Phoenix Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Phoenix, Arizona: Help After You Were Hit While Walking
If you or someone you love was a pedestrian hit by a car in Phoenix, a pedestrian accident lawyer in Phoenix can explain your rights before the driver's insurance company decides who was to blame. Valley Accident Law serves Phoenix clients from our Scottsdale office, and Charles Paglialunga has 32 years of Arizona accident experience. Most Arizona injury claims must be filed within two years, so call early.
- Filing deadline
- 2 years from the crash
- A.R.S. 12-542(1)
- City or public bus
- Notice of claim within 180 days
- A.R.S. 12-821.01
- Your own coverage
- Uninsured and underinsured notice within 3 years
- A.R.S. 12-555
- Fault rule
- Pure comparative fault, no percentage bar
- A.R.S. 12-2505
Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Phoenix: When the Driver Says You Stepped Out
A person on foot has no protection against a car. Even at low speeds a collision can cause broken bones, head injuries, and long recoveries. After the crash, the driver's insurer often starts with one argument: that the pedestrian should have been somewhere else, crossed somewhere else, or was not visible.
Valley Accident Law represents people hurt across the Phoenix metro. We are in Scottsdale at 5635 N Scottsdale Rd, Suite 170, Scottsdale, AZ 85250, and we serve Phoenix clients, starting by phone if you are in the hospital or still recovering. Charles Paglialunga is a Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum member. Our experienced and friendly attorney will explain your legal rights in plain language. Request your free case review.
If you want the Scottsdale version of this page, see our Scottsdale pedestrian accident lawyer page. For the statewide guide, see our page for an Arizona pedestrian accident lawyer.
Arizona
Where Pedestrians Are Hurt in Phoenix
Phoenix was built around the car, with wide arterials, long distances between crossings, and heavy turning traffic. These corridors are where pedestrian crashes are a particular concern.
Camelback Road and Indian School Road
Wide arterials with long crossings and drivers turning on green.
Thomas Road and McDowell Road
Busy east-west streets with bus stops and many businesses on both sides.
Grand Avenue (US-60)
A diagonal road with angled intersections and railroad crossings that complicate where people cross.
Central Avenue and the light rail corridor
People walk between stations, bus stops, and destinations while trains, cars, and bicycles share the street.
Downtown near Footprint Center and Chase Field
Event crowds, rideshare pickup traffic, and drivers unfamiliar with the area.
Phoenix Police Department
Generally writes the report for pedestrian crashes on city streets.
In a Crosswalk or Not: How Fault Is Argued in a Phoenix Pedestrian Case
Arizona law generally gives drivers the duty to yield to a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk, and generally asks pedestrians to yield to vehicles when crossing outside one. The details matter, and many cases fall in between.
When you were in a marked crosswalk or at a signal
- The driver's duty to yield is usually the center of the case.
- Signal timing, camera footage, and witnesses can show who had the right of way.
- Insurers still look for distraction or a late start across the street.
- A pedestrian hybrid beacon (HAWK signal) can matter if it was working.
When you were crossing elsewhere
- Fault may be shared, and the insurer will point to your share.
- Arizona is pure comparative fault, so a shared fault percentage reduces your recovery instead of ending it.
- Lighting, distance to the nearest crossing, and the driver's speed all come into play.
- A driver who was speeding, distracted, or impaired can still carry most of the fault.
Hazards That Come Up in Phoenix Pedestrian Crashes
Each of these raises different evidence questions.
- Dusk and dark streets
On some streets lighting can be poor, and a driver may claim the pedestrian was not visible. Lighting records and the time of sunset can matter.
- Right-turn and left-turn drivers
A driver looking for a gap in traffic may not look for a person in the crosswalk.
- Bus stops and transit riders
People cross to reach a bus or train, sometimes far from a marked crossing. If a public bus is involved, a 180-day notice rule may apply.
- Sun glare
Low sun on east-west streets can blind a driver at sunrise and sunset.
- Hit-and-run crashes
Leaving the scene of a crash with injuries is a felony in Arizona (A.R.S. 28-661 and 28-663). Your own uninsured motorist coverage may matter if the driver is never found.
