Arizona’s hit-and-run laws are very extensive and leave no gray areas. Being a hit-and-run car accident victim can be a very stressful event, and it would help if you had a good understanding of the different laws surrounding hit-and-run car accidents so you can know what to do.
Our Arizona car accident lawyers have very well versed in all laws about hit-and-runs that they will be able to guide you to receive total compensation for your claim. In 2020, there were 13,512 total hit-and-run car accidents in Arizona, with 77 being fatal and 2,421 involving injuries*.
Many hit and run crashes happen because:
- The driver doesn’t have car insurance
- The driver is intoxicated or under the influence of drugs
- Driving with a suspended license
- Having an outstanding warrant for the driver’s arrest
- The car is stolen
Laws for Hit-and-Run Arizona Car Accidents
ARS 28-661: Leaving the scene of a car accident that resulted in injury or death.
- Suppose the at-fault driver causes a car accident. In that case, they must remain at the scene, provide their information to the injured parties, and notify the police and ambulance once injuries have been identified.
- If a driver involved in a car accident resulting in severe injury or death leaves the scene, this will result in a class 3 felony.
- 8.75 years in prison and loss of driver’s license for 5 years
- If the at-fault driver of a car accident that resulted in severe injury or death leaves the scene, it will result in a class 2 felony.
- 12.5 years in jail and loss of driver’s license for 10 years
- If a driver is involved in a car accident resulting in an injury that is not serious leaves the scene, this will result in a class 5 felony.
- Max penalty of 2.5 years in prison and revocation of driver’s license for 3 years
- If a driver involved in a car accident resulting in severe injury or death leaves the scene, this will result in a class 3 felony.
ARS 28-662: Leaving the scene of a car accident that only involved vehicle damage and no injuries
- If a car accident occurs with no injuries, the drivers must stay and remain at the scene and exchange information. If the at-fault driver leaves the scene, they will violate this statute and suffer a class 2 misdemeanor.
- Max penalty 4 months in jail, 2-year probation, and a $750 fine
ARS 28-663: Refusal or failure to exchange information after a car accident and there are injuries or death.
- If the at-fault driver in the car accident caused injuries or death to another person, they must share their information with the victim.
- Proper assistance must be provided to the injured party through police notification and ambulance notification. If the at-fault driver fails to provide information to the injured party, they will receive a class 1 misdemeanor.
- However, if the at-fault driver also refuses assistance to the injured party, they will receive a class 6 felony.
ARS 28-664: Leaving the scene after hitting a parked vehicle.
- Suppose the at-fault driver hits an unattended car. In that case, they must stop and either locate the owner of the vehicle and exchange information or leave a written note with their information and leave it in a place that the car owner can easily see. If the at-fault driver fails to comply, they will receive a class 3 misdemeanor.
- Max penalty of 30 days in jail, 1-year probation, and a $500 fine
ARS 28-665: Leaving the scene of an accident that damages non-vehicle property like hitting a sign, fence, or mailbox.
- If the at-fault driver hits non-vehicle property, they must locate and notify the owner or person in charge about the accident and provide them with their information. If the at-fault driver fails to comply, they will receive a class 3 misdemeanor.
- Max penalty of 30 days in jail, 1-year probation, and a $500 fine
Reporting Arizona Hit-and-Run Accidents To Police
For a hit-and-run accident situation, you must always report it to the police if you want to have a chance of receiving compensation for damages and injuries. The police report is the crucial key for your Arizona car accident lawyer to help build your case.
Another piece of the puzzle is taking mental notes about the other vehicle that caused the accident such as:
- Remembering their vehicle make and model
- The car’s color
- Any distinguishing features the car might have
- Remembering the license plate number
These details can all help track down the culprit. If there were any witnesses of the hit-and-run car accident, having their testimonies might be able to help the police to locate the at-fault driver.
Reporting the Hit and Run to the Insurance Company
Even in the event of an Arizona hit and run car accident where you do not have the other driver’s information, you must report the crash to your insurance company. Arizona is a no-fault state which means that the driver who caused is responsible for paying for the victim’s damages. If the police are not able to find the driver who failed to stop at the scene, you can collect from Uninsured Motorist insurance if you have that added to your policy.
Uninsured Motorist insurance is essential to have if you are ever the victim of a hit-and-run car accident and is recommended to all drivers. UM helps provide you with compensation when the at-fault driver cannot be found, or they are found and have no insurance. In these cases, you can claim UM from your insurance plan to pay for damages and injuries.
Every motor vehicle, including golf carts, motorcycles, mopeds, and everyday cars/trucks, requires insurance in Arizona. The minimum requirements are $25,000 for bodily injury for one person and $50,000 for two or more people with $15,000 for property damage liability. Just because these policies are required doesn’t mean you should assume someone else has insurance. It is better to be safe and cover yourself with uninsured motorists than to be sorry and not have any coverage just in case.
* Source: https://azdot.gov/sites/default/files/media/2021/07/2020-crash-facts.pdf