Collisions between automobiles and pedestrians almost always have more severe consequences for the latter compared to the former, and the injuries that result from wrecks like this are all too often life-altering or even life-threatening. Despite that, holding a driver legally liable for striking you while you were walking across or near a roadway can be more complicated than you might expect, especially if you have little or no experience with civil litigation.
Fortunately, you have assistance available to you from an experienced Glendale pedestrian accident lawyer with a track record of getting good results from cases much like yours in the past thanks to Phillips Law Group. No matter where your crash happened or what specific damages you need to recover for in the aftermath, your dedicated personal injury attorney can provide custom-tailored legal support designed to get you paid fairly for every bit of harm you have sustained.
Right-of-Way Rules for Pedestrians
Under Arizona state law, pedestrians are expected to cross the street only inside marked crossways or at intersections, and they must wait for a “walk” signal whenever one is present and make sure no cars are coming before stepping out into the road. Technically speaking, though, drivers in Arizona are always supposed to yield to pedestrians no matter what, even in situations where pedestrians are not following traffic rules to the letter.
While this does not mean that drivers are always 100 percent at fault for 100 percent of pedestrian accidents in Glendale, it does mean that drivers have a slightly greater “duty of care” to prevent collisions with pedestrians than pedestrians have to prevent cars from hitting them. A qualified attorney can help make this distinction clear during settlement negotiations or civil court proceedings to get the best possible outcome from a case built around this sort of incident.
Recovering Fairly While Avoiding “Comparative Fault”
A driver found legally at fault for a pedestrian crash based on a reckless or careless “breach” of their duty of care — which could be anything from an overt traffic violation to a momentary lapse in concentration at exactly the wrong moment can then be held financially accountable for every injury and loss that crash will directly cause for the injured pedestrian. This can include both “economic” and “non-economic” damages like:
- Personal property damage
- Physical discomfort and pain
- Lost work income and/or earning capacity
- Emotional anguish and psychological trauma
- Lost quality of life and other effects of permanent disability
- Short-term and long-term medical bills, including costs associated with permanent disability
As mentioned above, though, drivers are not always found entirely at fault for this kind of incident, and any pedestrian found to have contributed to causing their own injuries through their own irresponsible behavior may have their final damage award reduced in proportion to their court-assigned percentage of “comparative fault.” This is one of many possible roadblocks to recovery which a capable pedestrian accident lawyer in Glendale could provide crucial help navigating around.
Get in Touch With a Glendale Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Drivers in Glendale and throughout Arizona have a duty to act responsibly not just around other cars, but around everyone with whom they share the road. This certainly includes pedestrians, and any person who gets seriously injured because of a driver’s negligence very likely has grounds to file suit against them and demand civil restitution for their ensuing injuries and losses.
As anyone who has pursued a case like this in the past knows, however, having the right to pursue a lawsuit and getting a favorable outcome from one are two very different things. Please don’t hesitate to contact us today to get a skilled Glendale pedestrian accident lawyer on your side and dramatically improve your chances of obtaining the compensation you deserve.
Phillips Law Group can offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your potential case with a member of our team. Give us a call today to learn more!
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