What to Do After a Car Accident in Phoenix

The moments after a crash are disorienting. Your heart is pounding, traffic is flying past, and it is hard to think clearly. That is exactly when small mistakes can hurt you later.

This checklist walks you through what to do after a car accident in Phoenix, step by step: your safety, your legal duties under Arizona law, the evidence that protects your claim, and the deadlines you cannot afford to miss. Take a breath, then work through these steps in order.

Step 1: Get to Safety First

Your health comes before everything else. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is seriously hurt, do not move them unless they are in immediate danger.

If your vehicle is drivable and the crash is minor, move it out of travel lanes. Freeways like I-10 and I-17 carry heavy, fast traffic, and a stopped car in a live lane invites a second crash. Pull onto the shoulder, into a parking lot, or onto a side street if you safely can, and turn on your hazard lights.

Phoenix heat is its own hazard. For much of the year, standing on asphalt in triple-digit temperatures can cause heat exhaustion fast, especially for children, older adults, and anyone already injured. Find shade if you can, drink water if you have it, and watch everyone for dizziness, confusion, or nausea. If it is safer to wait inside an air-conditioned vehicle out of traffic, do that.

Step 2: Call 911

Call 911 if anyone may be injured, if vehicles are blocking traffic, or if there is significant damage. When in doubt, call; a police response creates an official record. Who responds depends on where you crashed:

City streets in Phoenix: the Phoenix Police Department typically responds and writes the crash report.
Freeways and state highways such as I-10, I-17, US-60, or Loop 101: the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) usually handles the investigation.

You do not need to figure this out yourself; the dispatcher will send the right agency. But remember who showed up, because that determines where you request your crash report later.

Tell the officer what happened factually. Do not guess, exaggerate, or admit fault. “The other car hit me on the driver’s side” is fine. “I’m so sorry, I should have seen him” is not, even if you are just being polite.

Step 3: Know Your Legal Duties Under Arizona Law

Arizona law spells out what every driver must do after a crash. Under A.R.S. §§ 28-661 through 28-663, you must:

Stop at the scene or as close to it as safely possible.
Render reasonable aid to anyone who is injured, which can mean calling 911 and staying with them.
Exchange information: your name, address, and vehicle registration, and show your driver’s license if asked.

These are not suggestions. Leaving the scene of an injury crash is a felony in Arizona, and even in a minor fender bender, driving off can turn a simple insurance claim into a criminal problem.

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Step 4: Exchange Information With the Other Driver

Get more than the legal minimum if you can. Politely collect:

Full name, address, and phone number
Driver’s license number
License plate number and vehicle make, model, and color
Insurance company and policy number

Photograph the other driver’s license, insurance card, and plate rather than writing everything down. Stay courteous, but do not discuss fault or negotiate a private deal at the roadside. Injuries and damage often turn out worse than they first appear.

Step 5: Document the Scene

Evidence disappears quickly. Skid marks fade, vehicles get towed, and traffic washes the scene clean within hours. If you are physically able, use your phone to capture:

Wide shots of the whole scene, including the intersection or roadway
Damage to all vehicles, from multiple angles
License plates
Traffic signals, signs, and lane markings
Debris, skid marks, and any fluid on the road
Your visible injuries

Ask witnesses for their names and phone numbers before they leave; independent witnesses can make or break a disputed-fault case. Also note nearby businesses with cameras facing the road. Footage is often erased within days, so your lawyer will want to request it fast.

Step 6: Get Medical Care, Even If You Feel Okay

Adrenaline masks pain. Whiplash, concussions, and internal injuries often show up hours or days after a crash. See a doctor the same day if possible, whether that is the emergency room, urgent care, or your own physician.

Prompt care protects your health first, and it creates a record linking your injuries to the crash. Insurers routinely argue that a gap in treatment means you were not really hurt. Follow your doctor’s instructions, keep every appointment, and save every bill and record.

Step 7: Notify Your Insurance Company

Report the crash to your own insurer promptly. Most policies require prompt notice, and waiting too long can jeopardize your coverage. This policy deadline is separate from any legal deadline to file a lawsuit.

Stick to the basic facts: when, where, who was involved. You do not have to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer, and it is usually wise to speak with a lawyer first. Adjusters are trained to ask questions that limit what their company pays.

Step 8: Know Your Deadlines

Arizona gives you time, but not unlimited time:

Two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit for personal injury or property damage (A.R.S. § 12-542).
180 days to file a formal Notice of Claim if a city, county, or the state may be responsible, for example a crash involving a city vehicle or a dangerous road condition, and any lawsuit within one year (A.R.S. § 12-821.01).

That 180-day government deadline surprises many people and arrives fast. If there is any chance a public entity is involved, get legal advice early.

Step 9: Talk to a Lawyer Before You Settle

You do not need a lawyer for every crash. But you should at least get a free consultation if you were injured, if fault is disputed, if a government vehicle or road condition was involved, or if the insurance company is pushing a quick settlement.

Arizona is an at-fault state, so the at-fault driver’s insurer is responsible for your damages. It is also a pure comparative negligence state, which means the insurer may try to pin part of the blame on you to reduce its payout. A lawyer gathers evidence to push back and handles the adjusters so you can focus on healing. Consultations are free, and most car accident lawyers charge no fee unless you win.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to call the police for a minor crash in Phoenix?

If anyone may be hurt or vehicles are blocking traffic, call 911. Even in minor crashes, a police report gives you an official record that helps if the other driver later changes their story.

Who writes the report if I crash on I-10 or I-17?

Freeway crashes are usually investigated by the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Crashes on Phoenix city streets are typically handled by the Phoenix Police Department. Request your report from the agency that responded.

What if the other driver asks to keep insurance out of it?

Be cautious. Damage and injuries often turn out worse than they look, and you have legal duties to exchange information. Get their details, document the scene, and report the crash to your insurer.

How long do I have to bring a claim?

Generally two years from the crash date. If a government entity may be at fault, you must file a Notice of Claim within 180 days. Talk to a lawyer well before either deadline.

Get Connected With a Trusted Car Accident Attorney

The steps you take in the first days after a crash shape the value of your claim, and Arizona’s deadlines start running immediately. Accident Direct matches you with a vetted Phoenix car accident attorney for a free case review, with no fee unless you win. Call 1-800-123-4567 or start your free case review →

What to Do After a Car Accident in Phoenix: A Step-by-Step Checklist