What Happens if You Leave the Scene of a Car Accident in Arizona?

Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious crime in Arizona. In fact, if there were injuries involved, you can be charged with a class 5 felony that will result in possibly spending two years in prison. If you flee the scene of an accident and a death was involved, you could be charged with a class 3 felony. This could result in spending 3.5 years in prison. In such legal matters, consulting with a DUI lawyer in Tempe can provide essential guidance and support to navigate the complexities of the legal system.

You have probably seen enough movies and television shows to know you should never leave the scene of a car accident. If you do, you can suffer terrible consequences that will haunt you. Click here for more information about the potential consequences from an experienced car accident lawyer in Phoenix. 

Experiencing a car crash gets your adrenaline charging through your system. Your first instinct may be to start thinking about how to get away from the situation. No matter how much you fear the consequences, however, they will become exponentially worse if you flee. 

Fleeing the site of the accident is never a good choice of action. You are not invisible, and eyewitnesses can have you on their radar. Many businesses today use surveillance cameras that may have even captured the accident. This could allow investigators to identify your vehicle.

Additionally, a camera installed at an intersection can capture a photo of your car and license plate. With the security technology that is available to the average consumer today, It is easy for many sources to place you and your vehicle at the scene of the accident. 

The Law and Hit-and-Run Drivers

When a driver leaves the scene of a car accident, it is known as a hit-and-run accident.  It is illegal to leave the scene of a vehicle accident without following specific steps and protocols.

If you have been in a crash that another driver caused and he speeds away from the scene of the incident, take immediate action to notice the car’s color and make. This information helps law officers identify the culprit who caused the wreck.  

Hit-and-run accidents do not necessarily occur between two or more vehicles. You could be involved or be a witness to an accident that injures a pedestrian. Statistically, since 2008, 20% of pedestrian deaths are the result of a hit-and-run accident. While you are reading this article, three hit-and-run accidents have occurred. 

What to Do at the Scene of a Car Accident 

The law states that if you are involved in an auto accident with another driver you must stop at the scene of the mishap and exchange insurance information. You will also want to get the contact information of any witnesses. 

If you can move your car, safely maneuver it out of the way of traffic. You must stay close to the scene of the wreck until police officers arrive and make an investigative report. You must do this even if the crash did not injure you or the other driver.