Arizona Crosswalk Laws

Many lives are taken each year due to pedestrian accidents in Arizona. The Arizona Department of Transportation reported a total of 245 pedestrian deaths in 2018. These accidents are often preventable. No matter who the at-fault party is, all individuals should be more aware of their surroundings. Whether you are walking in a crosswalk or driving through a crosswalk, always take a double look to prevent accidents from occurring. It is important to be aware of the state laws to ensure you are following the law and to help prevent horrific pedestrian accidents. 

Who Has The Right-of-Way?

Each state has different rules and regulations regarding crosswalks and who has the right of way. In Arizona, the law states that crosswalks without traffic signals give automatic right of way rights to pedestrians. This means that pedestrians have the right to use these crosswalks without yielding to traffic. However, pedestrians are not allowed to step right out into the road in front of oncoming traffic. They must be aware of their surroundings before they step out into the road. They cannot leave the curb if an oncoming driver does not have a reasonable amount of time to stop.

There are different rules regarding intersections and marked crosswalks. These types of crosswalks do not automatically give pedestrians the right of way. Some signals will tell pedestrians when they are allowed to cross the road. If the signal says it’s safe to walk when you approach the crosswalk then you can walk right away but if it doesn’t signal you to walk, then you must obey the signals and yield to the traffic until it is your turn to walk. If a pedestrian is already halfway across the crosswalk when the signal ends, the driver must yield to the pedestrian until they have reached the other side. If they don’t, they could be held liable for the accident under the driver’s negligence. 

Liable Parties

The Driver: If the driver doesn’t obey the traffic signals or commits an act of recklessness in a crosswalk, they could be held liable. Some examples of this could include running a red light, rolling through a traffic sign, making an unsafe turn, or participating in distracted driving. 

The Car Manufacturer: Sometimes these accidents are a result of a defective car part. For example, if a car experiences brake failure, the manufacturer could be held liable in the event of an accident. 

The Government: If the city and state government don’t keep crosswalks safely maintained, they could be held liable in the event of an accident. They are responsible for ensuring the lights are working correctly and the signs are not obstructed. A defective light or sign could result in a pedestrian accident.

The Pedestrian: The pedestrian must obey the law and wait for their signal to walk. They also must be aware of where vehicles are and not walk out right in front of them. If they do this, they could be held liable in the event of an accident. 

Finding An Arizona Personal Injury Attorney 

Being involved in any type of personal injury accident can be overwhelming. There are a lot of legal regulations regarding crosswalk accidents and they can be difficult to understand. The personal injury attorneys at ELG want to help you better understand all of the laws regarding your accident. We will investigate your accident, compile all of the useful data, and determine the best legal claim to file on your behalf. We want to help you recover the maximum amount of compensation.  Contact our knowledgeable Phoenix attorneys at ELG to set up a consultation today. Call us at either Phoenix or Mesa Arizona law offices at (623) 877-3600.