Getting a police report after any vehicle accident is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your rights. Many car accidents lead to insurance claims, and some result in lawsuits. Under Arizona accident law, a law enforcement report can be valuable evidence in a personal injury claim, especially when fault is disputed.
It is also important to know when Arizona law requires you to report an accident and how to get a copy of your accident report. Below, we explain what you need to know to help protect your claim.
One of the biggest reasons to get a police report after an Arizona car accident is that you need evidence showing who was at fault. Arizona uses a fault-based system for car accidents. That means the driver who caused the crash is generally responsible for the damages that follow.
Arizona also follows a pure comparative negligence rule. This means an injured driver can still recover compensation even if they were partly at fault. However, their compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault.
For example, imagine a crash at a two-way stop. Driver A rolls through a stop sign and hits Driver B, who has the right-of-way. At first, it may seem like Driver A is entirely responsible. However, the investigation shows Driver B was driving 37 mph in a 25-mph zone. Because of that, Driver B is found to be 25% at fault.
If Driver B suffered $20,000 in damages for medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle damage, they could still recover compensation. Since they were 25% at fault, their recovery would be reduced to $15,000.
In cases like this, insurance adjusters and attorneys rely on multiple forms of evidence to determine fault, including:
Vehicle accidents that may require reporting to law enforcement include:
Arizona law requires drivers involved in vehicle accidents to contact law enforcement if the crash causes injury, death, or more than $1,000 in property damage. The fastest way to do this is usually to call 911 and request an officer. If you cannot call 911, you can report the accident in person at the nearest police precinct, sheriff’s office, or highway patrol office.
If no one is physically injured, officers are generally required to complete a full police report when property damage exceeds $2,000. If the property damage is less than $2,000, they may complete a shorter report instead.
Thompson Law recommends calling the police after any accident, even if the damage seems minor. A police report can be extremely helpful during the insurance process or in later legal proceedings. It is also important because some injuries do not appear immediately after a crash. At a minimum, you should exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver.
The most efficient way to get a copy of your Arizona police accident report is to contact the agency that responded to the crash. Depending on whether the responding agency was city police, the county sheriff, or the Arizona highway patrol, you may be able to request the report online.
You should also expect a small fee. For example, Arizona Highway Patrol charges $9 for the first nine pages of a report sent by mail or email, and each additional page costs $0.10. Officers are usually required to submit reports within 24 hours, but it may still take several days before your report becomes available.
Once you receive your Arizona accident report, keep it in a safe place. You may need it for your insurance claim and, if necessary, a personal injury lawsuit.
Insurance companies are more likely to challenge claims when fault is unclear. A police report can strengthen your claim by providing an objective account of what happened. Combined with photos, videos, medical records, and witness statements, it can make your case much stronger.
Sometimes insurance companies refuse to negotiate fairly, or the at-fault driver may not have adequate insurance coverage. In those situations, a personal injury lawsuit may be necessary.
A police accident report can help a judge or jury understand how the crash happened and how fault should be allocated. It can also encourage the other side to make a fair settlement offer before the case goes to trial.
Insurance companies have their own claim procedures. Your provider may not require a police report before you file a claim, but having one can make it easier to prove fault and support your position.
If your insurer asks for an accident report and no officer created one, you may be able to file an online Citizen’s Collision Report through the Arizona Department of Public Safety. This option is generally for crashes involving no more than two vehicles and no immediate reporting requirement.
Failing to report an accident when Arizona law requires it can lead to serious penalties, including:
You are not required to accept an insurance company’s offer if it does not fairly cover your losses. In some cases, negotiations with an attorney may lead to a better settlement. In others, filing a lawsuit may be the best path forward.
To build a strong personal injury case, you need evidence showing both liability and damages. A police report can be one of the most helpful pieces of evidence because it provides a neutral summary of the crash.
Other useful evidence may include witness statements, accident scene photos, video footage, medical records, medical bills, and expert testimony. An attorney can help you identify and gather the evidence that matters most.
Another critical issue is Arizona’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims. In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Some exceptions may apply, but missing the deadline could prevent you from recovering compensation.
The legal process can be complex, and personal injury cases may last anywhere from a few months to a few years depending on the facts. If your case goes to trial, the trial itself may take days or even weeks. During that time, your attorney can continue negotiating with the defendant and advising you on whether a settlement offer is fair.
You deserve an experienced attorney on your side when you are seeking compensation after a car accident. Personal injury claims involve deadlines, evidence rules, negotiations, and legal strategy that are often difficult to handle alone.
Even if your case never goes to court, an attorney can deal with the insurance company and fight for a fair settlement. Thompson Law has recovered more than $1.9 billion for injury victims. We also work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Your focus after an accident should be on healing. If you believe you may need legal help, contact Thompson Law today to schedule a free consultation.
Thompson Law charges NO FEE unless we obtain a settlement for your case. We’ve put over $1.9 billion in cash settlements in our clients’ pockets. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your accident, get your questions answered, and understand your legal options.
State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an injury accident, so call today.
