by Zayed Al-Sayyed

Car accident attorneySeptember 1, 20220 comments

How Long Do You Have to File a Police Report After a Car Accident in AZ?

After experiencing a car accident, it’s normal to become overwhelmed with a million thoughts and feelings. Regardless of the severity, an accident is scary, stressful, and unpleasant for all involved. However, it’s important to try to remain calm at the scene and take the steps necessary to set yourself up for the most ideal outcome later on.

Filing a police report is one of the most important aspects of navigating a car accident in which injuries or property damage are involved. So, how long do you have to file a police report after a car accident in AZ? Many people are unaware that there’s a time limit here, but it’s crucial to understand that time is of the essence.

First Steps After An Arizona Car Accident

The best thing you can do to protect yourself after a car accident is to call 911 and file an accident report. The officer responding to the scene will take careful note of the situation as they work with the parties involved. These details will be written up as an accident report that you can then later access and share with your lawyer.

While it’s essential to get law enforcement to the scene as soon as possible, it’s even more important to check and help injured victims while you wait. Having emergency and police personnel on-site can then serve as a physical and psychological aid for all parties.

Expect the police and most likely the other driver to ask for your name, contact information, driver’s license, and insurance details. You should ask the same of them as well for documentation purposes, especially in case of an insurance claim.

Promptness is Key

Once everyone has been checked for injuries and damage, you must share with the officer everything that happened so they can write a thorough report. Ideally, this should be done immediately following the accident to ensure that all of the details are as accurate as possible and you can use this report for a future claim.

Without a report, you may not be able to identify the other parties involved or have necessary evidence for your case, should you need one. Insurance companies can even use the lack of a report as a way to claim that the accident never happened or, if it did, that the accident wasn’t serious enough to cause injuries or damage.

Don’t Leave the Accident Site

In the state of Arizona, it’s illegal to leave the scene of an accident before a police officer arrives. Not only that, but it’s vital to remain at the scene so the report can be filed efficiently with the necessary information.

Be clear and concise when speaking with the officer and ask for the report number before you leave. If you are working with a Phoenix car accident attorney, they will be able to help you procure this report at a later time.

How Long Do You Have to File a Police Report After a Car Accident in AZ?

There is a 2-year statute of limitations on car accidents in Arizona, beginning on the date of the incident. This limits the amount of time you have to take legal action against the other party involved in your accident, which is why it’s critical to consult with a skilled attorney as quickly as possible after the matter.

Additionally, law enforcement in Arizona is required to file a report within 24 hours if any of the following circumstances are present:

• Injury or death
• Property damage of over $1,000
• Citations have been issue

Call a Phoenix Car Accident Attorney Today

If you or a loved one have recently been involved in a car accident, our team is here to guide you through the process. With a proven track record of success, the expert Phoenix car accident attorneys at The Law Office of Zayed Al-Sayyed are fully equipped to support your family during this difficult time.

Contact us today to request a free consultation with an expert.