A hit and run can turn your life upside down; you may face personal traumas or be legally liable under Arizona law. A hit and run accident that causes serious physical injury and even death is a felony. It is vital to understand the laws in Arizona to know your rights.
What is a Hit and Run?
A hit and run, also known as, “failure to stop” or “leaving the scene,” happens when someone leaves the scene of a collision. It is against Arizona law to leave the scene of an accident without giving correct information and assistance to the other parties involved. The information you must provide in an accident includes the following:
- Provide your name, address, and registration to the other drivers involved or a responding police officer
- Show your driver’s license to other drivers or a responding police officer upon request
- Assist the other drivers by providing first aid or obtaining help for their injuries if needed
Legal Consequences
Arizona law states that any individual in an accident that causes damage to a vehicle or injures a person has the legal obligation to stop as soon as possible. If you cannot stop immediately, you must return to the scene as soon as possible.
After an accident that caused injury or even death, the courts may charge the defendant with a felony if they left the scene. Each felony is dependent on circumstance, but the most common for leaving the scene are:
- Someone whose accident caused physical harm or death may face a class 2 felony
- If the defendant didn’t cause the accident but still left the scene of the crime, it may be a class 3 felony
- If the hit and run accident didn’t cause serious injury or death, a class 5 felony may still apply
What to Do After a Hit and Run
If you were involved in a hit and run, call our personal injury lawyers or our team of criminal defense attorneys today.
