Can I Get a Ticket for Jay-Walking Even if There Are No Cars Around in Phoenix, AZ?
February 22, 2024 | Car Accidents
You may be surprised to find out that Arizona tops the charts in pedestrian accident fatality rates. Phoenix experiences a significant number of pedestrian accidents daily. Not all incidents can be solely attributed to drivers. In fact, many involve jaywalkers.
Jaywalking is the act of crossing the street where it’s not legally permitted. Jaywalking is common and dangerous as it endangers pedestrians and drivers. This can potentially lead to severe accidents. However, a pedestrian involved in an accident while jaywalking may still be eligible for compensation.
Understanding the specifics of Arizona jaywalking laws can help you better know when you may receive a ticket.
Is Jay-Walking Illegal in Arizona?
Not always. Jaywalking in Arizona doesn’t carry the blanket illegality many assume. Pedestrians must yield the right-of-way to vehicles unless they are in a crosswalk. Crossing a street away from crosswalks isn’t illegal if there’s no functional intersection. In that case, you won’t get a ticket.
This doesn’t mean jaywalking is safe. Motorists are used to stopping or slowing for pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections. They may not expect to encounter pedestrians elsewhere. The sudden appearance of a pedestrian can catch drivers off guard. This surprise encounter may lead to an accident.
Crossing the street between two adjacent intersections equipped with traffic-control signals is illegal, except within marked crosswalks. Additionally, local ordinances may impose more specific jaywalking regulations. Understanding these nuances is essential for pedestrian safety and following the law.
Imagine you’re walking down a street, and you come to a spot where there are traffic lights at the corner ahead of you and another set at the corner behind you. In this situation, it’s against the law to cross the street right where you are unless you’re in a crosswalk that’s clearly marked for walking. So, if you decide to cross the street anywhere between these two sets of lights, you’re breaking the law.
Can an Accident Be the Pedestrian’s Fault?
Absolutely, pedestrians can indeed be at fault in accidents. Take, for instance, cases where pedestrians under the influence of alcohol or drugs cause accidents. In Arizona, such situations are not uncommon, with intoxication significantly impairing judgment and leading to severe, sometimes fatal, mistakes.
Distractions are another major factor. The assumption that drivers will always manage to avoid pedestrians emboldens some to cross streets while distracted by their phones. This misplaced confidence can lead to accidents.
Should a pedestrian wander into the path of an oncoming vehicle because they were engrossed in their smartphone, they may bear partial or complete responsibility for any ensuing collision.
What Is Comparative Negligence In Arizona?
In Arizona, when a pedestrian accident happens, the comparative negligence law looks at both sides to decide who is at fault and by how much. This means both parties might share the blame for the accident, and the court decides how much each person is responsible.
After figuring out who’s at fault, the money for damages is split according to how much each person was to blame. Arizona is unique because it follows a strict rule that lets injured parties get some money even if they were mostly at fault for the accident.
For example, if someone is 99% at fault, they could still get 1% of the money for damages. This shows why it’s important to carefully look at all the details in an accident to decide who should pay and how much.
What to Do if You Are Injured in a Collision While Jaywalking
If you or someone close to you has suffered an injury in a pedestrian accident, you should seek medical help immediately. It is also crucial to reach out to a Phoenix pedestrian accident attorney to receive the respect and advocacy you deserve.
Contact the Arizona Car Accident Lawyers at Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers Today
If you were injured in an accident in Phoenix, AZ, and need legal help, contact our Phoenix car accident attorneys at Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free case review today.
Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers
1221 E Osborn Rd. Suite 201
Phoenix, AZ 85014
(602) 595-5559
Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers
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Tucson, AZ 85711
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Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers
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Albuquerque, NM 87102
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