Crashes occur every day in Arizona, and most of the time, drivers handle them properly. They pull to the side of the road, call for police assistance and exchange information with the other drivers involved.
Unfortunately, some people panic. Others make a split-second decision because they know they have broken the law in a serious way. Despite Arizona law requiring that a driver stop their vehicle in the event of a crash, some drivers will just speed off after causing damage to someone’s property or an injury to another person.
If you got hurt by a hit-and-run driver, what protects you from major financial losses?
State law could lead to the prosecution of the other driver
Since Arizona requires that drivers stop after a crash, fleeing the scene can lead to the prosecution of the other driver. If the police track down the person who caused the crash, they will likely arrest them and charge them with a crime. You may be able to file a claim against their insurance. You could potentially also file a civil lawsuit against them if they don’t have insurance or don’t carry enough coverage.
The cops don’t always locate the person who caused a hit-and-run collision. If there aren’t any images of the wreck or details about the other vehicle, finding the person who caused the crash may prove impossible. What protects you if you can’t find the other driver to make a claim against their insurance?
You may need to make a claim against your own insurance
The motor vehicle insurance policy required by drivers under Arizona law is a liability policy. It protects a driver from personal losses if they hurt someone else or damage someone’s property. Your liability coverage won’t pay for damages you suffer caused by someone else.
However, many drivers carry supplemental coverage beyond the basic protections required by the state. If you have comprehensive or collision coverage, that could help you cover the cost of repairing your vehicle. Uninsured and underinsured driver coverage could also help protect you.
Reviewing your insurance coverage to make sure you have protection before you get into a car crash can help you minimize your risks on the Arizona roads.
