Yuma Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Walking through the streets of Yuma–whether near Main Street, around local schools, or in residential areas–should not come with the risk of serious injury. The unfortunate reality is that when drivers are careless or fail to follow traffic laws, pedestrians are often the ones who suffer the most. Pedestrian accidents may lead to traumatic injuries, emotional trauma, and costly medical bills.

An experienced Yuma pedestrian accident lawyer can help injured parties seek justice and recover the maximum compensation they need to move forward.

What Duty Do Drivers Owe to Pedestrians in Arizona?

When drivers take to the roads in Yuma or elsewhere in Arizona, they are expected to exercise due care to ensure the safety of others sharing the streets, including pedestrians. Unfortunately, not all motorists uphold these obligations, which may lead to dangerous situations and devastating pedestrian accidents. Arizona law clearly requires drivers to prioritize pedestrian safety. This includes:

• Avoiding Distractions: Drivers must avoid distractions like texting, phone calls, adjusting the stereo, or GPS usage that may divert their attention from the road.
• Obeying Speed Limits: Driving at safe speeds, especially in areas with heavy foot traffic such as near schools or parks, is important to reducing the risk of injury.
• Stopping for School Buses: When a school bus is at a stop with flashing red lights, drivers must stop to protect children crossing the street.
• Yielding to Pedestrians at Crosswalks: Drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians crossing intersections or designated crossing areas.

Even the most cautious pedestrians walking through popular areas like downtown Yuma or near residential areas may be injured due to a driver’s negligence. In these situations, an experienced Yuma pedestrian accident attorney can help investigate the circumstances of the incident and hold negligent drivers accountable. Contact our law office by phone or submit an online contact form today for a free case evaluation.

Compensation Available to Injured Pedestrians

Suffering injuries in a car versus pedestrian accident may have a lasting impact on many aspects of an individual’s life. Beyond physical pain, these collisions may often lead to emotional, physical, and financial challenges. Injured pedestrians may be entitled to recover economic and non-economic damages to support their recovery. Common types of compensation in pedestrian accident cases include:

• Medical Expenses: This includes all the costs related to treatment such as emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, physical therapy, prescription medications, and any future care needed due to the crash.
• Lost Wages: An injured pedestrian may seek reimbursement for income lost during their recovery period when they were unable to work and to attend medical appointments for treatment related to the incident.
• Loss of Earning Capacity: If injuries from a vehicle-pedestrian collision result in long-term or permanent disabilities that reduce the individual’s ability to earn a living, compensation may reflect the diminished earning potential.
• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for pain and suffering addresses not only the immediate physical discomfort caused by the incident but also the ongoing challenges such as emotional distress and loss of quality of life that may last long after the initial injury.
• Scarring and Disfigurement: Injuries that leave permanent scars or visible disfigurement may significantly impact a person’s self-esteem and quality of life, making compensation for these damages an important part of the bodily injury claim.

An experienced Yuma pedestrian injury lawyer can help evaluate the full scope of economic and non-economic damages in each case and work diligently to secure maximum compensation on behalf of the client. If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Yuma or somewhere else in Arizona, do not wait–contact a trusted accident attorney today to begin the path toward recovery.

Seeking Justice and Recovery in a Fatal Pedestrian Accident Case

The loss of a family member in a fatal pedestrian accident is an immeasurable tragedy, and no amount of money can replace their presence. The sudden and unexpected death not only brings emotional devastation but also unexpected financial hardships that surviving family members must face. However, bringing a wrongful death claim can help survivors seek justice and recovery. Compensation in a wrongful death case may cover:

• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of the deceased’s care, companionship, and support
• Loss of the decedent’s financial contributions for the family household

At Southwest Injury Law, we handle all aspects of the case to allow our clients the time and space to focus on grieving and recovering. Speak to our compassionate legal team today to learn how we can assist your family through this difficult time. We offer free consultations and operate on a contingency fee basis–meaning clients owe no fees unless we successfully recover compensation on their behalf.

Why Injured Pedestrians Should Be Cautious When Dealing with Insurers

After a vehicle versus pedestrian accident, it is common for an insurance adjuster to contact the injured party. While the adjuster may seem polite, professional, and concerned, it is important to remember that their goal is to protect the insurer’s bottom line–not the injured person’s well-being. Insurance carriers are profit-driven businesses, and adjusters are trained to reduce payouts whenever possible.

One of the most important steps an injured pedestrian can take is to avoid giving a recorded statement to the insurance company. Although an adjuster may frame the request for a recorded statement as a routine way to get your side of the story, any statement may be used against the claimant. For instance, simple phrases like “I’m doing okay” can be misinterpreted as a full recovery.

An injured party should never sign documents from the insurance carrier without first consulting a Yuma pedestrian accident lawyer. Insurance adjusters may send broad medical authorization forms that provide them access to an individual’s full medical history–not just records related to the incident. Conversely, if a release form is signed and a settlement is accepted, the injured person cannot seek any additional compensation.

What if the At-Fault Driver Does Not Have Car Insurance?

When a pedestrian is injured in a motor vehicle collision caused by a driver without auto insurance, recovering compensation may prove to be a complex process–but not entirely impossible. Even without coverage from the at-fault driver, there may still be options available. In some cases, the injured pedestrian may have access to uninsured motorist (UM) coverage through their own car insurance policy.

If the injured pedestrian does not have an auto insurance policy, there may be another pathway to recovery. In cases where the injured party does not have a policy but resides with a relative who does, UM coverage may extend to them so long as they are not listed as an excluded member of the insurance plan. Uninsured motorist coverage may help pay for medical bills, wage loss, and other damages resulting from the incident.

Navigating personal injury cases involving uninsured drivers may be challenging and are best left to an experienced Yuma pedestrian accident attorney to handle. An injury lawyer can explore all possible sources of financial recovery and help protect the injured party’s rights throughout the legal process. Do not wait–reach out today for a free consultation and take the first step toward securing the maximum compensation you deserve.

Contact a Dedicated Yuma Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today

Vehicle-pedestrian collisions may have life-changing consequences, but those injured do not have to face the aftermath alone. Our Yuma pedestrian accident attorneys can help recover maximum compensation for injuries and damages. Schedule a free consultation at (602) 777-3300. Our law office proudly serves clients throughout Yuma County and surrounding communities.