A car accident can turn your day upside down in seconds. One moment you are driving through Mesa or Glendale, Arizona, and the next you are dealing with injuries, vehicle damage, and a flood of questions. This blog will address what to do after a car accident in Arizona.
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A car accident can turn your day upside down in seconds. One moment you are driving through Mesa or Glendale, Arizona, and the next you are dealing with injuries, vehicle damage, and a flood of questions. This blog will address what to do after a car accident in Arizona.
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5 Steps To Take After a Car Accident in Arizona
Step 1: Check for Injuries and Get to Safety
The first thing to do after any Arizona car accident is check yourself and everyone else for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 right away and ask for medical help. Don’t assume minor pain isn’t serious. Injuries like whiplash and concussions often don’t show up right away, so always get checked out.
If it’s safe and your car can be driven, move it off the road and onto the shoulder. High-traffic roads like US 60 in Mesa or I-10 near downtown Phoenix can be especially dangerous after a crash. Turn on your hazard lights immediately to warn other drivers and prevent a second accident.
Arizona law requires you to stay at the scene. Under ARS § 28-661 and ARS § 28-662, drivers must stop and remain until they have exchanged information and met all legal duties. ARS § 28-663 also requires you to give your name, address, and vehicle registration number to the other driver and to offer reasonable help to anyone who is injured.
Leaving the scene can lead to serious criminal charges. A hit and run in Arizona can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the situation. If someone was seriously hurt or killed, you could face felony charges and years in prison. Stay at the scene, cooperate with law enforcement, and wait until an officer clears you to leave.
Step 2: Call the Police and File an Accident Report
Always contact law enforcement after an Arizona car accident. A police report is one of the most important pieces of evidence in a personal injury claim. Police reports document the crash and often play a key role in determining fault during an insurance claim. Make sure you ask how to get a copy of the report for your records.
If you have questions about your legal options after a crash, speaking with an experienced car accident lawyer in Arizona can help you understand your next steps.
Step 3: Exchange Information with All Parties
Under ARS § 28-663, Arizona drivers involved in a crash must exchange names, contact details, driver license numbers, and insurance information. Be cooperative, but do not admit fault or speculate about the cause of the accident.
Collect the other driver’s vehicle make and model, license plate number, and insurance provider. If there are witnesses nearby, get their contact information too. The more details you have, the stronger your Arizona car accident claim will be.
Step 4: Document the Scene and Gather Evidence
Use your phone to take clear photos of the vehicles, the surrounding area, and any visible injuries. Capture wide and close-up angles, including road conditions, traffic signals, and damage. Location details, like a nearby landmark or road name, can help reconstruct how the crash occurred.
Write down what you remember as soon as possible. Include the time, weather conditions, and any statements made by the other driver. Details fade quickly after a stressful event, so record your thoughts while they are fresh.
Step 5: Seek Medical Attention Right Away
See a doctor as soon as possible, even if you feel fine. Many injuries, including whiplash and internal trauma, do not show symptoms right away.
Follow your doctor’s recommendations and attend all follow-up appointments. Gaps in treatment can hurt your case, since insurance companies may argue your injuries are not serious or were caused by something else.
Dealing with Insurance Companies After a Car Accident in Arizona
After a car accident in Arizona, report the crash to your insurance company immediately. Provide basic facts about what happened, but avoid giving recorded statements or speculating about fault until you have spoken with a lawyer.
Arizona follows a fault-based system, which means the driver who caused the accident is responsible for damages. Insurance companies begin investigating immediately and are focused on minimizing what they pay. Adjusters may try to shift blame, question your injuries, or pressure you into accepting a quick settlement.
Before you speak in detail with an insurance adjuster, consider speaking with an Arizona car accident lawyer. An attorney can handle communication, protect your rights, and help you pursue full compensation. Insurance companies start building their case immediately after a crash, and you should have someone building yours. Call us today for a free consultation.
Common Mistakes After a Car Accident in Arizona
After a car accident in Arizona, simple mistakes can hurt your ability to recover compensation.
These include:
- Admitting fault at the scene, even casually.
