What to do after a car accident in Phoenix, Arizona
The local steps are quoted from Phoenix agency pages and the Arizona rules from state law, each with a link. Checked September 17, 2026.
At fault state
The short answer
The Phoenix Police Department handles crashes on city streets inside Phoenix. Call 911 for an emergency, or call Crime Stop at 602-262-6151 to get an officer sent out.
Phoenix does not let you handle a crash yourself through its reporting system. The police department tells drivers to call Crime Stop at 602-262-6151 so an officer comes out for any kind of vehicle accident.
Phoenix crash reports are ordered from the Phoenix Police Public Records portal at phxpublicsafety.phoenix.gov. Traffic Crash is one of the ten request types on the portal.
Who comes to a crash in Phoenix
The agency that responds
The Phoenix Police Department handles crashes on city streets inside Phoenix. Call 911 for an emergency, or call Crime Stop at 602-262-6151 to get an officer sent out.
“Call Crime Stop at 602-262-6151 to file a police report or have an officer dispatched.”
When officers actually come out
Phoenix does not let you handle a crash yourself through its reporting system. The police department tells drivers to call Crime Stop at 602-262-6151 so an officer comes out for any kind of vehicle accident.
“You must call the Phoenix Police Crime Stop at 602-262-6151 to have an officer respond for any type of vehicle accident.”
If no officer comes
You cannot file your own crash report through the Phoenix Police online reporting system. Vehicle accidents are excluded, so you have to call Crime Stop at 602-262-6151 and have an officer take the report.
“The following incidents CANNOT be reported online: • Crimes in progress • Vehicle accidents”
On the interstates and state highways
Crashes on the freeways and interstates around Phoenix, such as I-10, I-17 and Loop 101, are worked by the Arizona Department of Public Safety, not Phoenix police.
“Traffic incidents which occur on the interstate highways and freeways are investigated by the Arizona Department of Public Safety.”
What Arizona law requires you to report
A police officer who investigates a crash must complete a written report when someone is injured or killed, property damage is more than $2,000, or a citation is issued. Smaller crashes still get a short report with names and a description.
“a motor vehicle accident resulting in bodily injury, death or damage to the property of any person in excess of $2,000 or the issuance of a citation”
Getting your Phoenix crash report
Where to get it
Phoenix crash reports are ordered from the Phoenix Police Public Records portal at phxpublicsafety.phoenix.gov. Traffic Crash is one of the ten request types on the portal.
“You can now submit Public Record requests using our online portal”
How long it takes
Phoenix police say a preliminary report on a serious or fatal traffic collision may be ready about 30 days after the crash, and a case that is not criminal can take several months.
“A preliminary report may be available approximately 30 days after the traffic collision occurs.”
What it costs
A Phoenix traffic crash report costs 24 cents a page, and an online request may also carry a $5.00 portal convenience fee charged up front.
“Traffic Crash Report ($.24 per page)”
If your car was towed
Where it goes and how to get it back
Phoenix uses contract tow companies assigned by police precinct zone, so a car towed from a crash goes to that zone's tow yard. Call the tow company to find out which lot has your car.
“Contact the tow company to determine which lot they have stored your vehicle.”
Storage is charged by the day in most cities, so the bill grows while a claim is still open. Tell your insurer where the car is as soon as you know.
Arizona deadlines that apply in Phoenix
- 2 years
- to sue for injuriesA.R.S. 12-542
- 2 years
- to sue for car or property damageA.R.S. 12-542
- 2 years
- for a family to sue after a deathA.R.S. 12-542(2)
- 180 days
- to notify the government if a public vehicle or road was involvedA.R.S. 12-821.01
All Arizona rules: fault, insurance minimums and the full deadline list
The Arizona rules behind your claim
Who pays for the damage
Arizona is an at-fault state. Drivers must carry liability insurance that pays for injuries and damage they cause to others.
“$25,000 because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident”
If you were partly at fault
Arizona uses pure comparative fault. Your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover money even if you were mostly at fault, unless you caused the crash on purpose or through willful or wanton conduct.
“the claimant's action is not barred, but the full damages shall be reduced in proportion to the relative degree of the claimant's fault”
What insurance every driver must carry
As of July 1, 2020, Arizona's minimum liability limits are $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for injury, and $15,000 for property damage.
“$25,000 because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident" and "$50,000 because of bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident" with "$15,000 because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident”
Sources on this page
Each one was opened and checked on September 17, 2026.
- Phoenix Police Department, Police Department
- Phoenix Police Department, Online Crime Reporting Incident Type List
- Phoenix Police Department, Online Crime Reporting System Instruction Guide
- Phoenix Police Department, Police Public Records and Services Bureau
- Phoenix Police Public Records portal, Frequently Asked Questions
- Phoenix Police Department, Vehicular Crimes Unit
- Phoenix Police Public Records portal, home page
- Phoenix Police Department, Vehicle Towing Information
- Maricopa County Justice Courts, Small Claims Information
The state law behind these steps
Each one was opened and checked on September 17, 2026.
Know My Claim is not a law firm or a government agency, and this page is not legal advice. Laws change, so check the linked source before you rely on a deadline.