Recent figures from the Arizona Department of Transportation show there were more than 13,000 hit-and-run accidents statewide in a single year, including nearly 80 fatal crashes and 2,500 crashes where someone was injured. Unfortunately, it’s often a major challenge to hold drivers responsible when they flee the scene of the crash. This makes it difficult for crash victims to get the money to cover their medical bills, lost wages, and other losses from the accident.
If you have been injured in an Arizona hit-and-run accident, contact the Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer right away. Our experienced hit-and-run accident attorneys can help you file a personal injury claim and demand fair compensation for your injuries after the crash. For more information, contact our office for a free initial consultation.
Hit-and-Run Car Accident Laws in Arizona
Arizona has laws to prevent hit-and-run car accidents. Under Section 28-661 of the Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS), any driver in an accident that causes injury or death must stop close to the accident scene as soon as possible. Not stopping at the scene of the crash is a felony.
ARS Section 28-663 requires drivers in a crash to exchange their name, address, and vehicle registration number. Drivers must also provide “reasonable” assistance to anyone injured in the accident. Calling 911 to alert emergency responders usually meets this requirement of the law.
Who Is At Fault in Arizona Hit-and-Run Accidents?
If another driver hits you and flees the crash scene, they are generally the ones who will be held at fault for the accident. However, to hold someone liable for injuries caused in a hit-and-run accident, you have to be able to identify them and their vehicle and then find them after they have fled.
This is not always possible, putting crash victims in a tough spot. If you have been involved in a crash and cannot find the driver who hit you, talk to a hit-and-run accident attorney about your options for recovering compensation for your injuries.
What To Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident
Here’s what to do in a hit-and-run accident in Arizona if you want the best possible chance of recovering compensation for your injuries:
- Try to identify the car that hit you — Try to get a picture of the car and its license plate before the driver flees the scene. If you cannot get a picture, write down as many details about the vehicle as you can. Look around for any surveillance cameras that may have recorded the accident, as you may be able to identify the car that hit you from the footage.
- Gather evidence — One of the challenges with hit-and-run accidents is proving that the crash actually happened, so you want as much evidence as possible to support your claim. Take pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage to your car.
- Call 911 to report the accident — If you can provide a picture or description of the car that hit you, the police can start looking for it. A police report can also help support your case, and you can get checked out for any serious injuries by emergency medical responders.
- Get treatment for your injuries — The sooner you see a doctor, the better, as you may have major internal injuries that require immediate treatment. Your doctor can also write down all the injuries you have suffered, which will play a key role in your hit-and-run accident claim.
- Don’t provide a statement to the insurance company — While you should report the accident to your insurance provider per the requirements of your policy, remember that anything you say to an adjuster could potentially hurt your case if you’re not careful. Your best option is to let an attorney talk to the insurance companies on your behalf.
- Talk to a hit-and-run accident lawyer right away — Your attorney can help you find the driver who fled the scene and look at other options for recovering compensation if the other driver cannot be found.
