What to Do if You Are Involved in a Hit-and-Run Accident in Phoenix

If another driver hits you and speeds away, you may worry that you’ll have to carry the financial and emotional burden of your injuries alone, call Brown & Hobkirk, PLLC for help. However, you can take several steps to protect your legal right to seek financial compensation after a Phoenix car accident. Here’s what you need to know.

Ensure Safety and Check for Injuries

The first step after a hit-and-run accident in Phoenix is to move to a safe location, if possible. Whether you’re moving to the side of the road or stuck where you are, turn on your vehicle’s hazard lights to alert other drivers that your car is disabled.

Once you have reached a safe location, check yourself and anyone else involved for signs of injury. Call 911 to request medical assistance for those in distress.

Gather Information and Evidence

Your ability to document the accident could prove critical to catching the driver who hit you. Take photos and videos of the accident scene to note crucial details, such as:

• Skid marks on the road
• Damage to your car and other vehicles involved in the collision
• The area surrounding the accident scene
• Traffic signs or signals
• Weather, lighting, road, and traffic conditions

Look around for nearby surveillance or traffic cameras that may have captured the crash. Write down a description of the hit-and-run driver and their vehicle while your memory is still sharp.

Finally, seek out eyewitnesses. Ask for information such as a description of the hit-and-run vehicle, the direction the driver fled, and what they saw of the crash. Ask for the witnesses’ contact information in case you need an official statement later.

Report the Incident to the Police

If you haven’t already called 911 for medical assistance, contact the police to report the crash. An officer will investigate the scene and write a report of the collision and resulting crime. Obtain a copy of the accident report once police make it available. Your auto insurance company may need the report to process your hit-and-run accident claim.

Notify Your Insurance Company

Report the crash to your auto insurance provider. Your policy may require you to notify the insurer by a specific deadline. If you miss it, you could have trouble accessing coverage that protects you after a hit and run. Insurers treat unidentified hit-and-run drivers as uninsured motorists, allowing you to seek compensation for your injuries through your uninsured motorist coverage (UM).

Get Help from Our Phoenix Hit and Run Attorney

If you’ve suffered injuries in a hit-and-run car accident in Phoenix, you need experienced legal counsel to fight for the money you deserve, whether that means pursuing an uninsured motorist claim or going up against the at-fault driver once they’re caught. Contact Brown & Hobkirk, PLLC today for dedicated support from an experienced Phoenix hit-and-run lawyer. Initial consultations are free.