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Pedestrians walking the streets of Goodyear aren’t just navigating sidewalks and intersections; they’re facing serious risks every time they step off the curb. Whether you’re crossing Estrella Parkway near Goodyear Ballpark, walking your dog near Palm Valley Boulevard, or heading to the shops along McDowell Road, a single moment of driver negligence can change your life forever.
If you’ve been hit by a car in Goodyear, you may be dealing with painful injuries, mounting medical bills, and a long road to recovery.
In these moments, understanding your rights as an injured pedestrian is critical. Arizona law offers strong protections to people walking lawfully on or near public roads, but recovering compensation isn’t automatic. Insurance companies may try to minimize your injuries or even suggest the accident was your fault. That’s where an experienced Goodyear pedestrian accident lawyer becomes an essential advocate.
Common Locations for Pedestrian Accidents in Goodyear
While a pedestrian can be struck anywhere, certain areas in Goodyear are more accident-prone due to high traffic and poor pedestrian infrastructure:
- Intersections at Litchfield Road & McDowell Road
- Near Desert Edge High School and Goodyear Community Park
- Crosswalks near shopping plazas and bus stops
Why Legal Help Matters After a Crosswalk Injury
Many pedestrian accidents result in serious harm, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord trauma, and multiple fractures are common. A crosswalk injury attorney can investigate the cause, gather evidence before it disappears, and demand accountability from the at-fault party. Whether a distracted driver sped through a red light or failed to yield at a marked crosswalk, you shouldn’t have to suffer in silence.
This guide explores what causes pedestrian accidents in Goodyear, how Arizona law protects you, and how a skilled legal advocate can help you pursue compensation for everything you’ve lost.
Why Pedestrian Accidents Are on the Rise in Goodyear
Goodyear is rapidly transforming, from quiet suburbs to vibrant neighborhoods. While this growth brings jobs, shopping, and amenities, it also increases the risk for pedestrians. More cars on the roads, faster speeds, and expanding retail areas mean a greater chance of accidents, especially for those on foot.
As a result, pedestrian collisions in the city are becoming increasingly common and severe.
Massive Growth in Population and Traffic
Over the past decade, Goodyear’s population has surged, leading to:
- Increased daily commuters are navigating main roads like McDowell Road, Litchfield Road, and Estrella Parkway
- More delivery and rideshare vehicles, particularly around school zones and residential neighborhoods
- Rush hour congestion that pushes drivers to speed between stops or rush through intersections
When walking routes intersect with suddenly heavier vehicle flow, pedestrian safety becomes more vulnerable.
Insufficient Pedestrian Infrastructure
Fast-paced development hasn’t always kept up with the need for safe walkways:
- Crosswalks without proper signal timing make it hard for pedestrians to cross safely at busy intersections
- Lack of sidewalks or marked paths in new residential communities forces people to walk in the street
- Poor street lighting along routes like Palm Valley Boulevard and near Desert Edge High creates nighttime visibility problems
These conditions leave pedestrians exposed, especially around shopping centers and community parks.
Distracted and Reckless Driving
Driver behavior is a critical factor in pedestrian safety:
- Drivers using phones are less likely to notice people crossing at unmarked locations
- Speeding and red-light violations are common around bustling areas like Goodyear Ballpark and the Goodyear Community Center
- DUI incidents, particularly late at night, lead to impaired judgment and slower reaction times
When drivers are inattentive or reckless, pedestrians bear the brunt.
Increased School and Community Walk Zones
With more families moving in, foot traffic near schools, parks, and recreational trails is up:
- Busy crossing zones near school pickups/drop-offs
- Families and kids walking or biking along pathways lacking proper lighting or clear separation from vehicle lanes
As Goodyear continues to grow, pedestrian safety must be prioritized. When a driver disregards traffic laws or road conditions that make walking dangerous, serious injuries can result.
