Under Arizona state law, no one involved in an auto accident on public roads can leave the scene of the wreck until they provide their contact and insurance information to everyone else involved, render aid to anyone in need of it, and — in most scenarios — wait for the police to arrive at the scene. As you may have recently learned, however, people who are irresponsible enough to cause car crashes are sometimes also irresponsible enough to illegally flee the scene afterward.
While it is still very much possible to recover financially for losses you sustained from a hit-and-run car accident in Tempe, the process of getting the compensation you deserve can be fairly different compared to wrecks where you immediately know who else is involved. Guidance from a seasoned car accident attorney from Phillips Law Group is even more important than usual to get the best possible result from a claim like this, especially if police have trouble tracking down the hit-and-run driver.
Building a Strong Civil Claim Against a Hit-and-Run Driver
As understandable as it is to be angry in the moment, it is never a good idea to try to chase down someone who flees the scene after causing a car crash, as it may lead to more people getting hurt and even to the victim of that initial illegal act facing criminal charges themselves. Instead, the best course of action is to act lawfully by stopping at the accident scene, exchanging contact information with anyone else involved, and calling the police so they can get to work finding the person who committed the hit and run.
In the meantime, there is a lot that an individual involved in a hit-and-run car accident in Tempe can do to strengthen the civil claim they may be able to file later against the person at fault for the crash, including:
- Getting contact information from eyewitnesses
- Writing down all remembered details about the hit and run driver, particularly their license plate number, vehicle color, and vehicle make and model
- Checking for dashboard or surveillance cameras which may have caught the crash as it happened
- Seeking immediate medical attention after lawfully leaving the scene, even if there are no obvious injuries
Perhaps most importantly, contacting legal counsel quickly can make a huge difference in future civil recovery efforts and in making the most of other potential sources of compensation.
Can “Uninsured Motorist Coverage” Help After a Hit and Run?
One of the most important alternatives to civil litigation after a hit-and-run car accident in Tempe is “uninsured motorist coverage.” This is an add-on policy that virtually every car insurance provider offers that will provide additional coverage to the policyholder in the event they get into a wreck with someone who has very little car insurance, has no car insurance at all, or — in this scenario — cannot be identified even with assistance from police.
Depending on the circumstances, this type of coverage may be helpful for maximizing available recovery, or it may be the best possible alternative to a civil lawsuit. However, it is not possible to add this coverage to a car insurance policy after a wreck happens, so car accident attorneys will always recommend that drivers include it in their original policy even if it bumps their premiums up a little.
Talk to a Tempe Attorney About a Hit and Run Car Accident Lawsuit
Getting fair financial restitution for injuries sustained in a car accident can be difficult even if you know exactly who caused the wreck and therefore exactly who should be held accountable for its consequences. If the person responsible for your recent crash illegally fled the scene, you may need to get creative with how and when you pursue compensation — something the team at Phillips Law Group can provide vital help with.
In order to get the best result possible from your claim based on a hit-and-run car accident in Tempe, you need a Phillips. Call today to learn more from a skilled legal advocate who has been serving the local community for over three decades. Consultations are free and you are under no obligation to work with us after the initial evaluation. Contact us now to learn more!
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