Sunday will mark the third time that the State of Arizona has hosted the Super Bowl, the biggest sporting event in the country each year and a spectacle that is believed to draw thousands of tourists to the state. This year’s contest will take place at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, the same location as 2008’s Super Bowl XLII and not too far from Sun Devil Stadium, home of 1996’s Super Bowl XXX. While officials with the NFL and the University of Phoenix Stadium have been preparing for Sunday’s game for months, most of those who call the greater Phoenix area home are probably only now starting to think about the impact that the event may have on their personal lives this weekend.
In addition to the normal traffic congestion that plagues the Phoenix area, extra traffic has descended on the Valley as tourists, athletes, and family members come to Arizona in anticipation of the game. This traffic is starting to combine with media outposts and restricted areas around the stadium and starting to make it difficult to travel, regardless of whether you intend to walk or drive. Before the Super Bowl begins, the personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. encourage you to think about your options if you will be a pedestrian and consider the following ideas and tips to limit the odds of a pedestrian accident from occurring:
– Plan Ahead: Whether you live in Arizona or you are simply visiting for the game, think about your travel plans before you leave home. Plan where you want to park, if necessary, and where you will walk when approaching the stadium. You may wish to consider your plans after the game ends as well as traffic is expected to be congested and slow in Glendale for much of Sunday night.
– Watch for Inattentive Motorists: Ideally, when a driver in the Phoenix area operates his or her vehicle, that driver’s attention would be focused entirely upon the road and on the changing traffic conditions ahead. In actuality, many motorists are distracted or otherwise inattentive to that which surrounds them and they are more likely to be involved in a collision as a result. Even if you have the right-of-way at a crossing or an intersection, be mindful that drivers may not look or see you if you are walking and be prepared for drivers to act dangerously. Take evasive action if needed to prevent yourself from becoming the next victim of a pedestrian accident in Phoenix.
– Be Aware of Road and Lot Closures: If you have attended Arizona Cardinals games in the past and you feel confident about your ability to navigate the area surrounding the University of Phoenix Stadium, take note that the grandeur nature of the Super Bowl means the layout of several lots may be altered and that some road and lot closures may affect your ability to get to the stadium. For example, NFL officials have confirmed that 95th Avenue will be closed between the Red Lot and entry into the Orange Lot and that Maryland Avenue will be closed between Sunrise Boulevard and 95th Avenue.
– Wear Reflective Clothing: The Super Bowl will end in the dark hours of Sunday night and thousands of pedestrians will attempt to leave the area simultaneous. While it is the duty of every driver to look for and notice pedestrians, some may find it difficult due to the darkness and others may be in too much of a rush to think safety. To increase your visibility at night, consider wearing bright, reflective colors that will catch passing light and will enable drivers to see you and your family as you walk in Glendale.
– Stick to Designated Walking Areas: You may find yourself in a position to save time by jaywalking or crossing at an area other than a designated pedestrian pathway. Avoid this temptation as it significantly increases your risk of being involved in a pedestrian crash and may cause you injuries if an accident takes place.
The lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. hope that you have a safe and enjoyable Super Bowl Sunday and that you get to partake in many of the events that the Valley has to offer. However, if tragedy strikes and you or your loved one are involved in a pedestrian crash, please know that we will have a lawyer standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call and to help you.
We offer all injury victims a free case consultation toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER or locally at (602) 819-5191 and we provide it without any obligation on your part. We understand that becoming the victim of a collision is a devastating event so we will make every effort to help you understand your legal options and your rights if a crash has affected you and everything discussed will be kept confidential. If you have been hurt, make sure you do not continue to suffer without relief; call Abels & Annes, P.C. and let us help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
Prior Blog Entry:
5 Injured, Including Child, in Possible Drunk Driving Crash on U.S. 93, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published January 28, 2015.