A pedestrian accident in Arizonaโwhether youโre crossing a busy Phoenix street or walking a quiet Tucson roadโcan change everything in an instant. Youโre left with serious injuries, growing medical bills, and a future that feels out of reach. Itโs not just the crash that hits hard; itโs the battle afterwardโdealing with drivers who wonโt own up and insurance companies trying to pay you as little as possible.
At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we step in to fight for you. Whether it was a distracted driver, someone speeding, or a dangerous spot on the road, we figure out whoโs to blame and make sure you get the compensation you deserveโfor hospital visits, missed paychecks, and the pain youโre going through.
Arizonaโs streets should be safe, not a place where youโre left to suffer. With thousands of cases behind us, our team knows how to take on insurance companies and win. You donโt have to carry this weight aloneโweโre here to help you get back on your feet. Speak to an expert Arizona pedestrian accident lawyer by calling (213) 927-3700 or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation.
The WCTL Difference; Picking the Right Lawyers
Picking the right lawyer isnโt just a choice; itโs the line between getting shortchanged and securing what you need to rebuild. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, weโre built for these fights, and hereโs why Arizona victims trust us:
- Pedestrian Accident Experts, Not Middlemen โ Some firms shuffle cases to random attorneys. We donโt. Our team takes your pedestrian accident personally, handling every detail from the crash scene to the final payout.
- Your Advocates, Not Insurance Puppets โ Insurance companies love to downplay pedestrian injuriesโcalling broken legs โminorโ or pain โtemporary.โ We push back hard, negotiating fiercely and going to trial if they wonโt pay up.
- Nationally Recognized Legal Team โ Our attorneys arenโt just local players; theyโre high-profile legal analysts featured on major news networks, bringing top-tier insight to your Arizona case.
- Elite Training, Real Results โ With education from Harvard Law and other top ABA-accredited schools, our lawyers bring unmatched skill to pedestrian claims.
- Zero Upfront Costs โ We work on contingency: you pay nothing unless we win. No hidden fees, no surprisesโjust us fighting for you.
- Built for the Long Haul โ Pedestrian accidents can leave you with lifelong scarsโsurgeries, therapy, a job you canโt do anymore. We donโt settle for quick cash; we fight for a payout that matches your reality.
- Trial-Ready โ While some firms cave early, we prep every case like itโs headed to an Arizona courtroom. That confidence gets you better offers and, if push comes to shove, a win at trial.
Youโre not just a case to usโyouโre why we do this.
Do You Need an Arizona Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
Hereโs the truth: you donโt have to hire a lawyer. You could try tackling this on your ownโfiling claims, negotiating with insurers, digging up evidence. But letโs be real: the process is a grind, and itโs stacked against you. Insurance companies arenโt in the business of handing out fair checksโtheyโll lowball you or deny you outright if they can.ย
Without a lawyer, you risk walking away with less than you deserve, or worse, nothing at all. A good attorney doesnโt just level the playing fieldโthey tilt it in your favor. Our teamโs secured close to 2 billion for victims, taking on insurers with deep pockets and deeper excuses, and we know how to make them pay whatโs owed.
Arizonaโs fault-based system means youโve got to prove the other side screwed upโwhether itโs a distracted driver in Phoenix or a speeding car in Mesa. Thatโs no small task. A seasoned lawyer digs into the details: witness statements, traffic cam footage, police reportsโwhatever it takes to pin down liability and build a case that holds up. Weโre not here to mess around; weโre here to get you compensation for hospital stays, lost wages, and the pain that lingers long after the crash.
Having a Phoenix pedestrian accident attorney or any legal representation from Arizona also takes the weight off your shoulders. Youโre hurting, your familyโs stressedโlet us deal with the insurance adjusters, the paperwork, the deadlines. We cut through the chaos so you can focus on healing, not fighting a system thatโs rigged to wear you down. Sure, you could go it alone, but why risk it when the stakes are this high?
The Legal Process for Pedestrian Accident Claims in Arizona
Pursuing compensation after a pedestrian accident in Arizona can feel like a maze, but understanding the steps helps you stay on track. Hereโs the rundown from personal injury claim to payout:
Case Evaluation
It starts with a lawyer digging into your accidentโhow it happened, whoโs liable, your injuries. Theyโll map out your rights and the path to compensation.
