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.
Every pedestrian claim in Arizona starts with the same question: who had the right of way, and did either side act unreasonably. Insurance adjusters move quickly, often before treatment is finished, looking for anything that shifts fault onto the person who was walking. Scene evidence matters most: skid marks, signal timing, vehicle speed, and what witnesses actually saw rather than assumed. Medical documentation matters too, since a gap in treatment gives the adjuster a reason to discount your injuries. As a pedestrian accident lawyer in Scottsdale, our firm gathers this evidence early, before it disappears. Expect an investigation phase, then negotiation, and litigation only if the insurer will not offer a fair value.
If you were hurt walking in Scottsdale or anywhere in the Valley, get medical care first and let the paperwork wait. Once you call us, we open our own investigation, request surveillance footage before it disappears, and identify every insurance policy that may apply, including your own auto coverage. We handle communication with the insurance company so you are not pressured into a recorded statement or an early offer that undervalues your recovery. Our experienced and friendly attorney will explain your legal rights in plain language and walk you through what typically comes next. There is no cost to sit down with us and no obligation to move forward. We are simply here to answer your questions.
You may still have a pedestrian injury claim, since fault depends on the location and who had the right of way. We review the specific facts before explaining how your case is likely to be treated.
No, a police report is not the final word on fault. Arizona’s comparative fault rule lets you recover under most circumstances even when you share some responsibility.
Yes, though we recommend not giving another statement without talking to us first. Adjusters ask questions in ways that can be used to reduce your claim later.
Yes, many pedestrian injury clients do not have health insurance, and there are often ways to get treatment started while the claim is pending. Getting care quickly also helps document your injuries.