A hit and run accident can leave you dealing with far more than vehicle damage. You may be facing injuries, lost income, medical bills, and the frustration of not knowing who caused the collision or whether they will ever be identified.
At Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience PLC, we help hit and run victims in Mesa take immediate steps to protect their claims, preserve evidence, and pursue every available source of compensation. Whether the fleeing driver is eventually identified or the case must proceed through uninsured motorist coverage, our firm is prepared to help you move forward. Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience PLC represents injured victims in Mesa and across Arizona in complex auto accident cases, including hit and run claims involving uninsured motorist disputes. Contact our firm for a free consultation.
Common Scenarios for Hit and Run Accidents in Mesa, AZ
Hit and run accidents happen in many different ways in Mesa. Some of the most common scenarios include:
- A driver who runs a red light or stop sign, causes a collision, and flees before anyone can get their information.
- Motorist who clips a pedestrian or cyclist in a crosswalk and keeps moving.
- Vehicle that strikes a parked car in a parking lot and leaves without leaving a note.
- Driver who rear-ends another vehicle at a stoplight and speeds away.
- Commercial vehicle or truck that causes an accident and continues on its route.
- Driver who causes a sideswipe collision on a highway and disappears into traffic.
Mesa’s busy roads, including major corridors like Alma School Road, Mesa Drive, and the US‑60, carry heavy daily traffic. This high volume increases the chances of these kinds of incidents happening and makes it harder to identify and locate the responsible driver afterward.
Types of Injuries in Hit and Run Accidents
Hit and run injuries can range from relatively minor to catastrophic, and some symptoms may not fully appear until hours or days after the crash. Prompt medical evaluation is important not only for your health, but also for documenting the connection between the collision and your personal injury claim.
Common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Spinal cord damage and herniated or bulging discs
- Broken bones and fractures
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries
- Lacerations, scarring, and road rash
- Psychological trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder
Hit and Run Laws in Arizona
Arizona law places clear obligations on every driver involved in an accident:
- A.R.S. § 28-661: Any driver involved in an accident resulting in death or physical injury must immediately stop at or near the scene, return to the scene if they did not stop, and remain there until they have fulfilled their legal duties.
- A.R.S. § 28-662: Any driver involved in an accident causing damage to a vehicle must stop and provide their information to the other parties involved.
- A.R.S. § 28-663: Drivers must provide their name, address, vehicle registration number, and driver's license to the other parties involved, and render reasonable assistance to anyone injured in the accident.
- A.R.S. § 28-664: In accidents involving damage to an unattended vehicle or property, the driver must locate the owner or leave written contact information.
These laws matter because they create clear legal duties after a crash. Violating these statutes is a criminal offense in Arizona. Depending on the severity of the accident, a hit and run can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, with penalties including fines, license suspension, and imprisonment.
Your Rights as a Hit and Run Accident Victim in Arizona
As a victim of a hit and run accident in Arizona, you have the right to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses, even if the at-fault driver is never identified. Arizona law allows you to file a claim under your own uninsured motorist coverage in many hit and run situations.
Arizona's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident, so acting promptly is important.
You also have the right to work with an attorney who can investigate the accident on your behalf, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent your interests in court if necessary. To discuss your options after a Mesa hit and run accident, contact Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience PLC for a free consultation.
Types of Hit-and-Run Cases Handled by SGP Law
Our firm handles the full range of hit and run accident cases in Mesa and across Arizona, including:
Regardless of how your accident occurred, our personal injury attorneys can evaluate your situation thoroughly and help you understand your legal options.
What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident
The actions you take in the moments and days following a hit and run accident can significantly affect both your health and your ability to recover compensation. If you are able, take these steps as soon as possible:
- Call 911 immediately and report the accident. A police report is essential documentation for your case.
- Note or photograph any details about the fleeing vehicle, including color, make, model, and any portion of the license plate number you were able to see.
- Look for witnesses and collect their names and contact information before they leave the scene.
- Document the scene thoroughly with photos of your vehicle, your injuries, the road, and any surrounding area that may be relevant.
- Seek medical attention right away, even if your injuries seem minor. Some serious injuries are not immediately apparent.
- Report the accident to your insurance company promptly.