Filing the Claim
Arizona gives you two years from the injury to file (the statute of limitations). Your lawyer drafts the claim, names the defendant (usually the driver), and submits itโoften to Maricopa Superior Court if youโre in Phoenix.
Building Your Case
Evidence rulesโphotos, medical records, witness statements. Your lawyer hustles to gather it fast, before itโs lost or forgotten.
Negotiation or Trial
Most claims settle outside court. Your lawyer battles the insurance company for a fair dealโcovering medical costs, lost wages, and pain. If they stonewall, it heads to trial for a judge or jury to decide.
Getting Paid
Once you winโwhether by settlement or verdictโthe money doesnโt hit instantly. It could take weeks, months, or even a year, depending on appeals, paperwork, or how stubborn the other side gets. Itโs the finish line, but patience is part of the deal.
Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Accident in Arizona
Getting blindsided by a car as a pedestrian is a nightmareโand what you do right after can make or break your shot at justice. The steps you take arenโt just about checking boxes; theyโre about protecting yourself and building a case that holds up. Hereโs what you need to do:
First, get medical helpโright away. Even if you feel โfineโ or just a little banged up, donโt brush it off. Injuries like concussions or internal bleeding can sneak up on you, and if you wait, youโre risking your health and your claim. A doctorโs report ties your injuries to the accident, and thatโs gold when itโs time to fight for compensation.
Next, call the police. Donโt skip this, even if the driverโs begging you not to. Cops write up an official reportโwhere it happened, who was involved, what they sawโand thatโs a lifeline for proving your side later. Without it, youโre stuck with โhe said, she said,โ and thatโs a gamble you donโt want to take.
If you can, document the scene yourself. Whip out your phone and snap photos or video: the crosswalk, the skid marks, your injuries, even your torn-up shoes or bag. Grab names and numbers from anyone who saw it go downโwitnesses can back you up when the other side tries to twist the story. Every detail you lock in now is ammo for later.
Then, talk to an Arizona pedestrian accident lawyer ASAP. You donโt have to figure this out aloneโand honestly, you shouldnโt. The clockโs ticking on evidence and deadlines, and a good attorney makes sure nothing slips through the cracks. Weโll dig into your case, size up what itโs worth, and map out the plan to get you compensatedโwhether itโs for medical bills, lost work, or the sheer hell youโve been through.
Compensation in Pedestrian Accident Cases
When youโre hurt in a pedestrian accident, compensation isnโt just a paycheckโitโs about covering the real toll it takes on your life. Knowing what you can claim helps you fight for what youโre owed, both now and down the road. Hereโs the breakdown:
Economic Damages: The Hard Costs
These are the dollars-and-cents losses you can tally up:
- Medical Bills: Hospital stays, surgeries, rehab, medsโanything tied to getting you patched up.
- Lost Wages: Money youโre out from missing work, plus future earnings if your injuries keep you sidelined long-term.
Non-Economic Damages: Pain & Suffering
This covers the stuff thatโs harder to put a price on, but just as real:
- Pain and Suffering: The physical agony and mental strain of living with injuries.
- Emotional Distress: Anxiety, sleepless nights, or trauma that lingers after the crash.
- Loss of Enjoyment: When you canโt do the things you loveโlike hiking, playing with your kids, or just feeling normal.
Punitive Damages: When They Cross the Line
- If the driver was outrageously recklessโthink drunk or speeding like a maniacโyou might get extra to punish them and send a message.
Also property damages fall under economic recovery as well, for example, Torn clothes, a smashed phone, or anything else you were carrying that got trashed in the accidentโitโs all accounted for.
Common Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents often leave victims with injuries that range from debilitating to life-threatening, underscoring the urgent need for immediate medical care and robust legal support. The human body simply isnโt built to withstand the force of a vehicle, and the consequences can ripple through every part of your life. Below are the most common injuries we see in these cases, along with why they demand attention.
- Lower Limb Injuries: Affecting roughly 50% of injured pedestrians, damage to legs and feet is the most frequent outcome. Fractures, sprains, and ligament tears can severely limit mobility, often requiring surgery or months of rehabilitation. For many, this means lost independence and a struggle to return to normal routines.
- Head, Face, and Neck Trauma: About 38% of pedestrians suffer injuries here, with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) being the most alarming. A TBI can impair cognition, motor skills, or emotional stabilityโeffects that may persist for years or a lifetime. Facial fractures and neck injuries also carry significant risks, from disfigurement to chronic pain.
