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If you or someone you love has been struck by a vehicle while walking, understanding pedestrian right of way laws in Arizona is one of the first steps toward protecting your legal rights. Arizona has specific statutes that govern when pedestrians have the right of way, when drivers must yield, and what happens when someone ignores those rules. Knowing where you stand — legally speaking — can make a significant difference in the outcome of a personal injury claim.

The Foundation: Arizona's Pedestrian Right of Way Laws

Arizona's pedestrian traffic laws are primarily found in ARS Title 28, Chapter 7, which covers pedestrian rights and duties on public roads. These statutes create a framework that both drivers and walkers are expected to follow. Here are the core rules you should know:

• Crosswalks at signalized intersections (ARS § 28-646): When a pedestrian has a "Walk" signal, vehicles must yield to that pedestrian. Drivers turning at a green light must still stop and wait for any pedestrian lawfully crossing.
• Unmarked and marked crosswalks (ARS § 28-792): Drivers must yield the right of way to a pedestrian crossing within any marked crosswalk — or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. An unmarked crosswalk exists at virtually every intersection where two roadways meet, even if there are no painted lines on the pavement.
• Pedestrians outside of crosswalks (ARS § 28-793): If a pedestrian crosses at a point other than a crosswalk, they must yield to vehicles on the roadway. However, this does not eliminate a driver's duty to exercise reasonable care to avoid hitting someone in the road.
• Drivers must exercise due care (ARS § 28-794): Regardless of where a pedestrian is located, every driver in Arizona is required to exercise due care to avoid colliding with a pedestrian, sound a horn when necessary, and take proper precautions when a child or an obviously confused or incapacitated person is on the road.

These laws make one thing clear: pedestrians are among the most vulnerable people on Arizona roads, and drivers carry a heavy legal responsibility to protect them.

Crosswalks in Arizona: Marked vs. Unmarked

One of the most common misconceptions we hear from injured pedestrians is, "There was no crosswalk painted there, so I didn't think I had the right of way." That's not how Arizona law works. Under ARS § 28-601, an unmarked crosswalk is defined as the extension of sidewalk lines across an intersection — meaning most intersections have a legal crosswalk, even without paint or signs.

This distinction matters enormously in a personal injury case. A driver who strikes a pedestrian at an unmarked intersection crosswalk may still be fully liable for failing to yield. If you were hurt under these circumstances, our Pedestrian Accidents team can help you evaluate your options.

What About Jaywalking in Arizona?

"Jaywalking" — crossing mid-block outside of a designated crosswalk — is addressed under ARS § 28-793. A pedestrian who crosses outside a crosswalk must yield to traffic. However, the law does not give drivers a free pass to hit someone simply because that person was jaywalking. Drivers still have a duty to exercise reasonable care.

Arizona follows a pure comparative fault system (ARS § 12-2505), which means your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you are not automatically barred from recovering damages. For example, if you were found 30% at fault for jaywalking but the driver was 70% at fault for speeding, you could still recover 70% of your total damages. You can learn more about how fault is divided in Arizona in our blog post on Arizona Comparative Negligence Law Explained.

School Zones, Crosswalk Guards, and Special Pedestrian Protections

Arizona provides additional pedestrian protections in certain settings:

• School crossing guards: Under ARS § 28-798, drivers must obey the directions of school crossing guards. Failure to do so can result in traffic citations and significantly strengthens a civil injury claim.
• Blind pedestrians (ARS § 28-796): Drivers must yield the right of way to any pedestrian using a white cane or accompanied by a guide dog. This duty applies at all locations on the roadway, not just crosswalks.
• Highway and freeway walking (ARS § 28-795): Pedestrians are generally prohibited from walking on controlled-access highways except in emergencies.

Common Scenarios Where Drivers Violate Arizona Pedestrian Laws

Our personal injury lawyers regularly see pedestrian crashes that stem from a handful of recurring driver behaviors:

• Failing to yield at marked or unmarked crosswalks
• Turning right on red without checking for crossing pedestrians
• Speeding through school zones or residential neighborhoods
• Distracted driving — texting or using a phone while approaching an intersection
• Failing to account for reduced visibility at night or during monsoon storms
• Backing out of driveways or parking lots without checking for foot traffic

Phoenix and Scottsdale are consistently among the more dangerous metro areas in the U.S. for pedestrians, with high-speed arterial roads, wide intersections, and intense sun glare creating hazardous conditions year-round. If a driver violated any of the statutes listed above and you were hurt as a result, that violation is strong evidence of negligence.

What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Arizona

If you've been hit by a car as a pedestrian, the steps you take immediately after the accident can directly affect your claim:

• Call 911 and get a police report — officers will document the scene and note any traffic law violations
• Seek medical attention right away, even if you feel okay — injuries like traumatic brain injury or internal bleeding may not be immediately obvious
• Photograph the scene, your injuries, the crosswalk or intersection, and any vehicle damage
• Get contact information from witnesses
• Do not give a recorded statement to the driver's insurance company before speaking with an attorney
• Contact a pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible — Arizona's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident (ARS § 12-542)

Medical bills after a serious pedestrian accident can be overwhelming. For guidance on how those bills get handled in the aftermath of a crash, take a look at our article on Arizona Car Accident Medical Bills — Who Pays?

How Sher Law Group Can Help After a Pedestrian Accident

At Sher Law Group PLLC, we understand how devastating it is to be seriously injured simply while walking — to work, to school, across a parking lot, or through your own neighborhood. Our car accident attorneys and pedestrian injury team know Arizona's pedestrian right of way laws inside and out, and we use that knowledge to build the strongest possible case for our clients.

We handle every aspect of your claim — from gathering evidence and negotiating with insurers to taking your case to trial if necessary. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win. If you'd like to talk through what happened, call us at 480-418-7437 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We serve clients throughout the Phoenix metro area, including Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, and surrounding communities.

Understanding pedestrian right of way laws in Arizona is the first step. The next step is making sure your rights are protected by an experienced team that knows how to fight for you.