Key takeaways
- Get safe, call 911, and follow Arizona's stop-and-assist rules if anyone is hurt.
- Photograph everything, get the other driver's insurance, and collect witness names before you leave.
- See a doctor the same day and keep every medical record and bill.
- Call Kent Law before giving a recorded statement to any insurer, including your own.
- Arizona deadlines: generally 2 years to sue, but public-entity claims need notice within 180 days and suit within 1 year.
On this page
After a car accident in Phoenix, get to safety, call 911, and check on everyone involved. Then document the scene, get medical care the same day, and call a lawyer before you give a recorded statement to any insurance company. This guide covers what to do after a car accident in Phoenix, from the first minutes at the scene to the Arizona rules that shape your claim. Crashes are common here. In 2024, Phoenix had 37,472 crashes, with 15,057 people injured and 278 killed (ADOT, 2024 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, Table 2-5, p. 13). If you were hurt, Kent Law can help.
Step 1: Stay safe at the scene and call 911
The first minutes matter most. Focus on safety.
- Check for injuries. Check yourself first, then your passengers.
- Turn on your hazard lights. Make your car easy to see.
- Move out of traffic only if it's safe. If the car won't move, or moving would put anyone at risk, stay where you are.
- Call 911. Tell the dispatcher where you are and whether anyone is hurt.
- Exchange information. Get the other driver's name, address, vehicle registration, and driver's license information.
Arizona law sets clear duties when a crash injures or kills someone. Drivers involved must stop and remain at the scene. They must exchange their name, address, and vehicle registration, show their driver's license on request, and give reasonable assistance to anyone hurt (A.R.S. §§ 28-661 and 28-663). Drivers in an injury crash must also notify police immediately (A.R.S. § 28-666). A 911 call is the fastest way to reach police and get medical help on the way.
If the other driver takes off, don't chase them. Call 911 and write down anything you remember about the car and the driver. Our page on hit-and-run accidents explains more.
You are not alone. Across Arizona in 2024, there were 121,107 crashes, with 54,426 people injured and 1,228 killed (ADOT, 2024 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, Table 1-1, p. 2).
Step 2: Gather evidence before it disappears
Evidence starts fading the moment the crash ends. Cars get towed. Roads get cleared. Memories blur. If you can do it safely, use your phone to capture what you can.
- Photos of the vehicles. Get all sides of every car, the damage, and the license plates.
- Photos of the scene. Capture the road, traffic signals, signs, and where the cars ended up.
- Photos of your injuries. Take pictures now and over the following days as bruises and swelling change.
- The other driver's insurance. Photograph their insurance card, or write down the company name and policy number.
- Witnesses. Get names and phone numbers from anyone who saw the crash. Witnesses can leave before police arrive.
- Cameras. Look for businesses, homes, or other cars with cameras nearby. Footage can be recorded over, so ask for it quickly.
Write down what you remember as soon as you can: the time, the direction you were traveling, and what you saw and heard.
Need help? Call Kent Law at (480) 359-KENT for a free case review. We'll listen, answer your questions, and explain your options. No fee unless we win.
Step 3: Get the police report
The police report is an official record of the crash. Which agency writes it depends on court rules and the facts, such as where the crash happened and where the parties live:
- City streets: Phoenix Police.
- State highways and freeways: Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Before you leave the scene, ask the officer for the report number. Write it down or take a photo of it. You'll need it to get a copy later. Our guide on how to get a Phoenix police accident report walks you through the next part.
Read the report once you have it. If something looks wrong, call us.
Step 4: Get medical care the same day
See a doctor the same day, even if you feel okay. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some injuries take time to show up. Go to the emergency room, urgent care, or your own doctor.
After that first visit:
- Go to every follow-up appointment. Follow your doctor's treatment plan.
- Tell your doctors about every symptom. Headaches, neck pain, numbness, and trouble sleeping all matter.
- Keep records. Save visit summaries, bills, prescriptions, and receipts.
- Track your recovery. Keep simple notes on pain, missed work, and things you can't do anymore.
Medical records tell the story of your injuries, but your health is what matters most. Get the care you need. Insurers may point to gaps in treatment, and if you had to wait or miss appointments, that happens. Tell us, and we'll explain your options.
This is general information, not medical advice. Follow the guidance of your own doctors.
Step 5: Handle the insurance companies carefully
The insurance companies will get involved fast. Here's how to protect yourself.
Notify your own insurer promptly. Your policy may require it. Give the basic facts: when and where the crash happened and who was involved. Cooperate with your own insurance company.
