Pedestrian Accident Attorney Phoenix AZ 
Pedestrian deaths totaled close to 6,000 in 2017 and 2016, further suggesting that drivers and walkers are dangerously distracted. A pedestrian injury attorney in Phoenix, AZ may be able to assist a victim or his or her family in a potential personal injury claim. Texting while walking and drivers using phones pose increased risks, according to the latest Governors Highway Safety Association report.
Arizona has one of the highest rates of pedestrian deaths in the United States, with an increase in 2017 from 2016. Arizona was fifth in total pedestrian deaths, behind California, Florida, Texas and New York. The same study found that Arizona has the highest rate of pedestrian deaths in the nation, with a rate of 1.61 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people.
Recent reports show that in a week in March, there were 10 pedestrian fatalities in the Phoenix area. In July 2018, four pedestrians were killed or critically injured in the Phoenix area, in a single week.
230 pedestrians were killed statewide after being hit by a car in 2017, 111 were killed as of June 30, 2018.
Pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities made up over 26% of Arizona’s total traffic fatalities in 2017. Approximately 75% of pedestrian fatalities occur at night.
There are Arizona statutes that specifically govern pedestrians, however under A.R.S. §28-791 drivers of vehicles must always exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian on any roadway, as a Phoenix, AZ pedestrian injury attorney can explain.
Under A.R.S. §28-792 if a vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of another vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.
Further, common causes of pedestrian deaths, aside from distracted driving and walking, include pedestrians crossing at mid block, sometimes after getting off a bus or the light rail. Other causes include driver’s speeding, changing lanes before an intersection, making a left or right turn without paying full attention, and not respecting crosswalks. A pedestrian injury attorney in Phoenix, AZ can try to investigate why a crash occurred, there may be many possible causes, addition to driver negligence.
Impairment of drivers or pedestrians also increase the risk of pedestrian injuries, or fatalities. Alcohol reduces and impairs brain function, thinking, reasoning, muscle coordination, all related to safely driving a car. Drunk driving crashes are responsible for more than 10,000 deaths per year.
Another cause of pedestrian injuries, fatalities is drowsy driving, also responsible for thousands of crashes per year. Crashes related to sleepiness often occur in the evening, and on higher speed roads.
Remedies to reduce pedestrian injuries include adding extra police patrols in dangerous areas, and positioning police near light rail platforms and bus stops. Other safety measures include crosswalk islands, heavily marked crosswalks, improved street lighting, and reduced speed at dangerous intersections.
An Phoenix, Arizona pedestrian injury attorney will investigate potential negligence and assess the nature and extent of the claims for injuries, medical bills, lost income, since the collision and for the future. When a pedestrian injury or fatality occurs it may have been preventable, a pedestrian injury attorney in Phoenix, AZ should be consulted. Call the Law Office of Paul Englander, PLC today.