he driver who hit you didn’t stop. That doesn’t mean you’re out of options. If this happened to you, the feelings that follow are completely understandable. Shock, anger, and panic about your injuries and your car. Worry about whether you can even file a claim when the other driver is unknown.
Here’s what we want you to know right away: Arizona law and your own insurance policy may give you real options for recovery, even when the driver is never found. At Esquire Law, our Phoenix hit-and-run car accident lawyers handle these types of cases, and we work to help victims pursue every avenue of compensation available under the law.
- Our team is available 24/7 to talk through your situation.
- There’s no fee unless we recover for you.
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What to Do Right After a Hit-and-Run in Arizona
The moments after a hit-and-run are chaotic. Here’s what you should focus on:
- Stay safe and call 911. Get yourself to a safe location if you can do so without worsening your injuries. Call 911 immediately. A police report is critical as it creates an official record that the other driver fled, which matters for both insurance and any future claim.
- Don’t move your vehicle yet. If it’s safe to stay where you are, leave your vehicle in place until police arrive. The final resting position of the vehicles is evidence that can help establish how the crash happened.
- Document & gather everything you can. Photograph your vehicle damage, the scene, your injuries, and anything else you notice. Write down or photograph whatever you remember about the fleeing vehicle, such as make, model, color, partial plate, direction of travel, and any damage you observed. Check for witnesses. Look around for traffic cameras, business security cameras, or Ring doorbell cameras on nearby homes.
- Get medical attention, even if you feel okay. Go to an emergency room or urgent care right away. This is important for your health and creates a medical record that ties your injuries to the crash. Even if you don’t feel badly hurt, call. Adrenaline masks pain, and symptoms often develop hours or days later. The longer you wait, the easier it becomes for an insurance company to argue your injuries weren’t caused by the accident.
- Contact an attorney before you call your insurance. Insurance adjusters, even from your own insurer, ask questions designed to limit what they have to pay. How you describe the accident, your injuries, and your current condition in those early conversations can affect your claim significantly. Having an attorney with you for those conversations changes the dynamic.
Why Hit-and-Run Cases Are Different
Not all car accident claims work the same way. Hit-and-run cases carry specific complications that make them harder to navigate alone.
No direct defendant to negotiate with. In a standard crash, you pursue the at-fault driver’s insurance. When the driver flees, your claim often runs through your own insurer as a UM claim, and the dynamic shifts. Your own insurer is not your adversary, but they’re not your advocate either. They have a financial interest in paying out as little as possible, and UM claims are no exception.
Evidence disappears fast. Camera footage gets overwritten. Witnesses leave. The hit-and-run driver has every incentive to put distance between themselves and the crash as quickly as possible, and the evidence window closes with them.
The burden of proof is higher. With no other driver to dispute, your account and physical evidence carry more weight. Every recorded statement to an insurance adjuster, including your own, gets used to evaluate your claim. Leading questions come fast, and what you say early can limit what you recover later.
Damages and injuries can be severe. Hit-and-run crashes might happen at higher speeds, and pedestrians or cyclists are frequently the ones left behind. The injuries and damages can be significant, and settling before you know the full picture can leave you with no recourse for what comes next.
What Arizona Law Says About Hit and Run
Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-661, a driver involved in a crash that results in injury or death is legally required to:
- Stop immediately at or near the scene
- Return to and remain at the scene if they stopped elsewhere
- Provide their name, address, and vehicle registration to anyone injured and to any police officer at the scene
- Provide reasonable assistance to anyone injured, including helping arrange transport for medical treatment if needed
Even if the crash only causes property damage and no person is injured, A.R.S. § 28-663 still requires the driver to stop, provide their information, and, if no one is around to receive it, report the accident to a nearby police officer or, in the officer’s absence, to the nearest police or sheriff’s office as soon as possible.
Leaving the scene of an accident involving death or serious injury is a class 3 felony in Arizona under A.R.S. § 28-661, and it can rise to a class 2 felony if the driver caused the accident. When an accident involves only damage to another vehicle, failing to stop is a class 2 misdemeanor under A.R.S. § 28-662. Arizona law also requires drivers involved in any accident to exchange information and render reasonable assistance under A.R.S. § 28-663, and failing to meet those duties carries its own separate penalties. These are serious criminal charges, but criminal prosecution of the driver is a separate process from your civil claim for compensation.
