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Knowing what to do after a car accident in Arizona can make a real difference in your health, your safety, and the outcome of any insurance or legal claim you may need to pursue. In the moments after a crash, it's easy to feel disoriented or overwhelmed — but the actions you take in the hours and days that follow can either protect or seriously harm your ability to recover fair compensation. This guide walks you through exactly what to do, step by step.

Step 1: Stay at the Scene and Check for Injuries

Under Arizona law (A.R.S. § 28-661), drivers involved in an accident that results in injury, death, or vehicle damage are required to stop immediately at or near the scene. Leaving the scene of an accident — especially one involving injuries — can result in serious criminal charges, including a class 3 felony if someone is seriously hurt.

Before anything else, check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately. Do not attempt to move an injured person unless there is an immediate danger, such as a fire, as moving someone with a spinal injury can cause further harm.

Step 2: Call the Police

Arizona requires drivers to report accidents to law enforcement when there is injury, death, or property damage that appears to render a vehicle unable to be driven (A.R.S. § 28-663). Even if the damage looks minor, calling the police is one of the smartest things you can do. The responding officer will create an official crash report, which becomes a critical document if you later file an insurance claim or pursue a personal injury lawsuit.

When speaking to officers, stick to the facts. Do not speculate about fault or apologize — even a casual "I'm sorry" can be used against you later.

Step 3: Exchange Information and Document the Scene

Arizona law requires drivers to exchange certain information at the scene, including name, address, vehicle registration number, and insurance details (A.R.S. § 28-664). Beyond the legal minimum, we strongly recommend collecting as much information as possible while you're still at the scene:

• Full names and contact information for all drivers and passengers involved
• Insurance company names and policy numbers
• Driver's license numbers and license plate numbers
• Names and badge numbers of responding officers
• Contact information for any witnesses

Use your phone to photograph everything: vehicle damage, license plates, road conditions, skid marks, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. These photos can become invaluable evidence in your case.

Step 4: Seek Medical Attention — Even If You Feel Fine

This is one of the most important steps people overlook. Some injuries, including whiplash, traumatic brain injuries, and internal bleeding, do not produce obvious symptoms right away. Adrenaline can mask pain for hours or even days after a crash.

Seeing a doctor as soon as possible after the accident does two important things: it protects your health, and it creates a medical record that directly links your injuries to the collision. Insurance adjusters are quick to argue that a gap in medical treatment means your injuries weren't serious — or weren't caused by the accident at all. Don't give them that opening.

Step 5: Notify Your Insurance Company

Report the accident to your own insurance company promptly. Most policies require timely notification as a condition of coverage. However, be cautious about what you say. Provide the basic facts — where and when the accident happened — but avoid giving a recorded statement or accepting any settlement offer before speaking with an attorney.

Arizona follows a fault-based (or "tort") insurance system, meaning the at-fault driver's insurance is generally responsible for covering damages. Arizona also requires drivers to carry minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury under A.R.S. § 28-4009. If the other driver is uninsured or underinsured, your own policy's UM/UIM coverage may come into play — something worth understanding before a crash ever happens. Our blog post on Phoenix car accident lawyers handling uninsured driver claims covers this in detail.

Step 6: Be Careful What You Say and Post

In today's world, this step matters more than ever. Do not post about the accident on social media — no photos, no descriptions of how you're feeling, nothing. Insurance companies and defense attorneys routinely monitor claimants' social media accounts looking for anything that can be used to minimize your injuries or undermine your credibility. Even a photo of you smiling at a family dinner could be taken out of context.

Similarly, avoid giving recorded statements to the other driver's insurance company without first consulting with an attorney.

Step 7: Understand Arizona's Statute of Limitations

In Arizona, most personal injury claims arising from car accidents must be filed within two years of the date of the accident under A.R.S. § 12-542. Missing this deadline almost always means losing your right to sue entirely, regardless of how strong your case is. Two years can pass faster than you'd expect, especially when you're focused on recovering from your injuries. For a full breakdown, see our post on the Arizona personal injury statute of limitations.

Step 8: Consult a Car Accident Attorney

Once your immediate health and safety needs are addressed, speaking with experienced car accident attorneys is one of the most valuable steps you can take. An attorney can investigate the crash, preserve evidence, communicate with insurance companies on your behalf, and help you understand the full value of your claim — including compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Arizona's comparative fault rules (A.R.S. § 12-2505) mean that even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you may still be entitled to compensation. Insurance companies know how to use these rules to reduce payouts — having an attorney in your corner helps level the playing field.

We're Here to Help After Your Arizona Car Accident

At Sher Law Group PLLC, our team handles Car Accidents and a full range of personal injury cases throughout the Phoenix and Scottsdale area. We work on a contingency fee basis — meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. If you or someone you love has been injured, call us today at 480-418-7437 for a free, no-obligation consultation. Knowing what to do after a car accident in Arizona is the first step — letting us handle the legal fight is the next.