The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident has a duty under Arizona law to stop and to provide assistance. The duty to assist arises in A.R.S. 28-663, and states:
A. The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of a person or damage to a vehicle that is driven or attended by a person shall:
1. Give the driver’s name and address and the registration number of the vehicle the driver is driving.
2. On request, exhibit the person’s driver license to the person struck or the driver or occupants of or person attending a vehicle collided with.
3. Render reasonable assistance to a person injured in the accident, including making arrangements for the carrying of the person to a physician, surgeon or hospital for medical or surgical treatment if it is apparent that treatment is necessary or if the carrying is requested by the injured person.
Failure to comply with this statute can result in a class 3 misdemeanor charge.
The potential charge from a failure to obey the duty to stop at the scene of the accident is dependent upon the result of the collision itself. For instance, if a person is killed or is seriously injured, and the driver of a vehicle does not stop at the scene of the accident, that person can be charged with a class 2 felony under A.R.S. 28-661(B). If any injury occurs, and the person fails to stop, then the person can be charged with a class 5 felony under 28-661(C). The court can also impose severe MVD consequences, including license revocation for 3-5 years, depending on the injury severity.
Leaving the scene of an accident that involved no injury but property damage carries a separate charge. If the accident occurred with another moving car, the person may face a class 2 misdemeanor charge under A.R.S. 28-662. Striking unattended vehicles or objects on the highway also requires a reasonable effort to locate the owner and to leave the information of the person who struck the vehicle or property. Charges of a class 3 misdemeanor can be filed under statutes 28-664 and 28-665 for non-compliance.