Pedestrian Accidents Chandler Arizona Attorney
Each year in Arizona, 30 pedestrians are hit and killed by a car and another 785 are hospitalized or treated in an emergency department after being in a crash with a motor vehicle. According to the Arizona Highway Safety Office, the percentage of crashes that involved a pedestrian has increased for the 7th year in a row. The year 2012 had the highest number of fatal crashes involving a pedestrian in the last 10 years. More than one-third (37.8%) of the pedestrians involved in a crash were aged 10-24 years.
As the national rates for auto-pedestrian deaths continue to climb, Arizona has seen a decrease in the last year, according to a new report issued by the Governor’s Highway Safety Association.
However, Arizona’s pedestrian deaths still account for 15 percent of all Arizona road fatalities, even though they only make up about 1.5 percent of total traffic crashes, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
Are Pedestrian Accidents Chandler Arizona Protected Under State Law?
If you were recently struck by a car while walking and suffered serious injuries, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the Chandler Arizona personal injury attorneys at Car Accident Attorney Chandler to discover your legal options. By law, pedestrians have the right-of-way in almost every instance. The driver of the motor vehicle who disregarded your safety is likely in violation of state code and liable for whatever damages you or your family member has suffered in pedestrian accidents. To find out more, call our office today and schedule a free case consultation at (602) 910-2005
Don’t Assume the Driver’s Insurance Company Will Automatically Cover You
While insurance companies are legally obligated to cover an at-fault driver in any pedestrian accidents, they will not settle easily. Quite often, it takes the presence of a dedicated legal team to make these adjusters and their clients see reason. We have years of experience dealing with insurance companies. We know their tricks and how best to get the settlement you need. Do not attempt to take these professionals on by yourself – let our expertise work for you.
But don’t delay. The longer you wait to file your claim, the harder it will be to get the maximum amount. Personal injury claims are won and lost within the first few days following the incident, especially in the case of a pedestrian hit-and-run, where important evidence needs to be obtained quickly. Unfortunately, it is up to you to make the first move. Give the Car Accident Attorney Chandler, a call today at (602) 267-1280 and let us pick up where the accident left off. We will use every resource at our disposal to get the compensation you and your family deserve.
I’ve Been in a Pedestrian Accident in Chandler Arizona– Now What?
Above all, your claim will need evidence. Because so much of your case depends on what occurred in the moments leading up to and following the accident, the information gathered on-site is invaluable. Photographs or videos of the scene, witness statements, and physical evidence can all play a significant role in the claims process for pedestrian accidents.
Immediately contact Car Accident Attorney Chandler and discuss your legal options with the best Chandler Arizona car accident attorneys. While the last thing on your mind may be hiring an attorney, you will be taking the proper steps to preserve any pedestrian accidents claim you wish to pursue both now and in the future. Remember – the state of Arizona maintains a statute of limitations on all personal injury claims that ultimately will bar you from collecting any compensation after two years. If you are filing against the city or township in which your accident occurred, the time frame is even smaller – six months or less. Don’t let your opportunity slip by – contact our office today.
What Is a Wrongful Death?
Pedestrians have little to protect them in the event of a crash. They’re vulnerable and subject to suffering catastrophic and even fatal injuries in the event of a collision with a vehicle. When someone dies in a Chandler Arizona pedestrian accident, it must be determined if negligence led to the crash. While all pedestrian deaths are tragic for the victim’s friends and family, not all are considered a “wrongful death” in the eyes of the law especially when involved in pedestrian accidents.
Wrongful death is a legal phrase that refers to fatal injuries caused by the negligence or wrongdoing of another. For example, when a speeding or drunk driver strikes a pedestrian, that death is wrongful. There are many forms of driver negligence and many causes of pedestrian wrongful deaths. Fatal accidents often happen at intersections when drivers fail to yield to pedestrians crossing the road in a crosswalk. Other common reasons for accidents involve drunk drivers, speeding motorists, and drivers who fail to see pedestrians until it is too late because they’re distracted or fatigued.
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim
Ideally, the insurance provider of the at-fault driver will offer the victim’s family members fair compensation for their tragic loss. But, it’s rare for an insurance adjuster to offer a fair settlement. Typically, an adjuster will make a low offer to make the claim go away, or the insurance company will refuse to offer any compensation at all.
In wrongful death claims, or for a survival action, you can pursue financial compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost future income, funeral and burial costs, and loss of love and companionship. Immediate family members such as a spouse, children, and parents can file a wrongful death claim for who have been involved in pedestrian accidents.
