Phoenix Hit and Run Accident Lawyer

Getting hit by another driver who flees the scene can be devastating if you were injured and incurred property damage. Experiencing a hit and run can be overwhelming. Even though the other driver didn’t stop and provide their identifying information, you still may be able to collect compensation for your damages. You need a qualified Phoenix hit and run accident lawyer.

When you hire a hit and run accident lawyer from the Luis P. Guerra, L.L.C., law firm, you know you are hiring a highly rated and competent accident injury attorney. We have an established practice in Phoenix and have represented countless successful cases. With our skills, knowledge, and resources, we are confident we can optimize your hit and run accident case settlement.

In 2023, there were 15,648 drivers in Arizona who left the scene of an accident without stopping. These accidents resulted in 3,856 injuries. In many of these cases, the victims didn’t get the compensation they deserved. Many people don’t realize they can get compensation even when the at-fault driver leaves the scene of the accident.

Even if an at-fault driver leaves the scene of an accident, there are potential avenues through which an injured victim can receive compensation for their damages. The most common opportunities for recovering accident-related injuries without the at-fault driver are highlighted below.

In Arizona, uninsured and underinsured motorist auto insurance coverage is not required for drivers to purchase, but Arizona law does require insurance companies to offer this coverage. If a driver is a victim of a hit and run and they have UM insurance, they should be able to collect on their own policy. UM insurance covers property damages and medical expenses.

Under the Arizona Department of Insurance & Financial Institutions, medical

payments coverage is an optional add-on to an auto insurance policy that Arizona residents can get to cover medical expenses in the event of a car accident. A medical payment policy covers the driver and any passengers involved in the car accident.

This coverage is complementary to your main health insurance policy. It can be used to pay for co-pays and deductibles that regular health insurance doesn’t cover.

If the victim has collision coverage attached to their auto insurance policy, it can be used to pay for property damage to their vehicle.

Hit and run victims injured in their accident may be able to receive compensation for their damages, but under strict circumstances. Talk to a Phoenix hit and run accident attorney promptly after your accident to determine eligibility for this program.

Arizona accident victims have a two-year window to file an accident injury claim following the date of the accident. If the at-fault driver is identified through an eyewitness, video surveillance, or some other piece of evidence within the two years following the accident, the victim can file a claim against that individual.

The City of Phoenix Police Department Vehicular Homicide Unit, located at 620 West Washington Street in Phoenix, investigates hit and run cases. They provide a great deal of information that can help victims understand how these investigations are carried out.

Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-661 outlines what a driver who has been involved in an accident should do. First and foremost, they must ‘immediately stop’ their vehicle. Failure to do so is an automatic Class 2 misdemeanor if there was only property damage. If anyone was even slightly injured, the charge is upgraded to a Class 5 felony.

If someone was injured or died in the accident, a fleeing driver would be committing a Class 3 felony. If the driver caused the accident with injury or death, it’s a Class 2 felony.

Not only do hit and run convictions carry lengthy sentences, but hit and run drivers can also lose their driving privileges. For accidents with an injury, a driver who fails to stop can lose their license for five years. When a death occurs, the driver can lose their driving privileges for up to 10 years.

What is important about this law is that the driving privileges of offenders convicted of a hit and run cannot be restored until court-ordered restitution is paid in full.

​What Percent of Hit and Run Cases Get Solved?​

There is no exact data to know what percentage of hit and run accidents are solved. These types of cases can be difficult to solve as they have many variables. With advancements in investigative technology and an influx of incidents being caught on camera, however, there could be more hit and run accident cases that do get solved. The actual number of cases, though, is unknown.

What Is the Minimum Sentence for a Hit and Run?​

In Arizona, the minimum sentence for a hit and run depends on the circumstances of the accident. Accidents that have property damage only without injury can carry a sentence of four months in jail if it’s charged as a Class 2 misdemeanor. If injury or death occurs, the minimum sentencing starts at one year and goes up from there, depending on the classification of felony, prior convictions, and other factors.

Is It Worth Getting an Attorney for a Vehicle Accident?

It is worth getting an attorney for a vehicle accident. Anytime an attorney is involved, the chances of the victim getting a better settlement for their injuries increase. A good attorney can advocate on behalf of their client and negotiate with insurance companies much better than the victim can on their own.

How Long Will Police Investigate a Hit and Run?

A hit and run case has no maximum time for police to investigate the accident to identify the unknown party. In some cases, evidence surfaces later, and the investigation leads to a quick discovery of the other driver. Other cases can take much longer and can stay open indefinitely if necessary. However, in terms of a personal injury claim, the victim only has a two-year statute of limitations to file for compensation for their damages.

It is worth it for an accident victim who suffered an injury due to an at-fault driver who fled the scene to talk with a knowledgeable Phoenix hit and run accident lawyer. There are many potential avenues for compensation of damages, some of which are listed above, and some of which you may not even be aware of. Contact the office of Luis P. Guerra, L.L.C., to schedule an appointment and discuss potential options for compensation in your case.