The fact that the other driver broke the law also matters. It can be relevant to your civil case and may affect how insurance companies evaluate fault. But you don’t have to wait for a criminal case to be resolved to pursue compensation for your injuries.
Can You Recover Compensation in a Hit-and-Run Accident?
In many cases, you may be able to. This surprises a lot of people, but there are real pathways to compensation even when the at-fault driver remains unidentified.
Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage
This is often the most important coverage in a hit-and-run case. Under Arizona law, insurers are required to offer uninsured motorist coverage to policyholders, though drivers may reject it. If you have UM coverage on your own auto policy, it may cover your injuries in a hit-and-run where the at-fault driver cannot be identified, because an unknown driver is treated as an uninsured motorist under most policies.
The specifics of what your policy covers and the process for filing depend on your individual policy language. An accident attorney can review your policy with you and help you understand your options.
Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage
If the hit-and-run driver is eventually identified but has little or no insurance, underinsured motorist coverage may help bridge the gap between their policy limits and the full value of your claim.
Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)
If you have MedPay on your policy, it can help cover your initial medical bills regardless of who was at fault. It’s worth knowing exactly what coverages are on your policy, as many drivers don’t.
Third-Party Liability
In some hit-and-run scenarios, others may share legal responsibility. A trucking company whose driver fled the scene. A vehicle owner who lent their car to someone who then fled. These avenues depend entirely on the facts of your case, but they are worth investigating.
The Driver Is Identified Later
Law enforcement solves more hit-and-run cases than people expect, especially when cameras are involved. If the driver is identified and has insurance, your claim proceeds against them directly. If they’re identified and uninsured, your UM coverage may still be available.
Every insurance policy is different, and the specifics of what you can recover depend on your coverage, the facts of your crash, and Arizona law as it applies to your situation. There is no guarantee of any particular outcome. What an attorney can do is help you understand every option available and pursue them strategically.
How Esquire Law Handles Hit-and-Run Cases
At Esquire Law, our legal team takes hit-and-run cases seriously because we know how disorienting they can be. One moment you’re dealing with the shock of the crash, and the next, the other driver is gone. Now you’re left trying to deal with injuries, vehicle damage, and insurance questions on your own.
Early Investigation and Evidence Collection
We start by understanding everything that happened, including the crash itself, your injuries, the available evidence, and the insurance coverage that may apply. In hit-and-run cases, acting quickly matters because evidence can disappear fast and surveillance footage is often erased within days.
Our Phoenix hit-and-run lawyer team investigates thoroughly to help identify the fleeing driver whenever possible by reviewing traffic and security camera footage, locating witnesses, analyzing police reports, examining debris left at the scene, and determining whether nearby businesses may have captured the crash.
Reviewing Available Insurance Coverage
Many people are unsure whether they have uninsured motorist (UM), underinsured motorist (UIM), or MedPay coverage available after a hit-and-run accident. We review your policies carefully and explain what coverage may apply, what the process looks like, and what documentation may be needed to support your claim.
Handling Insurance Company Negotiations
Even when you are dealing with your own insurance company, the process is not always straightforward. Our personal injury lawyer team handles communication with insurers, gathers medical records and supporting evidence, and works to pursue a settlement that reflects how the accident has affected your health, finances, and daily life.
If the Hit-and-Run Driver Is Found Later
Some hit-and-run drivers are identified days or even weeks after the crash. If that happens, we are prepared to pursue additional legal and insurance claims as the investigation develops.
You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
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I can’t thank Esquire Law enough for everything they did for me. From the very beginning, they handled my case with professionalism, compassion, and genuine care. They kept me informed every step of the way, were incredibly detailed, and … More always took the time to answer my questions and make sure I understood the process.Their team fought hard on my behalf and worked tirelessly to get me the outcome I deserved. I truly felt like they had my best interests at heart throughout my entire case.If you’re looking for a law firm that is honest, dedicated, knowledgeable, and committed to getting results, I highly recommend Esquire Law. I’m extremely grateful for everything they did for me, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone who needs outstanding legal representation. Thank you again for your hard work and dedication! -
I've had attorneys in the past, none of which were attentive, caring, informative and capable of doing their job to the expectation myself and clients in general look for and actually expect from an attorney.Then I called Esquire law, … More and this wonderful young man…Mr.Bryce Brown returned my call.He was everything I expected from an attorney and more! The genuine care n concern he has for his clients and the transparency of his expectations of the case is more rewarding than the outcome of the case…. Well almost just kidding Bryce, you are a man of your word, you speak truthfully and keep it real. Which is what people want… Well, us "ol school folks" anyway.To show up at almost every Dr appt…I thought, why is he here? My last attorney, I only know what he looks like from his pix on the company website. Never met him.So needless to say, I was a lil shocked that Bryce showed up. But it was a comfort honestly.If you're in need of an attorney that will truly keep your best interests at heart, be honest, transparent, and communicates… Then BRYCE BROWN- Esquire law!
