What to Do After a Phoenix Car Accident — Step by Step

Car accidents in Phoenix are not slowing down. Our analysis of Phoenix Police Department data shows 379,090 traffic accidents from 2018 through 2025 — roughly 47,000 per year. Maricopa County leads the state with over 3,800 fatal crashes in the last eight years alone.

If you’ve just been in one, here’s exactly what to do.

1. Stop and Stay at the Scene

Arizona law requires you to stop at the scene of any accident involving injury or property damage. Under A.R.S. § 28-661, leaving the scene of an injury accident is a criminal offense — potentially a felony if serious injuries are involved. Even for minor fender-benders, stay put.

2. Call 911

Always call the police, even for what seems like a minor accident. A police report creates an official record of the crash — who was involved, what happened, and who was at fault. Insurance companies take police reports seriously. Without one, it becomes your word against theirs.

Key Phoenix numbers:

• Emergency: 911
• Phoenix Police Non-Emergency: (602) 262-6151

3. Check for Injuries and Get Medical Attention

Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is hurt, don’t move them unless there’s an immediate danger like fire. Wait for paramedics.

Even if you feel fine, see a doctor within 24–48 hours. Some injuries — whiplash, concussions, internal bleeding, soft tissue damage — don’t show symptoms immediately. Medical records from right after the accident create a direct link between the crash and your injuries. Without them, the insurance company will argue your injuries happened some other way.

4. Document Everything at the Scene

Your phone is your best tool. Capture:

• Damage to all vehicles from multiple angles
• The overall scene — road conditions, traffic signs, skid marks, debris
• The other driver’s license plate, insurance card, and driver’s license
• Contact information from any witnesses
• Weather and lighting conditions
• Any visible injuries

The more evidence you collect at the scene, the stronger your case.

5. Exchange Information — But Don’t Discuss Fault

Get the other driver’s name, phone number, insurance information, and license plate. Give them yours. But do not apologize or admit fault — even saying “I’m sorry” can be used against you later. Stick to the facts when talking to police.

6. Notify Your Insurance Company

Report the accident to your insurance company promptly. Arizona is a fault-based state, meaning the at-fault driver’s insurance pays. But your own policy may also provide coverage, especially if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured (see our UIM coverage guide).

7. Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

The insurance company is not on your side — not even your own insurance company. Their adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. An experienced Phoenix car accident attorney knows how to calculate the full value of your claim, deal with insurance adjusters, preserve evidence before it disappears, and file suit if the insurance company refuses to pay fairly.

Arizona’s Comparative Fault Rule

Arizona follows a pure comparative fault system under A.R.S. § 12-2505. Even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover damages — your award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. If you’re found 20% at fault for a $100,000 claim, you’d recover $80,000. The insurance company will try to push as much fault onto you as possible. That’s another reason to have an attorney in your corner.

Don’t Wait — The Clock is Ticking

Under A.R.S. § 12-542, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Arizona. Miss that deadline and you lose your right to compensation forever. Evidence degrades over time — witnesses forget, surveillance footage gets overwritten, and vehicles get repaired or scrapped.

The Most Dangerous Time to Drive in Phoenix

Our crash data reveals that Friday is the deadliest day for Phoenix car accidents, and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM is the deadliest window. The most dangerous corridors include I-10 (447 fatal crashes), Indian School Road (84 fatal crashes), and the West Phoenix grid between 43rd and 83rd Avenues.

If you’ve been injured on any of these roads — or anywhere in the Phoenix metro — the Law Badgers are ready to fight for you.