Hit & Run Accidents
Hit & Run Accident Lawyer in Phoenix
Pursuing Compensation When the At-Fault Driver Disappears
A hit and run accident leaves you dealing with injuries, vehicle damage, and a driver who never stopped. That missing driver creates a real problem: it’s not immediately clear who pays. We help Phoenix accident victims find every available path to compensation, even when the at-fault driver is never identified. Rafi Law Group represents hit and run victims on a contingency fee basis, meaning there’s no cost to you unless we recover. Call us at (623) 388-4333 to talk through your options.
Our Record Representing Phoenix Accident Victims
Founded by Brandon B. Rafi, Rafi Law Group has represented more than 50,000 Arizonans since 2015 and recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injured clients. We handle personal injury and accident claims exclusively, and we keep caseloads deliberately low so every claim is investigated and built properly from the start. That focused approach matters in hit and run cases, where evidence moves fast and coverage options require careful analysis.
Arizona’s Legal Requirements After a Crash
Arizona law is unambiguous about what a driver must do after a collision. Under A.R.S. § 28-661, any driver involved in an accident causing injury or death must immediately stop or return to the scene and remain until fulfilling the duties outlined in A.R.S. § 28-663: providing their name, address, and vehicle registration; showing their license on request; and rendering reasonable assistance to anyone hurt. Failing to render aid is a class 6 felony on its own.
The penalties escalate with the severity of harm. Fleeing an accident that results in death or serious physical injury is a class 3 felony. If the fleeing driver caused the accident, it becomes a class 2 felony. Leaving the scene after a lesser injury is a class 5 felony. Even a driver who flees a property-damage-only crash faces a class 1 misdemeanor under A.R.S. § 28-662. These criminal consequences run entirely separate from any civil claim you bring.
How Hit and Run Victims Can Recover Compensation
The driver’s absence doesn’t eliminate your right to recover. In most hit and run cases where the driver is never identified, uninsured motorist coverage becomes the primary source of compensation for bodily injury. Collision coverage on your own policy handles vehicle repair. If the driver is identified later, a direct claim against their insurance becomes available as well. We handle all insurance communications and paperwork on your behalf so you aren’t navigating multiple coverage layers on your own.
Why Evidence Preservation Matters in Hit and Run Cases
Evidence disappears quickly after a hit and run. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras gets overwritten, and witnesses’ memories fade within days. Acting fast gives us the opportunity to canvas the area, collect footage, and document the scene before that window closes. A prompt police report is also essential: it creates an official record and gives investigators a starting point to search for the vehicle.
Comparative Negligence & Filing Deadlines in Arizona
Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence system, which means you can pursue compensation even if you were partly at fault. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but it isn’t eliminated. What can cut off a claim entirely is missing the deadline: most personal injury claims in Arizona, including hit and run cases, must be filed within two years of the crash under A.R.S. § 12-542. Starting early protects your options.
Types of Hit & Run Accidents We Handle
Hit and run incidents take more than one form, and the circumstances shape how a claim is built. The three most common scenarios each carry different fact patterns and coverage questions.
- Vehicle-to-Vehicle Collisions: A driver strikes your car at an intersection, on the freeway, or in a parking lot and flees before information can be exchanged.
- Pedestrian & Cyclist Strikes: A driver hits someone on foot or on a bike and leaves the scene. These victims often face the most serious injuries because they have no vehicle structure absorbing the impact.
- Parked or Unattended Vehicle Damage: A driver strikes a parked car and leaves without leaving contact information, making collision coverage the typical recovery route.
When the Hit & Run Driver Is Found Later
Criminal and civil proceedings run on separate tracks. A driver identified after a hit and run can face prosecution under Arizona’s felony or misdemeanor statutes independent of anything you do civilly. Your injury claim against that driver’s insurance proceeds separately and doesn’t depend on a criminal conviction. Finding the driver generally makes the civil path to compensation more straightforward, but it isn’t a requirement. When identification is possible, we pursue both tracks simultaneously.
Hit & Run Accidents on Phoenix Roads
Phoenix sees more than 37,000 crashes per year. The city’s high traffic volume, wide arterials, and busy intersections create conditions where hit and run incidents are a regular occurrence. If you’ve been injured in one of those crashes, you deserve the same rigorous representation as any other accident victim.
Talk to Our Phoenix Hit & Run Attorneys Today
We offer free consultations. There’s no upfront cost to hire us, and we don’t collect a fee unless we recover compensation for you. Our team is bilingual and ready to help you understand your coverage options, preserve your evidence, and pursue every available avenue of compensation. Call Rafi Law Group at (623) 388-4333 to get started today.