Many states and cities have laws against crossing streets outside of designated crosswalks, while traffic controls instruct pedestrians to wait before crossing, or in situations where they should yield to oncoming traffic. This kind of behavior is colloquially known as “jaywalking.” And though Arizona law does not specifically make use of this term, it does prohibit pedestrians from crossing the street in certain scenarios in which it is deemed unsafe to do so.
If you are facing legal trouble involving jaywalking, the Silkman Law Firm is standing by to help. Call us at (606) 560-5178 or reach out to us online to schedule your free, confidential consultation with an experienced member of our team. Read on for a brief introduction to jaywalking regulations in Arizona.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 7,000 pedestrians died in motor vehicle crashes nationwide in one recent year. This translates to approximately one pedestrian death every 75 minutes. The CDC further reports an estimated 104,000 emergency department visits to treat non-fatal pedestrian injuries in that same year. Though not all of these incidents involved jaywalking, pedestrians should nonetheless take care to cross the street when and where it is safe to do so.
Jaywalking Laws in Arizona
Again, the state code does not specifically use the term “jaywalking.” However, Arizona law does require that pedestrians follow certain rules when crossing the road. The governing statute provides as follows:
- A pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles on the roadway.
- A pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles on the roadway.
- Between adjacent intersections at which traffic control signals are in operation, pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk.
Can I File a Pedestrian Accident Claim If I Was Jaywalking?
Absolutely. If a pedestrian is injured in an auto accident, they can certainly file a claim seeking compensation from the at-fault party. However, their right to compensation may be impacted depending on how much the pedestrian contributed to the cause of the accident.
Many states allow injury victims to sue for compensation only if they were less than 50 percent responsible for the underlying accident. A small minority of states also bar would-be plaintiffs from pursuing compensation if they contributed even slightly.
Fortunately, Arizona falls into neither camp. Instead, pedestrians in the state are allowed to pursue compensation even if they are 99 percent responsible for the underlying cause of an accident. However, their total compensation will be reduced proportionately to their degree of fault.
For example, let’s say that your injuries in a pedestrian accident are worth $100,000. However, the jury in your case finds that you were 25 percent responsible. In this scenario, your damages would be reduced proportionately to $75,000.
If you believe you may be partially at fault for your pedestrian accident, the best way to reduce or eliminate the risk of losing money in your claim is by working with an experienced jaywalking accident attorney.
Consult With Our Experienced Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
Jaywalking accidents can be particularly devastating because, unlike riders in an enclosed vehicle, pedestrians have nothing to shield them from the full impact of an oncoming vehicle. If you have been injured in this kind of accident, do not wait to consult with an attorney.
The Silkman Law Firm is standing by to make sure you know your rights and help you down the path toward full and fair compensation. Call us at (606) 560-5178 or reach out to us online to schedule your free, confidential consultation.
