Someone Hit My Parked Car and Left — Arizona Hit and Run Guide

You walk out to your car and find a dent, scrape, or worse — and no note. No driver. No information. Just damage.

Hitting a parked car and leaving is a crime in Arizona. Under A.R.S. § 28-665, the driver who struck your vehicle is required to leave their name, address, vehicle registration number, and driver’s license number — or, if you’re not present, to leave a written notice with that information. Failing to do so is a Class 2 misdemeanor, and if the damage exceeds $1,000, it becomes a Class 1 misdemeanor.

But knowing it’s a crime doesn’t fix your car. Here’s what to do.

Step 1: Document Everything

Before you move the car or touch anything, take photos. Photograph the damage from multiple angles, any paint transfer from the other vehicle, the location of your car in the lot or street, any debris left behind (glass, plastic, paint chips), and tire marks or scrape marks on the ground.

These details can help identify the vehicle that hit you and establish the extent of the damage.

Step 2: Look for Witnesses and Cameras

Check the immediate area. If you’re in a parking lot, nearby businesses likely have security cameras. If you’re on a residential street, neighbors may have doorbell cameras or home security systems. Ask anyone nearby if they saw what happened.

Time matters — most security camera systems overwrite footage within 24 to 72 hours. Get to businesses quickly and ask them to preserve the footage.

Step 3: File a Police Report

Call the Phoenix Police non-emergency line (602-262-6151) or file a report online. Even if the police can’t investigate immediately, the report creates an official record you’ll need for your insurance claim. Provide the police with any witness information or security camera leads you’ve identified.

Step 4: File an Insurance Claim

Here’s where it gets practical. If the other driver is never found, you have two options depending on your coverage:

Collision coverage pays for your vehicle damage regardless of who was at fault. You’ll pay your deductible, but the damage gets repaired. If you carry collision, this is your primary path.

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may apply to hit-and-run property damage in some circumstances, depending on your policy language. Check with your insurer.

If you only carry liability insurance (Arizona’s minimum), you’re unfortunately on your own for the vehicle repair if the other driver isn’t found. This is one of the reasons we advocate for carrying comprehensive and collision coverage even when it’s not legally required.

What If You Were IN the Car

If you were sitting in your parked car when it was struck and you were injured, the situation changes significantly. A hit-and-run involving personal injury is a felony in Arizona under A.R.S. § 28-661. Your uninsured motorist coverage kicks in for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering — regardless of whether the other driver is ever identified.

If you were injured, follow our complete accident guide: call 911, get medical attention, and contact an attorney before speaking with any insurance company.

What If You Find the Driver Later

If the police identify the driver, or you track them down through camera footage, everything changes. You now have a liable party, their insurance information, and a hit-and-run criminal charge that strengthens your civil case considerably. An insured driver who fled the scene is in a much worse negotiating position than one who stayed.

Call Us

If someone hit your parked car and left, and you were injured or the damage is significant, call (833) DTF-IGHT for a free consultation. We handle hit-and-run cases across the Phoenix metro and know how to track down responsible parties and maximize your recovery.