Car Accident Requirements—With and Without Injuries

Car accidents, however minor, are upsetting, and clear thinking immediately after the accident occurs is almost impossible.  For this reason, keep the following checklist of Arizona legal requirements in the glove box of your car for easy reference.

Accidents Involving Death, Injury or Damage to an Attended Vehicle

• Stop your vehicle immediately without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.
• If anyone appears to be injured, call the police. If there are no injuries, you are not required to call the police, although you may do so if you wish.
• Assist anyone who is injured. Make arrangements for transportation to a doctor or hospital if medical treatment is necessary or if it is requested by an injured person.
• Give your name, address and car registration number to others involved in the accident. If requested to do so, show your driver's license to them.

Failure to comply with these requirements in situations involving injury or death is a felony and may result in the revocation of your driver's license. If there are no injuries, a violation is a misdemeanor.

Accidents Involving an Unattended Vehicle

• Stop your car at once.
• Find the owner or driver of the vehicle you hit and give him or her your name and address and that of the owner of the car you are driving, or leave this information in a conspicuous place on the vehicle you hit.

Failure to follow these procedures is a misdemeanor.

Accidents Involving Only Damage to Property Other Than Another Vehicle

If you hit a traffic sign, light pole, building or any other property, you must take reasonable steps to locate the owner or person in charge of the property. You must give that person your name, address and the vehicle registration number of the car you were driving. You must show your driver's license if you are asked to do so. Violating this provision of the law is a misdemeanor.

Although you are not required by Arizona law to do so, it generally is wise to report all accidents from which auto insurance claims may arise. Most insurance policies require this. In addition, some cities and towns may require that you file a report of any accident in which you are involved.