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Jan 05, 2026
You’re shaking, adrenaline’s pumping, and your mind is racing through a hundred thoughts at once.
And now you’re wondering “What to do after a car accident in Arizona?” It’s probably one of the last things you prepared for today. And unfortunately, the steps you take in the next few hours can make or break your insurance claim (or worse, leave you on the hook for damages that weren’t your fault).
The system doesn’t exactly make it easy to know what’s required versus what’s just “recommended.”
Here’s the thing: there’s a clear roadmap that protects both your legal rights and your health. The team at Bleaman Law Firm P.C. has walked countless Arizonans through these exact steps, and we’re breaking down everything you need to do right now.
Key Takeaways
- Stop immediately, check for injuries, and call 911 – leaving the scene can result in serious criminal charges in Arizona
- Document everything with photos, videos, and witness information before vehicles are moved
- Seek medical attention within 72 hours even if you feel fine – many injuries don’t show symptoms immediately
- Arizona follows pure comparative negligence rules, meaning you can recover damages even if you’re partially at fault
- Never give recorded statements to insurance companies without legal guidance – what you say can significantly reduce your compensation
Immediate Steps to Take at the Accident Scene
First things first. Stop your vehicle.
I know that sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people panic and their first instinct is to just… keep driving. Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-661, leaving a car accident scene is a serious crime. We’re talking potential felony charges if there are injuries.
Check yourself, then check your passengers. Anyone bleeding? Can’t move? Trouble breathing? Call 911 immediately. If everyone seems okay and the vehicles are blocking traffic (and they’re drivable), move them to the shoulder or a parking lot – but here’s the thing, try to take a quick photo first showing where everything landed. Clearing the roadway when possible helps prevent secondary accidents, which happen more often than you’d think.
Stay put. Exchange information with the other driver:
- Names and contact details
- Insurance company and policy numbers
- Vehicle descriptions and license plates
- Driver’s license numbers
And look, I get it. Emotions run high. You might be shaking, angry, or scared. But do not apologize or say “it was my fault” even if you think it was. Just exchange facts.
Documenting the Accident for Legal and Insurance Purposes
Grab your phone. This is actually one time where being glued to your smartphone helps you out.
Take photos of everything – and I mean everything. All vehicle damage from multiple angles, the entire accident scene showing the road layout, any skid marks or debris, traffic signs or signals nearby, weather conditions (because yes, that matters). Get the other vehicle’s license plate clearly in frame. If there’s a dashcam involved? Even better, that footage is gold.
Witness information is crucial. People who saw what happened but aren’t involved have no reason to lie for either side. Get their names and phone numbers before they leave. Write down (or type into your phone) what you remember about the accident while it’s fresh – time, location, what you were doing, what the other driver did, speed estimates.
Well-documented accidents lead to faster insurance settlements and stronger legal cases if needed. Your insurance company needs this information promptly, usually within 24-48 hours depending on your policy terms.
Medical Attention and Health Concerns After an Accident
Here’s where people mess up constantly.
“I feel fine, so I don’t need a doctor.” Wrong. Just… wrong. Adrenaline is a powerful thing and it masks pain really effectively for hours or even days after an accident. Whiplash, concussions, internal injuries – these don’t always announce themselves immediately with obvious symptoms.
See a doctor within 72 hours. Period. Not just for your health (though that’s obviously the main reason), but because insurance companies will argue that any injury you claim later must have happened after the accident if you didn’t seek treatment right away. They’ll say “well, if you were really hurt, you would’ve gone to the ER immediately.” It’s frustrating, but that’s how they operate.
According to the Mayo Clinic, concussions and traumatic brain injuries can have delayed symptoms such as concentration problems, memory issues, irritability, and sleep disturbances. Your medical records become the foundation of any injury claim. No records? No proof. No proof? No compensation for medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
Even if you have minor symptoms. Even if your neck is just “a little stiff” or you have “just a small headache.” Get checked out. Let medical professionals decide what’s minor.
Legal Steps and Considerations Post-Accident
Now here’s where it gets tricky.
Arizona operates under what’s called “pure comparative negligence” – you can read the actual statute at ARS § 12-2505. What this means in plain English: even if you’re 99% at fault, you can still recover 1% of damages from the other party. If you’re 30% responsible and the other driver is 70% responsible, you can recover 70% of your total damages. The insurance companies will fight tooth and nail over these percentages because each percentage point represents real money.
You’ve got two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit in Arizona – that’s your statute of limitations for most cases (there are exceptions, particularly if a government vehicle is involved, where you might need to file a notice of claim within 180 days). Don’t wait until month 23 to talk to someone about your rights.
Fault determination isn’t always straightforward, and honestly, this is where having legal counsel makes the biggest difference because insurance adjusters are trained negotiators working to minimize payouts, and you’re probably dealing with this for the first or second time in your life. The Arizona State Bar offers resources for finding qualified attorneys who handle accident cases.
Navigating Insurance and Claim Processes
Call your insurance company. Soon. Most policies require “prompt” notification, and some have specific deadlines like 24 hours for collision claims.
When you report the accident, stick to facts. “I was driving north on Main Street when the other vehicle ran the red light and struck my passenger side.” Not “I think maybe they didn’t see the light because the sun was bright and I’m not sure but…” See the difference? One is factual, the other invites speculation about whether you actually know what happened.
What not to say to any insurance company (including your own): Don’t speculate about injuries (“I’m fine” when you haven’t been examined yet), don’t guess about speeds or distances, don’t admit fault, and definitely don’t agree to a recorded statement without understanding your policy requirements first. The Insurance Information Institute provides consumer guidance on claim processes that’s actually readable and not full of insurance jargon.
