12 News reported that two people were taken to a hospital in critical condition after being struck by a car while they were riding bikes in north Phoenix. Police said the two riders were hit by a car, and the outlet reported the incident as a hit-and-run. No further details were reported.
When a driver strikes a bicyclist and leaves the scene, the injured rider is not out of options. Arizona law requires a driver involved in a collision resulting in injury to stop and remain at the scene under A.R.S. § 28-661, and leaving is a criminal offense separate from any civil liability. But criminal charges do not pay medical bills. The civil claim usually runs through insurance, and when the driver is never identified, uninsured motorist coverage is often the recovery source. In Arizona, uninsured motorist coverage on an auto policy generally follows the insured person, so a cyclist who owns a car, or who lives with a relative who does, may have coverage even though no car of theirs was involved. Deadlines still apply; most injury claims must be filed within two years under A.R.S. § 12-542, and UM policies impose their own prompt-notice requirements. Report the collision to your own insurer early, even before the driver is found.
What Arizona Law Requires of a Driver Who Hits a Cyclist
A bicycle on an Arizona roadway has the rights and duties of a vehicle. A driver passing a bicycle must leave at least three feet of space under A.R.S. § 28-735, and a driver who violates that rule and causes serious physical injury faces enhanced penalties. If a collision causing injury occurs, A.R.S. § 28-661 obligates the driver to stop immediately at or near the scene, give identifying and insurance information, and render reasonable assistance. Driving away does not erase civil responsibility; it adds a criminal exposure on top of it.
Fault is not all-or-nothing in Arizona. Under A.R.S. § 12-2505, the state applies pure comparative fault, which means an injured cyclist can recover even if a jury assigns that cyclist a share of responsibility. The recovery is reduced by that percentage, not barred. Expect an insurer to argue about lighting, lane position, or helmet use; those arguments affect the number, not the right to bring a claim.
Where the Money Comes From When the Driver Is Never Identified
If the driver is located, that driver's liability policy is the first source. If the driver is not located, or carries no insurance, the practical path is uninsured motorist coverage. Look at every auto policy in the household, including a policy that covers a car the injured person never drove that day. Also check health insurance, MedPay if any auto policy carries it, and short-term or long-term disability coverage through an employer.
Two things protect that path. First, notify the UM carrier promptly and in writing; delay is the most common reason a valid claim gets fought. Second, make sure a police report exists and that the report reflects the injured rider's version of events, since a UM carrier will lean on it heavily when no driver is available to question.
Practical Steps in the First Weeks
For a family managing a critically injured relative, most of this can wait a few days, but not much longer.
- Get the police report number and request a copy as soon as it is available.
- Ask nearby businesses and residences about camera footage quickly; many systems overwrite within days or weeks.
- Preserve the bicycle, the helmet, and the clothing worn. Do not repair or discard anything.
- Photograph the roadway and any debris while conditions are unchanged.
- Keep every medical record, bill, and mileage log in one place.
- Give no recorded statement to any insurer, including your own, before you understand what coverage applies.
If a public entity may be involved in any way, a notice of claim must be served within 180 days under A.R.S. § 12-821.01, which is far shorter than the general two-year deadline in A.R.S. § 12-542. That short window is easy to miss while a family is still at the hospital.
If you or a family member was struck while walking or riding in the area, our Phoenix pedestrian accident attorneys can explain what coverage applies to your situation.