Delaying medical care, which gives insurance companies a reason to question your injuries. - Accepting quick settlement offers before understanding the full cost of your injuries.
Posting about the accident on social media, which insurers may use against you. - Not speaking with an Arizona car accident lawyer as soon as possible about your claim.
Understand How Arizona Law Affects Your Claim
Arizona personal injury law gives accident victims the right to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Under Arizona’s pure comparative negligence rule, you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault, though your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
There is also a deadline to keep in mind. Under ARS § 12-542, most victims have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline can permanently bar you from recovering compensation.
What Happens After You File a Car Accident Claim in Arizona
After a car accident in Arizona, the insurance claim process begins quickly. The insurance company will review the police report, assess fault, and evaluate your medical records.
You may receive an early settlement offer, but these are often lower than what your claim is worth. If a fair agreement is not reached, negotiations continue and the case may move toward a lawsuit.
Some claims resolve in a few months, while others take longer depending on the severity of injuries and disputes over liability. An experienced Arizona personal injury lawyer can guide you through the process and help you pursue full compensation. Call Rasmussen Injury Law at (480) 637-5757 to begin the process.
Arizona Car Accident Statistics
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, 121,000 crashes occurred on Arizona roads in 2024, resulting in over 1,200 fatalities and tens of thousands of injuries. That means thousands of Arizona drivers each year are suddenly forced to deal with injuries, insurance claims, and difficult legal decisions.
Knowing what to do after a car accident in Arizona can protect your health, your rights, and your ability to recover compensation. We will walk you through each step so you can act with confidence and avoid costly mistakes with the help of an experienced Mesa personal injury lawyer.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should always call the police after a crash, especially if there are injuries, fatalities, or significant property damage. Arizona law requires officers to file a report within 24 hours when an accident results in bodily injury, death, or property damage over $2,000. Even for minor crashes, a police report provides important protection if the other driver later disputes what happened.
You can still recover compensation under Arizona's pure comparative negligence rule. Your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, but you are not barred from making a claim. An attorney can help you understand how fault is likely to be assigned in your case.
Under ARS § 12-542, most accident victims have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a government vehicle was involved, the deadline is much shorter, so it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
Keep it brief. Provide basic facts about the accident, but do not give a recorded statement, admit fault, or speculate about your injuries until you have spoken with a lawyer. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize settlements, and your words can be used against you.
As soon as possible. An attorney can help preserve evidence, communicate with insurers, and make sure you do not miss critical deadlines. If you were injured in Mesa, Phoenix, Tucson, Glendale, or anywhere in Arizona, a local personal injury lawyer can evaluate your case for free.
Not always, but it is worth a free consultation before you decide. Even minor crashes can produce injuries that appear days later, and insurance companies may offer low settlements before you know the full picture. An attorney can review your case at no cost and let you know if legal representation makes sense.
Arizona law requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance, but not all do. If you are hit by an uninsured driver, your own uninsured motorist coverage may help cover your medical bills and damages. An attorney can help you explore all available options, including a direct claim against the at-fault driver.
Dealing with serious injuries can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to handle it alone. Our experienced Phoenix motorcycle accident attorneys offer free consultations and can manage the legal process while you focus on recovery. Call (480) 637-5757 for a free case consultation.
If a city bus, state vehicle, or other government-owned vehicle caused your accident, the rules change significantly. Instead of the standard two-year deadline, you must file a Notice of Claim within 180 days of the accident. Missing this window can permanently bar your claim, so contact an attorney as soon as possible.
Protect Your Rights from the Start
The steps you take after a car accident in Arizona can shape the outcome of your case. Prioritize your health and safety first, then document the accident and seek legal guidance right away. Acting quickly helps preserve evidence and protects your right to full compensation.
Speak with Rasmussen Injury Law Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Arizona, the team at Rasmussen Injury Law is ready to help. They provide dedicated representation for accident victims across Mesa, Phoenix, Tucson, and Glendale, and they know how to deal with insurance companies to fight for what you deserve.
Schedule a free consultation with a trusted Mesa personal injury lawyer