Arizona Car Accident Laws: What Every Driver Needs to Know

A car accident turns an ordinary day upside down. One minute you are driving to work on I-10 or Loop 101, and the next you are dealing with pain, a damaged car, and a phone that will not stop ringing with calls from insurance adjusters.

You do not need a law degree to protect yourself. You just need to understand a handful of Arizona rules that shape every car accident claim in the state. This guide walks you through them in plain English.

Arizona sees a lot of crashes. In 2024, there were 121,107 crashes statewide, which works out to more than 330 per day. Phoenix alone recorded 37,472 crashes that year. If you drive here, knowing these laws is not optional. It is self-defense.

Arizona Is an At-Fault State

Arizona follows an at-fault (also called “tort”) system. That means the driver who caused the crash is responsible for the harm it causes. In practice, you usually pursue compensation through the at-fault driver’s liability insurance.

This is different from “no-fault” states, where each driver’s own insurance pays for injuries no matter who caused the wreck. In Arizona, fault matters from the very first phone call. Insurers investigate who caused the crash, and their answer drives how much they offer to pay.

Because fault decides everything, insurance companies have a strong reason to shift blame onto you. Anything you say to an adjuster can be used to argue that you share fault. That is one of the biggest reasons injured drivers talk to a lawyer before giving a recorded statement.

Your Legal Duties After a Crash

Arizona law spells out exactly what drivers must do after an accident. These duties come from A.R.S. §§ 28-661 through 28-663:

• Stop. You must stop at the scene or as close to it as safely possible.
• Render reasonable aid. If someone is hurt, you must give reasonable help, which can mean calling 911.
• Exchange information. You must give your name, address, and vehicle registration information, and show your driver’s license if asked.

These are not suggestions. Leaving the scene of a crash that caused injury is a felony in Arizona. Even in a minor fender bender, driving away can turn a simple insurance claim into a criminal problem.

If the other driver leaves the scene, stay put, call the police, and write down everything you remember about the vehicle. A hit-and-run does not end your claim. You may still have options through your own policy.

Arizona’s Minimum Insurance Requirements: 25/50/15

Every driver in Arizona must carry liability insurance with at least these limits (in effect since July 1, 2020):

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $15,000 for property damage

You will often see this written as “25/50/15.” These are minimums, and they run out fast. A single emergency room visit and follow-up care can exceed $25,000, and a totaled newer vehicle can easily cost more than $15,000 to replace.

That gap is why the next law matters so much.

Insurers Must Offer UM and UIM Coverage

Arizona requires insurance companies to offer you uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage when you buy a policy. If you purchase it, the minimum is 25/50.

UM coverage steps in when the at-fault driver has no insurance at all. UIM coverage helps when the at-fault driver has some insurance, but not enough to cover your losses. Given how many drivers carry only the minimum, this coverage often becomes the difference between a fair recovery and an unpaid stack of medical bills.

Check your policy today, before you ever need it. If you were already hit by an uninsured driver, read our guide on uninsured motorist accidents in Arizona.

You Have Two Years to File a Lawsuit

Under A.R.S. § 12-542, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit for personal injury or property damage. Miss that deadline and the court will almost certainly dismiss your case, no matter how strong it is. Wrongful death claims run two years from the date of death.

Two years sounds like plenty of time. It is not. Evidence disappears, witnesses move, and building a strong case takes months. For a deeper look at how this deadline works, see our full guide to the Arizona statute of limitations for car accidents.

Crashes Involving the Government: A Much Shorter Clock

If your crash involves a city, county, or state vehicle or a dangerous public road condition, a different rule applies. Under A.R.S. § 12-821.01, you must file a formal Notice of Claim within 180 days, and any lawsuit within one year.

That is roughly six months to act. Many people do not learn this rule until the window has already closed. If a government entity might be involved in your crash, treat the situation as urgent and get legal advice quickly.

Pure Comparative Negligence: You Can Recover Even If You Share Fault

Arizona uses pure comparative negligence (A.R.S. § 12-2505). Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you are not barred from recovering. In theory, you could recover even if you were 99% at fault, though your recovery would be reduced by that 99%.

Here is the practical takeaway: never assume you have no case because you think you were partly to blame. Also expect the insurance company to push your fault percentage as high as it can, because every point of fault they pin on you cuts what they pay. Our guide to Arizona comparative negligence walks through worked examples.

No Cap on Personal Injury Damages

Some states limit how much an injured person can recover. Arizona does the opposite. Article 2, Section 31 of the Arizona Constitution prohibits caps on personal injury damages. If a jury decides your losses are worth a certain amount, no statute can cut that number down.

This makes Arizona a strong state for seriously injured people, and it makes insurers work that much harder to settle cases cheaply before they reach a jury.

Seat Belts: A Secondary Law With Claim Consequences

Arizona’s seat belt law for adults is secondary enforcement. Police cannot stop you solely for not wearing one. But not buckling up can still hurt your injury claim, because failure to wear a seat belt can be raised to reduce your damages in some cases.

The safety numbers back this up. Only about 70% of vehicle occupants in Arizona crashes were wearing seat belts. Buckle up every trip, for your health and for your claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to report a car accident in Arizona?

You must stop, render reasonable aid, and exchange information under A.R.S. §§ 28-661 to 28-663. If anyone is injured, call 911. A police report also creates a record that helps your insurance claim.

What if the other driver only has minimum insurance?

Their $25,000 per-person limit may not cover your losses. If you carry underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, you can turn to your own policy for the difference. A lawyer can also look for other sources of recovery.

Can I still recover money if the crash was partly my fault?

Yes. Under Arizona’s pure comparative negligence rule, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you are not barred from recovering.

Is there a limit on what I can recover in Arizona?

No. The Arizona Constitution prohibits caps on personal injury damages, so there is no damage cap in Arizona.

Get Connected With a Trusted Car Accident Attorney

Arizona’s rules reward people who act quickly and punish those who wait. Evidence fades, deadlines pass, and insurers move fast to lock in a low number. Accident Direct matches you with a vetted local car accident attorney for free, and you pay nothing unless you win. Call 1-800-123-4567 or start your free case review →

Related Reading

• Arizona statute of limitations for car accidents
• Arizona comparative negligence explained
• Uninsured motorist accidents in Arizona
• What a car accident lawyer costs in Phoenix

This article is for general information only and is not legal or medical advice. Every case is different. For advice about your situation, speak with a licensed attorney.