What rights do pedestrians have to walk in the Phoenix area? At first, that may seem like a silly question. Obviously, everyone has the right to walk from place to place, not only in Phoenix but in any city across Arizona. Yet when it comes to local traffic rules, it seems that drivers often forget or ignore the rights of others to walk along sidewalks, at crosswalks, and in other designated areas. This ignorance is not just rude but it is outright dangerous as failing to respect the rights of pedestrians can cause treacherous situations and may even lead to pedestrian accidents.
In the unfortunate situations where a collision does occur between a pedestrian and a vehicle, the pedestrian nearly always sustains injuries that can range from bumps and bruises to fractured bones and internal bleeding to, in the most extreme cases, death. Depending on the actual crash, these injuries may last from days to years or may never fully heal, leaving victims and their families to suffer indefinitely. Regrettably, nothing can nullify the suffering experienced by these victims but the laws in Phoenix are on a victim’s side to enable him or her to seek relief. With a civil claim for damages, a victim or a victim’s surviving family members may be able to obtain monetary compensation that can ease the financial burden experienced by these pedestrian collisions and that can enable those suffering to move forwards with their lives.
On Wednesday morning, a collision between a pedestrian and a vehicle occurred in Glendale and left the pedestrian in critical condition, according to local police. The accident happened shortly before 5:00 a.m. near the intersection of Thunderbird Road and 57th Street but the cause of the crash has not yet been confirmed. Witnesses reported that the driver of the vehicle fled the scene at a high rate of speed before police arrived and without checking on the status of the pedestrian even though that individual sustained serious injuries. If proven, the driver may face punishment for fleeing the scene of an accident, a violation of state laws in Arizona. The outcome of the ongoing investigation may determine whether any additional charges are brought if the driver in this matter is identified.
Anytime a victim is harmed due to the negligence of another, the suffering can be devastating and can affect not only the victim but that person’s family members, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. While local police may issue traffic tickets or pursue criminal charges against a person responsible for the accident, any punishment that stems from that action is unlikely to benefit the victim directly. Instead, the victim must affirmatively seek relief through the use of a civil claim for damages and in accordance with the laws in Phoenix.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., our team of personal injury attorneys has experience bringing these claims on behalf of victims and if you have been injured, we want to help you as well. We offer a free case consultation without obligation to all those who call us toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER or locally at (602) 819-5191 and we are standing by at all hours of the day and night.
If a pedestrian accident has affected your life or you were otherwise injured in a traffic crash, call Abels & Annes, P.C. today and let us get to work for you.
Prior Blog Entry:
Pedestrian Killed in Phoenix Car Accident, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published May 13, 2015.
Resource:
Man’s critical after he’s hit by vehicle in Glendale, by Steve Stout, CBS5AZ.com, published May 13, 2015.
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