Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Best Phoenix Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

For over 30 years, a Phoenix pedestrian accident lawyer from Gage Mathers Law Group has worked tirelessly for clients injured in a pedestrian accident. We have secured millions of dollars in compensation for clients who have been seriously injured or lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident in Phoenix and throughout Arizona. If you or a loved one were injured in a pedestrian accident, call (602) 258-0646 to see why so many people trust us after an injury accident.

Phoenix Pedestrian Risks

Walking is a great way to get around downtown Phoenix. Unfortunately, our Phoenix pedestrian accident lawyer can tell you the city is not the safest place for pedestrians. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Arizona ranks as the 6^th highest in pedestrian fatality (2.99 deaths per 100,000 people) among all the states.

Traditionally, American roadways are not designed with pedestrian safety in mind. As a result, more than 6,516 people were hit and killed while walking along roads in the United States in 2020- 2022 of those deaths 248 occurred in Arizona. Sadly, the pedestrian death toll is still rising across the U.S.

Pedestrians are especially vulnerable when struck by a vehicle. A person hit by a car traveling at just 20 mph has a 10% risk of death occurring. Due to the heavy weight of most vehicles, severe injuries can occur even in low-speed impacts.

In Phoenix, and other parts of the Southwest, one of the most dangerous activities you can try is simply crossing the street!  Pedestrian accidents are too common. Frighteningly, most pedestrians are struck by vehicles while lawfully crossing the street at an intersection with a “walk signal” or in a crosswalk. Drivers often fail to acknowledge pedestrians or completely miss them because they are focused on other vehicles. Our Phoenix pedestrian accident lawyer has heard all the excuses.

“I did not see the pedestrian” is not a valid excuse.

Pedestrians are more vulnerable to injury than people in a car. Thus, Arizona law requires drivers to exercise due care to avoid hitting any pedestrians. But some drivers are easily distracted, others are careless, and some are simply reckless.

Do I Need A Lawyer for a Pedestrian Accident in Phoenix?

Probably.

Your case might seem simple right now, but things can get complicated very quickly. Successful personal injury claims depend on the appropriate gathering of evidence, dealing with police and witnesses, coordinating with medical providers, and fighting with insurance adjusters. Insurance adjusters will probably challenge whether you caused the accident.  Yes, insurance adjusters will blame you for the accident. Insurance adjusters will question the extent of your injuries or whether they were pre-existing. Yes, despite your broken bones and evidence of a head injury, they will claim you were not that injured. They use these tactics to save their insurance company’s money. Therefore, at a bare minimum, talk to our pedestrian accident attorney before talking to the insurance companies.

How Long Do I Have to Sue After a Pedestrian Accident in Phoenix?

In Arizona, you generally have two years from the date of your pedestrian accident to take legal action to seek compensation. However, your deadline to act drops to 180 days if a state or local entity is responsible for your accident. For example, if you are hit by a police car. There are some exceptions for minors and disabled people.

We always recommend hiring an experienced Phoenix pedestrian accident lawyer early because it can take time to investigate your claim, gather evidence, review documents, interview witnesses, and consult with experts if needed.

If the Driver Leaves the Scene, Can I Still Get Compensation?

If you have uninsured motorist insurance on your own vehicle, it usually covers injuries you suffer after the wrongful acts of a driver who flees the scene. That is why we highly recommend that all Arizona drivers obtain both uninsured motorist coverage (UM) AND underinsured motorist coverage (UIM). We meet too many people without UM/UIM insurance, who fell victim to a hit-and-run driver. For those people, there is likely no way to be compensated for their injuries.

Can I Sue if I am Hit By a Car While Crossing the Street?

​Under Arizona law, all drivers must stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk. If a vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, the driver must permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway. Even if a traffic control signal is not in place or is not in operation, the driver of a vehicle must yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian.

What are the Most Common Injuries in a Pedestrian Accident?

Cuts and bruises are to be expected in every pedestrian accident. Head injuries, like concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are also very common. Most pedestrians when hit by a car will either slam their head into the vehicle.  Even those whose heads don’t hit the vehicle will still have their head strike the ground. The impact can cause the brain to hit the inside of the skull, potentially leading to bleeding, swelling, and bruising. Phoenix pedestrian deaths are still too common.

What Type of Compensation Can I Seek After a Pedestrian Accident?

Arizona allows injury victims to pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and out-of-pocket expenses–essentially, anything that can be calculated to a specific dollar amount. Non-economic damages cover aspects of your injuries and damages that do not normally have an assigned dollar amount, like pain, suffering, disfigurement, disability, discomfort, loss of enjoyment of life, interference with familial relationships, and the general nature and extent of your injuries.

We Are Experienced Lawyers Getting Results For Arizona Pedestrian Accident Victims

Our pedestrian accident lawyer has years of experience representing pedestrians injured in accidents. If you or a loved one is injured in an accident, contact us as soon as possible.

We’ll deal with the insurance companies, help you obtain the medical treatment you need, and fight for the compensation you deserve–including compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. We have helped many clients receive fair compensation after being hit by drivers who were distracted, confused, or simply not paying attention.

If you or someone you love was a pedestrian when hit by a moving vehicle, whether in a crosswalk or not, call the experienced pedestrian accident lawyers at Gage Mathers Law Group for a free consultation.