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Being struck by a vehicle is one of the most traumatic experiences a person can go through. If you or someone you love was hurt while walking in the Phoenix or Scottsdale area, understanding Arizona pedestrian accident laws is the first step toward protecting your rights. Arizona has specific statutes that govern who has the right of way, when a driver is liable, and how much compensation you may be able to recover. This page breaks it all down in plain language — and if you have questions about your specific situation, our Pedestrian Accidents attorneys are ready to help.

Who Has the Right of Way Under Arizona Law?

Arizona law is clear that pedestrians generally have the right of way in marked crosswalks and at intersections — but the rules are more nuanced than most people realize. Under ARS § 28-792, drivers must yield to pedestrians who are lawfully in a crosswalk. However, the same statute also places responsibilities on pedestrians: you cannot suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and step into the path of a vehicle that is so close it is impossible for the driver to yield.

Outside of crosswalks, the rules shift. Under ARS § 28-793, a pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection must yield the right of way to vehicles. This does not mean a driver is free from responsibility — far from it. Drivers still have a duty to exercise due care at all times to avoid striking pedestrians. The key takeaway is that both parties share responsibilities on Arizona roads.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Arizona

Arizona consistently ranks among the most dangerous states in the country for pedestrians. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), hundreds of pedestrians are killed or seriously injured on Arizona roads every year. The most common causes our team sees include:

• Distracted driving — texting, phone use, or in-car distractions
• Failure to yield at crosswalks or intersections
• Speeding, which dramatically reduces a driver's reaction time
• Impaired driving — alcohol or drugs
• Poor lighting — many crashes occur at night or at dusk
• Left-turn collisions, where drivers focus on oncoming traffic and miss pedestrians

If any of these factors contributed to your accident, the driver — and potentially other parties — may be held liable for your injuries. Our car accident attorneys have extensive experience investigating exactly these kinds of collisions.

Arizona's Comparative Fault Rules and How They Affect Your Claim

One concern we hear from injured pedestrians all the time is: "What if the insurance company says I was partly at fault?" This is a legitimate worry, but it does not necessarily bar you from recovering compensation. Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence system under ARS § 12-2505. That means even if you are found to be partially at fault for your own injuries — say, 30% — you can still recover the remaining 70% of your damages from the at-fault driver.

Insurance companies routinely try to inflate a pedestrian's share of the blame in order to reduce what they have to pay. Having an experienced attorney in your corner is one of the most effective ways to push back against unfair fault assignments. For a deeper dive into how this works, read our related post on Arizona Comparative Negligence Law Explained.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Pedestrian Accident?

Pedestrian accidents often cause catastrophic injuries — broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and worse — because the human body simply has no protection against a vehicle. Arizona law allows injured pedestrians to seek compensation for a broad range of losses, including:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life

In cases where a driver's conduct was especially reckless — such as driving while intoxicated — Arizona courts may also award punitive damages designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior.

The Role of Insurance in Arizona Pedestrian Claims

Arizona requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance, but minimum limits are often far too low to cover serious pedestrian injuries. Under Arizona law, the minimum required bodily injury coverage is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident — amounts that can be exhausted quickly when hospital bills and rehabilitation costs are involved.

Your own auto insurance policy may also play a role. If you have uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, it can step in to cover the gap if the at-fault driver's policy is insufficient or if the driver flees the scene. This is one reason we strongly encourage Arizona residents to carry robust UM/UIM coverage — it protects you even as a pedestrian.

The Arizona Statute of Limitations for Pedestrian Accident Claims

Time matters enormously in personal injury cases. In Arizona, the general statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of the accident, under ARS § 12-542. Miss that deadline and you almost certainly lose your right to sue — no matter how strong your case. There are limited exceptions (for example, cases involving government vehicles have a much shorter notice requirement), but you should never count on an exception applying to your situation. For more detail, see our post on the Arizona Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury claims.

What to Do Immediately After a Pedestrian Accident in Arizona

The steps you take in the hours and days after being struck by a vehicle can significantly affect the outcome of your claim. Here is what we advise:

• Call 911 — get police and medical help on the scene immediately
• Seek medical attention right away, even if you feel okay — some injuries are not immediately apparent
• Document the scene — photographs, witness names and contact information, and the driver's insurance details
• Do not give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver's insurance company without speaking to an attorney first
• Contact a pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible to preserve evidence and protect your rights

How Sher Law Group Can Help You Navigate Arizona Pedestrian Accident Laws

Understanding Arizona pedestrian accident laws is one thing; applying them effectively to win fair compensation is another. At Sher Law Group PLLC, our personal injury lawyers handle pedestrian accident cases on a contingency-fee basis — meaning you pay nothing unless we win. We investigate accidents thoroughly, deal directly with insurance companies, and fight for the full compensation our clients deserve.

If you or a loved one has been injured while walking in the Phoenix or Scottsdale area, call us today at 480-418-7437 for a free, no-obligation consultation. You have rights under Arizona law — let us help you enforce them.