A knowledgeable Goodyear pedestrian accident lawyer can help victims understand how these factors contributed to their collision and pursue rightful compensation.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents: Insight from an Experienced Goodyear Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Pedestrian accidents are often sudden, violent, and entirely preventable. In Goodyear, a combination of high-speed roads, growing traffic congestion, and driver inattention has contributed to a steady increase in serious incidents involving people on foot. Whether walking through a busy crosswalk on Litchfield Road or along a residential stretch near Estrella Parkway, pedestrians are vulnerable to a range of dangerous situations, most of which stem from driver negligence.
Driver Inattention and Distraction
One of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents is distracted driving. Smartphones, GPS devices, and in-car entertainment systems take drivers’ eyes and minds off the road. When a motorist fails to notice a pedestrian in a crosswalk or near a driveway entrance, the results can be devastating. Accidents near retail centers along McDowell Road and in parking lots are particularly common due to driver distraction.
Failure to Yield at Crosswalks
Arizona law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks. However, many motorists either ignore this law or misjudge a pedestrian’s right-of-way. This is especially dangerous at intersections like Indian School Road and Cotton Lane, where drivers may rush through lights without checking for foot traffic. Pedestrians hit while lawfully crossing often suffer catastrophic injuries.
Speeding in Residential or School Zones
Excessive speed is a significant factor in both the occurrence and severity of pedestrian accidents. Speeding reduces a driver’s reaction time and increases stopping distance, making it harder to avoid collisions. Areas near Desert Edge High School and Palm Valley neighborhoods see frequent incidents where children or families are walking close to the road.
Additional Contributing Factors
Other common causes include:
- Impaired driving (alcohol or drug use)
- Poor visibility at night due to inadequate street lighting
- Drivers making illegal or unsafe turns at intersections
- Vehicles backing out of driveways without checking the sidewalks
When drivers violate traffic laws or fail to act with reasonable caution, pedestrians are often left with life-changing injuries. A skilled Goodyear pedestrian accident lawyer can determine the root cause of the crash and hold negligent parties accountable.
Injuries Often Suffered by Pedestrians
When a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, even at low speeds, the human body bears the full force of impact. Without the protection of a vehicle’s frame, pedestrians are particularly vulnerable to severe and life-altering injuries.
In Goodyear, where vehicle speeds can be high on roads like Estrella Parkway, McDowell Road, and Cotton Lane, pedestrians often suffer catastrophic harm that requires long-term care and extensive rehabilitation.
Common Physical Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents
The most frequently reported injuries in pedestrian accidents include:
- Broken bones and fractures: Arms, legs, ribs, pelvis, and hips are especially vulnerable.
- Traumatic brain injuries: Even a single impact to the head can cause a concussion, brain swelling, or long-term cognitive damage.
- Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spine can result in herniated discs, nerve damage, or even paralysis.
- Internal injuries: Blunt force trauma can lead to internal bleeding, organ damage, and other complications that may not be immediately visible.
- Facial injuries and disfigurement: Collisions often lead to broken jaws, dental trauma, or facial lacerations that may require reconstructive surgery.
These injuries can result in weeks or months away from work, steep medical bills, and lasting physical limitations.
Emotional and Psychological Effects
Physical trauma is often accompanied by serious emotional consequences. Many pedestrians injured in traffic collisions report:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Anxiety or depression related to limited mobility or fear of walking near traffic
- Sleep disturbances and emotional withdrawal
Children, in particular, may struggle emotionally after being hit by a car, mainly if the incident occurred near their school or neighborhood.
The Long-Term Toll
For many victims, pedestrian accidents lead to permanent disability, disfigurement, or chronic pain. Recovery often involves a long list of specialists, orthopedists, neurologists, psychologists, and physical therapists. A crosswalk injury attorney in Goodyear can help quantify not only immediate medical bills but the full lifetime cost of your injuries, ensuring no loss is overlooked in your claim.
What to Do Immediately After a Pedestrian Accident in Goodyear
Experiencing a car accident in Goodyear can be traumatic, leaving you stunned, injured, and uncertain about what to do next. It is crucial to take the right steps immediately following the accident, not only for your health and safety but also to safeguard your legal rights.
Whether the crash occurred near Goodyear Ballpark, at a busy intersection like Litchfield and Indian School, or on a quiet residential street, these actions can significantly impact your recovery.
