Key takeaways
- For crashes on Phoenix city streets, request the report from Phoenix Police online or through its Public Records and Services Bureau.
- Freeway and state highway crashes are usually handled by Arizona DPS, which lists a $9.00 fee for an emailed collision report.
- Have the report number, crash date, location, and names of the people involved ready before you request.
- Timing varies. The city emails you when your report is complete.
- If the report has mistakes, tell the agency that wrote it. Kent Law can help build the full picture.
On this page
You can request a Phoenix police accident report online through the City of Phoenix public safety portal, or by contacting the Phoenix Police Public Records and Services Bureau. If your crash happened on a freeway or state highway, Arizona DPS usually investigated it, so you request the report from DPS instead. Below, we explain which agency has your report, what it shows, how to request it step by step, and what to do if it gets something wrong. If you were hurt, Kent Law can request the report for you.
Which agency has your crash report
Your report comes from the police agency that handled your crash. In the Phoenix area, that is usually one of three places.
- Phoenix city streets: the Phoenix Police Department. Its Public Records and Services Bureau handles report requests.
- Freeways and state highways: crashes there are usually investigated by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), not Phoenix Police.
- Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, or Mesa: request the report from that city's police department. Check that department's website for its process.
Phoenix sees a lot of crashes. In 2024, the city had 37,472 crashes, with 278 people killed and 15,057 people injured (ADOT, 2024 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, Table 2-5, p. 13). If you don't know which agency responded to yours, call us. We can help you figure it out.
What's in a crash report and why it matters
Arizona law requires officers who investigate a crash that causes injury to complete a written report (A.R.S. § 28-667). A crash report often includes:
- The people and vehicles involved
- Insurance information for the drivers
- A diagram of the crash
- The officer's observations
- Any citations the officer issued
This report matters. The other driver's insurance company will read it closely. Its adjusters and lawyers work to pay as little as possible, and they will use anything in the report that helps them do that.
The report also works for you. It can identify the other driver and their insurer. It shows how the officer saw the crash. It lists any citations. It is often a key record in a Phoenix car accident claim.
But the report is not the whole story. Photos, medical records, witness accounts, and other evidence matter too. When a case needs it, we hire crash reconstruction experts to show what really happened.
Need help? If you were hurt in a Phoenix crash, call Kent Law at (480) 359-KENT for a free case review. We can request the report for you and explain what it means for your claim. No fee unless we win.
How to request a Phoenix police accident report online
You can start online with the city's portal. Before you begin, gather these details:
- The report number, if you have it
- The date of the crash
- The location
- The names of the people involved
Then follow these steps:
- Go to the Phoenix public safety portal at https://phxpublicsafety.phoenix.gov/. The city recommends using Chrome or Edge.
- Create an account.
- Sign in and choose Submit Requests.
- Select the Traffic Crash report type.
- Enter your crash details and submit the request.
- Watch your email. The city emails you when the request is complete.
- Download your report from My Police Service Requests in the portal.
Fees. The city says some online requests require an upfront $5.00 portal convenience fee, which is refunded if the charge is less. Additional fees may apply depending on the request.
Other records. The portal also offers other request types, including body camera video, photographs, and 911 recordings. These records can show things a written report leaves out.
When your report will be ready
Phoenix Police processes requests in the order it receives them. Timing varies with the size and complexity of the request, so there is no set wait. You get an email when your request is complete. If no record is found, the city notifies you and refunds you.
Prefer phone or in person? Once your report is ready for release, you can call 602-534-1127 to schedule a phone or lobby appointment. Here are the Public Records and Services Bureau's details:
- Address: the city's page says the unit has relocated to 100 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85003
- Phone: 602-534-1127
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except city holidays
- Email: policepublicrecords@phoenix.gov
Freeway crash? Request DPS reports through the DPS Public Services Portal at https://psp.azdps.gov/ and choose Request a Report or Records. DPS lists a $9.00 fee for an emailed collision report.
Don't wait on the report to see a doctor or to get legal help. You can do both right now.
What if the report has mistakes
Crash scenes are busy, and reports can have errors. A name or insurance policy may be wrong. The diagram may not match what happened. Your side of the story may be missing.
Read your report as soon as you get it. If something is wrong, contact the agency that wrote it and explain what's wrong and why. Keep copies of anything you send. The agency decides whether to change the report, and it may not.
That's where we come in. A mistake in the report doesn't have to be the last word. We compare the report against photos, medical records, and other evidence. We can request body camera video and 911 recordings when they help. When a case needs it, crash reconstruction experts can show how the crash really happened.
What if police didn't come to the crash
Sometimes police don't come to the scene. You can still report the crash. Contact the police agency for the area where it happened. For some minor collisions on state highways, Arizona DPS offers a citizen report tool. Check the DPS website for details.
If the other driver fled, report it right away. A police report is often an important record after a hit-and-run accident. For more on the first steps after a crash, read our guide on what to do after a car accident in Phoenix.
How Kent Law can help
When you hire us, we can request the crash report for you. When your case needs them, we can also request body camera video, photographs, and 911 recordings. We read every line, because the insurance company will. Call Kent Law before you give a recorded statement to any insurer, including your own. Your policy may require you to cooperate with your own insurer, and we can help you do that.
We handle the insurance company so you can heal, and we fight for every penny of compensation you deserve. Kent Law recovers millions of dollars for injured clients every year. We handle negotiated settlements, mediation, arbitration and trial. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
We work from one office in the Ahwatukee area of Phoenix and serve Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, and Mesa from there. We usually meet at our office. If you can't get here, we can come to you at the hospital or at home, or meet by phone or video. Learn more about how we work as your Phoenix car accident lawyer.
Call Kent Law at (480) 359-KENT for a free case review about your Phoenix crash. No fee unless we win, and we explain the written fee agreement before you sign.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a Phoenix police accident report cost?
The City of Phoenix says some online requests require an upfront $5.00 portal convenience fee, which is refunded if the charge is less. Additional fees may apply depending on the request. For freeway and state highway crashes handled by Arizona DPS, DPS lists a $9.00 fee for an emailed collision report. If you hire Kent Law, we can request the report for you.
How long does it take to get a Phoenix police accident report?
There is no set wait. Phoenix Police processes requests in the order it receives them, and timing varies with the size and complexity of the request. The city emails you when your request is complete, and you can download the report from My Police Service Requests in the online portal. If no record is found, the city notifies you and refunds you.
My crash was on a freeway. Where do I get the report?
Freeway and state highway crashes are usually investigated by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), not Phoenix Police. Request DPS reports through the DPS Public Services Portal at psp.azdps.gov by choosing Request a Report or Records. DPS lists a $9.00 fee for an emailed collision report. If you're not sure which agency handled your crash, call Kent Law at (480) 359-KENT and we can help.
What should I do if my police report is wrong?
Contact the agency that wrote the report and explain what's wrong and why. The agency decides whether to change it, and it may not. A mistake in the report doesn't have to be the last word on your case. Kent Law compares the report with photos, medical records, and other evidence, and hires crash reconstruction experts when a case needs them. Call (480) 359-KENT for a free case review.
Can Kent Law get my accident report for me?
Yes. When you hire us, we can request the crash report and, when your case needs them, other records such as body camera video, photographs, and 911 recordings. We usually meet at our office. If you can't get here, we can come to you at the hospital or at home, or meet by phone or video. The case review is free. No fee unless we win.
Related: Phoenix car accident lawyer
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This article is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different.