The moments after a car accident are overwhelming. Your adrenaline is spiking, you may be injured, and you have to manage the scene, other drivers, bystanders, and eventually police and insurance companies — all while trying to process what just happened. Knowing what to do in advance can make an enormous difference in both your safety and your legal recovery.

Step 1: Safety First — Move If You Can

If you can move the vehicle safely, pull it out of traffic and onto the shoulder or a nearby parking area. Turn on hazard lights immediately. If vehicles cannot be moved and you are not injured, exit the vehicle carefully and move away from traffic. Never stand between vehicles or in an active lane of traffic while waiting for police.

If anyone appears seriously injured, do not move them unless they are in immediate danger (fire, oncoming traffic). Call 911 immediately. In Phoenix, Maricopa County emergency responders typically arrive within minutes in urban areas.

Step 2: Call Police — Always, Even for Minor Accidents

Arizona law requires you to report accidents involving injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000 (ARS § 28-663). But even for smaller accidents, a police report is invaluable. It creates an official record of the accident, documents both parties' statements, records any traffic violations, and serves as a critical piece of evidence if the other driver later changes their story.

In Phoenix, you can call Phoenix PD at 602-262-6151 for non-emergency accidents, or 911 for accidents with injuries. Always request a copy of the report number before officers leave the scene.

Step 3: Document Everything at the Scene

Your smartphone is your most important tool in the first minutes after an accident. Use it to:

• Photograph all vehicles from multiple angles — damage, position on road, license plates
• Photograph any visible injuries to yourself or passengers
• Photograph road conditions, traffic signals, skid marks, and debris
• Capture the surrounding area — intersections, signage, businesses with security cameras
• Screenshot the GPS location and time stamp your photos automatically

Also write down or photograph: the other driver's name, license number, insurance company and policy number, vehicle make, model, color, and VIN. Get contact information for all witnesses before they leave.

Step 4: Do Not Admit Fault or Apologize

Even if you think you may have contributed to the accident, do not say so at the scene. Statements made at the scene are often used against you. Arizona follows pure comparative fault rules — even if you bear some responsibility, you may still have a valid claim — but premature fault admissions complicate everything. Stick to facts: describe what happened without assigning blame.

Step 5: Seek Medical Attention the Same Day

Even if you feel fine, see a doctor or urgent care provider before the day is over. Many serious injuries — whiplash, concussions, internal bleeding — do not produce obvious symptoms immediately. A same-day medical evaluation both protects your health and creates an unambiguous medical record connecting your injuries to the accident.

Step 6: Notify Your Insurance Company

You are generally required by your policy to report accidents promptly. Call your insurer to report the accident, but keep the conversation factual. Provide the basic facts — date, location, other party's information — without speculating about fault or describing your injuries in detail. Tell them you will have more information available soon.

Step 7: Consult a Personal Injury Attorney Before Talking to the Other Driver's Insurer

The at-fault driver's insurance company will call you quickly. Their goal is to settle your claim for as little as possible before you understand what it is worth. Before giving any statement or accepting any offer, consult a personal injury attorney. Most offer free consultations, and the consultation itself can clarify whether your case warrants representation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the other driver is uninsured?

Document everything anyway — photos, witness information, and the police report. Your own uninsured motorist coverage is your primary recovery vehicle in this situation. Call your insurer promptly and consult an attorney before giving any statement.

Should I move my car before the police arrive?

If the accident is blocking traffic and no one is seriously injured, Arizona law generally allows you to move vehicles to a safe location before police arrive (ARS § 28-664). Use your best judgment on safety, and take photos of the original positions before moving anything.

What if I hit a parked car and the owner is not present?

Arizona law requires you to leave a written note with your name, address, and contact information on the other vehicle, and to report the accident to law enforcement (ARS § 28-662). Leaving the scene without doing so can constitute a criminal hit-and-run offense.

How long do I have to report the accident to my insurance company?

Most policies require "prompt" or "immediate" notification. Some specify a timeframe (24–72 hours). Check your policy. Delayed reporting can sometimes provide grounds for a coverage dispute, though this is fact-specific. When in doubt, report promptly.

What if I signed something at the scene?

If you signed a document at the scene — especially anything from an insurance company or the other driver's representative — tell your attorney immediately. Some documents are routine (acknowledgment of accident information exchange); others can waive your rights. An attorney can assess what you signed and whether it affects your claim.

Injured in Arizona? Get a Free Case Review Today

Navigating a personal injury claim alone — especially against a well-funded insurance company — is difficult. Attorney Alec Caruso spent years on the inside defending insurance companies before switching sides to fight for Arizona injury victims. That insider knowledge is what he brings to every case.

Call Caruso Injury Law 24/7 at (602) 247-8600, or request your free case review online. You pay nothing unless we win.

This article was written and reviewed by Alec J. Caruso, Esq., licensed Arizona personal injury attorney.