For the last several years, deadly pedestrian accidents have been on the rise in Arizona, mirroring the trends in the rest of the United States. According to one report, Arizona has the highest rate of pedestrian deaths in the entire nation, with over 1.6 deaths per 100,000 people in 2017 alone.
Although part of this disturbing trend has stemmed from pedestrian inattention, research shows that most pedestrian accidents are actually caused by careless car drivers. At Rafi Law Group, our skilled attorneys can help you pursue maximum compensation when you’ve been hit by a negligent driver.
In this post, we’ll discuss a few things you should keep in mind after you’ve been hit in a pedestrian accident in Arizona.
Immediate Steps After You’ve Been Hit
It goes without saying that your first step after a pedestrian accident should be to seek medical attention – even if you don’t think you’re that injured. Whether you were hit by a bicycle, a motorized scooter, or an SUV, you could sustain a range of internal injuries and develop long-term complications if untreated. It’s also important for insurance companies to see that you took immediate action, as this will increase your chances of receiving compensation on a claim or settlement.
However, it’s also important to call the police and ensure they get an official statement. If your condition isn’t critical, you should get insurance information from the vehicle driver before you leave the scene, along with witness names and photographs of the incident. Gathering this kind of information may be crucial to your insurance claim, or to filing a personal injury lawsuit later on.
Bringing an Injury Claim in Arizona
While you may be able to file a claim with your health insurance company for the accident, Arizona is considered a “comparative fault” state, which means that you can pursue damages from the at-fault party in the event of an accident – and you may be more likely to receive an appropriate settlement this way. Although pedestrians and motor vehicle drivers are both legally required to pay attention to the road, drivers can often be said to have a stronger “duty of care” to protect pedestrians, owing to the sheer size of their vehicles.
For 24-hour assistance and experienced legal counsel, you can count on our Phoenix attorneys at Rafi Law Group. With decades of combined experience in personal injury law and a passion for protecting our communities, we can help you seek justice after you’ve been hit by a careless car driver.
Call (623) 207-1555 today for more information about our legal services.