Your insurance adjuster will want documentation – police reports, medical records, repair estimates, photos. Give them what they need but understand that initial settlement offers are often lowball numbers. Insurance companies expect negotiation. They’re not trying to be evil (well, most of them), they’re just protecting their bottom line, which unfortunately conflicts with you getting fully compensated.
And something people don’t realize – filing a claim doesn’t always mean your rates go up, especially if you weren’t at fault. But not filing a claim when you have legitimate damages? That leaves money on the table that you’re entitled to recover.
Steps to Protect Your Legal Rights and Avoid Common Pitfalls
Do not. I repeat, do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company without speaking to an attorney first. They’ll call you within days (sometimes hours), sound super friendly, say they “just need your version of events to process the claim quickly.” What they’re actually doing is locking you into a statement that their lawyers will pick apart later to minimize what they pay you.
Common mistakes I see over and over: admitting fault at the scene, posting about the accident on social media (insurance companies absolutely check your Facebook and Instagram), accepting the first settlement offer without understanding full damages, and signing medical releases that give insurance companies access to your entire medical history going back years (they’re looking for pre-existing conditions to blame instead of the accident).
Preserve everything. Keep all accident-related documents in one place – police reports, medical bills, repair estimates, correspondence with insurance companies, even a journal documenting your pain levels and how injuries affect your daily life. Consumers have rights when dealing with insurance companies, and understanding these protections prevents companies from taking advantage during stressful times.
Evidence degrades. Witnesses forget details or move away. Physical evidence gets repaired or disposed of. Security camera footage gets overwritten. Act quickly to preserve what matters for your case.
Understanding Arizona Traffic Laws and Safety Tips
Arizona has specific requirements that differ from other states (because of course every state has to do things slightly differently, right?). Under Arizona law, you must report any accident to law enforcement if it involves injury, death, or property damage exceeding $2,000. Given that even minor fender benders often cause more than $2,000 in damage to modern vehicles with all their sensors and computers, that basically means report most accidents.
Hit and run? That’s not just “leaving the scene.” If you’re convicted, you’re looking at potential jail time, license suspension, and a criminal record. The Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety provides statistics showing that hit-and-run accidents are taken very seriously by law enforcement and prosecutors.
Safety tips for accident scenes: turn on hazard lights, set up flares or warning triangles if you have them (especially at night), stay off the roadway as much as possible, and watch for traffic that isn’t paying attention. More people get injured after the initial collision than during it because they’re standing in traffic lanes.
But here’s something most people don’t know – Arizona is a “fault” state for insurance purposes, meaning the at-fault driver’s insurance should pay for damages. This differs from no-fault states where each driver’s insurance covers their own damages regardless of who caused the accident. Understanding this matters because it affects how you approach claims and negotiations with insurance companies.
And listen, nobody wants to think about “what if I’m in an accident,” but taking five minutes now to understand these steps can save you thousands of dollars and months of headaches later. Keep this information accessible – screenshot it, bookmark it, whatever works for you – because when you’re sitting on the side of the road with a smashed bumper and shaking hands, you won’t remember half of what you should do unless you’ve got a reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to call the police after a minor car accident in Arizona?
Yeah, you do. Arizona law requires calling police if there’s injury, death, or property damage over $2,000 – which is basically every accident nowadays. Even “minor” fender benders usually hit that threshold. Skip it and you could face penalties. ARS § 28-667 spells it out pretty clearly.
What should you not say when making an insurance claim?
Don’t speculate or admit fault. Seriously. No “I think I was going too fast” or “maybe I didn’t see them.” Just stick to facts – what happened, where, when. And never give a recorded statement without talking to a lawyer first. Insurance adjusters are good at their jobs, and their job isn’t protecting you.
How soon should you report an accident to your insurance company?
As soon as possible. Most policies require “prompt” or “immediate” notification – we’re talking hours or days, not weeks. Some carriers give you specific windows like 24 or 72 hours. Check your policy, but honestly? Just call them the same day. Delays can give them ammunition to deny your claim.
What are the implications of pure comparative negligence in Arizona?
You can still recover damages even if you’re 99% at fault – you’ll just get reduced by your percentage. So if you’re 30% responsible for a crash with $10,000 in damages, you’ll get $7,000. It’s actually pretty fair compared to other states that bar recovery if you’re 50% or more at fault. ARS § 12-2505 covers this.
What steps should be taken if the other driver has no insurance?
Depends on your coverage. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, file a claim with your own insurance. If not, you’re looking at suing the driver directly – good luck collecting though. This is exactly why having UM coverage matters in Arizona, even though it’s not required by law.
How does Arizona handle the statute of limitations for accident claims?
Two years from the accident date for personal injury claims. Property damage? Also two years. Miss that deadline and you’re done – courts will toss your case. Government vehicles get tricky though – you’ve got to file a notice of claim within 180 days. ARS § 12-542 and ARS § 12-821 lay out the specifics.
What are common mistakes to avoid after a car accident?
Leaving the scene. Apologizing or saying “it was my fault.” Not getting medical attention because you feel fine. Accepting the first settlement offer without understanding your injuries. Posting about the accident on social media – insurance companies love using that against you. And not preserving evidence while it’s still available.
Bleaman Law Firm P.C.: Your Car Accident Law Firm
Look, you know what to do now. Document everything, get checked out medically, and don’t sign anything without reviewing it carefully. The insurance companies will move fast, and honestly? They’re counting on you not knowing Arizona’s specific rules. We’ve handled countless cases, and the ones who reach out early always have better outcomes. Period. And that two-year statute of limitations might seem generous, but evidence disappears and witnesses forget details faster than you’d think.
If you’re dealing with injuries, property damage, or an insurer that won’t play fair, you shouldn’t handle this alone. Contact our firm today – we’ll review your case and tell you exactly where you stand.
Arizona Car Accident Resources:
