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Pedestrian safety is a growing concern in Phoenix, where increasing traffic and expanding roadways intersect with some of the highest pedestrian fatality rates in the country. Whether you’re walking to work in downtown Phoenix, crossing near a school in Maryvale, or jogging along Camelback Road, understanding pedestrian laws in Arizona, especially those concerning crosswalks and right-of-way, can help protect you and others.
Unfortunately, even when pedestrians follow the rules, drivers often fail to do the same, leading to dangerous crosswalk violations and tragic Phoenix right-of-way accidents. If you’ve been hit by a vehicle while walking, knowing your rights and how Arizona law applies is key to seeking justice and compensation.
Crosswalk Laws in Phoenix: The Basics
Under Arizona law, specifically A.R.S. § 28-792, drivers are required to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing the street within a marked crosswalk or at an intersection without a traffic signal. This applies whether or not the crosswalk is painted, as intersections often contain unmarked crosswalks that legally function the same as marked ones.
Drivers Must Yield in These Situations:
- When a pedestrian is on the same half of the roadway
- When a pedestrian is approaching from the opposite side, but is close enough to be in danger
- When another vehicle is stopped at a crosswalk, indicating someone is crossing
Violating these laws may result in civil penalties, and more importantly, establish liability in a personal injury claim.
Understanding Phoenix Right-of-Way Accidents
Right-of-way accidents occur when a driver fails to respect a pedestrian’s legal right to cross, leading to collisions that often cause catastrophic injuries. Busy intersections such as those at 7th Avenue and Indian School Road, or 43rd Avenue and Thomas Road, are common hotspots for these types of incidents due to high traffic volume and frequent turning movements.
Common scenarios include:
- Drivers turning right or left without checking for pedestrians
- Rolling through stop signs or red lights
- Failing to yield at school crosswalks or flashing pedestrian signals
- Passing vehicles stopped at crosswalks
When a driver violates a pedestrian’s right-of-way, they may be found negligent under Arizona law, making them responsible for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
What Constitutes a Legal Crosswalk?
Arizona law defines a crosswalk as any portion of a roadway at an intersection that is designated for pedestrian crossing. This includes both marked (painted lines and signage) and unmarked (invisible but legally recognized) crosswalks at intersections.
Marked crosswalks are more common near schools, busy intersections, and urban centers like downtown Phoenix or the Roosevelt Row Arts District. However, unmarked crosswalks are often misunderstood or overlooked by drivers, which leads to preventable crashes.
Key takeaways about crosswalks:
- An unmarked crosswalk exists at any intersection unless specifically prohibited
- Drivers must stop and yield to pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks
- Pedestrians should not suddenly leave the curb and walk into the path of a moving vehicle
Pedestrian Responsibilities Under Arizona Law
While Arizona provides strong protections for pedestrians, it also imposes certain responsibilities. Pedestrian laws in Arizona, particularly under A.R.S. § 28-793, require pedestrians to exercise caution and obey traffic signals when crossing outside of crosswalks or against the light.
Pedestrians must:
- Use sidewalks when available
- Yield the right-of-way to vehicles when crossing outside of a marked or unmarked crosswalk
- Follow pedestrian signals and do not cross during a “Don’t Walk” indication
Pedestrians who violate these rules may still file a claim after an accident, but their compensation could be reduced under Arizona’s comparative negligence rules.
Comparative Negligence in Pedestrian Accidents
Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence standard, which means both the driver and the pedestrian can share fault in an accident. If a pedestrian is found partially responsible, say, for crossing mid-block or being distracted, they may still recover damages, but the total award will be reduced by their percentage of fault. For example, if a pedestrian is awarded $100,000 in damages but found to be 30% at fault, they would receive $70,000.
Determining fault in Phoenix right-of-way accidents requires a detailed investigation and often involves reviewing traffic camera footage, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing police reports.
The Role of Crosswalk Design and Infrastructure
Phoenix has taken steps to improve pedestrian infrastructure, including implementing HAWK signals, pedestrian islands, and better street lighting in high-risk areas. Still, some intersections lack proper design or signage, which can lead to driver confusion and increased risk for pedestrians.
Poor infrastructure or malfunctioning pedestrian signals can complicate liability. In these cases, a municipality or contractor responsible for road maintenance might share fault, especially if they ignored complaints or failed to fix known hazards.
When Crosswalk Violations Lead to Injury
If you’ve been hit by a car while using a crosswalk, whether marked or unmarked, you may have a strong case for compensation. Crosswalk violations by drivers can lead to:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Spinal injuries
- Permanent disability or death
Pedestrian accidents are among the most severe personal injury cases because the human body is no match for a multi-ton vehicle. Victims often require long-term care, multiple surgeries, and time away from work, all of which can be financially and emotionally devastating.
Proving Liability in Crosswalk Accidents
To successfully file a personal injury claim after a pedestrian accident, you must prove that the driver was negligent. Crosswalk violation often means showing that the driver failed to yield or was distracted, speeding, or impaired.
Your attorney will gather key evidence, such as:
- Police reports
- Surveillance footage or dashcam video
- Eyewitness statements
- Cell phone records to prove distracted driving
- Accident reconstruction analysis
An experienced Phoenix pedestrian accident lawyer will know how to use this evidence to establish a clear link between the driver’s actions and your injuries, helping you recover compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more.
Take Legal Action With a Phoenix Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
If you were injured in a Phoenix right-of-way accident or hit while crossing at a crosswalk, you deserve to know your rights. Arizona law is clear: drivers must yield to pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks. When they fail to do so, they should be held accountable.
At National Injury Help, our team of experienced Phoenix pedestrian accident lawyers has helped many Phoenix residents recover after serious pedestrian crashes. Contact us today at 1-800-214-1010 for a free consultation. Let us help you secure the justice and compensation you need to move forward.