Experienced Attorneys Helping People Struck by Cars in PhoenixA pedestrian accident can lead to severe and life-changing injuries because pedestrians may have no protection between themselves and the vehicle striking them. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reported that 6,283 pedestrians sadly lost their lives and 75,000 were injured in pedestrian traffic accidents during 2018 alone. At the same time, people are turning to outdoor activities like walking, jogging and commuting on foot more often. This means that the opportunities for pedestrian accidents continue to increase. At Abels & Annes, our seasoned team of Phoenix pedestrian accident attorneys provides compassionate, responsive legal counsel to persons who have been struck by a motor vehicle. We understand how stressful this situation can be for you and your family and are ready to help you seek compensation for your injuries.
Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in ArizonaAll pedestrians walking near a roadway risk being struck by a vehicle even when they are exercising extreme caution. While drivers are supposed to exercise care to avoid colliding with pedestrians, these types of accidents still occur. Most are due to the following reasons:
- Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of pedestrian accidents. When drivers are preoccupied with their cell phones, such as when they are texting, checking email, or surfing the Internet, they may not see pedestrians on the roadway or in crosswalks. Although such drivers may not think that they have taken their eyes off the road for very long, even a few seconds can result in significant changes on the roadway ahead.
- Speeding is another common cause of pedestrian accidents. When drivers travel too quickly on the roadway, they may not be able to yield in time to avoid pedestrians walking across a driveway or in the crosswalk.
- Drunk or drugged driving are two additional causes of pedestrian accidents. Impaired drivers are unable to observe the roadway ahead as readily as sober drivers.
- Bad weather also increases the potential for a pedestrian accident. Rain, fog and ice can impair visibility and affect braking distances. In inclement weather, drivers must slow down when they cannot see clearly or when the road is wet or icy.
Children are Often Injured in Pedestrian AccidentsUnfortunately, young children seem to be more susceptible to pedestrian accidents. This is perhaps because they are not as focused on the traffic around them as adults may be. Whether chatting with friends, looking at their phones, or listening to music on headphones, children may not be as aware of approaching vehicles that may strike them.
School-age children and teenagers are more likely to be treated for pedestrian injuries in emergency rooms compared to any other age group. Still, drivers have a responsibility to exercise caution regardless of the age of the pedestrians around them. Motorists must yield to children in crosswalks and keep a lookout for kids playing in residential areas.
Seek Compensation for Your Pedestrian Accident InjuriesIf you were injured in a pedestrian accident in Phoenix, a personal injury lawyer can help you recover compensation by filing a civil lawsuit against the person or persons who may be responsible for your injuries. In this lawsuit, you will need to prove four elements.
- First, you will need to establish that the defendant owed you a duty of care. In general, drivers owe other drivers and pedestrians a duty to drive with reasonable care and skill similar to how a prudent person would drive when faced with the same situation.
- Next, you will need to show that the defendant failed to drive according to that duty. The list above shows common types of negligent driving that fall below this duty of care. For example, reasonable and prudent drivers will not read emails or send instant messages from their cell phones when driving.
- The third element is causation. If you cannot establish a causal link between the defendant’s failure to drive appropriately and the injuries that you sustained, you will not be entitled to compensation from the defendant. The defendant may attempt to offer evidence of some other substantial cause of your injuries, such as your own negligence.
- Finally, the litigation will examine the amount of damages that you are entitled to receive. Injured pedestrians may be entitled to receive compensation from negligent drivers to cover past and future medical expenses, loss of earning capacity, missed wages, and reduced quality of life. Your attorney will help you prepare your case, gather the necessary evidence, identify the responsible parties, and calculate the amount of damages to which you may be entitled.
Seek a Consultation After a Pedestrian Accident in PhoenixAlthough no amount of compensation can truly make you whole again after being struck by a negligent driver, it can help you cover the financial impact of the accident. The experienced injury lawyers at Abels & Annes are prepared to help you recover the damages that you deserve. Our team offers a free and private consultation to discuss your situation. Call now at (855) 749-5299 or contact online to get started.