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My lawyer was Kyle Allan! He was fantastic from start to finish. I had no clue of how to get the medical help I needed after a very scary car accident that totaled out my vehicle and left me with several serious injuries. He found the … More right doctors close to my home and I was treated for my injuries without payment up front. He responded to text and calls right away and I was always in the know about my case and next steps. He settled my case very quickly getting me the maximum and negotiated the large medical bills down as much as possible. I would recommend this firm to anyone who has been in a car accident to help settle their case. I was happy from start to finish and now able to afford the bills accrued from being off work without the financial frustration. The settlement amount was far more than I had expected but more than the money I felt like he really cared about my recovery. I had never gone through anything this tramatic but not having to deal with the at fault drivers insurance company making it feel as it was my fault to save themselves money and with Kyle representing me and dealing with them while I was focusing on getting better was the best decision I could have made. Without a doubt the compassion and results speak volumes.. Even when he himself was welcoming a new baby he prepared me for his few days of absence and reached out as soon as he returned. I believe he went above and beyond and for that I'm grateful. THANK YOU KYLE ALLAN!!! And THANK YOU ESQUIRE LAW GROUP.
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Very professional, Friendly and LOVED that my Attorney, Julia Barret took the time to explain the process and possible outcomes. I like to be informed in the process, so this made me feel good about their work!! Julia also got me a good … More settlement, which I am ecstatic!!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
You Didn’t Deserve This. We’ll Help You Figure Out What Comes Next
A hit-and-run leaves you dealing with injuries, a damaged car, and a driver who didn’t have the decency to stay. It’s one of the more frustrating situations someone can face after an accident.
We can’t undo what happened. What we can do is help you understand your legal options and pursue every avenue available to you under Arizona law.
Our team is available around the clock to answer your questions. Contact us by phone, through our online form, or visit our law firm Phoenix office at 4747 N 22nd St, Suite 300. Your case evaluation is free, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Frequently Asked Questions: Arizona Hit and Run Accidents
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Crash Facts, hit-and-run crashes are not rare in the state. Arizona recorded 121,107 total crashes statewide last year. Of those, 16,136 involved a hit-and-run driver, meaning more than 1 in every 8 crashes involved someone who fled the scene. Those crashes resulted in 86 deaths and over 4,200 injuries to people left behind with no one to answer for what happened.
Even more troubling, 7% of all traffic deaths in the state were the result of hit-and-run crashes: drivers who made a choice to leave.
Many hit-and-run crashes happen at intersections, in parking lots, and on surface streets where surveillance cameras may be present but are not always obvious. Arizona law may still give you real options.
In Arizona, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident under A.R.S. § 12-542. However, there may be shorter deadlines for certain claims, depending on the circumstances, or notice requirements under your policy. Don’t assume you have time to spare; contact an attorney as soon as possible.
If you don’t have UM coverage, recovery options are more limited. You may still have avenues depending on whether the driver is identified and insured or whether any third party shares liability.
Yes. Pedestrians and cyclists injured by a hit-and-run driver may be able to pursue compensation through UM coverage on a family member’s auto policy, through their own auto policy if they have one, or under certain other insurance arrangements.
Report it to the police and document everything: photos of your vehicle, the scene, and any nearby camera equipment. Check with businesses near where you parked about footage. File a claim with your own insurance under your collision coverage if you have it.
We handle personal injury cases on a contingency basis. That means there is no fee unless we recover compensation for you. Your first case evaluation is free.
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Crash Facts, hit-and-run crashes are not rare in the state. Arizona recorded 121,107 total crashes statewide last year. Of those, 16,136 involved a hit-and-run driver, meaning more than 1 in every 8 crashes involved someone who fled the scene. Those crashes resulted in 86 deaths and over 4,200 injuries to people left behind with no one to answer for what happened.