According to a recent survey, if you are a pedestrian and live in Arizona or New Mexico, you may be surprised to learn that both are among the top 10 most dangerous states for pedestrians. New Mexico is the most dangerous state, with Arizona closely following in fifth place. With statistics like these, it is critical to learn how to avoid becoming a pedestrian accident victim.
If you or a loved one has been a pedestrian accident victim, it is essential to reach out to an experienced pedestrian accident attorney. At Wood Injury Law, we are here to advocate for you and assist in seeking compensation for your injuries. In this article, our pedestrian accident lawyer explains what you need to know about pedestrian accidents in Arizona and New Mexico.
Alcohol, Speeding, and Location Are Major Factors
According to the CDC Transportation Safety, major factors contributing to pedestrian accidents include:
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- Alcohol – Responsible for nearly half (46%) of pedestrian/auto crashes resulting in a pedestrian death in 2019
- Speeding – Higher vehicle speeds can result in hitting a pedestrian and causing severe injuries or death
- Location – In cities, on highways away from intersections (where higher speeds may occur), and at night
Other common factors include distracted, fatigued, or reckless driving and disobeying traffic signs or signals. If you are dealing with injuries from a pedestrian accident, you might be eligible to collect compensation for medical bills, future medical care, lost wages, and more. Contact a pedestrian accident law firm to review your case to decide if you have a claim.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Some common pedestrian accident injuries include:
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- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Death
Safety Tips
Remember that everyone is a pedestrian and, sometimes, an automobile driver. With this in mind, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides the following safety tips for drivers and pedestrians.
Drivers
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- Always keep an eye out for pedestrians everywhere you go.
- Drive with extra caution in low-visibility conditions, such as at night or during inclement weather.
- When turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk, slow down and be prepared to stop.
- Never pass stopped vehicles at a crosswalk. People may be crossing where you cannot see them.
- Follow the speed limit, particularly around pedestrians, school zones, and neighborhoods with children.
Pedestrians
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- Follow traffic regulations and obey signs and signals.
- Whenever possible, use available sidewalks. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic as far as possible away from it.
- Cross intersections and crosswalks when crossing streets. Look in all directions, including left- and right-turning vehicles.
- Keep an eye out for vehicles entering or exiting driveways or reversing in parking lots.
Steps You Need to Take If You’ve Been in a Pedestrian Accident
Even if you followed all of the above safety precautions, you could be involved in a pedestrian accident through no fault of your own. Here are some steps you need to take if this happens to you:
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- Get to a safe location away from traffic. If you believe you have a neck injury, do not move.
- Call 911 or law enforcement for medical assistance and to file a police report.
- If possible, take photographs and videos of the accident scene and collect information from witnesses. Do not take this action if you are seriously injured. Instead, request that a witness perform the tasks and forward you the information.
- Consult a physician for an evaluation of your injuries. Follow your provider’s instructions and attend all follow-up appointments.
- Contact a pedestrian accident attorney for assistance.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Don’t be surprised if, immediately following your pedestrian accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance company gets in touch with you to get a statement and make a settlement offer. There are several significant ways in which hiring an attorney can aid you in dealing with insurance companies following an accident. Insurance companies employ numerous individuals, such as attorneys, accountants, and adjusters, whose sole responsibility is limiting the compensation their company is required to pay.
Our knowledgeable pedestrian accident attorneys at Wood Injury Law will level the playing field for you. When you are injured, your top priority should be recuperating; let our firm handle the insurance companies.
Get Help from an Experienced Pedestrian Accident Attorney Serving Arizona and New Mexico
At Wood Injury Law, we have extensive experience dealing with insurance carriers and have a thorough understanding of how to aggressively assert our clients’ rights. We always strive to settle a case without going to court if we can do so while obtaining the maximum compensation for our client, which is often possible. However, we are always willing and fully prepared to go to court to obtain an appropriate award if a reasonable settlement cannot be reached.
Our experienced pedestrian accident attorney will work closely with you to explain the options available and ensure that we proceed as you desire. Wood Injury Law helps clients across Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Mesa, Arizona, who have suffered from pedestrian accidents. Call us at (623) 232-9355 to discuss your case or fill out our online form. We’re attorneys you’ll swear by, not at!
Copyright © 2022. Wood Injury Law. All rights reserved.
The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.
Wood Injury Law
1845 S Dobson Rd, Suite 117
Mesa, AZ 85202
(623) 232-9355
www.woodinjurylaw.com
Wood Injury Law
4801 Lang Avenue NE, Suite 110
Albuquerque, NM 87109
(505) 605-2717
www.woodinjurylaw.com