- Contact a Mesa hit and run lawyer before making any recorded statements to insurers.
Call Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience PLC at (480) 833-8800 as soon as you're safe.
Can You Recover Compensation After a Hit and Run Accident?
One of the most common questions victims ask is whether they can still recover compensation when the driver who caused the accident is never found. In many cases, the answer is yes. There are several potential avenues depending on the facts of your situation.
If the at-fault driver is identified, their liability insurance is the primary source of recovery.
If the driver is never found, your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may apply.
Arizona requires insurers to offer uninsured motorist coverage, though drivers can reject it in writing. If you carry it, it can be a vital resource in a hit and run scenario. Med-Pay coverage and your own health insurance may also help cover immediate medical expenses. Our car accident attorneys examine every angle to identify all potential sources of recovery.
Damages You May Be Entitled To
Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage and vehicle repair or replacement costs
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages if a loved one was killed in the accident
Why Hit and Run Accidents Are More Complex Cases
Hit and run cases are inherently more difficult than standard car accident claims. When a driver flees, they take with them the clearest path to accountability, and what remains requires a more intensive legal and investigative effort to pursue.
Challenges Associated with Hit and Run Cases
Hit‑and‑run cases present a range of unique challenges that complicate a victim’s ability to obtain fair compensation. In many situations the at‑fault driver is never identified, which means victims must rely on creative legal strategies, such as pursuing uninsured motorist benefits or other available coverage to pursue recovery.
Insurance companies often respond by disputing the circumstances of the accident, questioning whether the incident truly qualifies as a hit‑and‑run, or challenging the nature and severity of the victim’s injuries to limit or deny claims. Uninsured motorist claims, while often essential, come with their own set of disputes, delays, and strict procedural requirements that can trip up unwary claimants.
At the same time, critical evidence such as surveillance footage, traffic camera recordings, and eyewitness accounts tends to disappear or degrade quickly, so prompt investigation is essential to preserve the case. Victims may also face pressure from their own insurer to accept a fast, low‑ball settlement before the full extent of their injuries and long‑term recovery needs are clear.
Legal Strategies Hit and Run Accident Lawyers Use
Building a strong hit and run claim often requires fast, aggressive investigation. Depending on the facts, that may include:
- Reviewing nearby surveillance cameras from businesses, traffic systems, and residential properties.
- Obtaining and analyzing the police report.
- Working with accident reconstruction experts.
- Identifying any witnesses who may not have come forward initially.
- Canvassing the area for dashcam or traffic camera footage.
When the driver cannot be found, the attorneys at Skousen Gulbrandsen & Patience PLC work aggressively within the uninsured motorist claims process to secure recovery and push back against delay tactics or bad-faith handling by insurers.
How a Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Can Help
A hit and run lawyer can help in two key ways: by investigating the crash itself and by managing the insurance issues that follow. That may include preserving evidence, obtaining police and camera records, locating witnesses, analyzing available coverage, and presenting a damages claim that reflects the full impact of the collision.
At Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience PLC, we provide comprehensive support tailored to hit‑and‑run cases. This includes a thorough investigation to identify the responsible driver whenever possible, handling all communication with insurance companies so you do not face their pressure tactics alone, and conducting a full assessment of your damages to ensure you do not settle for less than you deserve.
We aggressively negotiate for a fair settlement and, if necessary, are prepared to represent you at trial. Throughout the entire process, we prioritize clear, consistent communication so you always know where your case stands and what to expect next. You should not have to fight alone after someone else’s reckless decision changes your life. We are here to handle that fight for you.
Why Choose Our Hit and Run Lawyers?
Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience PLC brings focused personal injury experience and genuine client commitment to every case we take in Mesa and throughout Arizona. We understand that hit and run victims face stress from multiple directions at once, including physical recovery, financial pressure, and uncertainty about what comes next. Our goal is to remove as many of those burdens as possible and give you a clear path forward.
We offer free consultations so you can understand your options without any financial obligation, and we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
If you or someone you love has been hurt or killed in a hit and run accident in Mesa or the surrounding area, do not wait. Contact Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience PLC at (480) 833-8800 to schedule your free, confidential consultation today. The sooner your case is reviewed, the sooner evidence can be preserved and your options evaluated.
