The moments after a car accident are stressful and disorienting, but the steps you take can shape both your safety and any claim that follows. Knowing what to do in advance helps you protect your health, meet your legal obligations under Arizona law, and preserve the evidence a claim depends on. This guide walks through the key steps to take at the scene and in the days after a crash. If you were injured, a personal injury lawyer in Scottsdale can review what happened and explain your options.
Wyatt Injury Law represents injured people across Arizona on a contingency fee basis and offers free consultations. This guide covers the steps that protect your safety and your claim, from the scene of the crash through the report and medical care that follow.
Check for Injuries and Get to Safety
Your first priority is safety. Check yourself and others for injuries, and call 911 if anyone is hurt. If the vehicles are drivable and it is safe to do so, move them out of traffic to prevent a second collision. Turn on your hazard lights and remain at the scene, because leaving an accident that involves injury or damage can carry serious consequences. Adrenaline can hide pain in these first minutes, so a calm assessment is better than a quick one, and it is worth staying well clear of traffic while you wait for help.
Call the Police
Contact law enforcement so an officer can respond and document the crash. A police or crash report creates an official record of what happened, who was involved, and the officer's observations, which becomes valuable evidence later. Even for a crash that seems minor, a report is worth having, because injuries and disputes can surface days afterward. Ask the officer how to obtain a copy of the report, since you will likely need it for your claim, and calling law enforcement is the surest way to create an independent record of a serious crash.
Exchange Information and Render Aid
Arizona law sets specific duties after a crash. Under A.R.S. § 28-663, a driver involved in an accident that causes injury, death, or damage to an attended vehicle must give their name, address, and vehicle registration number, show their driver license on request, and render reasonable assistance to anyone injured, including helping arrange medical care if it is needed. Exchange this information with the other driver, and gather the same details from them, including their insurance information. Failing to meet these duties is not only a crime; it can also be used against a driver as evidence of fault in a later civil claim.
Document the Scene
If you are able, photograph the vehicles, their positions, the damage, license plates, road conditions, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. Note the time, location, and weather, and collect the names and contact information of any witnesses. If it is safe, a short video walking around the scene can capture details that individual photos miss. This documentation supports a claim and connects to the broader role of evidence. If the other driver leaves the scene, note everything you can and report it, since a hit and run claim depends heavily on early details.
Seek Medical Care Promptly
See a medical provider even if you feel fine, because some injuries, including concussions and soft tissue damage, do not produce symptoms right away. Prompt care protects your health and creates a record linking any injury to the crash. The firm keeps a guide on whether to go to the hospital after a minor crash. Drivers hurt in Phoenix, Tempe, and communities such as Goodyear should follow up on any symptoms that appear later. Keep every bill, referral, and discharge instruction, and attend follow-up appointments, since gaps in treatment are often used to question an injury.
Report the Crash and Watch What You Say
Notify your insurer about the crash, but be careful with statements about fault or the extent of your injuries. It is easy to say you are fine before symptoms appear, or to accept blame before the full picture is clear. You are generally required to cooperate with your own insurer, but you are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer. Stick to the facts, and understand that how you handle the claims process matters, a subject covered in the guide on insurance companies. The firm also keeps a step-by-step overview of what to do after a car accident in Arizona.
Mistakes to Avoid After a Crash
A few common mistakes can weaken a claim. Leaving the scene, skipping medical care, admitting fault, posting about the accident on social media, or accepting a quick settlement before injuries are fully understood can all reduce a recovery. Repairing or disposing of the vehicle before it is documented can also remove useful evidence. When in doubt, document more rather than less, and get advice before making decisions that are hard to undo.
Talk to an Arizona Personal Injury Attorney
Taking the right steps after a crash protects both your health and your claim. Wyatt Injury Law represents injured people across Arizona on a contingency fee basis, so there is no fee unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your accident.