Car insurance guide • Arizona
What to Do After a Car Accident in Arizona: Steps, Reports, and Insurance Claims
A car accident is stressful, and what you do in the first hour can affect your safety, your claim, and your driving record. Arizona is an at-fault state, so the driver who caused the crash, and their insurer, generally pays for the damage. Here’s what to do at the scene, after you leave, and while your claim is open.
This guide covers Arizona’s rules after a crash, how fault is shared, and how to file your claim.
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At the scene: the first steps
- Stop and check for injuries. Arizona law requires drivers involved in a crash to stop. Call 911 if anyone is hurt.
- Move to safety if you can. If the cars can be driven and no one is injured, move out of traffic and turn on your hazard lights.
- Call the police. Officers file a report when a crash causes injury, death, or significant property damage (Jerry). A report helps your claim even after a minor crash.
- Exchange information. Get each driver’s name, address, phone, license number, plate, and insurance company and policy number.
- Document everything. Photograph the cars, the road, signs, and any injuries, and get witnesses’ names and phone numbers.
- Don’t admit fault. Stick to facts. Fault is decided later from the evidence.
Never leave the scene
Leaving the scene of a crash can bring criminal charges, and the Arizona Department of Transportation assesses 6 points for it (ADOT). If you hit an unattended car, try to find the owner or leave a note with your name, contact, and insurance information, and report it to police.
After you leave: report and claim
Call your insurer as soon as you can; many policies require prompt notice. You can file with the other driver’s insurer if they caused the crash, or with your own if you have collision coverage, which can be faster. Your insurer may then recover what it paid, including your deductible, from the other driver’s insurer. See our auto insurance claims guide and tips for filing a claim.
See a doctor even if you feel fine; some injuries show up later. Keep receipts for medical care, rental cars, towing, and lost wages.
How fault works in Arizona
Arizona uses pure comparative negligence. Each driver pays in proportion to their share of fault, and you can recover damages even if you were mostly at fault, reduced by your share (Jerry).
Illustrative example: your damages are $20,000 and you’re found 30% at fault. You can recover 70%, or $14,000 ($20,000 × 0.70). If you were 80% at fault, you could still recover $4,000 ($20,000 × 0.20).
When the other driver’s coverage isn’t enough
Arizona’s minimum liability limits are 25/50/15: $25,000 for one person’s injuries, $50,000 per accident for injuries, and $15,000 for property damage. Medical bills and a newer car can quickly exceed those amounts. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy pays when the at-fault driver has too little insurance or none. Insurers in Arizona must offer it, and you can decline it in writing.
Illustrative example: another driver with minimum limits totals your $32,000 car. Their $15,000 property damage limit leaves $17,000 unpaid. Your collision coverage would pay the rest, minus your deductible, and your insurer could pursue the other driver.
Deadlines to keep in mind
In Arizona, the deadline to file a lawsuit over a car accident is generally two years from the date of the crash (Jerry). Claims against a government agency, such as a city vehicle, have much shorter notice deadlines. Your policy also sets deadlines for notice and paperwork. If you were seriously hurt or fault is disputed, talk with an attorney early.
How an accident affects your rates
An at-fault accident usually raises your premium at renewal, often for three years or more. NerdWallet’s analysis found full coverage rates rose by roughly half on average after an at-fault crash, though the increase varied widely by insurer (NerdWallet). A crash you didn’t cause usually has a smaller effect, if any. Accident forgiveness can prevent a surcharge for a first accident with some insurers.
Hit-and-run or uninsured drivers
If the other driver flees or has no insurance, call police right away and report it to your insurer quickly. Uninsured motorist coverage can pay for your injuries, and collision coverage can pay for your car, minus your deductible. Write down anything you remember about the other car, including the plate, make, color, and direction it went, and ask nearby businesses whether they have camera footage.
Arizona accident checklist
Keep this list in your glove box:
- Stop, check for injuries, and call 911 if needed.
- Move out of traffic if it’s safe.
- Call police and get the report number.
- Exchange license, plate, and insurance information.
- Photograph the scene and get witness contacts.
- Notify your insurer promptly.
- Get medical care and keep all records.
- Track your deadlines.
Arizona car accident FAQs
Is Arizona a no-fault state?
No. Arizona is an at-fault state, so the driver who caused the crash is responsible for the damage, usually through their liability insurance.
Do I have to call the police after a minor accident in Arizona?
A police report is generally filed when a crash causes injury, death, or significant property damage, but calling police after any crash creates a record that helps your claim.
What if I’m partly at fault?
Arizona uses pure comparative negligence. You can recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault.
How long do I have to file a claim?
Notify your insurer promptly. The deadline to file a lawsuit is generally two years, and claims against government agencies have shorter deadlines.
What if the other driver has no insurance?
Uninsured motorist coverage on your policy can pay for your injuries, and collision coverage can pay for your car.
Will my rates go up if the accident wasn’t my fault?
Usually not much, if at all, but practices vary by insurer.
What are Arizona’s minimum car insurance limits?
25/50/15: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for injuries, and $15,000 for property damage.
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Not legal advice. Traffic, fault, and insurance rules summarized here are general information as of November 2026 and can change. Check current law, your court, or the Arizona MVD, or talk with an attorney about your situation.
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