Car Accident Claims in Arizona

A driver in a crash that injures or kills someone must notify police immediately, by the quickest means available (oral or written): the local police department if inside a city or town, the county sheriff, or the nearest highway patrol office.

Arizona's written crash report is completed by the investigating officer. Officers must complete a full written report for crashes with injury, death, a citation, or property damage over $2,000 (a shorter partial report for $2,000 or less), within 24 hours after finishing the investigation, and the agency forwards a copy to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

A driver in a crash on public or private property must stop at or as close to the scene as possible, stay until giving name, address and vehicle registration number, show a driver license on request, and give reasonable help to anyone hurt (including arranging transport for medical treatment). Hitting an unattended vehicle requires stopping and finding the owner or leaving a written note. Failing to stop after a crash causing death or serious injury is a class 3 felony (class 2 if the driver caused the crash); after other injury, a class 5 felony; after damage only to an attended vehicle, a class 1 misdemeanor. Failing to give aid is a class 6 felony.

For policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2020, minimum liability limits are $25,000 for injury or death of one person, $50,000 for injury or death of two or more people in one accident, and $15,000 for property damage (25/50/15).

Pure comparative negligence. If the jury finds the injured person was partly at fault, the claim is not barred, but damages are reduced in proportion to that person's share of fault. A claimant who intentionally, willfully or wantonly caused or contributed to the injury does not get the benefit of comparative negligence.

A personal injury lawsuit must be filed within two years after the cause of action accrues. Claims for false imprisonment, libel or slander have one year. For someone under 18 or of unsound mind when the claim accrues, the time generally does not run until the disability ends.

A lawsuit for trespass causing injury to another's property, or for taking, detaining or converting personal property, must be filed within two years after the cause of action accrues.