What to do after a car accident in Arkansas
Every rule below is quoted from Arkansas law or a state agency, with a link. Checked September 17, 2026.
At fault state
The short answer
Arkansas is an at-fault state. Drivers must carry liability insurance that pays for injuries and damage they cause to others. A driver must notify the nearest law enforcement agency right away if a crash causes injury or death, or if total property damage appears to be $3,000 or more. You generally have 3 years from the crash to sue for injuries.
Deadlines in Arkansas
- 3 years
- to sue for injuriesArk. Code Ann. 16-56-105(3)
- 3 years
- to sue for car or property damageArk. Code Ann. 16-56-105(6)
- 3 years
- for a family to sue after a deathArk. Code Ann. 16-62-102
Miss one of these and you can lose the right to claim, even with a strong case.
At the scene
Stop, share your information and help anyone hurt
A driver in a crash with injury, death, or vehicle damage must stop, give their name, address, and license plate number, show their license if asked, and help anyone who is hurt, including getting them to a doctor. If police were called, the driver must stay at least 30 minutes.
“give his or her name, address, and the registration number of the vehicle he or she is driving" ... "render to any person injured in the accident reasonable assistance, including the transporting, or the making of arrangements for the transporting, of the person to a physician, surgeon, or hospital" ... "A reasonable time is not less than thirty (30) minutes.”
When you must call the police
A driver must notify the nearest law enforcement agency right away if a crash causes injury or death, or if total property damage appears to be $3,000 or more.
“The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of any person or total property damage to an apparent extent of three thousand dollars ($3,000) or more shall notify the nearest law enforcement agency immediately.”
Moving your car out of traffic
After a crash in Arkansas that only damages a vehicle or property, the driver must move the vehicle out of the way so it does not block traffic more than necessary.
“Every stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.”
In the days after
Whether you must file a report yourself
Arkansas does not require the driver to separately file a written crash report with a state agency. The driver's only duty is to immediately notify police, and file a supplemental report only if the Arkansas State Police asks for one.
“The Division of Arkansas State Police may require any driver of a vehicle involved in an accident that must be reported under this section to file supplemental reports whenever the original report is insufficient in the opinion of the division and may require witnesses of an accident to render reports to the division.”
Getting a copy of the crash report
Arkansas crash reports are requested online through the Crash Report Online Purchase System. Each report costs $25, and most reports are available within 10 business days of the crash.
“A statutory fee of $25.00 applies to each report requested." ... "Most reports are accessible within ten (10) business days following the date of the crash.”
Who pays for the damage
Arkansas is an at-fault state. Drivers must carry liability insurance that pays for injuries and damage they cause to others.
“not less than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000)”
Insurance rules in Arkansas
What insurance every driver must carry
Arkansas's minimum liability limits are $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for injury, and $25,000 for property damage.
“not less than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000)" per person ... "not less than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000)" for two or more persons in one accident ... "not less than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000)" for property damage in one accident”
Personal injury protection (PIP)
Arkansas auto policies must include personal injury protection style benefits, up to $5,000 in medical expenses, income replacement, and a 5,000 dollar death benefit, unless you reject this coverage in writing.
“All reasonable and necessary expenses for medical, hospital, nursing, dental, surgical, ambulance, funeral expenses, and prosthetic services incurred within twenty-four (24) months after the automobile accident, up to an aggregate of five thousand dollars ($5,000) per person”
If the other driver has no insurance
Insurers must include uninsured motorist coverage in every auto liability policy, but you can turn it down if you reject it in writing.
“The coverage required to be provided under this section shall not be applicable when any insured named in the policy has rejected the coverage in writing, and this rejection shall continue until withdrawn in writing by the insured.”
Medical payments coverage
Arkansas does not have a separate stand-alone medical payments mandate. Instead, every policy must include PIP-style medical, income, and death benefits (up to $5,000 in medical expenses) unless you reject that coverage in writing.
“All reasonable and necessary expenses for medical, hospital, nursing, dental, surgical, ambulance, funeral expenses, and prosthetic services incurred within twenty-four (24) months after the automobile accident, up to an aggregate of five thousand dollars ($5,000) per person”
If an insurance company treats you unfairly
To complain about an insurance company or agent in Arkansas, file online with the Arkansas Insurance Department's Consumer Services Division, or send it by mail, email, or fax.
“Complaints about insurance providers, including agents and companies, can be submitted using our Online Complaint form”
The deadline rules, word for word
Deadline to sue for injuries
You generally have 3 years from the crash to sue for injuries.
“All actions founded on any contract or liability, expressed or implied... shall be commenced within three (3) years after the cause of action accrues”
Deadline to sue for car damage
You generally have 3 years from the crash to sue over vehicle or property damage.
“All actions for taking or injuring any goods or chattels... shall be commenced within three (3) years after the cause of action accrues”
Deadline for a wrongful death claim
Families generally have 3 years from the date of death to sue over a death from a crash.
“Every action authorized by this section shall be commenced within three (3) years after the death of the person alleged to have been wrongfully killed”
If a government vehicle or road was involved
If a state government vehicle or state road is involved, your claim goes to the Arkansas State Claims Commission, and it must be filed within the same time limit that would apply to a normal lawsuit for that type of claim, not a separate short notice period.
“The Arkansas State Claims Commission shall not consider or allow a claim or action unless the claim or action has been filed with the Director of the Arkansas State Claims Commission as provided by this subchapter within the period allowed by law for the commencement of an action for the same type of claim or action.”
Sources on this page
Each one was opened and checked on September 17, 2026.
- Ark. Code Ann. 27-19-605
- Ark. Code Ann. 23-89-202; rejection right in 23-89-203
- Ark. Code Ann. 16-64-122(b)(2)
- Ark. Code Ann. 16-56-105(3)
- Ark. Code Ann. 16-62-102
- Ark. Code Ann. 19-10-209
- Ark. Code Ann. 27-53-202
- Ark. Code Ann. 23-89-403
- Ark. Code Ann. 27-53-101, 27-53-103
- Ark. Code Ann. § 27-53-102(a)(2)
- https://crashreports.ark.org/
- https://insurance.arkansas.gov/pages/file-a-complaint
- Ark. R. Prof'l Conduct 1.5(c)
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.