- Upper Extremity Damage: Approximately 27% of victims experience fractures or soft tissue injuries to arms, hands, or shoulders. These can hinder basic tasksโworking, driving, even eatingโoften necessitating prolonged therapy to regain function.
- Internal Injuries: Collisions can rupture organs or cause internal bleeding, conditions that may not be obvious at first but can turn fatal without swift intervention. These silent threats require immediate diagnostic testing to catch and treat.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: In severe cases, the spine takes the hit, potentially leading to partial or complete paralysis. Even less extreme back injuries can result in chronic pain or limited movement, altering a victimโs quality of life indefinitely.
Age amplifies the dangerโolder pedestrians face a higher risk of severe fractures and slower recovery, while younger victims may still grapple with lifelong complications. Beyond the physical toll, these injuries often bring financial strain (medical costs, lost income) and emotional burdens (anxiety, depression) that compound the suffering.
Arizona Pedestrian Laws and Your Rights
Arizonaโs pedestrian laws strike a balance between protecting those on foot and ensuring drivers arenโt unfairly blamed. If youโre hurt in a pedestrian accident, knowing these rulesโand your rightsโcan mean the difference between a fair payout and getting stuck with nothing.
Pedestrians donโt always have the upper hand. Under A.R.S. ยง 28-793, if youโre crossing outside a marked crosswalk or an intersectionโs unmarked crosswalk, you must yield to vehicles. Step into traffic mid-blockโjaywalkingโand you could be on the hook if an accident happens. But drivers arenโt off the hook either. A.R.S. ยง 28-794 demands they use โdue careโ to avoid hitting pedestrians, even sounding the horn if needed. At crosswalks, A.R.S. ยง 28-792 flips the script: drivers must yield when youโre in their half of the road or close enough to be in danger. Violate these, and fault gets messy fast.
Arizonaโs pure comparative negligence rule (A.R.S. ยง 12-2505) adds another layer. If youโre partly to blameโsay, crossing against a signalโyour compensation drops by your share of fault. Get hit while jaywalking, and a court might find you 40% responsible; your $100,000 award shrinks to $60,000. Drivers can still owe you, but only for their slice of the blame.
Timeโs not on your side either. For most claims, youโve got two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit (A.R.S. ยง 12-542)โmiss it, and youโre out of luck. If a government vehicle or employees are involvedโlike a city busโrules tighten. You must file a notice of claim within 180 days (A.R.S. ยง 12-821.01) and sue within one year, or your case is dead. These deadlines arenโt flexible; evidence fades, and courts donโt care about excuses.
Free Case Evaluation with Top Arizona Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
You donโt have to face this alone. A pedestrian accident can shatter youโyour body, your bank account, your peace of mindโbut it doesnโt have to be the end of your story. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our Arizona pedestrian accident lawyers have recovered millions for injured clients, taking the mess of an accident and turning it into real compensation. We get it: the medical bills piling up, the paychecks youโre missing, the pain that wonโt let go. Weโre here to fight for every cent you deserve.
Take that first step now. Call our personal injury law firm at (213) 927-3700 or hit our online contact form for a free, no-pressure case evaluation. No upfront costs, no catch.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona Pedestrian Accidents
What Should I Do Immediately After a Pedestrian Accident in Arizona?
Immediately seek medical evaluation, contact the police to document the incident, gather evidence, and consult a pedestrian accident lawyer without delay. Following these steps ensures your well-being and protects your legal rights.
How Can a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Help Me?
A local Arizona or Phoenix pedestrian accident lawyer can significantly assist you by gathering vital evidence, negotiating with insurance companies, and providing expert legal representation to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries. Their expertise is crucial in navigating the complexities of your case effectively.
What Types of Compensation Can I Claim in a Pedestrian Accident Case?
You can claim compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and potentially punitive damages if reckless behavior was involved. It’s essential to know your rights to ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve.
What Are the Common Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents?
Pedestrian accidents often result in serious injuries such as lower limb injuries, head and neck injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and fractures. It’s crucial to understand these risks to promote safety and awareness on the roads.
How Long Do I Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Claim in Arizona?
You have two years from the date of the accident to file a pedestrian accident claim in Arizona, but if it’s against a government entity, you must act within 180 days. It is crucial to adhere to these timelines to preserve your rights.