Intersection Accidents in Arizona: Who Has the Right of Way
Intersections are where most serious collisions happen, and the question of who had the right of way almost always determines who pays. Arizona has specific statutes that govern each intersection type, and understanding them is the first step toward knowing whether you have a claim and how strong it is.
What Arizona Law Says About Right of Way at Intersections
Arizona assigns right of way based on the type of intersection and the circumstances of arrival. At an uncontrolled intersection (no signal, no stop sign), the vehicle that arrives first has the right of way under A.R.S. § 28-771. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right. At a controlled intersection governed by signals, A.R.S. § 28-772 requires drivers to obey the signal and, on a green light, proceed with reasonable caution for hazards that remain in the intersection.
Violating these rules is not merely a traffic citation matter. A citation for failure to yield (A.R.S. § 28-855) establishes negligence per se in a civil lawsuit, meaning the court can treat the violation itself as proof of negligence without requiring the injured party to prove carelessness separately. That matters when you are trying to recover compensation for medical bills and lost income.
Left-Turn Accidents: Why the Turning Driver Is Usually Liable
Left-turn crashes are one of the most common intersection collision patterns, and the law places the burden squarely on the turning driver. Under A.R.S. § 28-772, a driver making a left turn must yield to oncoming traffic and any pedestrians in the crosswalk before completing the turn. There is no exception for a driver who misjudges the gap or assumes oncoming traffic will slow down.
In practice, this means the driver who turned left is typically found at fault when the collision was with a vehicle traveling straight through the intersection. The exception arises when the oncoming driver was speeding, ran a red light, or was otherwise driving unlawfully in a way that created a hazard the turning driver could not reasonably anticipate. Establishing that exception requires solid evidence, not just competing claims.
When Both Drivers Claim They Had the Green Light
Contested light cases are among the most difficult intersection disputes to resolve, particularly at intersections without cameras. Each driver insists the other ran red, and without an objective record, the case becomes a credibility contest. Several types of evidence can break the tie.
Traffic camera footage from the city’s signal system, if preserved quickly, is the most decisive. Witness accounts from pedestrians or nearby drivers who had a clear sightline to the signal are also valuable. Physical damage patterns matter as well: the angle and location of impact on each vehicle can indicate the direction each car was traveling and how far into the intersection they had traveled at the moment of collision. A police report that documents a traffic citation is relevant but is not binding on the civil case; a jury can weigh it alongside all other evidence.
If you were injured in an intersection accident in Arizona and the other driver is disputing fault, Wood Injury Law offers a free case review. Call (480) 937-2116. No fee unless we win.
Comparative Fault: What Happens If You Share Some Blame
Arizona uses a pure comparative negligence system under A.R.S. § 12-2505. You can recover compensation even if you were partly at fault for the intersection crash. Your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, but they are not eliminated. If a jury finds you 30% at fault and your damages are $100,000, you recover $70,000.
Insurance adjusters understand this rule and will often argue that you share blame to reduce what they owe. Common arguments include claiming you were speeding through the intersection, that you were distracted, or that you had time to avoid the crash. Having an attorney who can challenge those characterizations with evidence matters. The difference between being found 10% at fault and 40% at fault is significant in any serious injury case.
The statute of limitations for personal injury in Arizona is two years from the date of the accident (A.R.S. § 12-542). Missing that deadline eliminates your right to sue regardless of how clear the other driver’s fault may be.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if there’s no traffic signal? Who has the right of way at an uncontrolled intersection?
At an uncontrolled intersection (no signal, no stop sign), the first vehicle to arrive has the right of way under A.R.S. § 28-771. If two vehicles arrive at essentially the same time, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right. Disputes about who arrived first often come down to witness accounts and physical evidence at the scene.
Can I recover if I was partly at fault for the intersection accident?
Yes. Arizona’s pure comparative negligence law (A.R.S. § 12-2505) allows you to recover even if you share some responsibility for the crash. Your compensation is reduced proportionally to your assigned percentage of fault, but you are not barred from recovery. This is meaningfully different from states that cut off recovery once a plaintiff exceeds a certain fault threshold.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after an Arizona intersection accident?
Two years from the date of the accident under A.R.S. § 12-542. This applies to lawsuits against the at-fault driver. Note that if a government entity (city, county, or state) is involved, shorter notice deadlines apply and must be met before a lawsuit can be filed. An attorney can identify those deadlines specific to your case.
What evidence helps prove fault in an intersection crash?
The most useful evidence includes traffic camera footage (request preservation quickly since recordings are often overwritten), witness statements from people who saw the light or the sequence of events, the police report and any citation issued, photos of vehicle damage showing the angle and point of impact, and medical records documenting injuries consistent with the crash described. In complex cases, accident reconstruction experts can testify about speed, sight lines, and vehicle positioning at the time of impact.
If you were hurt in an Arizona intersection accident, Wood Injury Law handles the investigation, the insurer negotiations, and the legal filing so you can focus on recovering. Call (480) 937-2116 for a free case review. No fee unless we win.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change; verify current statutes with a licensed Arizona attorney before relying on any information here.
Resumen en Español
Los accidentes en intersecciones son uno de los tipos de choques más comunes en Arizona, y la pregunta más importante siempre es la misma: ¿quién tenía el derecho de paso? La respuesta a eso casi siempre decide quién tiene que pagar.
Las reglas básicas en Arizona. En una intersección sin semáforo ni señal de alto (no controlada), el primer carro que llega tiene el derecho de paso según la ley A.R.S. § 28-771. Si llegan al mismo tiempo, el conductor que viene de la derecha tiene prioridad. En intersecciones con semáforo (A.R.S. § 28-772), hay que respetar la señal y avanzar con precaución razonable cuando la luz esté en verde.
Giros a la izquierda. El conductor que hace un giro a la izquierda tiene la obligación de cederle el paso al tráfico que viene de frente y a los peatones en el cruce (A.R.S. § 28-772). Por eso, en la mayoría de los accidentes de giro a la izquierda, el conductor que giró es el responsable. La excepción es si el otro conductor venía a exceso de velocidad o se pasó el semáforo en rojo.
Cuando los dos dicen que tenían el verde. Estos casos son los más difíciles. Las cámaras de tráfico, los testigos, el reporte policial y el patrón de daños en los carros son las herramientas clave para determinar quién tenía la razón. Un abogado puede solicitar la conservación de imágenes de cámara rápidamente, antes de que se borren.
¿Y si yo también tuve algo de culpa? Arizona usa la ley de negligencia comparativa pura (A.R.S. § 12-2505). Eso significa que puedes recibir compensación aunque hayas tenido parte de la culpa. Tus daños se reducen en proporción a tu porcentaje de culpa, pero no los pierdes completamente. Si eres 30% responsable y tienes $100,000 en daños, recibes $70,000.
El tiempo importa. Tienes dos años desde la fecha del accidente para presentar una demanda (A.R.S. § 12-542). Si ese plazo se vence, pierdes tu derecho legal.
Wood Injury Law atiende casos de accidentes en intersecciones en todo Arizona, incluyendo el condado de Maricopa. La consulta es gratis y no cobramos honorarios a menos que ganemos tu caso. Llámanos hoy: (480) 937-2116.
