Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Tempe, AZ
Our Tempe, AZ pedestrian accident lawyer at Wyatt Injury Law has spent over a decade representing injured pedestrians throughout Arizona. We handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Pedestrian accident claims involve a different set of challenges than car-to-car crashes. The injuries are almost always more serious because the pedestrian's body absorbs the full impact. And the insurance company will often try to shift blame to the pedestrian by claiming they weren't in a crosswalk or weren't paying attention. We know how to counter those arguments. If you've been hurt in a pedestrian crash in Tempe, we are ready to fight for the outcome you deserve.
Why Choose Wyatt Injury Law for Pedestrian Accident Cases in Tempe, AZ?
Local Knowledge of Arizona Injury Law
Justin L. Wyatt has been practicing injury law in Arizona for more than 10 years. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University and holds a B.S. from Brigham Young University–Idaho. He is admitted to practice in all Arizona courts, the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, and the United States District Court for the District of Ohio.
Justin is a member of the American Bar Association, the Arizona Trial Lawyers Association, the Maricopa County Bar Association, and the J. Reuben Clark Law Society. He received a Top 10 Jury Verdict award in 2021 and has dedicated his entire career to representing injured victims in Arizona.
Tempe presents its own set of challenges for pedestrian cases. Mill Avenue, University Drive, and the areas around Arizona State University see heavy foot traffic daily. As a personal injury lawyer in Tempe, AZ, Justin understands how local roadways factor into these claims, from crosswalk design to traffic signal timing.
A Record of Results for Injured Clients
Wyatt Injury Law has recovered millions of dollars for clients across a range of injury cases. Our pedestrian accident results include an $800,000 recovery for a pedestrian injury and a $320,000 recovery for a pedestrian collision. Every case is different, but these results reflect the level of commitment we bring to each client.
As a personal injury attorney in Tempe, AZ, Justin also has experience handling related claims such as car accidents, truck accidents, and hit-and-run cases, all of which can involve pedestrian victims.
No Fee Unless We Win
We work on contingency. You won't pay attorney fees upfront, and you won't owe us anything if we don't recover compensation for you. That structure exists because we believe injured pedestrians shouldn't have to worry about legal costs while they're still recovering from their injuries.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I can't thank Justin enough. This was my first auto accident, and I was extremely nervous about how to handle everything. I was referred by a fellow Korean friend, and Justin connected me with what I truly believe is one of the best lawyers in the country. From start to finish, the entire process was seamless and smooth, with no hiccups at all. Justin is incredibly professional yet genuinely friendly." – Mingyu Shim
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Types of Pedestrian Accident Cases We Handle in Tempe
Pedestrian crashes happen in many different ways, and each one raises different questions about liability, insurance coverage, and damages. We handle the full range.
- Crosswalk accidents. Drivers who fail to yield at marked or unmarked crosswalks cause some of the most preventable pedestrian injuries in Tempe. We investigate signal timing, driver behavior, and right-of-way violations.
- Hit-and-run accidents. When a driver flees the scene, the investigation becomes more complex. We work with law enforcement reports and available evidence to identify the responsible party or pursue uninsured motorist claims.
- Distracted driving crashes. Texting, phone use, and other distractions account for a significant portion of pedestrian collisions. Arizona law prohibits phone use at red lights and while driving, and violations can support your claim.
- Bicycle accidents. Some collisions involve both cyclists and pedestrians sharing the road or sidewalk with motor vehicles. These cases often involve multiple parties.
- Parking lot and driveway accidents. Low-speed impacts can still cause serious harm, especially to children and older adults. Drivers backing out of spaces or exiting driveways are required to check for pedestrians.
- Rideshare-related pedestrian accidents. Uber and Lyft vehicles frequently stop in travel lanes, bike lanes, and crosswalks while picking up or dropping off passengers. When a pedestrian is injured as a result, the rideshare company's insurance may apply.
- Accidents involving commercial vehicles. Delivery trucks, construction vehicles, and other large commercial vehicles present greater dangers to pedestrians because of blind spots and stopping distances.
- Catastrophic injuries. Some pedestrian crashes result in spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, or amputations. These cases demand a different level of investigation and long-term damage analysis.
Arizona Legal Requirements for Pedestrian Accident Cases
Under A.R.S. § 12-542, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Miss that deadline and the court will almost certainly dismiss your case, regardless of how strong the evidence is. If your claim is against a government entity, such as the City of Tempe for a dangerous road condition, the timeline is even shorter. A.R.S. § 12-821.01 requires you to file a notice of claim within 180 days.
Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence system under A.R.S. § 12-2505. That means even if you were partially at fault for the accident, say you were jaywalking or crossing outside a crosswalk, you can still recover damages. Your award gets reduced by your percentage of fault. If you were 20% responsible and your damages total $100,000, you'd recover $80,000.
According to NHTSA data, over 7,000 pedestrians were killed nationwide in 2024, with tens of thousands more injured. Arizona consistently ranks among the states with the highest pedestrian fatality rates, which makes these laws and their deadlines especially important for victims here.
Pedestrian right-of-way laws in Arizona also play a role. Drivers are required to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, and pedestrians who are already in the roadway have the right of way even outside a marked crossing. These rules become evidence in your case. When a driver violates them and injures a pedestrian, that violation can be used to establish negligence. On the other hand, insurance companies routinely argue that the pedestrian was partly at fault to reduce the amount they have to pay. Having an attorney who can push back on those arguments with actual evidence is critical.
What Damages Are Recoverable in a Tempe Pedestrian Accident Claim?
Pedestrian injuries tend to be among the most serious of any traffic-related accident. There is no vehicle frame, airbag, or seatbelt protecting you. The damages available in these cases reflect that reality.
Economic damages cover the financial losses you can document. That includes emergency room bills, surgery costs, physical therapy, prescription medications, and any future medical care you'll need. It also covers lost wages from missed work and, in severe cases, lost earning capacity if you can no longer do the job you had before the accident. Property damage, including damaged clothing, electronics, or mobility aids, is also recoverable.
Non-economic damages address the losses that don't come with a receipt. Arizona law allows compensation for physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and the impact the injury has on your relationships and daily activities. These damages are often substantial in pedestrian cases because the injuries, whether fractures, brain injuries, or scarring, frequently have lasting effects.
Punitive damages are available in Arizona but only in limited circumstances. If the driver who hit you was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or was engaged in reckless conduct such as street racing, the court may award punitive damages to punish that behavior. These are separate from the compensation intended to make you whole. Arizona does not cap non-economic damages in most personal injury cases, so the value of your claim depends on the specific facts and severity of your injuries.
Understanding what your settlement should cover is critical before accepting any offer from an insurance company. Initial offers almost never account for the full scope of damages, especially future medical costs and non-economic harm. Many pedestrian accident victims don't realize that medical liens from hospitals and health insurers can also reduce a settlement if they aren't properly negotiated. We handle that part of the process as well, working to reduce liens so that more of the recovery goes to you rather than back to a hospital billing department.
Contact Wyatt Injury Law
If you or someone in your family was injured in a pedestrian accident in Tempe, AZ, we want to hear from you. Every pedestrian accident case we take begins with a free consultation where we review the facts, explain your legal options, and give you an honest assessment of what your claim may be worth.
There is no fee unless we win. We work on contingency because we believe that financial barriers should never prevent an injured person from getting legal help.
We respond promptly and make ourselves available when you need us. Contact us to schedule your free consultation and find out how Wyatt Injury Law can help with your pedestrian accident case in Tempe.