FOX 10 Phoenix reported a hit-and-run at a Mesa pet hospital after a couple left the location with a sick cat. Beyond that, no further details have been released in the report, and no determination of fault has been made by anyone. We are not naming any person involved and are not drawing conclusions about who did what.
Arizona law requires a driver involved in a collision to stop at the scene, give their name, address, and vehicle registration, and render reasonable assistance; leaving before doing so is a crime under A.R.S. § 28-661. A driver who flees is still civilly liable, and the criminal case is separate from any injury claim. When the driver is never identified, an injured person is not out of options: uninsured motorist coverage on their own auto policy, or a resident relative's policy, typically steps into the place of the missing driver, and in Arizona that coverage can also apply when a vehicle strikes a pedestrian. Insurers often ask for prompt notice and a police report, so reporting the collision to law enforcement the same day matters. The deadline to sue is generally two years from the date of injury under A.R.S. § 12-542, and that clock does not pause while police look for the driver.
What A.R.S. § 28-661 Actually Requires
The duty to stop is not satisfied by slowing down, circling the lot, or driving to a nearby business. Under A.R.S. § 28-661, a driver involved in a collision involving injury or death must stop immediately at or near the scene, remain there, exchange identifying information, and provide reasonable assistance, including arranging transport for anyone who needs medical care. The duty applies whether the collision happened on a public street or in a commercial parking lot. Failure to comply is charged separately from any other traffic offense, and a conviction is not required for a civil claim to proceed. In a civil case, the fact that a driver left can also support a claim for punitive damages, depending on what the evidence shows about the driver's conduct and state of mind.
If the Driver Is Never Identified
Most hit-and-run claims in Arizona are paid by the injured person's own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, which Arizona insurers must offer in writing when a policy is sold. UM applies to phantom and unidentified vehicles, subject to the policy's own notice and corroboration requirements, which is why a timely police report is the single most useful document in these cases. Medical payments coverage, if purchased, pays early treatment bills regardless of fault. If the driver is later identified, a claim can be pursued against that driver and their liability insurer instead, and your UM carrier may assert a right to reimbursement from the recovery. Arizona follows pure comparative fault under A.R.S. § 12-2505, so a disputed account of how a collision occurred reduces compensation by a percentage rather than eliminating it.
Practical Steps After a Hit-and-Run
Report the collision to police the same day and get the report number. Ask the property owner or business for surveillance footage in writing and as soon as possible; parking lot systems frequently overwrite within days or weeks. Photograph vehicle damage, debris, and paint transfer before any repair. Get medical evaluation promptly, because gaps in treatment are the most common argument insurers use to discount an injury. Notify your own auto insurer of a potential UM claim without giving a recorded statement until you understand the policy's terms. Keep a short written record of symptoms and missed work. If a family member died, Arizona's wrongful death statutes, A.R.S. § 12-611 through A.R.S. § 12-613, govern who may bring the claim, and A.R.S. § 14-3110 covers claims that belonged to the person who died. If a government entity or employee is potentially responsible, a notice of claim is due within 180 days under A.R.S. § 12-821.01.
If you were hurt in a hit-and-run in this area, our Mesa car accident attorneys can explain how your own coverage applies while police work the case.