Prioritize Your Health and Safety
Your first priority is your well-being. If you’re injured:
- Call 911 immediately or ask someone nearby to do so.
- Seek medical attention, even if you feel okay; some serious injuries don’t show symptoms right away.
- If you can, move to a safe area away from traffic, but don’t attempt to stand or walk if you feel disoriented or seriously hurt.
Document the Scene
If you’re physically able, gather as much information as possible:
- Take photos of the scene, including the vehicle, street signs, skid marks, and your injuries.
- Collect contact details from the driver, witnesses, and responding officers.
- Make note of the time, location, and weather conditions at the scene.
Also, a copy of the police report should be requested, which will be important in proving fault later.
Do Not Talk to Insurance Adjusters Alone
Soon after the crash, the driver’s insurance company may try to contact you. Avoid giving recorded statements or accepting quick settlement offers without legal guidance. These offers are often far below what your case is worth.
A knowledgeable Goodyear pedestrian accident lawyer can help protect your rights from the beginning. Acting quickly and preserving key evidence increases your chances of recovering the full compensation you deserve.
Goodyear Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Explains Arizona Pedestrian Laws You Need to Know
Understanding pedestrian laws in Arizona is essential after being injured in a traffic accident. Whether you were crossing at a designated crosswalk on Litchfield Road or navigating a neighborhood street near Goodyear Community Park, your rights as a pedestrian are protected under state law. Knowing these protections can help support your injury claim and clarify who is at fault.
Right-of-Way in Crosswalks
Under Arizona law (A.R.S. § 28-792), drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing within a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. This means that if you were legally walking across the street—even if there was no traffic light—the driver had a legal obligation to stop.
Pedestrians have the right-of-way when:
- They are in a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection
- Traffic control devices permit the crossing
- They are already in the roadway when a car approaches
However, pedestrians are also expected to obey traffic signals and not suddenly leave a curb and walk into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
Duties of Drivers Toward Pedestrians
Drivers have several legal responsibilities toward pedestrians:
- Exercise due care to avoid collisions with pedestrians at all times
- Slow down when approaching crosswalks or areas with heavy foot traffic (e.g., school zones, parks)
- Yield to pedestrians even when turning at intersections
Violations of these duties can be strong evidence of driver negligence in a pedestrian accident claim.
Comparative Fault in Arizona
Arizona follows a pure comparative fault system. This means that if a pedestrian is found partially at fault (e.g., jaywalking or crossing against the light), they can still recover compensation, but their total award will be reduced by their percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault and your damages are $100,000, you can still recover $80,000.
Knowing your rights under Arizona law is the first step toward holding negligent drivers accountable. A skilled crosswalk injury attorney in Goodyear can use these legal protections to build a strong case for full compensation.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Pedestrian Accident?
In the aftermath of a pedestrian accident in Goodyear, identifying who is legally responsible is a critical step in recovering compensation. Liability doesn’t always fall solely on the driver; other parties may also share responsibility depending on the circumstances.
A thorough investigation by an experienced Goodyear pedestrian accident lawyer can uncover all liable entities to help maximize your recovery.
Negligent Drivers
Most pedestrian accidents are caused by negligent motorists. Drivers may be held liable when they:
- Fail to yield at crosswalks
- Run red lights or stop signs
- Speed in residential or school zones
- Drive distracted, fatigued, or impaired
If you were hit by a car in Goodyear while lawfully crossing the street, the driver’s actions will likely be the focus of your claim.
Employers of Commercial Drivers
If the at-fault driver was operating a vehicle for work, such as a delivery van, rideshare, or commercial truck, their employer may also bear responsibility under the legal theory of vicarious liability. This applies if the employee was acting within the scope of their job duties at the time of the crash.
Employers may also be liable for:
- Failing to train drivers properly
- Hiring individuals with a poor driving record
- Allowing overworked or fatigued employees to operate vehicles
Government Entities
Sometimes, pedestrian accidents are the result of dangerous road conditions or faulty traffic controls. In such cases, local or state governments may be liable for:
- Poorly designed intersections
- Malfunctioning or missing crosswalk signals
- Inadequate street lighting or signage
Filing a claim against a government agency in Arizona involves strict deadlines and procedures, so it’s essential to act quickly.
