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Personal Injury Attorney

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Hit & Run Lawyer

People Over Cases

Hit & Run Accidents in Arizona

Being the victim of a hit-and-run crash is a frightening and disorienting experience. The at-fault driver has fled the scene, and you may feel like you have no way to recover compensation for your injuries. But a hit-and-run does not mean you are without options.

At Hoxie Law, Joseph Hoxie works to identify every available avenue for recovery - from your own insurance policies to investigative efforts that may locate the fleeing driver. You work directly with Joseph from the first call through resolution.

What to Do After a Hit & Run

The steps you take immediately after a hit-and-run can significantly affect your ability to recover compensation:

  • Call 911 immediately - a police report is essential for both criminal investigation and your insurance claim
  • Document everything you can remember - the vehicle's make, model, color, license plate (even partial), and the direction it fled
  • Look for witnesses - other drivers, pedestrians, and nearby business employees may have seen the crash or the fleeing vehicle
  • Check for cameras - traffic cameras, security cameras on nearby businesses, and residential doorbell cameras may have captured the incident
  • Seek medical attention - even if you feel fine, some injuries take hours or days to become apparent
  • Contact an attorney - before speaking with any insurance company, consult with a lawyer who can protect your interests

How You Can Recover Compensation

Even when the at-fault driver cannot be found, there are often insurance coverages available to compensate you:

  • Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage: If you carry UM coverage on your own auto insurance policy, it may cover your injuries and damages when the at-fault driver is unidentified. Arizona does not require UM coverage, but insurers are required to offer it.
  • Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage: If the driver is found but lacks sufficient insurance, your UIM policy can help bridge the gap.
  • Medical payments (MedPay) coverage: This no-fault coverage on your own policy can help pay medical bills regardless of who caused the accident.
  • Locating the driver: Through police investigation, surveillance footage analysis, and other investigative methods, the fleeing driver may be identified, opening the door to a direct claim against them and their insurer.

Arizona Hit & Run Laws

  • Criminal penalties: Leaving the scene of an accident involving injury or death is a serious criminal offense in Arizona.
  • Statute of limitations: You generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit (A.R.S. § 12-542).
  • Comparative negligence: Arizona's pure comparative negligence rule applies. Even if you were partially at fault for the underlying accident, you may still recover compensation.

Time is critical in hit-and-run cases. Surveillance footage is often overwritten within days, and witness memories fade quickly. Contact Hoxie Law as soon as possible to begin the investigation.

There is no fee unless we win. Call or text Joseph directly at (480) 896-1040.

Practice Areas

Car Accidents Truck Accidents Motorcycle Accidents Rideshare Accidents Slip & Fall Wrongful Death Pedestrian Accidents Hit & Run Autonomous Vehicle Medical Malpractice
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Hit & Run

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still recover compensation if the hit-and-run driver is never found?
Yes. If you carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on your own auto insurance policy, it can cover your injuries and damages when the at-fault driver is unidentified. Medical payments (MedPay) coverage, if you have it, can also help pay medical bills regardless of fault. An attorney can identify all available coverage.
What should I do immediately after a hit and run in Phoenix?
Call 911 immediately - a police report is essential. Try to remember the vehicle’s make, model, color, and license plate (even a partial plate helps). Look for witnesses and nearby cameras (traffic cameras, business security cameras, doorbell cameras). Document your injuries and the scene with photos. Seek medical attention, then contact an attorney.
How long do police investigate hit-and-run accidents?
Investigation timelines vary, but evidence degrades quickly. Surveillance footage may be overwritten within days, and witness memories fade. Filing a police report immediately gives investigators the best chance of locating the driver. Your attorney can also conduct an independent investigation to supplement the police effort.
What is uninsured motorist (UM) coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage is a type of auto insurance that protects you when the at-fault driver has no insurance or cannot be identified - as in a hit-and-run. Arizona requires insurance companies to offer UM coverage, but you are not required to carry it. If you have UM coverage, it is often the primary source of recovery in hit-and-run cases.
Is leaving the scene of an accident a crime in Arizona?
Yes. Leaving the scene of an accident involving injury or death is a serious criminal offense in Arizona. The criminal case is separate from your civil claim for compensation. Even if the driver faces criminal charges, you still need to pursue your own claim to recover damages for your injuries.
How long do I have to file a hit-and-run injury claim in Arizona?
Arizona’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident (A.R.S. § 12-542). However, your own insurance policy may have shorter deadlines for reporting claims, so contact an attorney and your insurance company as soon as possible.
What if the hit-and-run driver is later identified?
If the fleeing driver is identified through police investigation, surveillance footage, or witness tips, you can file a claim directly against them and their insurance. Your attorney can coordinate with law enforcement and pursue both avenues - your own UM coverage and a direct claim against the at-fault driver.
Will my own insurance rates go up if I file a UM claim?
Filing a claim on your uninsured motorist coverage for a hit-and-run where you were not at fault should generally not increase your rates. You are using the coverage for exactly the purpose it was designed for. If your insurer penalizes you, an attorney can advise you on your rights under Arizona insurance regulations.

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