What to do after a car accident in Arizona

{ "title": "What to Do After a Car Accident in Arizona", "metaDescription": "Injured in an AZ car accident? Learn the exact steps to take, your legal rights, and how Arizona fault rules affect your claim. Free case review available.", "body": "# What to Do After a Car Accident in Arizona\n\nA car accident can happen in seconds, but the decisions you make in the hours and days that follow can shape your entire claim. Arizona has specific laws that affect who pays, how long you have to file, and how much you can recover. This guide walks you through each step in plain English.\n\n---\n\n## Step 1: Stay Safe and Call 911\n\nFirst, check yourself and any passengers for injuries. If it is safe to do so, move vehicles out of traffic. Turn on your hazard lights.\n\nCall 911 even if the crash seems minor. Arizona law (A.R.S. § 28-663) requires drivers to report accidents that result in injury, death, or property damage over a certain threshold. A police report also creates an official record — something insurance companies and attorneys rely on heavily.\n\nWhile you wait for police, do not apologize or admit fault. Even saying "I'm sorry" can be used against you later.\n\n---\n\n## Step 2: Document Everything at the Scene\n\nUse your phone to gather as much evidence as possible before vehicles are moved or conditions change.\n\nCollect:\n- Photos and video of all vehicles, damage, license plates, and road conditions\n- The other driver's name, license number, insurance company, and policy number\n- Contact information for any witnesses\n- The responding officer's name and badge number\n- The police report number\n\nNote the time, weather, road surface, and any traffic signals or signs nearby. Small details can matter a great deal when fault is disputed.\n\n---\n\n## Step 3: Seek Medical Attention Right Away\n\nSome injuries — like whiplash, soft-tissue damage, or internal bleeding — do not show symptoms immediately. See a doctor the same day, even if you feel fine.\n\nDelaying medical care hurts you in two ways. First, your condition can worsen. Second, insurance adjusters will argue that the gap between the crash and your first doctor's visit proves you were not seriously hurt. Keep every medical record, bill, prescription receipt, and doctor's note.\n\n---\n\n## Step 4: Understand Arizona's Fault Rules\n\nArizona follows a pure comparative fault system (A.R.S. § 12-2505). This means you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault — but your award is reduced by your percentage of fault.\n\nExample: If a jury decides you were 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would receive $80,000.\n\nThis rule makes it especially important to document the scene carefully. Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto injured drivers to lower their payout.\n\nArizona is also a tort (at-fault) state, not a no-fault state. That means you file a claim against the driver who caused the accident — not your own insurer — to recover for pain, suffering, and other damages beyond vehicle repair.\n\n---\n\n## Step 5: Notify Your Insurance Company\n\nReport the accident to your own insurer promptly. Most policies require timely notice as a condition of coverage, even when the other driver is at fault.\n\nBe factual and brief. Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company without first speaking to an attorney. Adjusters are trained to ask questions in ways that reduce your claim.\n\nIf the at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured, your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may step in — another reason to review your policy now. Chat with our intake team if you have questions about how insurance coverage works in your situation.\n\n---\n\n## Step 6: Know Arizona's Statute of Limitations\n\nIn Arizona, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit (A.R.S. § 12-542). For property damage only, the same two-year limit typically applies.\n\nMissing this deadline almost always means losing your right to sue — regardless of how strong your case is. If a government vehicle or municipality was involved, the notice deadlines can be much shorter (sometimes 180 days), so act quickly.\n\nTwo years sounds like a long time, but gathering evidence, negotiating with insurers, and preparing for litigation all take time. Start your free case review today so nothing slips through the cracks.\n\n---\n\n## FAQ: Arizona Car Accident Questions\n\n### Do I need a lawyer after a minor fender-bender in Arizona?\n\nNot always. If there are no injuries and liability is clear, you may be able to handle a small property-damage claim on your own. However, if you were injured — even mildly — consulting an attorney is worth it. Most personal injury lawyers in Arizona work on a contingency fee, meaning you pay nothing unless you recover money.\n\n### What if the other driver doesn't have insurance?\n\nArizona requires all drivers to carry minimum liability coverage, but uninsured drivers exist. If you carry UM/UIM coverage, your own policy may cover your medical bills and other losses. An attorney can help you explore every available source of compensation.\n\n### How is pain and suffering calculated in Arizona?\n\nThere is no single formula. Attorneys and insurers typically consider the severity of your injuries, how long recovery takes, impact on your daily life, and your total medical expenses. Arizona does not cap pain-and-suffering damages in most car accident cases — confirm the latest rules with your attorney, as laws can change.\n\n### What if I was partly at fault for the accident?\n\nUnder Arizona's pure comparative fault rule, you can still recover compensation even if you were partly responsible. Your percentage of fault simply reduces your total recovery. Do not assume partial fault means you have no case.\n\n### Should I accept the insurance company's first settlement offer?\n\nGenerally, no — at least not before you fully understand the extent of your injuries. Once you sign a release, you give up the right to seek more compensation later, even if your condition worsens. Have an attorney review any offer before you accept.\n\n---\n\n## The Bottom Line\n\nThe steps you take right after an Arizona car accident — calling 911, documenting the scene, getting medical care, and understanding the state's fault rules — directly affect what you can recover. Time limits are real, and insurance companies have experienced teams working to minimize payouts from day one.\n\nYou deserve to know where your case stands before making any decisions.\n\nTalk to our 24/7 AI to see if you have a strong case — free, no obligation. → Start free intake" }