Vehicle and Equipment Manufacturers
In rare cases, defective brakes, lights, or steering systems can cause a driver to lose control. If a mechanical failure contributed to the crash, the vehicle manufacturer or maintenance provider might be liable.
Determining liability in a pedestrian accident can be complicated, especially when multiple parties are involved. A knowledgeable crosswalk injury attorney in Goodyear can pinpoint all sources of fault and assist you in pursuing full and fair compensation.
Compensation An Experienced Goodyear Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Can Recover for Victims
If you’ve been injured while walking in Goodyear, whether in a crosswalk, along a sidewalk, or in a parking lot, you may be entitled to compensation for a wide range of losses. Being hit by a car in Goodyear can result in devastating injuries, emotional trauma, and long-term financial strain.
Fortunately, Arizona law allows injured pedestrians to pursue damages from the at-fault party. A skilled Goodyear pedestrian accident lawyer can help you seek full compensation based on the facts of your case.
Economic Damages
Economic damages represent the financial costs associated with your injuries. These are typically supported by documentation like medical bills, pay stubs, and repair estimates. They may include:
- Medical expenses: Ambulance rides, emergency room care, hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, and future treatments.
- Lost wages: Income lost due to time away from work for recovery or medical appointments.
- Loss of earning capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your prior job or limit your future employment options.
- Out-of-pocket expenses: Transportation costs, home health care, medical devices, and medications.
Non-Economic Damages
These damages account for the personal impact the accident has had on your life. Though harder to quantify, they are just as real and significant:
- Pain and suffering: Chronic pain, reduced mobility, and lasting discomfort.
- Emotional distress: Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and fear of walking near traffic.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: If you’re no longer able to participate in activities you once enjoyed.
- Scarring and disfigurement: Especially in visible areas like the face, hands, or legs.
Wrongful Death Damages
If a pedestrian accident results in a fatality, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim. Compensation may cover funeral costs, loss of companionship, and lost financial support.
With the help of an experienced crosswalk injury attorney, you can build a case that includes all damages, both economic and emotional. Insurance companies often undervalue pedestrian claims, but with the right legal advocate, you can fight for the compensation you truly deserve.
How a Goodyear Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Can Help You
After a pedestrian accident, you may be overwhelmed with medical appointments, insurance paperwork, and mounting expenses, while still trying to recover physically and emotionally. That’s where an experienced Goodyear pedestrian accident lawyer can make a meaningful difference.
From the start, your attorney will work to protect your rights, investigate the accident, and pursue full compensation for your losses.
A knowledgeable lawyer will:
- Gather and preserve evidence like traffic camera footage, witness statements, and police reports.
- Handle all communication with insurance adjusters, so you’re not pressured into accepting a lowball offer.
- Calculate the full value of your damages, including medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
- Negotiate aggressively for a fair settlement, or take your case to trial if needed.
Pedestrian accident claims often involve complex issues of fault, especially when drivers or insurers attempt to blame the victim. Your attorney will ensure your voice is heard and the facts are clear.
Whether the crash happened near a busy Goodyear intersection or a quiet neighborhood street, you don’t have to navigate the legal process alone. With the right legal support, you can focus on healing while your lawyer fights for justice on your behalf.
Get the Legal Support You Deserve After a Pedestrian Accident
When you’ve been hit by a car in Goodyear, the physical and emotional toll can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. Whether you were crossing a busy intersection, walking through a neighborhood, or were injured in a poorly marked crosswalk, you have rights under Arizona law.
A dedicated Goodyear pedestrian accident lawyer can guide you through each step of the legal process, from gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies and pursuing the full compensation you deserve.
At National Injury Help, we’re committed to helping injured pedestrians receive the justice they deserve. Our legal team will investigate the details of your accident, identify all liable parties, and vigorously pursue your claim so you can focus on healing.
Call 1 (800) 214-1010 now or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation with a knowledgeable crosswalk injury attorney. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. Let us help you obtain the recovery you need to move forward.