Arizona has a hit-and-run problem. According to the Arizona Crash Facts Report, over 13% of the state’s 2022 car accidents involved a hit-and-run driver. Since Arizona uses a fault-based auto insurance system, the innocent victim bears the financial burden of hit-and-run accidents.
Many victims wonder, “Do I need a lawyer after a hit and run accident in Phoenix, AZ?” This question is slightly misleading. Instead, it would be more accurate to ask, “When do I need a lawyer after a hit-and-run crash?” Runion Car Accident And Personal Injury Lawyers, will review your situation and explain how our Phoenix hit and run accident attorneys can assist you after one of these accidents.
Contact our law office in Phoenix, Arizona, to schedule a free consultation with a Phoenix hit and run accident lawyer at (602) 595-5559.
How Runion Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Hit and Run Accident In Phoenix, AZ
Since 2011, Runion Personal Injury Lawyers has assisted clients in Phoenix, Arizona, in seeking compensation for life-changing injuries. Our Phoenix car accident lawyers have recovered over $30 million for people harmed by the actions of others.
Our experienced Phoenix personal injury attorneys provide the following services after you experience a traumatic incident caused by someone else:
- Listen to your side of the story and explain your legal options for compensation
- Gather evidence, such as medical records and accident reports
- File your insurance claim and negotiate for a fair settlement
- Litigate against the at-fault party and their insurer if negotiations collapse
Our Phoenix hit and run accident lawyers have over 55 years of combined legal experience in fighting for clients like you. Contact Runion Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation to discuss your injuries and the compensation you can seek in Phoenix, Arizona.
Reasons To Call a Lawyer After a Hit-And-Run Accident in Phoenix
Arizona uses a fault-based auto insurance system. Vehicle owners must buy liability insurance coverage to register their vehicles. Anyone injured in an accident will file a claim against the at-fault driver’s liability policy.
This system does not work in a hit-and-run accident. When the at-fault driver leaves the scene, crash victims lack the information needed to file a claim against their insurance policy. As a result, they may bear the burden of medical expenses and wage losses caused by the other driver’s actions.
You may need a lawyer’s assistance in the following situations:
Your Insurer Denies a Claim Under Your Optional Coverages
You can buy two types of insurance coverage that will apply to hit-and-run accidents. The first is called uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, and it pays your losses when the at-fault driver has no insurance.
UM coverage also applies to hit-and-run crashes. In other words, most UM policies consider an unidentified motorist uninsured. After you get injured in a hit-and-run accident, you can file a UM claim with your insurer.
The second coverage that might apply is called medical payments or medpay coverage. This no-fault coverage pays a certain amount of your medical bills, regardless of who caused the crash. For example, you can file a medpay claim even if your injuries happened in a collision you caused.
Insurance adjusters can deny these claims for many reasons, including a lack of crash documentation. If the insurer denies your claim, you should consider calling a lawyer to discuss how to overcome it.
The Police Identify the Hit and Run Driver
You can file an insurance claim once the police identify the hit-and-run driver. However, many hit-and-run drivers run because they lack auto insurance.
When drivers lack insurance, you can file a lawsuit against them to recover compensation. To win this lawsuit, you must prove the other driver negligently caused the crash. Negligence is a complicated legal concept, and you should think about hiring a lawyer to help you file a lawsuit for your hit-and-run injuries.
The Other Driver Blames You for the Crash
Occasionally, the other driver will come forward and seek compensation from you. The driver may dispute who caused the crash or even who left the accident scene. No rule prohibits a hit-and-run driver from seeking injury compensation if you caused the accident. In such cases, it’s a good idea to hire a lawyer to help you defend against claims and argue on your behalf.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Car Wreck Lawyer in Phoenix
Hit-and-run accidents present unique problems when seeking injury compensation in Phoenix, AZ. Contact Runion Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation with our Phoenix hit and run accident lawyers to learn how we can help you.