Being involved in a car accident in Arizona can be disorienting, you’re suddenly making decisions while you’re shaken, possibly hurt, and not thinking clearly. Knowing the right steps to take in the first hour can protect your health, your case, and your peace of mind. Here’s exactly what to do after a car accident in Arizona, in order.
Key Takeaways
- Get yourself and passengers to safety and check for injuries before anything else.
- Arizona law (A.R.S. § 28-666) requires reporting any crash that causes injury, death, or vehicle damage.
- See a doctor within 24 hours, insurance uses any delay against you.
- Don’t give the other driver’s insurance a recorded statement until you’ve talked to a lawyer.
- Most Arizona personal injury claims must be filed within two years under A.R.S. § 12-542.
In this article
- Get to a safe spot and check for injuries
- Call 911 and file an Arizona accident report
- Exchange information at the scene
- Document everything with photos
- See a doctor, even if you feel fine
- Don’t talk to the other driver’s insurance alone
- Track every expense and document your recovery
- Talk to a personal injury lawyer before you sign anything
- Common questions
1. Get to a Safe Spot and Check for Injuries
The first priority is everyone’s safety. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If you can move safely, get out of traffic, to the shoulder, a parking lot, or a side street. Turn on your hazard lights so other drivers can see you.
If anyone is seriously hurt, call 911 immediately. Don’t try to move someone with a possible neck or back injury unless there’s an immediate fire or safety threat.
2. Call 911 and File an Arizona Accident Report
Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-666, drivers involved in a crash that results in injury, death, or vehicle damage must report the accident to law enforcement. Even for minor fender-benders, having an official police report is one of the most valuable pieces of evidence you can have for an injury claim.
When the officer arrives, give a calm, factual account of what happened. Don’t speculate about fault, don’t apologize for the crash, and don’t agree to anyone’s version of events if it doesn’t match what you remember.
3. Exchange Information at the Scene
Before anyone leaves, collect the following from the other driver(s):
- Full name, address, and phone number
- Driver’s license number
- License plate number and vehicle make/model
- Insurance company name and policy number
Get the same info from any witnesses. Witness statements often decide difficult cases.
4. Document Everything With Photos
Your phone is the single most valuable evidence-collection tool at the scene. Photograph:
- Every angle of every vehicle involved
- The position of the cars on the road before they’re moved
- The other driver’s license plate, driver’s license, and insurance card
- Any visible injuries on you or your passengers
- Skid marks, debris, traffic signs, traffic signals, and road conditions
- The license plates of any witness vehicles
The scene of a crash changes fast. Photos taken before vehicles are moved can be the difference between a strong case and a weak one.
5. See a Doctor, Even If You Feel Fine
Adrenaline masks injuries. Soft tissue damage, whiplash, and concussions often don’t show symptoms until hours or days after the crash. See a doctor within 24 hours of any accident, even if you feel okay.
There’s a second reason this matters: insurance companies look for any gap between the accident and your first medical visit. They use that gap to argue your injuries weren’t really caused by the crash. Prompt medical care protects both your health and your case.
6. Don’t Talk to the Other Driver’s Insurance Alone
Within 48 hours of a crash, you’ll likely get a call from the other driver’s insurance company. They’ll ask for “a quick recorded statement to clarify what happened.” Be polite, take their name and case number, and then don’t say another word until you’ve talked to a lawyer.
Anything you say in that recorded statement can and will be used to reduce or deny your claim.
7. Track Every Expense and Document Your Recovery
Keep a folder, physical or digital, with every receipt, every bill, and every document related to your crash and recovery. That includes:
- Medical bills and prescription receipts
- Vehicle repair invoices and rental car costs
- Lost wages and time off work
- Mileage to and from medical appointments
- A daily journal of how you’re feeling and what activities you can’t do
This documentation directly affects the value of your claim.
8. Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer Before You Sign Anything
Most Arizona personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the accident under A.R.S. § 12-542. But the most important deadline isn’t the statute of limitations, it’s the deadline you set for yourself by signing the wrong document early on.
An experienced Arizona car accident lawyer reviews your case for free, walks you through your options, and makes sure you don’t accidentally release a valid claim for pennies on the dollar.
Common Questions About Arizona Car Accidents
How long do I have to file a claim after a car accident in Arizona?
Two years from the date of the accident, per A.R.S. § 12-542. If a government vehicle was involved, that drops to just 180 days for the Notice of Claim.
Do I have to report a minor accident in Arizona?
Yes, A.R.S. § 28-666 requires reporting any accident involving injury, death, or vehicle damage. Even a small dent or scratch counts as “damage.”
What if the other driver leaves the scene?
Call 911 immediately and report it as a hit-and-run. Document everything you remember about the vehicle (make, color, partial plate, direction of travel) and check for witnesses or nearby surveillance cameras.
Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company?
Not without a lawyer. Their job is to minimize what they pay out. Yours is to protect your recovery. Anything you say can be used against you.
If You’ve Been in a Crash, We’re Here to Help
At AJ Hall Injury Law Team, we’ve helped Arizona families navigate the legal side of car accidents for years. We offer free consultations, no upfront fees, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Call (480) 502-3905This is general information, not legal advice. Results vary by case.