Fleeing the scene of an accident—better known as a hit-and-run—is a serious crime in Arizona, and the consequences can be life-altering. Whether it’s a minor scrape in a parking lot or a crash that leaves someone injured, the law requires drivers to stop, exchange information, and offer help if needed. Leaving without doing is illegal, and it can lead to criminal charges, massive fines, and even jail time. If you’ve been involved in a hit-and-run, whether as a victim or the accused, knowing your rights and the next steps is critical.
What is defined as a hit-and-run?
Arizona law classifies hit-and-run accidents based on the circumstances of the crash. Whether the collision involves another vehicle, a pedestrian, or unattended property, leaving the scene without taking the proper steps can lead to criminal charges. State law requires anyone involved in a crash—whether it’s a minor dent or a serious collision—to pull over, check for injuries, and provide their name, contact details, and insurance information to the other parties involved. This applies whether the incident happens on public roads or private property, such as a parking lot.
Arizona Hit-and-Run Statistics and Common Causes
Hit-and-run crashes are a persistent problem on Arizona roads. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation’s 2024 Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report, drivers fled the scene in 16,136 of the state’s 121,107 total crashes that year, or roughly 13.3% of all reported collisions. Those incidents resulted in 86 deaths and 4,202 injuries, and the vast majority, more than 12,700 crashes, involved property damage only.
Drivers leave the scene for a range of reasons, and understanding them doesn’t excuse the conduct, but it can help explain why these cases keep happening. Common factors reported in hit-and-run cases include:
- The driver doesn’t have car insurance
- The driver is impaired by alcohol or drugs
- The driver is operating on a suspended or revoked license
- The driver has an outstanding warrant
- The vehicle involved is stolen
None of these circumstances change a driver’s legal obligations under Arizona law. Whatever the reason for fleeing, the requirement to stop, exchange information, and render aid still applies, and here’s how Arizona’s hit-and-run laws break down depending on what was involved in the crash.
Here’s how Arizona’s hit-and-run laws apply to different types of accidents:
Hit-and-Run Involving an Unattended Vehicle or Property
If a driver hits a parked car, a fence, or any other property and leaves without making an effort to notify the owner, it’s a crime under Arizona Revised Statutes §28-664. The law requires drivers to 1) stop; and 2) make a reasonable attempt to find the property owner. If no one is around, a reasonable attempt under Arizona law includes leaving a note with your name, and contact information (i.e., address), so that the owner of the vehicle knows how to locate you. Even minor damage can lead to misdemeanor charges, fines, and potential license suspension, should someone violate this statute.
Accidents involving parked cars are among the most common type of hit-and-run, in part because some drivers assume that if no one witnessed the crash, there’s little chance of being identified. That assumption is often wrong. If you’re the owner of a damaged parked vehicle, it’s worth reporting the incident to police and documenting the damage with photos right away. If the accident happened near a home or business, it’s also worth asking whether security cameras may have captured the vehicle or license plate. Depending on your policy, collision coverage may help pay for repairs even if the other driver is never identified.
Hit-and-Run Involving Property Damage
A collision that damages another vehicle or property, but doesn’t involve injuries, falls under Arizona Revised Statutes §28-662. The law requires both drivers to stop in a manner that doesn’t obstruct traffic, exchange information, and remain at the scene of the accident until the driver has fulfilled all requirements pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes §28-663. Even if no one appears to be injured, leaving the scene can result in a Class 1 misdemeanor, which carries penalties including fines, a potential jail sentence of up to four months, and a suspension of driving privileges.
Hit-and-Run Involving Injury or Death
If a driver flees a crash where someone is injured or killed, the stakes are much higher. According to Arizona Revised Statutes §28-661, a hit-and-run involving serious injury is a Class 2 felony, punishable by years in prison, steep fines, and a revoked license, with the possibility of being a Class 5 felony should the accident result in a death. Even if the injuries are not severe, leaving the scene turns what could have been a standard accident claim into a criminal case.
“I Panicked and Left the Scene”—What Should You Do?
Panic is a natural reaction after an accident, but leaving the scene only makes matters worse. If you left out of fear or confusion, you may now feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. While every situation is different, acting quickly can make a significant difference in how your case unfolds.
If you drove away but now regret your decision, voluntarily reporting the accident may demonstrate responsibility and could be viewed more favorably than waiting until law enforcement tracks you down. Arizona law requires drivers to report accidents involving unattended vehicles, private property, or fixed objects, especially when significant damage occurs. Even if no one was injured, failing to report can result in misdemeanor charges, fines, and license suspension. Coming forward voluntarily can sometimes reduce penalties and show good faith.
Before making a statement, consulting with an attorney can help you understand your options, avoid self-incrimination, and ensure you handle the situation in a way that protects your rights. If law enforcement has already opened an investigation, proactively addressing the situation with legal guidance is crucial. A lawyer can help you navigate the legal process, communicate with authorities, and protect your driving record and future.
Whether you were the victim, or left the scene in a moment of panic, your next steps matter. Arizona law has strict hit-and-run penalties, but the right legal strategy can help safeguard your rights and minimize consequences.
Driver’s Duty to Give Information and Aid
Arizona law requires all drivers involved in an accident to stop and take specific actions. Under ARS 28-663, drivers must:
- Give their name, address, and the registration number of the vehicle that the driver is driving.
