According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, Arizona has the highest rate of pedestrian deaths in the United States. Although the numbers aren’t out yet for 2018, in 2017, 224 pedestrians died in accidents in the state. That put Arizona at the top for that year based on state population. Those total deaths are nearly double the national average.
Compensation Might Be Available
Our Tempe personal injury lawyers have been representing pedestrians who were injured in traffic accidents throughout five decades. Over those years, the overwhelming majority of those accidents occurred when pedestrians were in crosswalks. If you or a family member were injured when crossing a roadway as a pedestrian anywhere in the Tempe or Phoenix area, you’ll want to speak with us as soon as possible. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, you might be eligible for compensation for your injuries and damages.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
The general rule in Arizona is that pedestrians have the right-of-way when crossing a roadway at a crosswalk, but they must still use due care and caution for their own personal safety. If a pedestrian signal controls the crosswalk, they must comply with it. If there isn’t a signal, the pedestrian must check traffic going both ways before attempting to cross the roadway. Here are some common causes of pedestrian accidents in and around Tempe:
- Drivers failing to obey traffic control devices.
- Drivers erroneously believing that they have the right-of-way when a pedestrian is in a crosswalk.
- Drivers speeding or making unsafe turns.
- Pedestrians who fail to obey traffic controls.
- Distracted, drunk or impaired drivers.
- Pedestrians failing to obey traffic control devices.
- Pedestrians who suddenly cross in the middle of a roadway.
Comparative Negligence
When the pedestrian is partially at fault for an accident, a jury can consider that evidence and attribute a percentage of fault to him or her. That’s known as the law of comparative negligence. For example, if a jury determines that the claimant pedestrian was 30 percent at fault for an accident, his or her award will be reduced by 30 percent.
Don’t give any type of a statement to the opposing insurance company. It will only try to use your statement against you in future. Contact our accident attorney in tempe right away for that free consultation as soon as possible after being injured in any pedestrian accident in or around Tempe. We’ll advise you of all of your legal options.
