Hit by a car while walking? See if you have a claim.

In Arizona, drivers must yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk when there's no working signal, slowing or stopping if needed. Drivers also can't pass a car that has stopped to let someone cross (A.R.S. § 28-792).

In Georgia, a driver must stop and stay stopped for a pedestrian in a crosswalk who is on the driver's half of the road or within one lane of it (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-91).

Both states say a pedestrian crossing outside a marked crosswalk, or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, must yield to vehicles (A.R.S. § 28-793; O.C.G.A. § 40-6-92). That doesn't mean drivers can be careless. Arizona drivers must still use due care to avoid hitting a pedestrian (A.R.S. § 28-794).

If you share some fault, Arizona reduces your recovery by your share (A.R.S. § 12-2505). Georgia allows recovery only if you were less than 50% at fault (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33).

Usually the claim goes to the driver's liability insurance. If the driver had none, or not enough, or drove away, it's worth asking your own auto insurer whether any of your coverage applies.

If a city bus or other government vehicle hit you, the deadlines are usually much shorter. Arizona generally requires a written notice of claim within 180 days (A.R.S. § 12-821.01), and Georgia generally requires notice to a city within six months (O.C.G.A. § 36-33-5). Talk to an attorney quickly in that case.

• Photos of the crosswalk, signals and lighting where you were hit.
• Your clothing and shoes, kept as they were.
• Names of witnesses and anyone who helped you.
• Camera footage from nearby homes, stores or traffic lights.
• Your medical records from the ER onward.

Pedestrian injuries can be serious and recovery can take a long time. An attorney can look at the scene, the driver's coverage and your options, and explain them in plain terms.

It's free to check your claim, and you don't have to go ahead.