Hit-and-Run Truck Accidents in Phoenix

By The Husband and Wife Law Team on October 6, 2016

An alarming trend that has emerged recently in the US is the increased number of cases where traffic accidents occur and one of the parties involved flees the scene, commonly referred to as a “hit-and-run” or “hit-skip” accident. The national average for automobile crashes that involve a hit-and-run is approximately 11%. There doesn’t seem to be data that suggests any clear pattern in the likelihood of certain segments that are more inclined to commit this crime, such as passenger car vs truck, or female compared to male. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the number of hit-and-run crashes involving a fatality is on the rise as follows:

• 2011: 1,449
• 2010: 1,393
• 2009: 1,274

Prevalence in Arizona

Last year in Arizona there were roughly 116,000 total reported vehicle crashes, of which approximately 13,000 involved a hit-and-run driver, which is very consistent with the national average of 11%. Among these hit-and-run incidents, the state reported 56 of them involved or resulted in a fatality.

What Is Causing This Trend?

Why are an increasing number of those involved in auto crashes making the choice to flee the scene of the accident? Some of the likely factors include the following:

• With the increased penalties for DUI, and particularly for those with prior offenses, many drivers simply choose to flee the scene in efforts to avoid being charged.
• The driver is operating a vehicle either without a valid license, or without auto insurance coverage.
• The driver is in the country illegally, or has an active arrest warrant.
• In very rare instances, a driver may be disoriented as a result of head trauma sustained in the accident.

In efforts to slow down this problem, Arizona enacted some bold new penalties in 2012 for those found guilty of hit-and-run, which institutes license suspensions as follows:

• 1-year: If the accident involved vehicle damage only (without injury).
• 3-years: If there were injuries that occurred.
• 5-years: The result of the accident included serious physical injury.
• 10-years: If there was a fatality

Being the victim of a “hit and run” vehicle accident can leave you feeling like you are helpless with no means of recourse or ability to pursue justice. Often the offender is later identified and the authorities will apprehend them. If you were injured in an auto accident involving another driver who then chose to break the law by fleeing the scene of the incident, then it is time for you to take action by contacting the Phoenix hit and run truck accident lawyers at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. at (602) 457-6222. We have been effectively seeking justice for Phoenix accident victims for over 20 years now, and have won many large verdicts and settlements.