Call Kent Law before giving a recorded statement to any insurer, including your own. Adjusters may sound friendly. But the other driver's insurance company has adjusters and lawyers working to pay as little as possible. A recorded statement can be used to question your injuries or your account of the crash. Talk to us first.
Don't sign releases or accept quick checks. An early offer can show up before you know how badly you're hurt. The insurance company wants the claim closed before the full extent of your injuries is known. Don't sign anything or cash any check until you understand your injuries and your rights.
The insurance company has people working against you. Kent Law works just as hard for you.
Arizona rules that affect your claim
A few Arizona laws shape what happens next.
Fault can be shared
Arizona uses pure comparative fault. If you were partly at fault, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. They are not wiped out (A.R.S. § 12-2505). For example, if you were found 20% at fault, your damages would be reduced by 20%. Learn more in our guide to Arizona comparative fault. There are exceptions, such as A.R.S. § 12-711 for some alcohol- or drug-related situations, so talk to us about your facts.
Insurance minimums are low
Arizona drivers must carry at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $15,000 for property damage (A.R.S. § 28-4009). Serious injuries can go far past those limits.
Some drivers have no insurance
The Insurance Research Council estimated that 10.6% of Arizona drivers were uninsured in 2023 (via the Insurance Information Institute). Arizona insurers must offer uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage in writing, though drivers can decline it (A.R.S. § 20-259.01). Check your policy to see whether you have it. Our guide to uninsured motorist claims in Arizona explains how these claims work.
Deadlines apply
Most injury lawsuits in Arizona must generally be filed within 2 years (A.R.S. § 12-542). Claims against a public entity or employee have shorter deadlines. If a city bus hit you, for example, a notice of claim is generally required within 180 days (A.R.S. § 12-821.01), and the lawsuit must generally be filed within 1 year (A.R.S. § 12-821). The same rules generally apply to a crash caused by a city truck or a government employee driving. See our guide to the Arizona personal injury statute of limitations for more.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting for medical care. Delays can hurt your health and your claim.
- Posting about the crash on social media. Insurance companies can look at what you post. Keep the crash and your injuries offline.
- Guessing about fault. Stick to what you know. Don't guess about speed, distance, or who caused the crash. Let the evidence show what happened.
- Giving a recorded statement without advice. Call Kent Law at (480) 359-KENT first.
How Kent Law can help
Kent Law focuses on personal injury, and most of our cases are motor vehicle collisions. We take the fight to the insurance company, and we handle the adjusters so you can heal. We fight for every penny of compensation you deserve. We recover 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 have one office, in the Ahwatukee area of Phoenix, and we 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 working with a Phoenix car accident lawyer at Kent Law.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a Phoenix car accident, call Kent Law at (480) 359-KENT for a free case review. 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
Do I have to call the police after a car accident in Phoenix?
If anyone is hurt or killed, Arizona law requires drivers to notify police immediately (A.R.S. § 28-666). Calling 911 is the fastest way to reach police and get medical help. Phoenix Police generally handle crashes on city streets, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety handles state highways and freeways. Ask the officer for the report number before you leave the scene so you can get a copy of the report later.
Should I give a recorded statement to the insurance company?
Call Kent Law before you give a recorded statement to any insurer, including your own. You should still notify your own insurance company about the crash promptly, because your policy may require it, and cooperate with it. But the other driver's insurer has adjusters working to pay as little as possible, and a recorded statement can be used to question your claim. Call (480) 359-KENT first for a free case review.
How long do I have to file a claim after a car accident in Arizona?
Most injury lawsuits in Arizona must generally be filed within 2 years (A.R.S. § 12-542). Claims against a public entity or employee are different. If a city bus, a city truck, or a government employee driving caused your crash, a notice of claim is generally required within 180 days (A.R.S. § 12-821.01), and the lawsuit must generally be filed within 1 year (A.R.S. § 12-821). Call early so no deadline slips by.
What if the driver who hit me has no insurance?
The Insurance Research Council estimated that 10.6% of Arizona drivers were uninsured in 2023. Arizona insurers must offer uninsured (UM) and underinsured (UIM) motorist coverage in writing, though drivers can decline it (A.R.S. § 20-259.01). If you have this coverage, your own policy may help with your injury claim. Kent Law handles UM and UIM claims. Call (480) 359-KENT for a free case review.
How much does it cost to talk to Kent Law?
The case review is free. Kent Law works on a contingency fee, which means no fee unless we win. Before you sign anything, we explain the written fee agreement so you understand it. 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.
Related: Phoenix car accident lawyer
Sources
This article is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different.