The first priority after any crash is safety. If you can, move vehicles out of active traffic lanes, especially on Arizona's high-speed freeways like I-10 or the Loop 101 where a stopped car is a serious hazard. Turn on hazard lights and check everyone for injuries. Call 911 for any injury or significant damage.
At the Scene: Safety First
Arizona law requires you to stop and exchange information after a crash involving injury or property damage. Leaving the scene of an injury accident is a serious criminal offense. Stay put until the police clear you to leave.
Document Everything You Can
If you are physically able, your phone is your most powerful tool. Photograph the position of the vehicles before they are moved, the damage to each car, the license plates, the road and traffic conditions, any skid marks, and the broader scene. In Arizona's bright sun, watch for glare washing out your photos.
Get the other driver's name, license, insurance, and contact information, and the names and numbers of any witnesses. Witnesses tend to disappear, so a quick photo of their contact info or a voice memo can be invaluable later.
Seek Medical Care Immediately
Even if you feel fine, see a doctor promptly. Adrenaline and the disorientation of a crash can mask serious injuries, and conditions like concussions, internal bleeding, and soft-tissue damage often worsen over hours or days. The desert heat can also dehydrate and disorient you, hiding symptoms.
Beyond your health, a documented medical evaluation creates the record that links your injuries to the crash. A gap between the accident and your first treatment is the single most common argument insurers use to minimize a claim.
Be Careful What You Say
Do not apologize or admit fault at the scene, even reflexively. Under Arizona's pure comparative negligence system, anything that sounds like an admission can be used to shift fault onto you and reduce your recovery. Stick to the facts when speaking with police.
Within days, the other driver's insurer may call asking for a recorded statement. You are not required to give one, and you should not before speaking with an attorney. These calls are designed to elicit statements that help the insurer pay less.
Notify Your Insurer and Preserve Evidence
Report the crash to your own insurer as your policy requires, but keep the conversation factual and brief. Preserve everything: the police report number, photos, medical records, repair estimates, and a journal of your symptoms and missed work.
Keep your damaged vehicle accessible until it has been documented; it can be important evidence. If a defect or a commercial vehicle is involved, an attorney may need to inspect it.
When to Call a Lawyer
For minor fender-benders with no injuries, you may handle the claim yourself. But if anyone is injured, fault is disputed, multiple vehicles or a commercial truck are involved, or the insurer is being difficult, a free case review is worth your time. The earlier an attorney is involved, the more evidence can be preserved and the stronger your position.
Have questions about your own situation? Get a free, confidential case review. You pay no fee unless you win. Call 973-566-5599.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation, consult a licensed Arizona attorney.