controlled intersections,
  • Follow traffic signals at intersections,
  • Avoid running suddenly into the road,
  • Avoid walking on the roadway if there is a sidewalk available, and
  • Walk on the left or on the shoulder facing traffic when there is no sidewalk.

When a driver fails to use reasonable care, and this failure causes a pedestrian accident, the driver may be held accountable in a personal injury lawsuit. Most of the time, lawsuits arising out of a pedestrian accident result from negligence. To establish driver negligence, a pedestrian accident attorney in the Phoenix area will need to prove a duty of care, a breach of the duty, causation, and damages. If the vehicle is owned or operated by a government entity, additional notice requirements may be necessary prior to submitting a claim. A driver may breach the duty to use reasonable care by speeding through a school zone or by failing to stop at a red light and hitting a pedestrian in the crosswalk. Sometimes drivers breach the duty to use reasonable care by failing to yield to a pedestrian crossing the street in the crosswalk when they are making a turn.

A driver sometimes will defend a case by asserting a pedestrian’s comparative negligence. Like drivers, pedestrians have a duty to use reasonable care. There are instances in which both the driver and the pedestrian are at fault, but the driver’s insurer and attorney are likely to emphasize all the ways in which the pedestrian is at fault to avoid paying damages. Under the doctrine of comparative negligence, the amount that you can recover is reduced by your degree of fault or the extent to which your breach of duty of care contributed to the accident. For example, if the total damages are $1,000,000, and the jury assigns you 50% of the fault and assigns the driver 50% of the fault, your Phoenix pedestrian accident attorney will be able to hold the driver accountable for $500,000 in damages.

Damages in Pedestrian Accident Cases

Common injuries sustained in pedestrian accidents include broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, soft tissue injuries, and death. The amount of damages to which you are entitled depends on the extent and nature of your injuries. You can recover compensation for both non-economic and economic losses if you can establish liability. Economic damages often include medical bills, medical equipment, prescription drugs, lost wages, replacement services, and alterations to your home. For example, if you suffer spinal cord damage, you may be paralyzed, and you may require a wheelchair, the installation of a wheelchair ramp in your home, and housekeeping services for tasks that you are no longer able to do on your own. These losses may be quantified and recovered. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Hire an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have been injured or if a loved one has been killed in a pedestrian accident, you should discuss your situation with a seasoned pedestrian accident lawyer in the Phoenix area. Freddy Saavedra represents pedestrians and their families across Maricopa County. Call us at (602) 878-6625 or complete our online form.

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How can a pedestrian accident lawyer help me?

It is not recommended that you represent yourself for a legal case because there are so many advantages to having a pedestrian accident lawyer from Phoenix, Peoria, or Maricopa County, AZ, who residents rely on fighting for you and your interests. Your Phoenix area pedestrian accident lawyer is experienced in injury law and can provide you with the legal advice you need to get the most compensation possible for your injuries and suffering. Legal cases can be complex, so having a legal professional working for you will likely be a wise decision for you. Depending on the severity of your injuries or of your loved ones, it can also be an emotional process, making it more difficult to handle on your own. Your lawyer understands this and will be glad to handle the legal process for you so that you can focus on your recovery.

Can a pedestrian be at fault for an injury from a car?

It is possible for the pedestrian in an accident to be considered at fault or partially at fault for an accident, even when they are the ones who likely suffered the most (if not all) injuries. Just like cars have road rules and laws to follow, pedestrians also have rules to follow, such as not crossing streets outside of a crosswalk. However, no matter the circumstances of your accident, it is recommended that you speak with an experienced Phoenix area pedestrian accident lawyer who can discuss your options with you.

When should I call a pedestrian accident lawyer?

After being injured as a pedestrian, time is of the essence for filing an injury claim for recovery of damages. Therefore, the sooner you talk with a pedestrian accident lawyer from Saavedra Law Firm, PLC, the better. Your lawyer will need time to investigate your case, review the details, interview witnesses, prepare a strategy, file the claim, and more. The more time you and your lawyer have, the better it will be for you and your case, with a better chance of a positive outcome.

Do I have a strong case?

Determining the strength of your case will be the job of your pedestrian accident lawyer. They have the experience and knowledge needed to evaluate the details of your accident and help determine what value should be put on your damages. Your lawyer will review multiple details and factors related to your case and explain their determination to both you and the court when the time comes. You can help your lawyer with this by providing them with all of your medical bills, the cost of damage to any property, proof of lost wages, and any other documentation you have.

What are common pedestrian accidents?

Typically, pedestrian accidents that result in serious injuries involve cars. Pedestrians and cars don’t mix well, which is why roads have been set up to separate them as much as possible, but unfortunately, accidents still happen. Accidents often occur in crosswalks, parking lots, streets with parking along them, residential neighborhoods, parks, and more. Whatever your situation, a pedestrian accident lawyer in Phoenix, Peoria, and Maricopa County, AZ, can help!

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