Arizona law generally requires a driver involved in a crash causing injury, death, or damage to an attended vehicle to stop, remain at the scene, provide identifying information and, when appropriate, render reasonable assistance.

When a driver leaves without meeting those legal duties, whether they struck your car, bicycle, motorcycle, or you as a pedestrian, they may be charged with leaving the scene, commonly called a hit-and-run.

Arizona takes these incidents seriously. 

1. Leaving the scene of an injury crash can be a felony.
2. Leaving after a crash involving an injury other than death or serious physical injury may be charged as a Class 5 felony.
3. Leaving after a crash involving serious physical injury or death may be charged as a Class 3 felony, or a Class 2 felony if the driver caused the crash. 
4. Leaving the scene of a property-damage-only crash may also result in criminal penalties.

A criminal investigation may help law enforcement identify the driver and preserve evidence. However, it does not automatically establish civil fault or guarantee that an injured person will recover compensation.

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What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident in Arizona

If you are reading this in the aftermath of a crash, these steps can help:

1. Get to safety and call 911. If possible, move away from traffic or another immediate hazard. Call 911 to report the crash and request emergency help if anyone may be injured.
2. Seek medical attention if you may be injured. Some injuries, including concussions and internal injuries, may not be immediately apparent. A prompt medical evaluation can protect your health and document the effects of the crash.
3. Write down what you remember. Note the other vehicle’s color, make, model, license plate number or even a partial plate, damage, distinguishing features, and the direction it traveled. Small details can be useful.
4. Look for witnesses and video. Ask nearby witnesses for their names and contact information. Nearby businesses, homes, doorbell cameras, and traffic cameras may have recorded the collision or the fleeing vehicle. Video footage can be deleted quickly, so acting promptly matters.
5. Report the crash to law enforcement. A police report creates an official record. It may also be required by your insurance policy or helpful in documenting a hit-and-run claim.
6. Notify your insurance company promptly. You may need to start a claim with your own insurer, especially if the other driver is not identified. Give accurate information, but do not guess about facts you do not know.
7. Consider speaking with an attorney before giving a recorded statement or accepting a settlement. An insurance company may request a recorded statement or make an early settlement offer before the full extent of your injuries is known. Understanding your options first can help you make an informed decision.

If the driver who hit you is never identified, you may still have options.

If your auto policy includes uninsured-motorist, or UM, coverage, it may provide benefits for bodily injuries caused by an unidentified hit-and-run driver. UM coverage may help compensate you for losses such as medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering, depending on the policy, available limits, applicable exclusions, and the facts of the claim.

Arizona insurers must offer uninsured-motorist coverage, but drivers may decline it. That means not every policy includes UM coverage.

It is also important to understand that vehicle damage may be handled differently. Repairs to your car may depend on collision coverage, uninsured-motorist property-damage coverage if your policy includes it, the deductible, or another available source of recovery.

Insurance claims can be complicated, especially when there is no identified driver. Your insurer may ask for documentation, investigate the crash, or dispute the nature or extent of the injuries. Reviewing your policy and the facts of the crash early can help protect your options.

An uninsured-motorist claim may also arise when an unidentified vehicle causes a crash without actually making contact with you or your vehicle. For example, another driver may force you off the road and leave the area.

Arizona law has additional proof requirements for certain UM claims involving an unidentified vehicle when no physical contact occurred. Evidence from witnesses, video footage, or other sources may become especially important in these cases.

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Investigating a Phoenix Hit-and-Run Accident

When a driver leaves the scene, identifying what happened and preserving available evidence can become especially important.

Depending on the circumstances, Zazueta Legal Group may:

• Review police reports and crash records
• Gather photographs and video
• Look for available surveillance or traffic-camera footage
• Interview witnesses
• Review vehicle damage and crash-scene evidence
• Help document medical treatment and financial losses
• Review available insurance policies
• Determine whether uninsured-motorist coverage may apply
• Communicate with insurance companies
• Evaluate settlement offers
• Pursue available legal remedies when necessary

Even when the other driver is never identified, evidence about how the crash happened may still be important to an uninsured-motorist claim.

Jose can review the available evidence, explain what additional information may be useful, and help you understand the options available under your insurance coverage.

The compensation available after a hit-and-run depends on the injuries, available insurance coverage, and the circumstances of the crash.

Depending on the case, compensation may be available for:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical care
• Lost income
• Reduced earning ability
• Pain and suffering
• Other losses related to the injuries

Damage to your vehicle may be handled separately through collision coverage, applicable property-damage coverage, or another available source of recovery.

Jose can review the available insurance coverage, document the losses caused by the crash, and explain what compensation may be available in your specific situation.

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Why People Choose to Work With Jose Zazueta

After a serious crash, the last thing you need is to feel passed around from person to person every time you call a law firm.

At Zazueta Legal Group, Jose Zazueta remains personally involved in the cases he handles while working with his team to investigate, document, and prepare each claim. Before becoming an attorney, Jose worked as a paralegal, giving him firsthand experience with the detailed work personal injury cases require.

Here is what that can look like in practice:

• You can expect clear communication about your case and your next steps.
• The team explains legal and insurance issues in plain language.
• You receive updates about important developments in your case.
• Your claim receives individualized attention rather than assembly-line treatment.

Every case is different. During a consultation, ZLG can explain how the firm may be able to assist with your particular circumstances.

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Bilingual Representation

For many Phoenix families, it matters to be able to discuss a difficult and personal situation in the language that feels most comfortable.

Jose and the ZLG team can communicate with clients in English or Spanish. If you or a loved one prefers Spanish, ask about speaking with the team in Spanish when you contact the firm.

¿Prefiere hablar en español? Puede comunicarse con José y su equipo en español. Su consulta es gratuita.

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What It Costs to Hire ZLG

There are no upfront attorney fees for clients represented on a contingency-fee basis.

If ZLG accepts your case under a contingency-fee agreement, attorney fees are paid from a recovery. If there is no recovery, you do not owe attorney fees. Before hiring any law firm, ask for a clear explanation of how case costs and expenses such as filing fees, medical-record charges, expert fees, and litigation expenses would be handled.

Your consultation is free, with no pressure or obligation.

You Do Not Have to Handle This Alone

A hit-and-run can leave you with unanswered questions, unexpected bills, and a great deal of uncertainty. You do not have to sort through the insurance process alone, and you do not have to accept an offer before you understand your options.

Bad day? Call Jose.

Reach out today for a free, no-pressure consultation in English or Spanish at (623) 294-4874.