Arizona Hit and Run Attorney
Getting hit by a car is traumatic as it can leave you with life-threatening injuries, tremendous pain, unable to work, and facing substantial medical costs. This life-changing experience may become even worse if the at-fault driver immediately flees the scene of the crash. Most hit-and-run drivers take off because they are intoxicated or have no insurance.
Faced with severe injuries, mounting medical bills, and a run-away driver who might be hard to find, you need legal help to get the compensation you need and deserve. If you are in Arizona and you or a loved one is a victim of a hit and run car accident, you can contact Mr. Barry Bellovin of The Bellovin Law Firm. He is a skilled and experienced hit and run attorney and will help you get the compensation you need and deserve.
What is a Hit and Run Accident?
A hit and run accident happens when an individual, mainly the driver, flees the scene of an accident and does not wait for the police. Besides the requirement to stay out of harm’s way following an accident, it is the responsibility of a motorist involved in an accident to ensure everyone else is okay.
Arizona law may also classify your accident as a hit and run if you fail to file an accident report or refuse to provide necessary personal information to the police or the other party.
Arizona Laws on Hit and Run Car Accidents
According to a crash report by the Arizona Department of Transportation, there were more than 15,000 hit and run accidents across Arizona, with 3,500 people sustaining injuries and 62 dying in 2019 alone. Besides requiring motorists to safely operate their vehicles to minimize the risks of accidents, Arizona law requires them to remain at the scene of a crash until the police arrive.
Staying at the scene can also help get immediate medical help for the injured and, in some cases, save a life. Fleeing an accident scene is not only irresponsible but illegal, with the law imposing severe penalties on drivers who immediately take off from an accident scene. The penalties may increase in case of aggravating circumstances like catastrophic injuries or death.
What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident
If you are a motorist, your best option is to stop and remain at the scene. In most hit-and-run cases, the police eventually find the fleeing motorist after interviewing eyewitnesses and reviewing CCTV footage. On the rare occasion where stopping can be dangerous, you should surrender to the authorities as soon as possible.
If you are a hit-and-run victim, you or someone else at the crash scene should immediately call the police. You should remain calm while waiting for the police and other emergency responders to arrive. Accept medical assistance from the emergency response team even if you think you are not injured.
As a victim, do not leave the crash scene before filing an accident report with the police unless it is a medical emergency. You should also collect all the necessary information, including the other party’s contact information. You can request someone to do this for you if you cannot do it due to your injuries.
You should also record important details of the accident as soon as possible, including taking photos of the accident scene. Finally, you should contact a skilled hit-and-run car accident attorney to help you with the legal aspect of the case as you focus on recovery.
Contact an Arizona Hit and Run Attorney
Similar to other road accidents, a hit-and-run can leave you with a heavy burden, including severe injuries requiring expensive medical treatment. Despite the law entitling you to compensation, run-away drivers often complicate damage recovery as it might take time before investigators eventually catch up with them.
Fleeing the accident scene may also indicate the drivers’ reluctance to take responsibility for their mistakes. However, a skilled and experienced hit and run car accident attorney can help you navigate the often complicated damage recovery process, including holding the at-fault party accountable. If you are in Arizona and a hit-and-run car accident victim, Mr. Barry Bellovin at The Bellovin Law Firm PLLC is committed to helping you get fair compensation for your injuries. Contact him to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about his services.
