When involved in an accident, the drivers involved are obligated legally to stop, offer assistance to the other driver and exchange pertinent information. But what do you do when another driver damages your car, then simply drives away? Unfortunately, this is an all-too-common scenario for many Arizona accident victims. According to Arizona Department of Transportation statistics, there were more than 11,000 reported hit-and-run accidents in Arizona in 2010, and those accidents left more than 3,000 people injured and 44 dead.

There are a variety of reasons why a driver flee the scene of an accident. In many cases, the driver may not have enough insurance, or any insurance at all, to cover the costs of the accident. Often, hit-and-run drivers do not have valid licenses and would face huge fines, jail time and other legal consequences if caught. Regardless of why the driver failed to stop at the accident, hit-and-runs can leave accident victims in touch situations with property damage, medical bills and other expenses to cover.

However, hit-and-run victims aren’t left without recourse. If you’ve been involved in a hit-and-run accident, here’s what you can do in order to recoup accident-related expenses:

• Call the police. As soon as possible after the other driver has fled the scene, contact the police and file a report that states that you were involved in a hit-and-run accident. You will need this report in order to file a claim with your insurance company. When filing the report, please provide the police with any details you can remember about the accident, including location, time of day, physical description of driver, make, model and color of car and any plate information.

• File an insurance claim. If you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, you should be able to file a claim with your auto insurance company. When filing a claim, be sure to mention that the official police report declared the accident a hit and run.

• Contact an attorney. Reaching a settlement can be difficult in any auto accident and a hit-and-run accident is certainly no exception. An auto accident lawyer who encounters hit-and-run cases like yours on a regular basis can answer all of your questions and help guide you through the legal process to an equitable settlement.

If you or a loved one find yourself the victim of a hit-and-run accident, the attorneys at Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience Law can provide you with the legal representation and assistance you need. Contact us today for a free initial legal consultation.