A hit and run in Arizona happens when a driver involved in a crash leaves before giving their name, address, and vehicle registration and helping anyone injured, as A.R.S. §§ 28-661 and 28-663 require. Leaving an injury crash is a felony. If the driver is never found, the main source of payment is usually your own uninsured motorist coverage, so report the crash to police right away and notify your insurer.
By James Eashoo, Founder, Moreno & Rodriguez
Hit-and-run crashes are not rare in the Valley or anywhere else in the state. Moreno & Rodriguez is a Phoenix personal injury firm that represents people hurt in Arizona crashes, including crashes where the other driver drove away. This guide from Moreno & Rodriguez covers what Arizona law requires, what to do in the first hours, and where compensation comes from when the driver disappears.
Hit-and-run crashes happen about once every 33 minutes in Arizona
The Arizona Department of Transportation counted 16,136 hit-and-run crashes in 2024, about 13% of the 121,107 crashes reported statewide. That is roughly one hit-and-run every 33 minutes. Most were property-damage-only, but thousands of people were hurt.
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation's 2024 Crash Facts report, Arizona's 16,136 hit-and-run crashes in 2024 included 84 fatal crashes that killed 86 people and 3,321 injury crashes that injured 4,202 people. The remaining 12,731 hit-and-run crashes caused property damage only.
| 2024 Arizona hit-and-run crashes | Count |
|---|---|
| Total hit-and-run crashes | 16,136 |
| Fatal crashes (people killed) | 84 (86 killed) |
| Injury crashes (people injured) | 3,321 (4,202 injured) |
| Property-damage-only crashes | 12,731 |
Arizona law makes leaving an injury crash a felony
Arizona requires every driver in a crash that injures or kills someone to stop, return to the scene if needed, and stay until they share information and help the injured. A driver who leaves commits a felony under A.R.S. § 28-661. Leaving a crash that damages only an attended vehicle is a misdemeanor.
| What the fleeing driver did | Classification under Arizona law | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Left a crash causing death or serious physical injury | Class 3 felony; class 2 felony if the driver caused the crash | A.R.S. § 28-661(C) |
| Left a crash causing any other injury | Class 5 felony | A.R.S. § 28-661(D) |
| Failed to give reasonable assistance to an injured person | Class 6 felony | A.R.S. § 28-663(D) |
| Left a crash that damaged only an attended vehicle | Class 1 misdemeanor | A.R.S. § 28-662(C) |
Under A.R.S. § 28-661(F), the Arizona Department of Transportation must revoke the driver license of a person convicted of leaving a crash that caused serious physical injury for five years, and for ten years when the crash caused a death. Time the person spends incarcerated does not count toward the revocation period.
What information must Arizona drivers exchange after a crash?
Under A.R.S. § 28-663, a driver in a crash that injures someone or damages an attended vehicle must give their name, address, and vehicle registration number, show their driver license on request, and give reasonable help to anyone injured. Help includes arranging transport to a doctor or hospital when treatment is clearly needed or the injured person asks.
What to do right after a hit and run in Phoenix
The first hour after a hit-and-run in Phoenix decides how much evidence exists to find the driver and to support an insurance claim. Do not chase the other vehicle. Focus on safety, then on facts.
- Call 911. Report the crash, any injuries, and the direction the other vehicle went. Arizona law under A.R.S. § 28-666 requires the driver in an injury crash to notify police immediately.
- Write down the vehicle details. Note the plate (even a partial plate), make, model, color, damage, and anything distinctive.
- Photograph the scene. Capture your vehicle, paint transfer, debris, skid marks, and the location.
- Find witnesses and cameras. Ask for names and phone numbers, and note nearby businesses, homes with doorbell cameras, and traffic cameras.
- Get medical care. Go to urgent care or the emergency room the same day, even if you feel fine.
- Get the police report number. Insurers and the Crime Victim Compensation Program both ask for it.
- Notify your insurer promptly. Your policy sets notice requirements for uninsured motorist claims.
Who pays after a hit and run in Arizona when the driver is never found
When a hit-and-run driver is never identified, uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on your own auto policy is usually the main source of payment for injuries. Arizona insurers must offer UM and underinsured motorist coverage under A.R.S. § 20-259.01, but buyers can decline it. Check your declarations page for "uninsured motorist."
Other coverage can help pay specific costs after a hit-and-run in Arizona:
- Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage pays for injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering up to your UM limit.
- Medical payments (MedPay) coverage pays medical bills regardless of fault, if you bought it.
- Collision coverage pays to repair your vehicle, minus your deductible.
- Health insurance pays medical bills, though it may seek repayment from a later recovery.
Does uninsured motorist coverage apply if the car never touched you?
