Victim of a Hit-and-Run in Phoenix?

If you're injured, call 911 right away. Paramedics will treat you at the scene and transport you to a hospital if needed. Do not chase the fleeing driver — your safety comes first.

Even if your injuries seem minor, see a doctor as soon as possible. Adrenaline and shock can mask serious injuries for hours. A medical evaluation creates the documented link between the accident and your injuries that you'll need for any insurance claim.

Phoenix's Level I trauma centers — Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Valleywise Health Medical Center, Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa, and HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn — are equipped for serious injuries. For less critical injuries, urgent care centers throughout the Valley can help.

Before it's too late, try to note everything you can about the vehicle that hit you: color, make, model, body style (sedan, truck, SUV), license plate number (even a partial plate helps), direction of travel, and any distinguishing features (damage, stickers, commercial markings).

Ask anyone nearby if they saw what happened. Witnesses are critical in hit-and-run cases — get their names and phone numbers immediately.

Look around for security cameras on nearby businesses, traffic cameras at intersections, and residential doorbell cameras (Ring, Nest). Note the locations of any potential camera sources and share this information with police.

Call the Phoenix Police Department (PPD) at 911 (for emergencies) or (602) 262-6151 (non-emergency line). For incidents on state highways and freeways, the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) will respond.

File a police report right away. Give officers every detail you can about the vehicle and the circumstances. A police report is essential for your insurance claim and any future legal action.

Hit-and-run involving injury is a Class 5 felony in Arizona under A.R.S. § 28-661. Hit-and-run causing death is a Class 3 felony under A.R.S. § 28-661.01. Law enforcement will investigate — they can check traffic cameras, review surveillance footage, use license plate reader data, and canvass the area for the vehicle.

Here's what many people don't realize: even if the other driver is never found, you may still have coverage through your own auto insurance policy.

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is designed for exactly this situation. In Arizona, UM coverage is offered with every auto insurance policy, and many drivers carry it. If you do, your UM policy can cover your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages — as if you were filing a claim against the other driver's insurance.

Contact your own insurance company promptly to report the hit-and-run. Provide them with the police report number and all documentation of your injuries. Be honest and cooperative with your own insurer, but be cautious about recorded statements — even your own insurance company's interests may not fully align with yours if the claim is large.

Photograph your injuries (immediately and as they develop over the following days and weeks), the damage to your vehicle, the scene of the accident, and any debris left by the fleeing vehicle (paint chips, broken glass, vehicle parts — these can help identify the make and model).

Keep a detailed written account of what happened: the time, location, weather, road conditions, what you saw, and what you heard. Keep all medical records, bills, and documentation of lost wages.

If the hit-and-run driver is identified, you can pursue a claim against their liability insurance — just like any other accident. Arizona's standard statute of limitations applies: two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit (A.R.S. § 12-542).

If the driver is not identified, your primary source of compensation is your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. The claim process is similar to a standard insurance claim, but you're dealing with your own insurer rather than the other driver's.

If the hit-and-run involved a government vehicle or occurred due to a dangerous road condition maintained by a government entity, you must file a Notice of Claim within 180 days (A.R.S. § 12-821.01).

Arizona's pure comparative fault system (A.R.S. § 12-2505) applies to hit-and-run cases just like any other accident. If you were partially at fault (for example, crossing outside a crosswalk), your recovery is reduced but not eliminated.

Don't assume the driver will never be found. Phoenix Police and Arizona DPS have tools to identify hit-and-run drivers, including traffic camera footage from ADOT and the City of Phoenix camera network, license plate reader (LPR) data from patrol vehicles and fixed cameras, surveillance footage from nearby businesses and residences, vehicle debris analysis (paint chips and parts can be matched to specific makes and models), community tips (especially after media coverage), and social media and online community reports.

Even partial license plate information can significantly narrow the search. The sooner you report and provide details, the better the chances of identification.

Hit-and-run cases have unique complexities. An attorney experienced in these cases can help you navigate UM insurance claims (which can be surprisingly adversarial even with your own insurer), work with law enforcement to find the driver, identify additional sources of compensation (business liability if the accident occurred in a parking lot, government liability for dangerous road conditions), and maximize your recovery.

Most personal injury attorneys offer free consultations and work on contingency.