Getting injured in a car accident is devastating. In addition to the physical pain you will experience, you will miss time from work and important family events. The bills will stack up for medical treatment and additional services such as help around the house and Uber rides.
The state of Arizona follows a tort rule when it comes to insurance. Unfortunately, some people are not willing to take responsibility for their actions and will drive away after hitting someone.
If you have been injured by a hit-and-run driver, the Tucson car accident attorneys at Wattel and York can help you get compensation to pay your bills. We can provide you with an experienced car accident lawyer who can help you obtain funds from your uninsured motorist coverage or get compensation from the state of Arizona.
Hit and Run Facts
Like every other state in the country, Arizona requires drivers to stop, call the police, and wait for them to arrive when they have an accident. If somebody flees the scene of an accident when there are damages to a car or injuries to a person, they have committed a crime.
Not only must a person stop and call the police after an accident, but they must also provide their contact information to the law enforcement officer who arrives at the scene. They must show their driver’s license and provide the registration number of their vehicle. They must also help the injured person if they can.
Even if all a person does is ding a parked car as they are exiting a parking lot, they must leave a note with their name and phone number. If they do not, and somebody sees them, they can get a ticket.
Drivers are supposed to exchange insurance information at the scene of an accident. If one driver refuses to give their information to another, they are guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor.
Each year, the state of Arizona puts out a publication on crash facts. According to this report, there were 16,998 hit-and-run accidents in 2021; 88 people were killed, and 3802 were injured in those accidents.
Most hit-and-run drivers do not get caught. Of those who get caught, the majority are men who have been previously charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The cars that are involved in the accidents tend to be older models. Hence, the drivers are thought to be of a lower socioeconomic class.
In addition to driving under the influence, drivers who do not have insurance are more likely to flee the scene of an accident. They do not want to be held responsible for an accident that might cost them thousands of dollars out of pocket.
Tucson Car Accident Victims
Any car accident can result in pain, trauma, and high expenses. A hit-and-run is especially traumatic because the liable party refuses to take responsibility for it.
If the driver is caught, you may need mental health treatment for your emotional injuries in addition to your medical treatment. If your physical injuries are permanent or you are suffering from a chronic mental health problem after an accident, you may want to consult an experienced auto accident attorney about compensation for emotional pain and suffering.
How Can I Get Insurance Compensation After a Hit-and-Run Accident?
You should not give up hope for getting insurance compensation if you have been injured in a hit-and-run accident. Whether an accident is hit and run or not, there are a few things you should do at the accident scene to ensure you will get compensation:
Take the Proper Steps at the Scene
The first thing you should do is check to see if anyone is injured. After calling the police, take a picture of the other car as soon as possible. Not all hit-and-run drivers flee the scene immediately. Some of them wait around for a few minutes before leaving.
If the other driver does leave, take a picture of your car and any damage to it. Take a picture of the road and look around to see if there is any debris. Some car parts are unique to certain makes and models. This can be an important piece of evidence to catch the person who hit you.
When the police arrive at the scene, tell them everything you remember about the accident. If you caught a glimpse of the other car, you should describe it as best as you can.
Save Your Bills
You should save all the medical bills you get that are related to your accident. They can include:
- Surgery
- Doctor visits
- Physical therapy
- Alternative medicine (such as acupuncture and massages)
- Medications
- Home nursing
- Mental health treatment
If you need help with house cleaning, save the bills from those services as well.
Get a letter from your employer stating the wages you have lost as a result of the accident. If you are self-employed or a freelancer, make a copy of the previous year’s tax return.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
The state of Arizona does not require motorists to carry personal injury protection insurance. However, it is always a good idea should you be hit by an uninsured motorist or a hit-and-run driver. After you have gathered your bills and evidence of your expenses, you should contact your insurance company, report the crash and tell them that it was a hit-and-run. The police should be able to provide them with a copy of the accident report.
Your case will be assigned to an insurance adjuster who will review the facts and accept or deny your claim. If your claim is accepted, the insurance company will make you a settlement offer. You should always consult with a personal injury attorney before accepting that offer.
Although it is supposed to be their job to help after an accident, insurance companies want to keep their money in-house. They are not always willing to pay what they should.
Personal injury protection insurance should cover you no matter who caused the accident. However, the insurance company may claim that your injuries were not the result of an accident but were caused by a pre-existing condition.
They might question whether the amount of money you have claimed for lost wages is valid. If you were riding a motorcycle, they might deny a claim if you were not wearing a helmet or other protection.
The trained car accident lawyers at Wattel and York can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. We can represent you if you need to file a personal injury lawsuit.
How Private Charities Can Help
A hit-and-run accident victim can go to different private charities for help, including the following:
MADD
Mothers Against Drunk Driving offers assistance to victims of hit-and-run drivers who were under the influence of alcohol during the crash.
Helping Hart
Helping Hart offers financial assistance and emotional support to victims of hit-and-run accidents and is run by victims and families of hit-and-run accidents. The organization also helps to fund law enforcement in cities around the country.
Truck Safety Coalition
If a truck driver hit you and then drove away, this organization can help you. They are committed to making trucking in the United States safer for everyone on the road.
United Way
United Way is an all-around charity organization that helps different car accident victims. It doesn’t matter if you are a victim of a speeding accident, an Uber accident, or a hit-and-run. They help accident victims by providing volunteers to help them with everyday chores. They can also assist them with getting rides to and from doctors and physical therapy appointments.
Crime Victim Compensation Program
People who have been hurt in accidents caused by reckless driving, drunk driving, and hit-and-run drivers are all victims of a crime. Fortunately, the state of Arizona offers a crime victim’s compensation program. If you have been injured by a hit-and-run driver, the organization can offer financial assistance to you.
Wrongful Death Law Suits
An accident can be a traumatic experience. If you have lost a family member in a hit-and-run accident, you are entitled to sue for wrongful death. Our attorneys can assist you with a wrongful death lawsuit.
In a wrongful death case, you can recover compensation for lost wages, loss of affection and companionship, and loss of parental guidance. Our AZ car accident lawyers are trained litigators with years of court experience.
Car Accident FAQS
What if I am a victim of a hit-and-run accident, but I cannot afford an attorney?
The attorneys at Wattel and York work on a contingency basis. This means that if we are unable to get you a settlement, you will not pay anything. If we get you an agreeable deal, you will be charged a percentage of the settlement.
How do the police catch hit-and-run drivers?
When law enforcement officers hunt down a hit-and-run driver, they will first check the surveillance cameras in the area. They will review footage from surveillance cameras owned by the city and the security cameras of local businesses. If a witness or a video camera captured a license plate number, they will look up the license plate number and pay a visit to the car’s owner.
If they find car parts at the scene, they will attempt to discover what kind of car those parts came from. They will then pull motor vehicle records and look for the owners of that make and model of car in the area.
Do you take every case that comes your way?
No, we do not; we must believe we can win your case to take it. We will review the evidence you provide and let you know if we will represent you.
Why You Should Hire Us
Wattel and York can provide you with a Tucson car accident lawyer with decades of experience in hit-and-run car accidents. Our firm is the recipient of multiple awards, including the 2021 Lawyers of Distinction award and a Client Champion Silver Medal.
Michael York had an instrumental role in shaping laws concerning auto accidents. David Wattel has over 30 years of experience getting compensation for medical expenses and property damage for his clients. We are the perfect firm to handle your car accident claim. Give us a call for a free consultation today.