Yes, with extra proof. Under A.R.S. § 20-259.01(M), when an unidentified vehicle caused a crash without making physical contact, such as a driver who forced you off the road, the insured must provide corroboration that the unidentified vehicle caused the crash.
"'Corroboration' means any additional and confirming testimony, fact or evidence that strengthens and adds weight or credibility to the insured's representation of the accident."
— A.R.S. § 20-259.01(M), Arizona Revised Statutes
Witness statements, dashcam footage, and a prompt police report are the most common forms of corroboration.
Who pays when police find the hit-and-run driver
When police identify the hit-and-run driver, the injured person can claim against that driver's liability insurance. Arizona's minimum liability limits are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for injuries, plus $15,000 for property damage, under A.R.S. § 28-4009. Serious injuries often exceed those limits, so UM or underinsured motorist coverage may still apply.
The Insurance Research Council estimated that 10.6% of Arizona drivers were uninsured in 2023, as reported by the Insurance Information Institute. Drivers without insurance have a strong reason to flee, which is one reason hit-and-run victims depend so heavily on their own UM coverage.
A criminal conviction adds another path. Under A.R.S. § 13-603(C), an Arizona court must order a convicted person to pay the victim restitution for the full amount of economic loss, such as medical bills and lost wages. Restitution does not cover pain and suffering, so a civil claim remains important.
Arizona Crime Victim Compensation can cover some hit-and-run costs
Arizona's Crime Victim Compensation Program can help pay out-of-pocket costs for people injured in a criminal hit-and-run, even if the driver is never caught. The program pays only after insurance and other sources, and it does not cover vehicle damage.
According to the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission, eligibility does not require the arrest or conviction of the offender, and claims are processed by the county where the crime occurred. In Maricopa County, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office Victim Compensation Bureau handles claims. The program requires the crime to be reported to police within 72 hours.
Arizona deadlines after a hit-and-run crash
Arizona gives injured people two years to file most personal injury lawsuits under A.R.S. § 12-542. Uninsured motorist claims also depend on your policy's notice rules, which can be much shorter. Crashes involving a government vehicle have a 180-day notice-of-claim deadline under A.R.S. § 12-821.01.
Under A.R.S. § 12-542, an Arizona personal injury lawsuit must be filed within two years after the cause of action accrues. Under A.R.S. § 12-821.01, a claim against an Arizona public entity, such as a city vehicle, requires a written notice of claim within 180 days that includes a specific settlement amount.
Talk with Moreno & Rodriguez about a hit-and-run in Arizona
Moreno & Rodriguez represents people hurt in Arizona car accidents, including hit-and-run crashes, as part of its personal injury practice. The firm's Phoenix office serves clients across Arizona; see the areas we serve. Founder James Eashoo is licensed in Arizona and is a member of the Arizona Association for Justice.
Call (877) 800-3826 or contact Moreno & Rodriguez online for a free consultation.
Frequently asked questions about hit and run accidents in Arizona
Is a hit and run a felony in Arizona?
Yes, when someone is hurt or killed. Under A.R.S. § 28-661, leaving a crash that causes death or serious physical injury is a class 3 felony, or a class 2 felony if the fleeing driver caused the crash. Leaving a crash that causes any other injury is a class 5 felony.
What happens if you leave the scene of a property-damage-only accident in Arizona?
Leaving a crash that damages only an attended vehicle is a class 1 misdemeanor under A.R.S. § 28-662. A court may also order a one-year driver license suspension. The driver must stop, stay, and exchange name, address, and registration information under A.R.S. § 28-663.
Who pays for my injuries after a hit and run in Arizona?
If the driver is never found, your own uninsured motorist coverage is usually the main source of payment for injuries. MedPay, collision, and health insurance can cover specific costs. If police identify the driver, you can claim against that driver's liability insurance, and a criminal court can order restitution.
Does uninsured motorist coverage cover hit and run in Arizona?
Yes. Uninsured motorist coverage generally covers injuries caused by an unidentified hit-and-run driver. If the other vehicle never touched yours, A.R.S. § 20-259.01(M) requires corroboration, such as a witness statement or video, that the unidentified vehicle caused the crash.
How long do I have to file a claim after a hit and run in Arizona?
Most Arizona personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years under A.R.S. § 12-542. Your auto policy may require notice of an uninsured motorist claim much sooner. Claims against a public entity require a notice of claim within 180 days under A.R.S. § 12-821.01.
Can I get crime victim compensation after a hit and run in Arizona?
Possibly. Arizona's Crime Victim Compensation Program, run through county programs, can pay out-of-pocket medical costs, counseling, and lost wages that insurance does not cover. The offender does not have to be caught, but the crime must be reported to police within 72 hours.
Moreno & Rodriguez. Attorney responsible for this content: James Eashoo, licensed in Arizona. Office: 4742 N 24th St., Suite 300, Phoenix, AZ 85016. The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
