Phoenix has been on the list of the most dangerous metros in the country for pedestrians for years. Wide arterials, fast traffic, long crossings, and a lot of drivers who treat the right-on-red as a glance and a roll all add up. Pedestrian crashes here tend to be severe. The car has the mass and the speed, and the person walking has none of the protection.
Valley Accident Law represents pedestrians struck in crosswalks, parking lots, residential streets, and the high-speed corridors that cut through Phoenix and Scottsdale. Founder Charles Paglialunga has 29 years of Arizona personal injury experience.
Most of the pedestrian cases we see fall into four scenarios:
Read more about Phoenix accident hotspots.
Arizona Revised Statutes lay out who has the right of way and when. The basics:
But shared fault does not end the case. Arizona is a pure comparative fault state. Even if a pedestrian is found 30 percent responsible for the crash, they still recover 70 percent of their damages. Adjusters often try to push that percentage as high as possible. We push back with the actual scene evidence: signal timing, speed of the vehicle, sight lines, and witness statements.
Pedestrian cases tend to involve serious injuries: head trauma, fractures, internal injuries, spinal damage. Recoverable damages include:
Many pedestrian cases also involve uninsured or underinsured drivers, which is why we look at every layer of coverage including the pedestrian’s own auto policy. Yes, your own auto insurance can cover you when you are walking, depending on the policy.
If you can, photograph the scene and the vehicle. Get the driver’s insurance information and license plate. Get witness names and phone numbers. Call 911 and request an officer. Get medical attention even if you think you are fine, because soft-tissue and concussion injuries often present hours or days later. Do not negotiate with the driver at the scene.
If a family member was killed in a pedestrian crash, please call us. Wrongful death cases follow a different process under Arizona law, and the people who can file are limited by statute.
Most Arizona pedestrian injury cases must be filed within two years. If a city, state, or government vehicle was involved, a notice of claim is required within 180 days.
Charles handles every pedestrian case personally. The first consultation is free. We work on contingency, which means no fee unless we recover for you.
Call 1-602-584-8054 for a free consultation.
Often yes. Arizona’s pure comparative fault rule lets you recover even with partial fault. The percentage matters, and we fight for the right one.
Your own uninsured motorist coverage may apply, even though you were walking, depending on your policy. We review every layer of coverage available.
Parking lot cases are real cases. The driver still has a duty of care. Backing-up and reverse-camera failures are common patterns.
Most resolve in 6 to 18 months. Serious injury cases with future medical needs sometimes take longer because we wait for treatment to stabilize before valuing the case.
Arizona wrongful death claims follow a separate statute. Surviving spouse, children, parents, or the estate can file. Call us and we will walk you through it.