- On request, provide their driver license to the person struck, or the driver or occupants of or person attending a vehicle collided with.
- Offer reasonable assistance to anyone injured, including calling 911, and making arrangements for the transportation of the person to a physician, surgeon or hospital for medical or surgical treatment if it is apparent that treatment is necessary, or if the carrying is requested by the injured person.
Failing to provide identifying information is generally a class 1 misdemeanor. Failing to render reasonable assistance to an injured person, however, is treated far more seriously and can be charged as a class 6 felony. In other words, the law doesn’t just penalize leaving; it specifically penalizes leaving someone hurt without help. When injuries or fatalities are involved, the penalties across the board become significantly more severe, which is worth understanding in more detail.
Penalties for Hit-and-Run in Arizona: Is It a Crime to Leave the Scene of an Accident?
Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime in Arizona, and depending on the circumstances, it can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. Arizona law takes hit-and-run offenses seriously, with penalties based on the severity of the crash and whether the driver fled after damaging property or injuring someone.
- Hit-and-run with unattended property (ARS 28-664): Class 1 misdemeanor, fines up to $2,500, potential license suspension.
- Hit-and-run with property damage (ARS 28-662): Class 2 misdemeanor, up to four months in jail, fines up to $750, and license suspension.
- Hit-and-run with injuries (ARS 28-661):
- Misdemeanor Penalties: Up to 4 months in jail, fines, a criminal record, and license suspension.
- Felony Penalties: Up to 15 years in prison, steep fines (often exceeding $150,000), felony record, and license revocation.
A split-second decision to flee the scene can turn a routine accident into a felony case. Even if you weren’t at fault for the crash, leaving can make things worse. An experienced attorney can help you navigate the legal process, gather evidence, and fight for the financial recovery you deserve.
What Happens After You Report a Hit-and-Run
Once a hit-and-run is reported, law enforcement typically opens an investigation to try to identify the driver who fled. Here’s generally what that process can involve:
- Police investigation. Officers may rely on witness statements, nearby security or traffic camera footage, and physical evidence left at the scene, such as debris, paint transfer, or tire marks. Reporting the incident as soon as possible gives investigators the best chance of working with fresh evidence.
- Your role in gathering evidence. Your first priority should be getting medical care if you need it, but any details you remember about the other vehicle—color, make, model, or part of a license plate—can help investigators. Photos of the scene, contact information from witnesses, and a check with nearby homes or businesses for potential camera footage can all add valuable pieces to the picture.
- Possible outcomes. If the driver is identified, they may face criminal charges, and depending on the harm caused, the victim may also have grounds to pursue a civil claim for damages. If the driver is never found, the case may remain open, but that doesn’t necessarily close the door on financial recovery for the victim.
Compensation in a Hit-and-Run Case
One of the hardest parts of being a hit-and-run victim is not knowing, at least at first, whether you’ll ever be made whole. Arizona law doesn’t leave victims without options just because the at-fault driver disappeared. Depending on the coverage you carry, several types of insurance may help:
- Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage can step in when the at-fault driver is never identified or doesn’t carry insurance, and may help with medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering, depending on your policy limits.
- Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage, if you carry it, can help with medical costs regardless of fault.
- Collision coverage can help pay for vehicle repairs after a hit-and-run, subject to your deductible, even when the responsible driver is unknown.
Coverage details vary significantly from policy to policy, so what applies to your situation depends on what you purchased and the specific terms of your policy. Promptly notifying your insurer and reviewing your auto insurance coverage in Arizona with an attorney can help you understand what may be available to you. If the driver is later identified, additional avenues for recovery, including a civil claim, may also open up.
Arizona Hit-and-Run Cases and the Role of a Lawyer
If you left the scene out of panic or confusion, acting quickly can help you regain control of the situation. Voluntarily reporting the accident can demonstrate responsibility, but speaking with an attorney first ensures you don’t unknowingly jeopardize your case. Our car accident lawyers can guide you through your legal options, help address potential liability, and represent your interests in any investigation.
If You Weren’t at Fault but Left
Leaving the scene, even if you weren’t responsible for the crash, can complicate your case. If you left due to safety concerns or confusion, reporting the incident as soon as possible helps protect your position. An attorney can assist in clarifying the circumstances, ensuring you are not wrongfully accused, and handling any legal or insurance matters that arise.
If You Were the Victim of a Hit-and-Run
If another driver fled after hitting you, you still have the right to seek compensation for medical expenses, vehicle repairs, and other losses. While locating the at-fault driver is ideal, your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may provide financial relief if they are not found. A lawyer can help gather evidence, file claims, and pursue compensation through all available legal avenues.
Hit-and-run cases require a strong legal strategy, whether you’re facing charges or seeking compensation. If you left the scene, our Phoenix car accident attorneys can evaluate your situation, explore defense options, and work to reduce potential penalties. If you weren’t at fault but left due to fear or confusion, we can help protect you from wrongful charges. And if you were the victim of a hit-and-run, we will investigate, gather evidence, and fight to hold the at-fault party accountable—whether through insurance claims or legal action.
The sooner you take action, the better your chances of protecting your rights and securing the best possible outcome. Contact us today for a confidential consultation.