Where Compensation May Come From in a Phoenix Pedestrian Case
A pedestrian does not carry liability insurance for a car, but your own policies may still protect you. We review every layer before we tell you what a claim is realistically worth.
| Source | What to know | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| The driver's liability coverage | The minimum limits are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury | A.R.S. 28-4009 |
| Your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage | Your insurer must offer it in writing, and you may reject it | A.R.S. 20-259.01 |
| Notice to your own insurer | Written notice within 3 years, with special start dates | A.R.S. 12-555 |
| A public entity such as the City of Phoenix | Notice of claim within 180 days | A.R.S. 12-821.01 |
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes as cited
Step by step
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Phoenix
These steps are about protecting your claim, not medical advice.
- 1
Get medical care first.
A medical record from the day of the crash helps connect your injuries to it, and some injuries show no or seemingly minor symptoms at first.
- 2
Make sure the Phoenix Police Department takes a report.
Ask for the report number. If you believe you were not at fault, make sure you explain this to the officer.
- 3
If safely possible, photograph the scene.
The crosswalk, signals, lighting, and the driver's vehicle, ideally before any vehicle is moved. Get witness names and phone numbers.
- 4
Do not agree to a recorded statement.
You are not required to, and early statements are used to assign you fault.
- 5
Call us early.
Insurance companies and attorneys often negotiate the percentage of fault, so the sooner someone is on your side, the better.
Fault and Deadlines for Phoenix Pedestrians
Arizona is a pure comparative fault state (A.R.S. 12-2505). Even if a driver says you were partly to blame, you may still recover, reduced by your percentage. Our guide to Arizona comparative negligence explains how that works.
Most injury claims must be filed within two years (A.R.S. 12-542). A claim against the City of Phoenix, a public bus, or another public entity needs a notice of claim within 180 days (A.R.S. 12-821.01), and a lawsuit against a public entity generally must follow within one year after the claim accrues (A.R.S. 12-821). These rules have exceptions, so call us and we will explain how they apply to you.
Arizona
Pedestrian Accidents in the North Valley, and Where Claims Are Heard
For people hurt in north Phoenix and the North Valley, a pedestrian accident lawyer can start with the same evidence as anywhere in the city: the report, the signals, and the lighting. If a claim cannot be settled, suits from Phoenix crashes are generally filed in Maricopa County Superior Court in downtown Phoenix. Our guide to Phoenix area trauma centers shows where injured people are taken.
Maricopa County Superior Court
Downtown Phoenix, East Court Building, 101 W. Jefferson St.
Valleywise Health Medical Center
A Level I trauma center in central Phoenix.
Banner University Medical Center Phoenix
A Level I trauma center and teaching hospital.
HonorHealth John C. Lincoln Medical Center
Serves north Phoenix.
St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center
A Level I trauma center and home to the Barrow Neurological Institute.
Working With Valley Accident Law After a Pedestrian Crash
If you are looking for a pedestrian accident attorney in Phoenix, ask who will work on your case, how fees are explained, and how the firm responds when an insurer says you were at fault. Many families calling about a pedestrian accident in Phoenix are dealing with a hospital stay and a lot of questions. We will keep it plain. You pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you.
A Phoenix pedestrian accident attorney should be willing to say what they see in your facts, the good and the bad. Our experienced and friendly attorney will explain your legal rights and what your case may be worth. Call (602) 584-8054 or request your free case review. To see the other cases we take, return to our Phoenix personal injury lawyer page.
Related pages
Questions
Questions about Phoenix pedestrian accident cases
What if I was not in a crosswalk?
You may still have a claim. Arizona is a pure comparative fault state, so a share of fault reduces your recovery instead of barring it.
What if the driver left the scene?
Leaving the scene of a crash with injuries is a felony in Arizona. Your own uninsured motorist coverage may apply, and we can review your policy.
I was hit by a bus. Is that different?
It can be. A claim against a public entity requires a notice of claim within 180 days, which is much shorter than the usual two years.
Who writes the report for a pedestrian crash in Phoenix?
The Phoenix Police Department generally writes reports for crashes on city streets, and Arizona DPS generally handles freeway crashes.
How long do I have to file?
Two years for most claims, and 180 days for notice of a claim against a government entity. These rules have exceptions.
How much does it cost to hire you?
You pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you. We will explain how costs are handled during your free case review.
Free case review
Let Us Answer Your Questions About Your Pedestrian Accident
Call (602) 584-8054 or request your free case review. Our experienced and friendly attorney will explain your legal rights. The earlier you call, the better, but it's never too late to find out your legal rights.
Call any time. Office visits Monday to Friday, 9 to 5.
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