Oct 19, 2018 - Pedestrian Accidents by Jack Hirsch
If you have sustained serious injuries in a pedestrian accident while you were walking on a roadway, then you might be somewhat confused as to your rights — after all, it may not be clear whether you were actually entitled to walk on the roadway (under Arizona law) at the time of the collision. Arizona regulates pedestrian roadway use quite stringently. Let’s take a look at the basics. Sidewalk Use is Highly Controlled Section 28-796 of the Arizona Revised Statutes governs pedestrian use of roadways in situations where sidewalks may or may not be present. More specifically, Arizona statutory law prohibits pedestrian use of roadways when there are sidewalks on (or adjacent to) the roadway at-issue. Where no sidewalk has been provided, pedestrians are allowed to walk along the roadway, but this accessibility is limited. Pedestrians may only walk: On the left side of the roadway, or On the shoulder of the roadway, facing traffic that may be approaching from the opposite direction. Further, you may not stand in a roadway — even briefly — to solicit a ride. For example, it is illegal to step onto the road to call a taxicab. You must stay on the sidewalk (assuming that a sidewalk has been provided). Arizona Comparative Negligence In the event that you did, in fact, violate the various statutory regulations concerning sidewalk use and pedestrian roadway use, then Arizona law may not necessarily preclude you from suing and recovering damages for your injuries — though your recovery will […]